Britannia is to be based in Southampton year-round, P&O Cruises has confirmed with the launch of its winter 2027/28 programme.
After finishing its summer 2027 season, the ship will homeport on the south coast for the first time since its launch in 2015, operating cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Atlantic Islands.
Britannia will be replaced in the Caribbean in 2027 by the larger Iona, which will join its sister ship Arvia to offer fly-cruises in the region for the first time.
From October 2027 until April 2028, both ships will operate 14-night cruises from Barbados, Antigua and, new for the season, St Kitts.
Arcadia and Aurora will offer a mix of itineraries to the North Cape, the Baltics, and Western Europe in winter 2027/28.
As already announced, the two adult-only ships will be allowing under-18s to sail on a number of cruises, which has provoked mixed reactions from customers.
Also, Arcadia will depart on a 124-night world cruise on 6 January 2028 with ports of call including Tokyo, Laem Chabang (for Bangkok), and Male (for Maldives), and Aurora will head to South America for a 75-night Grand Tour in 2028, with calls in Brazil and Chile.
Other programme highlights include a new seven-night New Year’s Eve Scandinavia cruise on Ventura. Azura will continue to offer Canary Islands fly-cruises with calls in other destinations such as Madeira and Morocco.
P&O Cruises Associate Vice President for Sales & Distribution Ruth Venn said: “We are excited to unveil P&O Cruises holidays for the winter 2027 / 2028 season. With highlights including family-friendly holidays on Arcadia and Aurora, the return to ports from Japan to Hawaii, and Iona’s first Caribbean winter season.
“Collectively, the new programme gives agents lots of great talking points and many new sales and marketing opportunities.”
Pre-registration for the itineraries is open until 8pm on 20 October, with general sale bookings opening on 22 October.
Holidays booked by 17 December 2025 will receive a number of early bird offers, including a 10% discount, low deposit on Select and Early Saver fares, and third and fourth guests sharing the same cabin sail free on selected cruises of over six nights from Southampton.
There is also a 20% discount on Classic drinks packages.
