P&O Cruises Announce 2012/2013 Winter Cruise Program From Southampton

P&O Cruises has doubled its ex-UK capacity next year from one ship to two as both Oceana and Oriana sail from Southampton throughout winter 2012/13 on cruises of two to 35 nights duration.

Oceana’s second year of winter cruising from Southampton includes, for the first time, two short cruises for Christmas and New Year. These cruises offer the chance to spend Boxing Day in Copenhagen or New Year’s Eve in Amsterdam, for some authentic festive celebrations whilst only being away for four or seven days.

Oriana will offer seven ex-UK cruises including a 10 night Baltic cruise in December calling in popular Christmas market destinations such as Copenhagen and Hamburg; and a 12 night Canary Islands cruise in late January to ports including Gran Canaria, Tenerife and Casablanca.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “P&O Cruises already offers the greatest choice of ex-UK cruises and next winter will have 39 roundtrip cruises from Southampton from October to April. A growing number of people are keen to holiday in the winter, but don’t necessarily want to fly, so this additional range of cruises from Southampton will increase their options sill further. Convenience is a key booking factor for our passengers, with travelling to Southampton so easy – and then their holiday starts right away.”

This is in addition to the four winter world cruises from January to April 2012, from and to Southampton, including Azura’s maiden world cruise.

Ship/itinerary winter ex-UK highlights, October 2012 – April 2013:

Adonia

· Sailing one ex-UK cruise from October 2012 to April 2013
· Prices from £2129 per person for the 16 night Atlantic Island cruise departing December 2012

Arcadia

· Sailing five ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a 10 night Atlantic coast cruise to a 23 night Caribbean transatlantic
· Cruising to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Atlantic coast and Atlantic islands
· Prices from £879 per person for a 10 night Atlantic coast cruise departing in October 2012
· Highlight cruises include a 20 night Eastern Mediterranean cruise departing November 2012 with prices starting from £1,779 per person

Aurora

· Sailing five ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a two night cruise break to a 23 night Mediterranean cruise
· Cruising to the Mediterranean, Europe and the Caribbean
· Prices from £239 per person for a two night cruise break in October 2012
· Highlight cruises include a 17 night Central Mediterranean cruise with prices starting from £1,499 per person

Azura

· Sailing seven ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a two night cruise break to a 24 night Caribbean cruise
· Cruising to the Mediterranean, Europe, Caribbean, Atlantic Islands and Atlantic coast
· Prices from £239 per person for a two night cruise break departing December 2012
· Highlight cruises include an 11 night Atlantic Coast cruise departing in December 2012 with prices starting from £869 per person

Oceana

· Sailing 11 ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a two night cruise break to a 35 night Caribbean cruise. Also including a seven night Christmas cruise to Belgium, Denmark and Sweden, and a four night New Year cruise to Belgium and The Netherlands
· Cruising to the Mediterranean, Europe, Atlantic Islands and the Caribbean
· Prices from £239 per person for a two night cruise departing in December 2012
· Highlight cruises include a 35 night Caribbean round trip departing January 2013 with prices from £2,899 per person

Oriana

· Sailing seven ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a 10 night Baltic cruise to a 35 night Caribbean cruise
· Cruising to the Mediterranean, Atlantic Islands, Baltic and the Caribbean
· Prices from £779 per person for a 10 night Baltic cruise in December 2012
· Highlight cruises include a 12 night Atlantic Islands cruise departing in January 2013 with prices from £999 per person

Ventura

· Sailing three ex-UK cruises from October 2012 to April 2013
· Itineraries range from a two night cruise beak to a 14 night Mediterranean cruise
· Cruising to Mediterranean, Europe and Atlantic Islands
· Prices from £239 for a two night party cruise departing October 2012
· Highlight cruises include a 14 night Western Mediterranean cruise departing in October 2012 with prices starting from £1,299 per person

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P&O Cruises 3 Ships Embark on Maiden World Cruise in 2013

‘Awe inspiring adventures’ as Azura embarks on maiden world cruise in 2013

The newest P&O Cruises ship and the largest ever in the fleet to embark upon a world cruise will depart in spring 2013. The maiden Azura Grand Odyssey is 110 nights and takes in 32 ports in 19 countries.

