Operator P&O Cruises has unveiled its revised deployment and re-start plan for the remainder of 2021 and into early 2022.

The cruise line has had to make several changes, including cancelling cruises on Ventura, Azura, Aurora and Arcadia.

P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow said: “We are very much looking forward to getting Britannia and Iona back to sea for the series of UK coastal cruises.

“As we know the UK Government has developed a traffic light system for holidays abroad this summer.

“The current situation means that whilst unfortunately there will be a number of cancellations of itineraries on some ships, we are looking ahead and planning for the future with vigour.

“We are confident that destinations will soon open up their borders both for UK travellers and also for cruise ships. Spain and its islands and the Caribbean are both looking very positive and we are seeing, one by one, countries publicly looking forward to welcoming us back.”

Britannia will begin the planned western Mediterranean itineraries on 25 September and Iona will start Atlantic coast holidays from the same date. These cruises will follow the series of UK coastal cruises beginning in June.

Ventura’s first cruises will be the planned programme of Atlantic islands holidays from 3 October.

Following the Mediterranean season, running until October, Britannia will reposition to the Caribbean for the winter season as scheduled, followed by Azura, which will begin Caribbean fly/cruises slightly later than published from December 10,2021.

The length and complexity of Arcadia and Aurora’s planned long haul cruises from January next year has forced their cancellation and these two ships will not begin sailing until next year.

However, a replacement itinerary for Aurora, with winter sun appeal, will be announced shortly.

In addition, following ongoing guest feedback P&O Cruises has reviewed its vaccination policy.

For all cruises departing from 25 September to 31 December, 2021, all over 18s will be required to have completed their vaccination course a minimum of 14 days prior to sailing.

All guests aged 17 and below will need to have completed their vaccination course a minimum 14 days prior to sailing or will require a negative PCR test within 72 hours prior to travel.  

All guests will also require a negative COVID-19 test at the terminal. The PCR and COVID-19 test at the terminal will be provided free.

The vaccination policy for the UK coastal cruises until September 24 2021 remains that all guests travelling, of all ages, must have completed their vaccination course a minimum of seven days prior to sailing (or 14 days prior to sailing if an approved single dose vaccine).

The revised 2021-22 season is as follows:

Iona: UK coastal cruises from 7 August to 25 September then sailing the Atlantic coast beginning with G133 on 25 September, 2021

Britannia: UK coastal cruises from 27 June to 25 September then sailing Western Mediterranean beginning with B122 on 25 September, 2021

Ventura: Currently paused up to 4 September; two new cruises cancelled (N118 and N119), then sailing Atlantic islands cruises from N120 on 3 October, 2021

Azura: Currently paused up to 1 September 1; cancelled A118A to A124A inclusive; then sailing Caribbean fly/cruises from A125 / A125A 10 December, 2021

Aurora: Currently paused up to 1 September; nine new cruises cancelled – then sailing R202 Central Med on April 13, 2022 (although replacement itinerary for early 2022 will be announced shortly)

Arcadia: Currently paused up to 14 September; 10 new cruises cancelled, then sailing J204 March 27, 2022