Carnival PLC (LON:CCL) has highlighted what it says are “very special” cruises around the UK by P&O this summer less than a day after reporting the suspension of voyages to Alaska by two different operators.
On Wednesday, the cruise ship firm said its flagship Britannia and new ship Iona will offer a series of short breaks and week-long cruises around the UK this summer, which according to the tagline is “where the sun shines brightest”.
These trips will include Iona’s seven-night maiden voyage around the Scottish Islands, which according to P&O will apparently align with its goal of sailing the cruises to “warm and sunny” locations.
On the perhaps ironically named ‘Ultimate Escape’ voyages around the UK, Britannia will offer three and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday around the UK coast running from June 27 through to September 19, the company said, while Iona will offer seven-night itineraries running from August 7 to September 18.
However, those still awaiting their coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine may need to wait a little longer to board the floating hotels and buffets as P&O has said only passengers that have received both the first and second jabs at least seven days before sailing will be allowed to board.
Alaska cruises frozen
Carnivals trumpeting of P&O’s announcement followed more difficult news overnight from the Pacific, where the company flagged announcements from both the Holland American Line and Princess Cruises that both operators will be pausing all cruises scheduled to sail to Alaska in June.
Holland America said all June 2021 roundtrip sailings to Alaska from Seattle, Washington will now be on pause, with all guests to be moved to a comparable cruise in 2022. However, it said Alaska cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle departing in July and onward have not been cancelled.
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises said it is extending its own pause of cruise vacations for sailings to Alaska from Seattle through June 27. The pause will affect the operator’s seven-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises on Emerald Princess and Majestic Princess.
Carnival and other firms in the cruising space have been hit hard by the pandemic, which has effectively left the group in hibernation and its ships stuck in port as international travel was suspended and quarantine restrictions prevented it from filling its ships.
Shares in the company were down 0.6% at 1,722p in mid-morning trading on Wednesday.