The cruise is one of a wide selection in the 2013 World Cruise brochure, which also includes itineraries on board Arcadia, Aurora and Adonia – the latest and smallest ship to have been added to the fleet. At just 710 passengers, Adonia sits at the opposite end of the scale to Azura, which can carry 3,100 passengers.

This is the largest ever P&O Cruises world program, with the four ships visiting 94 destinations in 52 different countries and collectively covering 131,824 nautical miles. The four ships represent a 23% increase in world cruise capacity compared to 2012.

A video news release highlighting the popularity and growth of world cruises is available on the P&O Cruises YouTube channel and Facebook page. It can be downloaded for hosting on independent sites from www.youtube.com/pandocruises.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “P&O Cruises knows ocean travel like no other. With every passing year more passengers are attracted to our world cruises, seeing a world cruise as the perfect opportunity to travel the world in comfort and style, choosing a luxury cabin and unlimited luggage over youth hostels and a backpack.

”In 2013 we are offering a selection of awe inspiring adventures, with cruises on some very special ships. These are the ultimate cruises, exploring different parts of the world and providing the holiday of a lifetime always with the ‘P&Oness for which we are renowned.”

The world cruise program offers the best ever value with Early Booking savings and free on board spending money, which increases per person depending on the grade of cabin booked, available for bookings made before November 30, 2011. In addition, an extra 10% discount is available for bookings made by August 31, 2011.

Passengers booking the 110 night Azura Grand Odyssey before August 31, 2011, will receive Early Booking savings of between £800 to £2,000 per person, plus the additional 10% discount, and free on board spending money of between £220 to £1,100 per person (an inside cabin compared with a suite).

In addition to the four full world cruises, 18 line voyages are available on Aurora, Arcadia and Azura. The line voyages go to or from Australia and New Zealand and range from 40 to 69 nights in duration.

Prices are from £3,059 (cruise only) for a 41 night Southampton to Perth (from Fremantle) cruise on Azura, including Early Booking savings of £300 and free on board spending money of £90 per person. The cruise calls in Barcelona, Athens (from Piraeus), Cairo / Giza (from Port Said), transit Suez Canal, Safaga, Dubai, Mumbai, Colombo, Langkawi, Bangkok (from Laem Chabang), Singapore, Bali and Perth (from Fremantle).

Holiday Package Add-ons including flights, transfers and overnight hotel stays where necessary, are available for purchase from £600 per person for the above Southampton to Perth (from Fremantle) package on Azura. Alternatively prices are ‘cruise only’ so that passengers can arrange their own flights and pre or post cruise holiday extensions.

Pre and post cruise city stays are offered in Auckland, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane, priced from £79 per person per night (SkyCity Hotel, Auckland).

The 2013 World Cruise brochure also offers two ‘Boomerang’ cruises – offering a circumnavigation of the globe on two different ships (sail out on one, return with a different) with extended free time in Sydney. The first Boomerang cruise sails from Southampton on Aurora and returns on Azura, after three or four nights in Sydney.

The second Boomerang cruise sails from Southampton on Azura and returns on Arcadia, after two or three nights Sydney.

The Azura Grand Odyssey departs on January 7, 2013, highlights are:

· 110 nights
· 32 destinations in 19 countries
· 36,999 nautical miles
· Cruises via the Middle East, India, Australia, the Far East and South Africa
· Highlight ports of call include Bangkok, Singapore, Bali, Melbourne, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Mauritius and Cape Town
· Extended two day calls in Dubai, Singapore (two separate calls), Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Cape Town
· Prices for the 110 night Grand Odyssey are from £8,099 after Early Booking savings plus 10% discount, and includes £220 free on board spending money


“Azura’s maiden world cruise visits many ports of call for the first time – including those in Australia – the home of her Godmother, prima ballerina Darcey Bussell. Her maiden call into Sydney will be celebrated in true P&O Cruises style when we hope to reunite Darcey with her ship for the first time since performing her Godmother duties in April 2010,” continued Marlow.

“This is a classic itinerary featuring some of the most exciting and cultural destinations around the world. The ship itself takes inspiration from around the globe, with an Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, Italian inspired casual restaurants Verona and Venezia, and wines from all over the world selected and served by the glass in The Glass House wine bar.

