P&O to base Oceana in Arabian Gulf for 2019

P&O Cruises is to base Oceana in the Arabian Gulf for the first time to operate fly-cruises to destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Oman.

The British line will deploy Oceana to Dubai for a ‘partial season’ between January and April 2019, taking 18,000 UK guests on holiday to the region.

Senior vice-president Paul Ludlow said if successful, the programme would be extended the following year from November to April.

Ludlow said the move was about offering guests more choice and made in response to customer demand. He said: “In the summer months, there are lots of places that we can sail to, to find the sunshine, but in the winter months, it’s traditionally been world cruises or the Caribbean.

“The Arabian Gulf has become an ever-more popular region to holiday in, and the itineraries 
we are offering are exactly the 
kind of exotic mix that our guests are going to love.”

P&O Cruises is partnering with Emirates to fly guests to Dubai where they will stay for one night before boarding. Five 10-night cruises will be operated and Ludlow said the itinerary combined “unique cultures, camel racing, dune rides, mosques, museums, Arabic souks and shopping”.

Ludlow said: “Oceana is one of our sun-class ships, meaning it is a vessel that was built to operate in warm climates. So the outside deck space is phenomenal, and the Arabian Gulf is a region of the world where you can pretty much guarantee the evenings will be warm, so our team is working to ensure we maximise the space.”

MSC, Royal Caribbean and Costa Cruises to name a few, already have 7-night itineraries from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However P&O have now pitched in with a 10-night sailing, and it’s set to be a popular one. Would this destination interest you? Have P&O made a good move? Let me know your thoughts.

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