A year after the cruise industry shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, P&O Cruises UK is preparing to return to service this summer with a twin-ship operation in the UK.

Here’s everything that happened to P&O Cruises UK, a Carnival Corporation brand, over the past year:

Make a fresh start with UK Coastal Cruises

P&O is Return to service with a series of short breaks and week-long cruises off the coast of the UK.

The company will operate two ships from Southampton from June, the Britannia and the new Iona.

The cruises are for fully vaccinated UK residents only and do not include calls to ports.

Oceana becomes the first modern cruise ship to be sold due to the pandemic

Last July the Oceana became the first modern cruise ship to be sold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we and many of our guests will miss Oceana, when they depart we can focus on our remaining vessels in the fleet,” said Paul Ludlow, President of P&O, at the time of the sale.

While a buyer was not originally named, It later became known that the ship, built in 2000, had been acquired by Seajets. It was renamed Queen of the Oceans and was the first cruise ship bought by the Greek ferry operator. Then he took on another six ships.

New building delivery planned Updated

Originally planned for its debut in May 2020, the Iona joined the P&O Cruises fleet a few months later. With the pandemic, construction of the ship and delivery were delayed was postponed to October 9th.

Iona’s sister ship Arvia, The delivery date was also adjusted after the pandemic. The ship’s debut was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard postponed to December 2022.

New ship Arvia unveiled

In February, P&O Cruises announced further details on its second LNG-powered ship, which will be named Arvia.

After commissioning in December 2022, the ship will spend their inaugural season in the CaribbeanSailing from Barbados and Antigua.

With a modified design it is offers some new features, including a unique high wire experience as well as a swim-up bar and a new restaurant, Green & Co, where Mizuhana serves a menu with plants and fish.

By the numbers:

Ships:

  • Ship shed: -1
  • Ships added: +1

Result: No change

Berths:

  • Mooring sheds: -2,000
  • Berths added: +5,200

Result: +3,200 new berths