Tag Archives: staycation

Third P&O Cruises Ship to Resume International Sailing

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P&O Cruises’ Ventura is resuming operations on Oct. 3 as it sets sail for the Canary Islands.

According to a press release, half of the P&O Cruises fleet is now in service as the Ventura joins the Iona and Britannia, both of which sailed a series of summer UK coastal cruises and have been sailing internationally since Sept. 25, 2021.

The Azura will also resume sailing in December 2021, joining the Britannia for the Caribbean season.

“Ventura’s international restart is the result of guest confidence in cruising and is the very latest stage of P&O Cruises sailing resumption as we work towards the return of our full fleet in spring 2022,” said P&O Cruises’ President Paul Ludlow. “Due to demand and the resounding endorsement of the first international holidays on the Iona and Britannia we’ve opened up increased capacity to holiday with us.”

He added that the cruise line was “proud” to have four ships sailing internationally this year “giving our guests a greater choice of where and when they travel with P&O Cruises for winter sun.”

The Ventura’s 12-night holidays to Spain and Portugal this year start at £599 per person. These will be followed by a 35-night holiday to the Caribbean, round-trip from Southampton, departing Jan. 3, 2022, from £3,174 per person.

A second 35-night holiday to the Caribbean and USA with Honduras, Belize and New Orleans among the 11 ports of call depart Feb. 11, 2022, priced from £2,899 per person.

Disney Confirms Summer 2021 Magic Staycation Sailings in the UK

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Disney Cruise Line has become the latest cruise operator to confirm UK home sailings in summer 2021. According to a press release, United Kingdom residents will be able to sail on the brand-new Disney Magic at Sea “staycation” sailings from UK ports this summer for a limited time.

Featuring enchanted entertainment and with multiple layers of health and safety measures, the Disney Magic cruise ship plans to sail mostly two- and three-night voyages, as well as limited four-night sailings round-trip from London Tilbury, Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.

“Our teams are bringing tremendous ingenuity and fun to these new cruises, tailoring them with care to the times we are living in, yet filling them with everything you’d expect from Disney, from great service and entertainment to immersive dining experiences and magic for the whole family,” said Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.

Guests will remain aboard the Disney Magic throughout the sailing and will enjoy a cruise experience with world-class accommodations, dazzling entertainment and a variety of included dining options. Children and adults alike will delight in spaces created just for them, including family pools and waterslides, whimsical kids clubs, and adult-only retreats such as a secluded pool and spa, a lively entertainment district and a fine-dining restaurant.

According to the press release, favourite Disney stories, characters and entertainment will come to life during these special Disney Magic at Sea cruises, including a celebration with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals, a Frozen flurry of fun with Anna, Elsa and Olaf, and an epic encounter with Marvel’s greatest Super Heroes.

Guests will cherish special moments with beloved Disney friends, from capturing physically distanced photos with Captain Mickey, to enjoying a royal promenade with Disney Princesses or seeing favourite Toy Story pals. West End-quality stage shows will captivate guests of all ages in the elegant Walt Disney Theatre.

Disney Cruise Line said it was implementing multiple layers of health and safety measures considering guidance from the UK government, health authorities and medical experts. This includes COVID-19 testing, health screenings, face coverings, reduced guest capacity, physical distancing and enhanced cleaning.

The cruise line added that the Disney Magic at Sea staycation itineraries are expected to go on sale in April 2021 for summer 2021 sailings, pending the issuance of UK government guidelines and authorizations. 

Cunard UK “staycation” cruises

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The sailings onboard Queen Elizabeth will operate in UK waters departing the line’s Southampton home port. More details of the range will follow later this month said Cunard on Thursday (11 March).


The line’s flexible booking terms will apply to these new voyages.


“With the UK government confirming domestic travel is close on the horizon, we are introducing a series of exciting, shorter duration holidays for Brits looking for the perfect staycation in Cunard luxury this summer,” said Cunard president Simon Palethorpe.


“These will be sailings from Southampton, for UK residents, around the UK and will make the very most of the summer sunshine.”

It comes after P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises confirmed they would offer sailings in UK waters this summer.


Cunard’s new programme will, however, replace a number of international sailings that will be cancelled due to the ongoing impact of the Covid crisis on travel, affecting both Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2’s programmes.


“With international travel restrictions still in place, we, unfortunately, need to cancel a number of departures,” said Palethorpe.

“We know how much everyone is desperately looking forward to longed-for holidays overseas, so to all affected by this news, I am sincerely sorry for the disappointment this will cause.”

Sailings onboard Queen Victoria are now cancelled for all departures up to and including 27 August.

Its summer Mediterranean fly-cruise season, and all sailings departing up to and on 11 October, have also been cancelled.


All Queen Mary 2 departures up to and including 12 November have also been cancelled, with Cunard citing “a number of factors”.


Guests booked on cancelled cruises will automatically receive a future cruise credit worth 125% of what they paid. This 125% credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021 on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.


Guests can otherwise apply for a 100% refund via a form on the Cunard website.