Unmissable Winter Escapes Revealed! P&O Cruises Announces Massive 2028/29 Collection

Posted on 13th Oct, 2026


  • Unforgettable Long-Haul Adventures: Set sail on Arcadia's refreshed 126-night World Cruise featuring an overhauled Japanese leg, or join Aurora's 75-night Grand Tour packed with overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

  • Enhanced Canary Islands Fly-Cruises: Enjoy greater holiday flexibility as Azura adds a brand-new Thursday departure option in Gran Canaria alongside her classic Tenerife sailings.

  • Unbeatable Discounts: Book early to snap up 10% Early Bird discounts, low 10% deposits, extra Peninsular Club loyalty savings, and complimentary onboard credit.


If you are already dreaming of swapping dark, chilly mornings for sun-drenched pool decks, tropical island breezes, and bucket-list cultural discoveries, we have fantastic news!

P&O Cruises has officially revealed its sensational Winter 2028/29 holiday programme, spanning departures from October 2028 right through to March 2029.

As the sun sets, P&O Cruises two largest ships, Excel class Arvia and Iona depart from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, yesterday,

Whether you crave the effortless bliss of a Caribbean fly-cruise, the thrill of hunting the Northern Lights, or the nostalgia of bidding farewell to a beloved ship, this impressive new collection offers something truly extraordinary for every type of traveller.

Here is your complete guide to the standout highlights, exciting new destinations, and exclusive launch offers!

Arvia in the British Virgin Islands

1. Epic Bucket-List Adventures: World Voyages & South American Rhythms

For travellers looking to turn an ordinary winter into an unforgettable odyssey, P&O Cruises' mid-sized discovery ships, Arcadia and Aurora, are stepping into the spotlight with breathtaking long-haul itineraries.

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Arcadia’s Farewell 126-Night World Cruise

Adding extra emotional significance to this release, Arcadia's Winter 2028/29 season forms a central part of her official farewell programme before she departs the fleet to join sister brand Holland America Line in Autumn 2029.

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To mark her final world voyage for P&O Cruises after more than two decades of service, Arcadia will embark on a spectacular 126-night Western Circumnavigation World Cruise across North America, New Zealand, Australia, East Asia, and Southern Africa.

P&O Arcadia sailing at sunset

Key highlights of her final world circumnavigation include:

  • Overhauled Japan & South Korea Section: An expanded 12-day immersion featuring a sensational overnight call in Yokohama for Tokyo.

  • Exciting New & Lapsed Ports: A maiden call at the tropical island of Nosy Be in Madagascar and an overnight call in Maputo (Mozambique) unvisited by P&O Cruises for nearly 30 years.

  • Iconic Overnight Stays: Extended overnight port stays in world-class destinations such as Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cape Town, and Los Angeles.

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Aurora’s 75-Night USA, Caribbean & South America Grand Tour

Aurora returns with an elevated 75-night Grand Tour for 2029 that expands into the vibrant landscapes of South America. Combining North American culture, Caribbean warmth, and Latin rhythms, standout features of this grand voyage include:

  • South American Sunshine: Unforgettable overnight stays in iconic Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, alongside calls to Recife, Fortaleza, and Salvador in Brazil.

  • Headline Destinations: Visits to New Orleans, Miami, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and a partial transit of the Panama Canal.

  • Chasing the Northern Lights: Two 12-night voyages deep into Iceland and Norway following her Grand Tour to search for the Northern Lights.

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2. Sun-Drenched Fly-Cruises: Caribbean Bliss & Canary Island Flexibility

If your ideal holiday involves stepping off a plane straight into guaranteed winter warmth, P&O Cruises' updated fly-cruise programme delivers more choice than ever.

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Dual Turnarounds in the Canary Islands on Azura

In the biggest enhancement to her Canary Islands programme yet, Azura is introducing a brand-new dual turnaround option.

In addition to her popular Saturday departures from Tenerife, guests can now choose Thursday departures from Gran Canaria, making flight planning easier and giving you total flexibility over your travel dates.

Azura will also make more frequent visits to Agadir in Morocco and extend her Mediterranean fly season into October.

