P&O Cruises has announced a notable itinerary shift for its Arcadia ship. The previously planned โ3-Night Guernseyโ cruise from Southampton on July 13, 2025, will instead make its way to the Mediterranean, aligning with increasing passenger preference for this vibrant region.
Itinerary Sea Change for Arcadia
P&O Cruises has made an update to its summer 2025 schedule, steering its Arcadia ship away from the quaint coastlines of the British Isles to the warmer and culturally rich Mediterranean.
A statement from P&O Cruises to customers details, โBased on the popularity of our Mediterranean holidays, weโll be putting on sale a new holiday departing 13 July 2025, sailing via the Messina Strait and calling at highlights in mainland Spain, Sardinia, and Croatia. This will replace your currently booked British Isles holiday. We are sorry to have made this change, but we would love you to join us on this or an alternative holiday.โ
Prebooked passengers on the July 13, 2025, sailing were offered a full refund, processed via the original payment method within 14 days.
For cruisers who rebook, P&O Cruises offered a ยฃ100 credit per person for onboard expenses for the first two guests in a cabin on their new voyage โas a further apology for this cancellation.โ
From British Charm to Mediterranean Chic
The adult-only Arcadiaโs initial itinerary promised a 3-night escapade from Southampton, with a focus on the charming island of Guernsey. Now, passengers will be treated to the allure of the Mediterranean, where the 1,904-passenger ship will visit Spain, Sardinia, and Croatia.
The decision to reroute the British-based Arcadia from the British Isles to the Mediterranean comes into sharp focus when considering the latest tourism statistics.
In 2023, the picturesque island of Guernsey welcomed a respectable 76,000 cruise passengers from 62 ships. However, the ports of call on Arcadiaโs new itinerary have witnessed a staggering number of visitors, indicative of their growing popularity. Sardinia drew over 600,000 cruise visitors, Croatia welcomed more than 860,000, and Spain attracted a record-breaking 6.1 million.
In addition to Arcadiaโs new itinerary, P&O Cruises is set to showcase the Mediterraneanโs splendor with a fleet of ships offering an array of itineraries. The family-friendly Britannia and Arvia will offer varied itineraries, including the Italian coastline, Spanish beaches, and the French Riviera.
The adults-onlyย Auroraย will also join in with an 18-night Mediterranean cruise in June 2025. Sailing from Southampton, passengers will visit Santa Margherita, Rome, Sorrento, and Olbia, Italy, as well as Lisbon, Portugal, before returning to Southampton.
Alternatives for British Isles Enthusiasts
For cruisers who still yearn for the quaint British Isles, P&O is featuring a 14-night โ10-Year Anniversary Celebrationโ aboard Britannia. Departing on June 6, 2025, from Southampton, the cruise will be an immersive experience with stops in Edinburgh, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Scottish Isles, Belfast, and Liverpool, United Kingdom, as well as Cork, Ireland.
Read Also: Cruise Ship Bans Face Scrutiny As Spain Rejects Restrictions
Moreover, several other cruise lines, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, and Ambassador Cruise Line continue to provide itineraries through the British Isles.
