Arcadia’s 2006 cruises discounted by 45%
P&O Cruises has brought bring forward the on sale date for 2006 cruises on new ship Acadia to coincide with the vessel’s arrival in Southampton.
Agents can make bookings now for next year’s sailings after the company decided to bring forward the programme launch date by two months.
The £200 million ship arrived at its home port of Southampton yesterday prior to a formal naming ceremony next Tuesday by Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes followed by its maiden voyage.
P&O is discounting next year’s cruises by up to 45% for bookings made by June 6. An additional 5% discount is available on designated cruises for members of P&O Cruises’ loyalty club.
The lead-in rate for Arcadia’s 2006 programme is £199 per person for a two-night cruise departing Southampton on April 7, 2006. A typical 12-night cruise in the Mediterranean starts at £1,349 per person.
The ship has proved so successful in its maiden season, exceeding all expectations, that for the first time in the company’s history the programme has been brought forward and a dedicated brochure produced, P& O said
The 2006 programme covers 24 cruises from two to 17 nights from Southampton during the summer, calling at destinations in the Mediterranean, Atlantic Isles, Norwegian fjords and Baltics.
Arcadia will be based in Barbados during the winter offering fly-cruises around the Caribbean, US and Central America including Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Guatamala and Costa Rica.
P&O Cruises head of brand marketing Philip Price said: “The success of Arcadia’s 2005 cruise programme has shown how much potential business there is for agents selling cruises.
“The popularity of cruising amongst British holidaymakers grew by a further 6.6% in 2004, with an overall increase of 13 per cent for cruises operating out of the UK.
“The new dedicated brochure enables agents to capitalise on this interest, with everything they need to know about Arcadia’s programme, innovative on board experiences and contemporary style of cruising.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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