“These features combined with her variety of bars, restaurants, dance floors, spa, gym, shops, theatre and library make Azura the perfect ship for travelling the world and many of our passengers will be excited to hear that she will be offering her maiden world cruise so soon after entering service.”

The smallest ship in the fleet, Adonia, has her second world cruise in 2013, an 85 night port-rich exploration of South America. Departing on January 8, 2013, highlights are:

· 85 nights
· 35 destinations in 17 countries
· 22,802 nautical miles
· Highlight ports of call include Manaus, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Coquimbo (Chile) and Lima
· Cruises through the Beagle Channel and the Panama Canal
· Sails by Cape Horn, Amalia Glacier and PIO X Glacier
· Return sail to UK via the Caribbean, calling at smaller islands not visited by other ships in the fleet, St. Barts and Virgin Gorda
· Prices for the 85 night South American Odyssey are from £7,649 after Early Booking savings plus 10% discount, and includes £200 free on board spending money


The Aurora World Circumnavigation departs on January 7, 2013, highlights are:

· 106 nights
· 39 destinations in 25 countries
· 37,243 nautical miles
· Cruises via the Caribbean, North America, New Zealand and Australia, Japan, China, India and the Middle East
· Highlight ports of call include San Francisco, Honolulu, Bora Bora, Auckland, Wellington, Sydney, Osaka, Xingang, Shanghai, Ko Samui, Mumbai, Safaga and Haifa
· Includes new port of call, Sokhna in Egypt
· Transits the Panama Canal and Suez Canal and features extended two day calls in San Francisco, Hong Kong and Dubai
· Prices for the 107 night World Circumnavigation are from £8,549 after Early Booking savings plus 10% discount, and includes £220 free on board spending money

The Arcadia South America and Pacific Adventure departs on January 5, 2013, highlights are:

· 99 nights
· 32 destinations in 20 countries
· 34,780 nautical miles
· Highlight ports of call include Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Santiago, Papeete, Bora Bora, Suva, Sydney, Auckland, Pago Pago, Honolulu and San Francisco
· Sails by Cape Horn, Amalia Glacier, PIO X Glacier, Easter Island and Pitcairn Island
· Cruises through the Beagle Channel, Milford Sound and Panama Canal
· Prices for the 99 night South America and Pacific Adventure are from £8,099 after Early Booking savings plus 10% discount, and includes £200 free on board spending money

The World Cruises 2013 can be booked from July 14, 2011.

Shorter cruise sectors are also available and can be found in the Winter Holidays brochure, on sale July 15, 2011.

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Azura Departs on Maiden Voyage

Monday April 12, 2010

Britain’s newest ship sails on maiden voyage after naming by Darcey Bussell

Prima ballerina Darcey Bussell CBE has officially christened Azura, the latest P&O Cruises ship built exclusively for Britain. The spectacular celebrity naming ceremony, with Darcey Bussell as the ship's Godmother, took place on Saturday April 10, prior to Azura’s maiden cruise to the Mediterranean which departed today.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest ballerinas of all time, Miss Bussell danced in the “Girl Hunt” scene reminiscent of Cyd Charisse in Band Wagon and then twirled onto the top deck of the ship in a striking red Jasper Conran evening dress.

Darcey Bussell said, "It’s a great honour to be involved as Azura’s godmother. For me this is a wonderful event because I am able promote the best of dance within one evening. It’s wonderful that P&O Cruises is carrying on that theme from the old films where dance was so important.”

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow said: "Darcey embodies glamour, vitality and classical elegance, which are also reflected in Azura. We are honoured that she agreed to become Godmother. Azura has one of her three magnificent dance floors right at the heart of the ship, so with dancing a real feature, Darcey was a natural choice for Godmother and very fittingly has given Azura the best possible start in life.”

In keeping with Azura’s “back to the future” values, her naming ceremony was a departure from tradition yet captured the glamorous spirit of dance and romance. As well as Darcey’s customary champagne naming, the celebration encompassed a spectacular event with clips from the most memorable dance sequences in film history, on Azura’s new SeaScreen, along with a live dance show.

