Cruise holidays around the UK will be going ahead this summer, with Britons able to pick from a plethora of cruise providers offering domestic sailings. Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises have all issued new updates this week. This is what you need to know.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages today announced its plans to set sail from Portsmouth, England with a limited series of voyages this summer.
An offer available to UK residents, the upcoming staycation-at-sea series, which go on sale April 13, will include two, three and four-night itineraries with a total of six sailings this August.
Holidaymakers will be offered a first taste of sailing on Scarlet Lady, which includes, Michelin-inspired dining experiences, luxurious spa treatments, unlimited fitness classes, entertainment featuring local British talent, and of course an adult-only sailing experience.
All “sailors” must be over 18 and vaccinated against Covid.
“After more than a year of waiting and a major emphasis on a safe return, we’re ecstatic to announce these new sailings and bring Sailors onboard to experience what it’s like to set sail the Virgin Way,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages.
“We look at our UK summer voyages as a homecoming to pay homage to our British roots, and what an excellent way to kick-off our sailing season before heading back to PortMiami.”
The ‘Summer Soiree Series’ includes:
Itinerary 1 – Long Weekender ( three-night, Friday – Monday)
Aug. 6 – Aug. 9
Aug. 13 – Aug. 16
Aug. 20 – Aug. 23
Itinerary 2 – Summer WeekDaze (four-night, Monday – Friday)
Aug. 9 – Aug. 13
Aug. 16 – Aug. 20
Aug. 23 – Aug. 27
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises has today announced it has added the Isle of Portland as a port-of-call to four itineraries for its all-inclusive Summer Seacations.
From July through to September, MedallionClass ships Regal Princess and Sky Princess will sail roundtrip from Southampton on scenic cruises and voyages with stops in UK ports, with itineraries ranging from three to seven nights.
Along with Portland, Regal Princess and Sky Princess will call at Liverpool, Belfast, and Greenock.
Guests on Regal Princess and Sky Princess will be able to enjoy ‘Truly Touchless’ experiences and personalised services through the cruise line’s MedallionClass Experience, which supports new health protocols.
Features include touchless embarkation and disembarkation, keyless stateroom entry and the ability to order food, drink and retail items to anywhere on the ship.
All-inclusive fares with the newly added call to Portland start from:
– £599pp for a four-night cruise on Regal Princess with a call to Portland. Departs September 5, 2021.
– £999pp for a seven-night cruise on Sky Princess, calling at Portland, Belfast and Liverpool. Departs September 28, 2021.
P&O Cruises
P&O announced yesterday that holidays on new ship Arvia, Canary Islands fly/cruises and a 99-night world cruise are all now on sale, accompanied by launch booking offers, in P&O Cruises new winter 2022 / 2023 programme of holidays.
P&O Cruises has also launched an array of UK itineraries for the summer.
Britannia will offer three and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday running from June 27, 2021, through to September 19, 2021.
Iona offers seven-night itineraries running from August 7, 2021, to September 18, 2021. Prices start from £449 per person for a three-night break on Britannia. Iona’s seven-night maiden voyage starts from £1,199 per person.
Britons hoping to travel will need to be able to prove they have received their COVID-19 vaccination. Travel insurance will also be mandatory.
