NEW P&O Cruises Staycation Summer 2021 cruise holidays
This year, P&O Cruises is staying local so that they can whisk you away on the ultimate UK getaway. After months of lockdown life, you’ve earned a trip to a luxury hotel, a soothing spa break, dinner and a show… Luckily with P&O Cruises, you don’t have to choose just one. Everything you’ve missed and more is waiting on board.
These new coastal cruises will sail around the UK coast “where the sun shines brightest.” Flagship, Britannia, will set sail in June offering three and four night breaks and one six night holiday starting from £449pp†. And for Iona’s maiden season, from August she’ll offer week-long escapes from £779pp†.
Setting sail from Southampton, you’ll get the chance to enjoy a British break with a serious upgrade. Gourmet dining and poolside pizza, cocktail bars and coffee spots, boutique shops and cinemas, whirlpool spas and hi-tech gyms, live music and theatre shows – your ship offers it all. Plus that much-needed holiday feeling… You’ll wake each morning with a new view beyond your balcony. You’ll drink in shimmering sea views. You’ll sunbathe (here’s hoping) by the pool.
† £449pp based on B119P Balcony. £779pp based on G129N Balcony.
Vaccination Policy
Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only.
For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the COVID-19 vaccination policy.
All other P&O Cruises holidays on sale do not currently require guests to be vaccinated.
As the vaccine roll out progresses and the government has announced its intended roadmap for the future, the guidance is continually evolving. Pre-embarkation COVID-19 tests may be required as part of the framework of protocols and will be complimentary in the price of your holiday. We will update this page as necessary and update all guests prior to their holiday departure date. Please do ensure that your preferences and details are up to date in My Account.
FAQs
- Q: What does this mean if I have already booked a holiday but haven’t yet had the vaccine?
- A: Any bookings for the new UK coastal cruises – sailings on Britannia & Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. All other P&O Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated. If you are unlikely to meet the vaccine policy at the time of departure please refer to the flexible booking options.
- Q: Why are these cruises only for guests who have been vaccinated?
- A: Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident, Covid-19 vaccinated guests only.For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.
All other P&O Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated.
- Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident, Covid-19 vaccinated guests only.
For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.
All other P&O Cruises holidays currently on sale do not require guests to be vaccinated.
- Q: Will I need to have both doses of the vaccine before I can travel, or can I travel having received the first one?
- A: For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding.If you are unlikely to meet the vaccine policy at time of departure, please refer to our flexible booking options.
- Q: How will you check that I have received the vaccine at the time of booking?
- A: It is our guests responsibility to ensure they comply with our current vaccination policy, proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding.
- Q: If I am denied boarding at the terminal, as I have failed to produce my proof of vaccine – will you reimburse my out of pocket expenses to that point and the cost of my travel home?
- A: There will be a P&O cruises representative on hand at the terminal to support any guests who are denied boarding, however for any costs incurred you will need to contact your travel insurance provider as these will be at your own expense.
- Q: What if I am exempt from receiving the vaccine?
- A: The sailings on Britannia & Iona will be for UK resident, COVID-19 vaccinated guests only.
- Q: Do children under the age of 18 need to be vaccinated in order to travel?
- A: Guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy
- Q: Will crew be vaccinated?
- A: Crew will undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time on board. Our protocols are subject to change, as we will continue to work with our experts and with government bodies to ensure all of our practices evolve in line with latest advice, with our primary focus always being to protect the health and wellbeing of our crew and guests and the communities we visit.
- Q: Are these new cruises going anywhere?
- A:P&O Cruises is offering a series of short breaks on flagship Britannia this summer and week-long cruises on new ship Iona. These cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines brightest.”
There are no ports of call, these are coastal cruises, except for the last six night cruise on Britannia, where a scheduled call at Liverpool will be made.
- Q: Can I book two UK getaway cruises back to back?
- A: Back to back bookings will not be available on these new cruises.
Free Flexible Transfers
P&O Cruises are doing everything they can to give you added flexibility at this time. Below you’ll find a number of temporary enhancements they have made to their transfer policy.
- Existing bookings impacted by the temporary pause
For all bookings cancelled into September 2021.
All guests on the affected cancelled sailings will automatically receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit (FCC). There’s no need to contact us; your Future Cruise Credit will be automatically applied against each individual on the booking.
Those guests who would prefer a 100% cash refund should fill out this web form . P&O are working to process all new and outstanding refund requests as quickly as possible. Due to the extraordinary circumstances associated with COVID-19 they are dealing with an unprecedented level of refunds and FCCs at this time so please bear with them. We appreciate your patience. You have until 31 December 2021 to request a refund.
Refunds for pre-cruise purchases
Any purchases for extra experiences you made through My P&O Cruises, Flight Seat Booker, your travel agent or the P&O Cruises Customer Contact Centre will be automatically refunded.
- All bookings still scheduled to depart in 2021 & 2022
Transferring your booking
If your holiday is unaffected by the latest pause but you would like to reschedule, you can take advantage of the free flexible transfer policy up to the date the balance of your holiday is due. This means that if you have a Select Price or Early Saver booking you can:
- Transfer your booking to any P&O Cruises holiday currently on sale (and not just to those within the next 12 months)
- Transfer your booking to a cruise of a higher or lower value (and not just of a higher value, as is usually the case)
- Transfer your booking an unlimited number of times (and not just once)
- Transfer your booking free of charge
This policy modifies the transfer policy in our Booking Conditions. This policy may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice.
