P&O Cruises Renews TUI, Virgin and Norse for Caribbean Fly-Cruises

P&O Cruises has renewed its airline partnerships for the winter 2026-27 Caribbean fly-cruise season, confirming TUI Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Norse Atlantic Airways as its charter and flight providers.

The program runs from October 2026 through March 2027 and is built around air-inclusive packages for UK guests sailing 14-night itineraries in the Caribbean. Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises, said: “For our fly-cruise guests, their holiday begins at the airport, so getting the flight experience right really matters to us.”

Two ships based in Barbados, with Antigua embarkation options on Arvia

For the season, P&O Cruises will base Britannia and Arvia in Bridgetown, Barbados. Arvia will also offer embarkation options in Antigua on selected sailings, giving guests the choice of starting their cruise in either destination depending on package and departure date.

Arvia entered service in 2022 and accommodates about 5,200 guests, while Britannia launched in 2015 and carries around 3,600. Alongside the core 14-night cruises, P&O Cruises is also offering longer options during the period, including a 28-night Christmas and New Year sailing.

Itinerary example: Arvia sailing on Nov. 28, 2026

P&O Cruises highlighted an Arvia itinerary departing on November 28, 2026, that starts in Antigua. The sailing includes calls to St. Lucia and Grenada before reaching Barbados, where the ship overnights and embarks additional guests.

The cruise then continues to Martinique, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. P&O Cruises’ materials describe passengers debarking in Antigua on that rotation, after which the ship continues to additional Caribbean calls before returning to Barbados.

Flight program: UK departure airports and Caribbean arrival points

P&O Cruises’ fly-cruise program uses a mix of scheduled and charter capacity to connect UK airports with the Caribbean homeports in Barbados and Antigua.

Norse Atlantic Airways routes

Norse Atlantic Airways will operate Saturday flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Antigua on selected dates. The airline will also serve Barbados from London Gatwick and Manchester, plus selected regional flights to Barbados from Cardiff, Glasgow and Newcastle.

TUI Airways routes

TUI Airways will operate flights to Barbados on Fridays and Saturdays from London Gatwick, Birmingham and Manchester. On selected departures, TUI will also offer regional services from Belfast, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Virgin Atlantic charter for Arvia guests

Virgin Atlantic will operate a whole-plane charter using an Airbus A330 in a three-class configuration. The charter is scheduled to run every 14 days from Manchester for Arvia guests joining the ship in Barbados on a Friday.

Cabin options and what’s included in the flight experience

P&O Cruises is marketing the winter 2026-27 fly-cruise season around comfort and choice across the three airline partners. TUI Airways and Norse Atlantic operate Boeing 787 Dreamliners with economy and premium economy cabins, while Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330 charter adds an Upper Class option.

• Seat and cabin choices: Packages include economy and premium economy options across the participating airlines, with Virgin Atlantic also offering Upper Class on its A330 whole-plane charter service.
• In-flight entertainment: Flights are advertised with in-flight entertainment included, a point P&O Cruises has emphasized following earlier passenger feedback on long-haul comfort.
• Meals and drinks: The flight experience includes complimentary meal and drink service across the airline partners.
• Luggage allowance: Fly-cruise guests receive a 23 kg luggage allowance as part of the air-inclusive package.
• Bonded baggage service: P&O Cruises also lists bonded baggage service among the inclusions for its fly-cruise flights.

Why P&O Cruises changed its air charter mix

The renewed airline lineup follows changes P&O Cruises made to its air charter arrangements in 2024. The cruise line suspended its relationship with Maleth Aero, an air charter company it had used to transport cruise guests from multiple UK airports to Barbados.

P&O Cruises parted ways with Maleth Aero in February 2024 after guests raised concerns about the onboard product on long-haul flights, including the absence of premium seating and in-flight entertainment. Ludlow also posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) acknowledging passenger frustration and saying he was working on a solution.

Ludlow said P&O Cruises was “delighted to be continuing” its long-standing relationships with TUI Airways, Norse Atlantic and Virgin Atlantic, linking the partnerships to delivering consistency across the end-to-end journey for guests.

Pricing example for a 14-night Caribbean fly-cruise

P&O Cruises has published lead-in pricing for the winter 2026-27 program. Arvia’s 14-night Eastern Caribbean Islands fly-cruise is currently listed from £1,659 per person, based on two people sharing an inside cabin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which UK airports will P&O Cruises’ winter 2026-27 fly-cruise flights use?

Flights include services from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, with additional regional departures on selected dates from airports including Cardiff, Glasgow, Newcastle, Belfast, Bournemouth, Edinburgh and Exeter.

Can guests join Arvia in Antigua instead of Barbados?

Yes. During the winter 2026-27 season, Arvia will offer departures from both Barbados and Antigua, and guests can embark in either destination on certain sailings.

What cabin options and amenities are included on the partnered flights?

TUI Airways and Norse Atlantic offer economy and premium economy cabins, while Virgin Atlantic’s Airbus A330 whole-plane charter adds an Upper Class option. Across the airline partners, P&O Cruises lists inclusions such as in-flight entertainment, complimentary meals and drinks, a 23 kg luggage allowance and bonded baggage service.

Why did P&O Cruises end its partnership with Maleth Aero?

P&O Cruises ended its partnership with Maleth Aero in February 2024 after guests raised concerns about the long-haul onboard product, including the absence of premium seating and in-flight entertainment.

What is the current starting price for Arvia’s 14-night fly-cruise?

Arvia’s 14-night Eastern Caribbean Islands fly-cruise is currently listed from £1,659 per person, based on two people sharing an inside cabin.

With flights now confirmed for October 2026 to March 2027, P&O Cruises’ Caribbean fly-cruise program will again center on Barbados homeporting for Britannia and Arvia, with additional embarkation options in Antigua on select sailings and a flight schedule designed to connect both major and regional UK airports to the two-ship winter deployment.