P&O doubles up on UK cruises

Nicely-timed announcement from P&O Cruises – just as Royal Caribbean reveal the withdrawal of Independence of the Seas from the UK next winter, the line voted the UK’s most popular confirms it will have two ships sailing out of Southampton year-round.
Oceana and Oriana will be sailing cruises of anything from two to 35 nights in length.
Oceana, which carries 2,016 passengers, will embark on its second year of winter cruising from Southampton. Highlights include two short (seven-night) cruises for Christmas and New Year, giving the opportunity to spend Boxing Day in Copenhagen or New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam.
http://www.pocruises.com/Cruise-Ships/Aurora/Ship-Overview/
Adults-only Oriana, carrying 1,870, will offer seven ex-UK cruises including a 10-night Baltic cruise in December, visiting popular Christmas market destinations such as Copenhagen and Hamburg; and a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in late January to ports including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Casablanca.
Between October 2012 and April 2013, the other five ships in P&O’s fleet will depart on a total of 21 ex-UK cruises, but in the early months of 2013 Ventura will be plying Caribbean itineraries, while Azura, Arcadia, Aurora and Adonia will all be on world cruises or extended voyages .
Managing director Carol Marlow said: “P&O Cruises already offers the greatest choice of ex-UK cruises and next winter will have 39 roundtrip cruises from Southampton from October to April. People are keen to holiday in the winter, but don’t necessarily want to fly. Convenience is a key booking factor for our passengers, with travelling to Southampton so easy – and then their holiday starts right away.”
►P&O’s popularity was cemented at last night’s British Travel Awards, as the line triumphed in four of the eight cruise categories. As well as picking up the prize for Best UK-departure Cruise Line, they were voted Best Mainstream Cruise Line, Best Luxury Cruise Line and Best Family Cruise Line.
Cunard was named Cruise Line of the Year; Voyages of Discovery, Best Niche Cruise Line; and Viking are Best River Cruise Line. Thomson collected the award for Best Cruise Hioliday Retailer.