The first guests in 15 months were welcomed by P&O Cruises on Sunday as the Britannia left Southampton for four nights in summer around the British coast.
The ships from P&O Cruises, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora, as well as those of the sister brand Cunard, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, anchored on site, celebrated the occasion with a honking farewell when Britannia entered the port at 6:00 p.m. local time from Southampton time left.
The Britannia will sail a number of UK coastal cruises of three, four and seven nights through September 25, 2021.
The Iona’s maiden voyage will take place on August 7th, 2021 and she will then sail scenic coastal cruises seven nights a week before embarking on her Atlantic coast vacation.
Paul Ludlow, President of P&O Cruises, said: “We have been counting down so far and we look forward to welcoming guests on board again. A big thank you to our guests for their patience as we fully recognize that it was a time full of anticipation and foiled plans. We spent this time working hard to refine and improve our vacation so that the time on board could be fully enjoyed.
“Our restart is a celebration for the crew, guests, our employees, Southampton and the industry as well, as we once again play our key role in supporting the diversity of local producers, suppliers, hotels, B & Bs, restaurants and taxi drivers that the cruise industry is for .” so important.”