Enhanced Well Being Protocols
Your holiday experience
As of 17th March 2021
Before you board
Prior to your departure, P&O Cruises will send you the latest public health guidance as well as pre-cruise information about mitigating the risk of COVID-19, along with a health declaration questionnaire. Please read this carefully as this will include what to expect when you arrive at the terminal, time on board, any country specific requirements to be aware of and other relevant protocols while you are travelling with us.
If you’re booked on a fly-cruise, please refer to your airline for their latest protocols and air travel advice. You can take a look at the government’s safer aviation guidance including how to travel safely in airports and on aircraft here.
When we first return to sailing, we will be hosting UK getaways on board Britannia and Iona. Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only.
If you are travelling with friends and family, please let us know at the time of booking so that we can link your parties to form one travelling group up to a maximum number allowed by UK Government guidelines at the time of sailing. This will help to co-ordinate your experience. Please call our Customer Contact Centre or speak to your travel agent to link your bookings before you sail.
Boarding your ship
We have enhanced our boarding procedures, working with our partners in the ports. In the cruise terminal you will be required to adhere to the wearing of face masks and social distancing, in accordance with all current guidelines.
When we first return to sailing with our UK coastal cruises, all guests will need to provide proof of vaccination and the dates given (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding at your own expense. This also applies to providing proof of suitable travel insurance.
All guests and crew boarding our ships will undergo health screening and pre-embarkation COVID-19 tests may be required as part of our framework of protocols. If required, it will be complimentary in the price of your holiday. We will update ‘Our Assurance to you’ page as necessary and update all guests prior to their holiday departure date. Please do ensure that your preferences and details are up to date in My Account.
If you test positive for the virus, you will be denied boarding, but we’re pleased to say you’ll receive an FCC to the value of the cruise and we will automatically refund any pre-cruise purchases made through My P&O Cruises*. If you were part of a linked booking, your friends or family would also be able to opt for the FCC and receive a refund for any pre-cruise purchases made. That way, you can enjoy your break when the time is right. Guests must link with other travellers at the time of booking.
*If your cruise is part of a wider holiday package booked through a tour operator please contact your tour operator for information relating to their policies in place should you be denied boarding.
Cleanliness & care
We have always taken great pride in our standards of cleanliness on board. Our enhanced measures will ensure all areas of the ship are even more thoroughly and regularly cleaned, with products which have proven effectiveness against COVID-19. There will be added hand sanitiser and hand-washing facilities available throughout the ship.
We will be initially operating with a reduced occupancy on our ships to ensure we’re able to adhere to the latest social distancing guidelines. Social distancing will be in place in all public areas and lifts will have limited capacity, though still available to those who need to use them. Despite fewer travellers than normal, we’ll still bring the P&O Cruises holiday atmosphere that our guests know and love.
The wearing of face masks in certain areas of the ship will be a mandatory requirement.
Eating & Drinking
We all know that delicious food and drink are a core part of your holiday and this will certainly not change. You may be asked to pre-book a table in the restaurants; the buffets and deck grills will now be served by our waiting staff and you will only be permitted to dine with your household or linked travelling group, up to a maximum number allowed by government guidelines at the time of sailing. We are adapting our restaurants and bars to ensure you can enjoy your experience and maintain social distancing in line with the guidance.
Entertainment
One of the best things about a P&O Cruises holiday is the chance to be entertained around the clock. From theatre shows to live bands, you’ll find the show will go on! Our performances will be adapted so that artistes and audience adhere to the latest guidance. You may be asked to pre-book a performance in key venues.
Activities & Leisure
All of your favourites – shops, spa, salon, gym, pools, casinos, activities and children’s clubs will be operating but will be subject to the latest approved guidance to minimise contact, reduce the number of guests in each area and maintain the highest levels of cleanliness. You may see changes including pre-booked appointment slots and additional services such as an on-board retail concierge and selected shops offering a pre-order service on a hand-picked range of products for collection or delivery to cabin.
Certain activities or areas of the ship that would make social distancing difficult may not be in operation when we return to sailing. We will keep all guests aware of any applicable procedures before they sail.
Your accommodation
Your cabin steward will maintain the cleanliness and tidiness of your accommodation to our enhanced standards although we would ask that you are not in your cabin at the same time as the steward. We will also be introducing an enhanced in-cabin television service providing essential updates, and an extended room service menu for you to enjoy as you relax in your cabin.
Seeing the sights on shore
You can explore our amazing destinations, being able to relax and roam, knowing every measure has been taken to protect your health and well-being. For the time being, you will only be able to go ashore through our new range of organised and vetted shore experiences. Port transfer and shore experience operators will be subject to new policies and procedures to reflect the latest approved guidance in line with our on-board protocols.
On top of that, we’ve a whole wealth of brand new shore experiences available with options to suit every budget and every traveller. We know how much our guests love to get under the skin of each destination and so we’re introducing a new range of affordable options to make sure you have the opportunity to still experience the best of each exciting stop. Our new experiences will help you get to the heart of each port and you can be reassured knowing your well-being is protected. Unfortunately some of our existing experiences may have to be put on hold at this time if they cannot be run in a COVID-safe environment, but we’ll have plenty of new options to share with you soon. Additional health screening may be required when you return to the ship.
Time to go home – Test & Trace
All guests and crew will need to complete a guest locator form to adhere to the UK government’s Test and Trace initiative. Local country initiatives may also apply at the time of sailing.