Britannia to be based in St Lucia

P&O Cruises’s flagship vessel, Britannia, is to be based out of St Lucia in a move designed to bolster the company’s fly-cruise programme.

The company will put the seven and 14-night Caribbean itineraries, which are for 2016-17, on sale this week.

Britannia will offer 28 Caribbean cruises, including flights to and from St Lucia or Barbados. The ship will sets sail from the St Lucia for the first time on November 12, 2016 on a seven-night cruise (B633C) with calls at Dominica, Antigua, St Maarten and Barbados.

Christopher Edgington, P&O Cruises marketing director, said: “We are excited to extend Britannia’s 2016/17 Caribbean programme to offer guests even more choice.

“Introducing new itineraries which all depart or return St Lucia will offer a new dimension to our Caribbean cruises. St Lucia is a popular destination with passengers and no other cruise line has it as a home port, so we are looking to make the most of this by offering an exciting range of shore excursions to maximise the time there.

“It is also the first time we have offered a seven-night Caribbean cruise option. These new week-long itineraries will appeal to those wishing to escape the cold weather and see a number of destinations but who don’t have the time for a longer cruise.

“For passengers with more leisure time, our 14-night cruises provide the perfect opportunity to see more than seven islands in one holiday.”

The cruises go on general sale from 8am on Thursday October 15.

Prices for a 22-night transatlantic Caribbean cruise start from £1,649 per person and £1,399pp for a 20-night cruise.

A seven-night Caribbean fly-cruise (B635B) starts at £1,099 per person and a 14-night Caribbean fly-cruise from £1,299.

Prices include return flights from London Gatwick and transfers to and from Britannia.