Azura in Malta

Caribbean Sunshine on Arvia, Iona, and Britannia

The popular partnership between flagship mega-ships Arvia and Iona continues in the paradise of the Eastern Caribbean. Both ships will offer 14-night fly-cruises with flexible embarkation choices in Barbados, Antigua, and St Kitts.

Depending on your chosen start point, itineraries feature two full days in Antigua or Barbados, alongside classic island stops like Tortola, Grenada, and St Maarten.

For guests who prefer sailing round-trip directly from the UK, Britannia will operate a special 35-night Caribbean and ABC Islands voyage from Southampton post-New Year, before heading into a scheduled dry dock ahead of summer.

As the sun sets, P&O Cruises two largest ships, Excel class Arvia and Iona depart from Tortola, British Virgin Islands, yesterday,

3. Winter Sun, Festive Markets & Short City Breaks

Prefer to bypass the airport entirely? Ventura will be stationed in Southampton to deliver a vibrant mix of winter sun, festive charm, and quick city breaks.

In mid-December, she will sail a series of 4- to 7-night mini cruises visiting traditional European Christmas markets, followed by festive Christmas sailings in Northern Europe and a New Year voyage to Scandinavia.

Later in the season, in March 2029, Ventura will offer a headline 21-night Mediterranean voyage, perfect for exploring historic cities before the summer crowds arrive.

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4. Exclusive Early Access: Summer 2029 Arcadia Farewell Sailings

As a special highlight of this release, P&O Cruises is granting exclusive early booking access to seven selected Summer 2029 sailings aboard Arcadia, giving guests their final chance to sail on this beloved adult-only ship before her transfer.

These grand finale itineraries include an 18-night Cape Verde and Canaries voyage exploring two destinations in Cape Verde before sailing north to Morocco and Spain.

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Cruisers can also book her final 21-night Western Mediterranean Capitals cruise, which visits five capital ports: Athens, Rome, Valletta, Tunis, and Lisbon. Alternatively, they can choose classic British Isles and Northern Europe journeys that include stops in Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stockholm, and Copenhagen, with her farewell season ending in August 2029.

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5. Unlock Incredible Early Booking Launch Perks

Planning ahead comes with plenty of perks! To celebrate the new season release, P&O Cruises has unwrapped a fantastic array of early-booking offers when you reserve your stateroom by 16 December 2026:

  • 10% Low Deposit: Secure your dream stateroom across all published winter itineraries with a reduced deposit.

  • 10% Early Bird Discount: Enjoy savings off Select Price and Early Saver fares.

  • Extra Peninsular Club Savings: Loyalty members can stack up to an extra 5% discount on selected member cruises.

  • 10% Combination Saver: Save an extra 10% when booking consecutive back-to-back cruises of 6 nights or more on Select Fares.

  • Select Price Benefits: Receive complimentary onboard spending money on voyages of 7 nights or longer, plus free Southampton port parking or coach transfers on selected ex-UK sailings.

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6. Key On-Sale Dates to Mark in Your Diary

Ready to secure your dream stateroom? Bookings roll out in staggered phases later this month, so keep these key dates handy to ensure you get first pick:

  • Tuesday 20th October: Open for Top Tier Peninsular Club Members (Caribbean, Baltic & Ligurian Tiers).

  • Wednesday 21st October: General Sale opens for October 2028 – December 2028 departures.

  • Thursday 22nd October: General Sale opens for January 2029 – March 2029 departures, the full World Cruise, and the early Summer 2029 Arcadia farewell programme.

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Whether you are planning a celebratory voyage on board Arcadia during her sentimental farewell season, eager to experience South America on Aurora, or looking forward to soaking up the Caribbean sun, the P&O Cruises Winter 2028/29 collection promises to be one of the cruise line's most memorable releases yet.

With popular staterooms and suites expected to sell quickly when bookings open this October, now is the perfect time to build your wishlist and prepare for launch day!

Author: Naomi Allen

Role: Junior Content Editor

Ready to prepare for on-sale day? Find out more and register your interest for P&O Cruises Winter 2028/29 here...