P&O Cruises says now is 'sweet spot' to launch new programme
Harry KembleP&O Cruises says October is the “sweet spot” to launch its new 78-itinerary 2026/27 programme which comes hot on the heels of its first-ever Travel Industry Awards by TTG success.
The Carnival Corporation brand took home the Ocean Cruise Line of the Year award at last month’s ceremony.
Now, a little more than two weeks later, it has made its 2026/27 collection, featuring more than 100 destinations, available on pre-registration on Monday (14 October).
Sales director Ruth Venn told TTG: “We know launching now works. It’s the sweet spot before we get to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. We see real benefits from launching slightly earlier.”
She revealed P&O Cruises works “really closely” with sister brand Cunard to make sure programme announcements don’t overlap. “We believe that resonates with guests and agents,” Venn added.
The new programme features a 75-night Grand Tour sailing from Southampton departing in January 2027, which includes an overnight call in Galveston, Texas.
An extended 106-night world cruise on Arcadia, also from Southampton, calling into Vanuatu capital Port Vila, has also been included.
Arcadia will also call into Alotau, Papua New Guinea; Kona, Hawaii; and Newcastle, Australia, all of which have not been visited by the line for more than five years. Prices for the cruise start from £9,999 per person.
Iona, meanwhile, will operate a 16-night Atlantic Islands cruise departing from Southampton in December 2026, calling into eight European destinations, including a late stay in Lisbon on 31 December. Prices lead in from £1,399pp.
Aurora will offer a new ex-Southampton Baltic itinerary in December 2026, lasting 14 nights, with an overnight stay in Tallinn. Prices start from £1,399pp.
The new programme comes a little over two weeks after the line bagged the coveted Ocean Cruise Line of the Year award at the Travel Industry Awards.
’A great team effort’
Rob Scott, vice-president brand, sales and marketing, believes the accolade shows how far the line has come in recent years.
See all the winners on the night
“I’ve been fortunate to take part in a few of the judging panels,” he said. “People really take care when judging these awards. It may sound a bit glib but these awards are really important. I’m incredibly proud – it shows how far we’ve come.
“This is not just an award for 2024 but also the work we’ve done in the last three to five years. It’s been a great team effort to get to this point.”
When asked about how the line navigated its way through the fallout with former airline partner, Maleth Aero, Scott said: “We just had to lean into this. We knew we had to deal with this as best we can.
“We will always try to tell agents as early as possible – sometimes though that’s not early enough.”
But he added: “We’re a legacy brand in the UK that is an earned position. We feel that we’re in it together with agents.”
P&O Cruises has agreed a number of eye-catching partnership deals in recent years, which Scott says is set to continue.
“We have a really exciting announcement coming up in the next few weeks. It’s a really top partnership. There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes,” he said.
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