P&O Cruises, a UK cruise model owned by Carnival Company, is predicted to quickly announce a brand new airline associate to offer constitution providers for its profitable and standard Caribbean fly-cruise packages from UK airports. The cruise line is home-porting two ships in Barbados throughout the present winter 2024 season and the autumn/winter 2024-25 season.
Constitution Service Prompted Complaints From Cruisers
P&O Cruises seems poised to stroll away from Maleth Aero, one of many air constitution providers it has used to move cruisers from the UK to Bridgetown, Barbados, the place it seasonally homeports two mega-ships, Arvia and Britannia.
The anticipated change follows complaints from journey brokers and cruisers about Maleth Aero’s lack of premium seating and inflight leisure on long-haul flights from the UK to Barbados.
Paul Ludlow, president of P&O Cruises and Carnival UK, referred to the issues in a video posted on X on February 20, 2024. Together with Maleth Aero, the cruise line has additionally been utilizing TUI Airways for its constitution providers, and that association seems regular.
“I do know that we’ve had some flight points this season and for anybody who has been impacted by these, we’re so sorry. We’re delighted to be partnering once more with TUI subsequent season and we’re additionally confirming our airline associate and can replace you as quickly as potential,” Paul Ludlow, president of P&O Cruises and Carnival UK, stated within the video.
Ludlow didn’t point out which airline may exchange the constitution flights serviced by Maleth Aero, which is described on its LinkedIn web page as a Maltese moist lease firm, a part of the AELF group, primarily based in Chicago. It fleet consists of six wide-body passenger and cargo plane.
Maleth Aero had been contracted to offer some constitution flights from the UK’s Gatwick and Manchester airports to Barbados and Antigua. Arvia and Britannia are deployed to the Caribbean till late March 2024.
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It’s unclear whether or not Maleth Aero is continuous to function the UK charters, nonetheless, TUI Airways is predicted to maintain working its constitution providers for the cruise line.
Seasonal Homeports Beckon UK Cruisers
P&O Cruises’ 5,200-guest Arvia is an Excellence-class ship that entered service in March 2023, and was christened in Barbados, which grew to become her seasonal homeport. The ship operates 7-day cruises between Bridgetown, Barbados, and St. John, Antigua. Port calls embody St. Kitts, Martinique, and St. Lucia.
Britannia, with capability for 3,647 company, is an older ship, having debuted in 2015. Notably, she was christened by Queen Elizabeth II. The ship, primarily based in Barbados, operates 14-night sailings that decision at Curacao, Bonaire, St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, and St. Maarten.
Each ships will sail transatlantic voyages to Southampton in April 2024, and start a collection of summer time cruises. Arvia will sail Mediterranean itineraries whereas Britannia will supply Northern Europe and Scandinavia cruises.
Arvia and Britannia will return to their Caribbean homeports in late October 2024 and stay there for the 2024-25 winter season.
