October 8, 2026 — P&O Cruises has published its winter 2028–29 program, covering 130 destinations, along with the full farewell season for Arcadia before the ship leaves the fleet in August 2029. General sale opens on October 21, 2026.
Update: we reported on October 7 that Arcadia will move to Holland America Line in 2029. What is new today is the winter program, Arcadia’s final itineraries, a transfer date and the on-sale dates.
The British line, part of Carnival Corporation’s Carnival UK unit, will run the season from November 2028 to March 2029 with five ships: Azura, Aurora, Britannia, Ventura and Arcadia. It mixes Southampton departures with fly-cruises and adds longer stays in Rio de Janeiro, Madeira and Antigua.
Program highlights
- Azura: Canary Islands fly-cruises gain Gran Canaria as a second turnaround port alongside Tenerife, with more calls in Morocco, including Agadir.
- Aurora: a 75-night North and South America voyage with overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro and Santos, the port for São Paulo.
- Britannia: an 18-night Atlantic Islands sailing with Morocco and Cape Verde, and a 14-night cruise with overnights in Madeira and Morocco.
- Ventura: a 21-night Mediterranean cruise in February 2029.
- Fly-cruise season: the European season runs two weeks further into October, adding Central and Western Mediterranean routes that call at Dubrovnik, Split, Civitavecchia and Livorno.
Arcadia’s farewell season
| Departs | Length | Itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| December 21, 2028 | 16 nights | Atlantic Islands, with New Year’s Eve in Madeira |
| January 6, 2029 | 126 nights | World Cruise |
| June 4, 2029 | 21 nights | Western Mediterranean |
| June 25, 2029 | 14 nights | Baltic |
| July 9, 2029 | 16 nights | British Isles |
| July 30, 2029 | 22 nights | Central Mediterranean, the final long itinerary |
The world cruise includes first-time calls at Nosy Be, Hiroshima, Mahé, Kochi, Osaka and Puerto Princesa, and returns to Maputo and Puerto Vallarta after more than 20 years. Early Saver fares start at £18,499 per person for two sharing a balcony cabin. Cruise Industry News gives August 21, 2029 as the date Arcadia transfers to Holland America Line. P&O says every Arcadia sailing already published will operate as planned.
On-sale dates and launch offers
- Pre-registration: 8:30 a.m. October 13 to 8 p.m. October 19, 2026 (U.K. time).
- General sale: October 21, 2026.
- Launch offers, for bookings made by December 16, 2026: 10 percent off applicable Select Price winter holidays, a 10 percent low deposit, and an extra 5 percent Peninsular Club loyalty discount on selected Select Price holidays.
Fares other than the world cruise lead-in have not been published.
What it means for airline travelers
- Southampton sailings: London Heathrow (LHR) is the main long-haul gateway, with a road or rail transfer to the port. Southampton’s own airport (SOU) handles mostly regional flights. Arrive the day before, particularly in December and January.
- Fly-cruises are built around flights from the U.K. If you plan to travel standby on your own to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, ask about a cruise-only fare before you book.
- The Christmas farewell cruise falls in peak season. A December 21 departure means transatlantic standby in the busiest week of the year. Build in two days.
- Fares are in pounds and aimed at the U.K. market. U.S.-based employees should confirm how to book and whether any travel-industry rate applies. The launch discounts are public fares.
- Arcadia fans have a firm deadline. The July 30, 2029 sailing is the last long itinerary before the ship changes brands.
Sources
- Carnival Corporation — P&O Cruises unveils winter 2028/29 collection to 130 destinations worldwide
- Cruise Industry News — P&O Unveils Winter 2028-29 Collection
- Cruise Industry News — P&O Details Arcadia’s Farewell 2029 Season Ahead of Holland America Move
- Cruise Hive — P&O Cruises Reveals 130 Destinations for Arcadia’s Final Winter
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