Aurora

Photo Courtesy of P&O Cruises

Antarctica and South America Top Travellers Poll

P&O Cruises is releasing its 2007/08 World Voyages brochure three months ahead of schedule to meet a surge in demand for far flung, multiple destination travel. The preview brochure, on sale from the 5th June, contains three voyages on liners Artemis, Aurora and Oriana.

Research undertaken by the cruise line shows that British passengers have taken the lead when it comes to booking a world cruise, with younger travellers and experienced cruisers alike seeing this as the ideal way to travel to some of the worlds most exotic, cultural and captivating destinations.

The 2007/08 world voyage itineraries have been designed following extensive customer research into ports/places that they would most like to visit. Frequent requests for unusual ports led to Artemis, the smallest and most adventurous ship in the fleet, being deployed on an 84 night South American Odyssey.

Not only can travellers have a world voyage experience from as little as £89 per person per day* but in this preview brochure passengers can receive up to £750 on board credit and complimentary chauffeur transfers or regional flights as an early booking incentive.**

Departing in December 2007, the South American Odyssey encapsulates the history and culture of South America – fast becoming one of the most sought after destinations. Ports of call include Santarem, Manaus and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Buenos Aires and Puerto Madryn in Argentina, Montevido in Uruguay, Santiago and Coquimbo in Chile, Lima in Peru and Manta in Ecuador.

The Odyssey also features two ‘cruise by’ destinations new to P&O Cruises: Amalia Glacier and PIO X Glacier in Chile. Also on the itinerary are new ports Roatan in Honduras and Belize. This year Artemis offers two-day stopovers in Manaus in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina and Lima in Peru – giving travellers more time to explore these diverse destinations.

Another highlight of the voyage is the Antarctica experience. Over a three-day period Artemis cruises by three of the Antarctic’s most intriguing islands and bays. Half Moon Island with resident chinstrap penguins and whales; Hope Bay in the Antarctic Sound which is often referred to as Iceberg Alley, and Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands off the Antarctic Peninsula with volcanic slopes, steaming beaches and ash-layered glaciers. With all outside cabins, Artemis is the perfect ship for such an itinerary.

The Aurora World Cruise is an 80 night voyage departing in January 2008, visiting 26 ports of call on her full circumnavigation of the globe. Taking in classic destinations in the Caribbean, USA, South Pacific, Australasia and the Orient, Aurora will transit the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal before returning to the UK.

Also departing in January 2008, Oriana’s 101 night Grand Voyage is the longest itinerary with 40 ports of call. Placing more emphasis on Asia, Oriana features new ports of Kemaman and Langkawi in Malaysia, along with other calls in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Taiwan. The voyage also features new port Reunion in the Indian Ocean, classic favourites in South Africa and the increasingly fashionable Dubai.

Oriana’s Grand Voyage features nine ports of call in Australia including Cairns, Whitsunday Islands, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

As with Artemis’ voyage, Oriana offers several extended calls in ports including Port Said, Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town, so passengers have more time to explore these destinations.

Fares are from £8,128 for the Artemis South American Odyssey, £7,726 for the Aurora World Cruise and £9,046 for the Oriana Grand Voyage.***

P&O Cruises commercial director, Nigel Esdale said: "The P&O Cruises world wide voyages are becoming increasingly popular, with higher percentages of repeat bookings than other itineraries. We are also thrilled to see the number of new world cruise passenger bookings rise.

"We believe that this is because we strive continuously to improve the quality and originality of our world voyages, whether this means adding new ports, increasing the amount of time spent in favourite destinations, or simply making the whole experience effortless – as with our complimentary transfers offer."

Perfect for those with less time to spare or who want to visit a specific part of the world, the brochure offers shorter voyages to/from Australia and New Zealand on Aurora and Oriana. Prices start at £3,849 for 35 nights on Aurora’s Southampton to Auckland itinerary. A 40-night Perth to Southampton voyage on Oriana starts at £4,113. Flights are included on all these sectors.

* Based on Oriana’s full 101-night Grand Voyage after a maximum 45% Pricebreaker discount.
** Book by 30 November 2006 for double on board credit. Book by 31 August 2006 for complimentary chauffeur or regional flights. Chauffeur transfers are available from a range of UK destinations. See brochure for full details. Regional flights are available to/from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester to London.
*** Prices given are per person and based on two adults sharing a twin cabin inclusive of a maximum 45% Pricebreaker discount off the full voyage fare. Prices are inclusive of accommodation, all meals, entertainment and facilities as detailed in the brochure.