All cabins put on sale for P&O Cruises’ new 40-night winter sun Caribbean cruise on Aurora sold out in six hours on its first day on sale, the line has revealed.

In addition, Aurora’s 12-night Portugal & the Canary Islands itinerary, which also went on sale on 6 July, had 80 per cent of cabins sold on the first day of booking.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “This is an exceptional response which clearly demonstrates the desire from our guests for international cruising.

“Just over a week ago Britannia started the series of UK coastal breaks, which has received superb feedback from our guests, while excitement continues to build ahead of Iona’s maiden voyage in a month’s time.

“This, coupled with the overwhelming sales for Aurora’s new 2022 winter sun holidays, underpins the incredible demand for travel we are seeing as normality returns.

“I would also like to thank our agent partners as these results and the speed of bookings are the result of their continued support, for which we are hugely appreciative.”

Set to depart on 20 February 2022, the Caribbean cruise will visit 16 ports of call, including La Coruña, Madeira, St Kitts, Guadeloupe, St Lucia, Antigua and Tenerife, among others.

The 12-night Portugal & Canary Islands holiday, departing from and returning to Southampton, will call at La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Lisbon. Inside cabins are priced from £599pp.

Additional Caribbean holidays are available on Britannia and Azura, with 14-night Britannia cruises priced from £1,299pp.

Earlier this week, P&O Cruises unveiled its entertainment plan for the maiden voyage of its new ship Iona.