P&O Cruises is adding ex-UK capacity with seven new itineraries from Southampton in 2012 and is to operate three ships year-round from the port.
The new cruises range from a three-night break on Ventura to a 28-night Caribbean cruise on Adonia. Also included are sailings to the Canary Islands, Western Mediterranean and Atlantic Coast.
The cruises are included in a new Winter 2012-13 brochure.
The UK cruise market leader also confirmed that three ships – Oriana, Adonia and Oceana – will sail all year from Southampton from winter 2012 on cruises of two to 35 nights in duration.
The move follows Passenger Shipping Association research which found that ex-UK cruises outperformed the overall cruise market last year, growing by 10% and accounting for 40% of cruises taken by British passengers.
P&O Cruises said a survey conducted on its Facebook page supported these findings, with 40% of respondents saying they prefer cruising from Southampton because “the holiday starts as soon as you arrive”.
A further 20% favoured cruising from Southampton because there are no baggage restrictions, 12% selected ‘ease of embarkation’ as the main reason and 6% said they like the fact no flying is involved.
The seven new cruises are included in P&O Cruises’ 175th Anniversary Sale, which offers up to 10% discount on all 249 cruises in summer 2012 and winter 2012-13 brochures on bookings made by February 29.