Over 1,200 guests were on board including Azura’s consultant Michelin-starred chef, Atul Kochhar; wine expert Olly Smith who has a designer wine bar on board; GMTV presenter Emma Crosby; Strictly Come Dancing stars Tom Chambers, Camilla Dallerup and Craig Revel Horwood; Angela Griffin; parliamentary candidate Esther Rantzen and comedian Johnny Vegas.

The occasion benefited three charities supported by Darcey Bussell – The Prince’s Rainforest Trust, Royal Ballet School and Sydney Dance Company.

Azura departed today on her maiden cruise to the Mediterranean, calling in Malaga, Katakolon (for tours to Olympia), Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar before returning to Southampton on Wednesday 28 April.

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P&O's New Azura's Maiden Voyage Set.

February 8th, 2010 - International opera star, Russell Watson, and a host of other famous British faces will perform for passengers on the maiden voyage of the latest and most sophisticated addition to the P&O Cruises fleet, Azura.

Multi-million album selling Watson often referred to as ‘The Voice’, will perform a selection of famous hits from throughout his career.

Star of British musical theater, Gary Wilmot will have passengers ‘waving their jazz hands’ as he performs, along with Mike Alexander, an evening of music and witty reflections on a half century of careers at the top of their profession.

TV personality, and cruise ship favourite, Claire Sweeney will be joining the maiden voyage line up to add a touch of West End theatre glamour.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow said: “Azura will offer the classic service, quality and entertainment associated with cruising at its best. Those of us traveling on her maiden cruise will be treated to an array of excellent British entertainment to start Azura’s inaugural season in style.”

Further acts are still to be confirmed for the maiden voyage. Azura’s 16-night maiden voyage departs Southampton on Monday 12 April 2010, calling at Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar. Prices start from £1,502 per person*.

To book visit www.pocruises.co.uk .

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P&O New Ship Azura is Floated Out.

June 26, 2009 - The newest superliner for P&O Cruises, Azura, touched water for the first
time today in the traditional “floating out” ceremony, prior to her launch
next April.

The 115,000-ton ship is taking shape at Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard
near Trieste and today saw the float out of Azura in a special two part
ceremony.

Amanda Dowds, wife of Azura’s Captain, Keith Dowds acted as “madrina” or
“godmother” for a symbolic ceremony in which a newly-minted two pound coin
and a new euro are welded at the foot of the ship’s mast for good luck.

Azura was blessed by a priest as a bottle of Italian Prosecco smashed
against the hull. The valves of the giant dry dock at the Monfalcone
shipyard then opened allowing the ship to meet the water for the first
time.

P&O Cruises, managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “The float out ceremony
is a significant event in the build of a new ship. Azura is designed with
traditional cruise values of service and quality combined with the
flexibility and choice that today’s contemporary customer expects and the
high level of early bookings proves this demand.

“For Azura we’ve gone ‘back to the future’. We’re looking at how
travelling at sea really should be; sophisticated, relaxing, indulgent and
exciting, whilst we are also looking forward at the same time. Firsts for
P&O Cruises will include an open-air cinema-at-sea, an open air spa terrace
and single staterooms.”

Azura will feature an Indian fine dining restaurant, Sindhu, the creation
of celebrated Michelin starred Chef Atul Kochhar who attended today’s
ceremony. Sindhu means meeting point, amalgamation or fusion, and the menu
will offer a fusion of fine British and Indian cuisine with dishes such as
pan-fried lobster tail in coconut milk and tamarind sauce.

TV wine expert Olly Smith has also been enlisted to help create a new wine
bar and restaurant concept – The Glass House. A must for wine lovers, The
Glass House menu will feature different wines recommended with each course,
all served by the glass and expertly matched by Olly, who was also present
in Italy.

The Saturday Kitchen star will act as consultant in the creation of the
drinks menus for Azura’s other bars and restaurants and will travel
regularly throughout the year to host light hearted tasting sessions in his
own irreverent style.

Azura will be named in Southampton in April 2010 and depart on her maiden
voyage on 12 April 2010. A 16-night Mediterranean holiday departing 5
September 2010, calling in Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice,
Korcula and Gibraltar starts from £1,685* per person.