P&O Cruises has just announced that they are welcoming small ship Adonia back into the fleet in 2017.
The smallest of the original P&O fleet, Adonia was re-assigned to venture with sister brand, Fathom, in 2016 and is now returning to P&O in June.
Following her return, Adonia’s first cruise will be a seven-night round trip tour of Europe’s west coast, taking in the picturesque ports of Bordeaux, St Peter Port and Honfleur.
With a range of incredible cruises taking in off the beaten track ports of call across Europe, the Mediterranean, Iceland, eastern Atlantic Islands and the Caribbean, Adonia will then follow on to a 14-night Iceland cruise.
It will first take in Ireland’s largest fishing port of Killybegs before sailing to Reykjavik and through the Icelandic fjords, with an opportunity to experience ‘The Home of the Viking Kings’ for cruise stops in Isafjordur and Heimaey. The cruise will then sail to Klaksvik in the Faroe Islands; Portree on Skye and Londonderry.
P&O Cruises SVP Paul Ludlow said: “Guests love our bigger ships, but Adonia has always had a special place in the hearts of many of them, who enjoy the intimate and country house hotel feel, the discovery itineraries offered and the refined gentleness of the on board experience.
The new programme of P&O Cruises holidays on Adonia will rekindle that intimacy for our regular guests, as they explore destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, Atlantic and the Caribbean.”
Adonia will continue to embark on a European summer cruise schedule taking in western Europe, the western Mediterranean, the British Isles, the Iberian Atlantic coast and the Atlantic Islands; before a trans-Atlantic sailing to the Caribbean and a six-month stay for winter cruise itineraries around the Caribbean.
Adonia will be known for unusual ports of call like in Portofino, a pretty fishing village on the Italian Riviera known for its paste-coloured houses and picturesque harbour; a maiden call to Puerto Banus near Marbella in Spain, a city awash with super yachts and beautiful beaches; and a visit to the dramatic island of Heimaey off Iceland’s south coast, which is dominated by the two volcanoes Helgafell and Eldfell.
In another related announcement, P&O Cruises is to charter flights with Virgin Atlantic for Adonia’s winter 2017/18 Caribbean fly-cruise programme.
P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow, said: “P&O Cruises is an iconic British brand delivering a truly memorable travel experience and so this partnership with Virgin Atlantic is an ideal fit for our guests, enabling them to begin their holiday in style.
It will give our Adonia guests even more choice with the option of three departure airports and three cabins, including Virgin Atlantic’s exceptional Upper Class.”
Passengers will be able to choose from flights from Manchester and London Heathrow with Economy, Premium Economy and Upper Class seats available for both itineraries. There will also be a number of economy seats available on existing London Gatwick scheduled services.
Virgin Atlantic’s Head of Consumer Sales, Joanne Boyd, commented, “Virgin Atlantic has always had a great relationship with P&O Cruises and I’m delighted we’ve been able to build upon this further, by providing a key part of its flying programme. It’s great to see that between us, we can create truly the best possible experiences for our customers.”
The charters from London Heathrow and Manchester include return economy seats in the cruise fare with upgrades to premium economy from £349 and to Upper Class from £799 per person.
The Upper Class experience includes a personalised, dedicated check in and security with access to the award- winning Clubhouse at London Heathrow. The Upper Class cabin has generous leather seats which are one of the longest flat beds in any business class, plus the space to enjoy the entertainment and fine food and drink.
What are your thoughts on the news today? Are you happy Adonia is returning to P&O? What part of her unique itineraries are most appealing to you? Which is your favourite ship from the fleet? Leave us your thoughts and comments!
