P&O Cruises Unveils Arcadia’s Farewell Winter Program

P&O Cruises has unveiled a winter 2028/29 collection covering 130 destinations across five ships, including Arcadia’s final winter with the line before its transfer to Holland America Line. The program spans November 2028 to March 2029 and opens for general bookings on October 21, 2026.

The destination count is roughly 27% higher than the 102 offered in winter 2026/27. The collection pairs Southampton departures with fly-cruises, adding Canary Islands turnaround options, longer voyages to the Americas and further Mediterranean and Morocco itineraries.

“Our winter 2028 program combines much-loved destinations with new opportunities to explore further afield,” said Paul Ludlow, president of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises.

Arcadia’s farewell winter leads into a 2029 transfer

Arcadia, the 2,094-passenger adults-only ship that joined P&O Cruises in 2005, will begin its farewell winter program with a 16-night Atlantic Islands cruise departing December 21, 2028. The Christmas and New Year sailing includes a New Year’s Eve call at Madeira for the fireworks display over Funchal and its bay.

A 126-night World Cruise follows on January 6, 2029. Maiden calls include Nosy Be in Madagascar, Hiroshima, Mahe, Kochi in Japan, Osaka and Puerto Princesa. The itinerary also visits Huatulco and returns to Maputo and Puerto Vallarta, neither of which P&O Cruises has visited for more than 20 years. Early Saver fares for the World Cruise start at £18,499 per person, based on two people sharing a balcony cabin.

The ship will continue operating for P&O Cruises beyond the winter collection. Its summer schedule includes a 21-night Western Mediterranean departure on June 4, a 14-night Baltic voyage on June 25 and a 16-night British Isles cruise on July 9. The final P&O voyage is a 22-night Central Mediterranean sailing departing July 30.

P&O Cruises said all published Arcadia sailings will operate as planned. The transfer to Holland America Line is scheduled for August 21, 2029, with Cunard’s Queen Anne also due to move to P&O Cruises that year.

Arcadia will undergo an extensive drydock refurbishment and rebranding through Holland America’s Evolution program before entering service with its new operator. Planned work under the program includes refreshed public spaces, expanded dining and entertainment choices, and new stateroom and suite categories drawing on the line’s Pinnacle Class ships.

The rest of the winter fleet

Azura’s Canary Islands fly-cruise program will offer departures from Gran Canaria alongside its existing Tenerife turnarounds. The 3,100-passenger ship will also increase its Morocco calls, including more visits to Agadir.

Aurora’s USA and Caribbean Grand Tour will expand to 75 nights, combining North and South America. The 1,874-guest adults-only ship will make overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro and Santos, the port for Sao Paulo. Extended stays in Antigua also feature in the wider winter collection.

Britannia will operate two Atlantic Islands itineraries: an 18-night voyage calling in Morocco and Cape Verde, and a 14-night sailing with overnight stays in Madeira and Morocco.

The 3,078-guest Ventura is scheduled to sail a 21-night Mediterranean cruise in February 2029. P&O Cruises did not disclose its ports of call. A Southampton departure of the same duration scheduled for February 2027 includes Spain, Tunisia, Malta, Greece and Italy.

Outside the November-to-March collection, P&O Cruises is extending its Europe fly-cruise season by two weeks into October. Central and Western Mediterranean itineraries include Dubrovnik and Split, Civitavecchia for Rome, and Livorno for Florence and Pisa.

Launch offers and booking timetable

Introductory offers apply to eligible cruises booked by December 16, 2026, with departures on or after October 12, 2028. These include a 10% discount on applicable Select Price winter holidays and a 10% deposit option for Select Price and Early Saver bookings.

Peninsular Club members can receive a further 5% discount on selected Select Price holidays, with that offer available until departure. The line’s “Free Uppers” offer is also available on selected Select Price and Early Saver cruises.

Pre-registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on October 13, 2026. The window closes at 8 p.m. on October 19.