P&O Cruises reports 'overwhelming' demand for domestic cruises

P&O Cruises has said it received an “overwhelming” number of bookings for its summer season of coastal cruises as they went on sale yesterday (22 March).

Itineraries on Britannia and new ship Iona will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast. Iona will anchor off its namesake island on a new seven-night maiden voyage.

The sailings are for UK resident Covid-19-vaccinated passengers only.

The line’s online booking system had suffered technical problems as a result of demand, although P&O said the issue had been rectified.

We’re so sorry if you’ve experienced difficulty booking our new UK getaways this morning. This has been due to incredible demand. We've made a number of changes to allow more guests to book online so we’re pleased to say, you can now book via our website, https://t.co/HthtUVmyUl
— P&O Cruises (@pandocruises) March 22, 2021

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “It is very demonstrable evidence that a holiday at sea, with all that it has to offer, is a popular and much longed-for option this summer.

“We always hoped that these domestic cruises would be popular, given the uncertainty around holidays abroad, but we have never before seen such significant and immediate demand and it certainly shows the effects of lockdown and everyone’s need for a holiday.

“Many thousands of guests have already made bookings and Iona’s maiden voyage to the Scottish islands is already very well sold and will be a very special cruise.

“We have spent so long working towards this point and we all just can’t wait to see our ships sailing once again. It’s been a very long year.”

Britannia is scheduled to sail three and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday running from 27 June through to 19 September. Prices start from £449pp for a three-night cruise.

Iona will sail seven-night itineraries from 7 August to 18 September, with prices for its maiden sailing starting from £1,199pp.

The sailings follow the news that domestic cruise sailings could restart from 17 May. Other lines have also announced itineraries, due to depart this summer.