Princess Cruises is looking at partnerships with more airlines to be boost the amount of seats it can offer from UK regional airports.

UK Sales Director Hayley Moore said the cruise line was particularly keen to add more flights from Manchester and from Scotland.

“We are looking over the next two years to increase capacity from regional airports,” she said.

Speaking at the naming ceremony for its newest ship Sun Princess, Hayley said the cruise line is looking to replicate the successful partnership it has with Irish carrier Aer Lingues with other airlines.

“We know additional air capacity out of Manchester will be popular and we are looking at doing something out of Scotland,” she said.

While Princess has three ships sailing from the UK, Hayley said it is seeing ‘huge’ demand for fly-cruises.

“That is the most encouraging thing for our business, especially as we have our newest hardware [Sun Princess] in locations where you have to fly. We have a saying that ‘the future is fly’ and we’re very excited that our guests are prepared to fly.”

However, Hayley said ex-UK cruises provide Princess with an opportunity to attract ‘new-to-brand’ and first-time cruisers.  While Sky Princess cruises from Southampton are sold out for the summer, Hayley said there is still some availability in the fourth quarter of the year.

“Shorter cruises from Southampton allow them to dip a toe in the water, and they’re another way for agents to attract a new audience,” she added.

Agents will have a chance to visit Sun Princess in September when the ship will call at Southampton on its way from the Mediterranean to the US, but Hayley said she wasn’t aware of any plans for the ship to operate from the UK, adding: “She is built for the sun and the light.”