Britannia's return to Southampton was among a number of changes outlined in P&O Cruises' winter 2027 and spring 2028 deployment plans.

It will sail a mix of itineraries from Southampton to the Atlantic islands, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean – the first time it has sailed year-round from Southampton since its launch in 2015.

Elsewhere, Iona will join sister ship Arvia in the Caribbean between October 2027 and April 2028 operating 14-night fly-cruises with departures from Barbados, Antigua and, new for the coming season, Saint Kitts.

Arcadia and Aurora, meanwhile, will offer a mix of all-age itineraries, as well as some adult-exclusives, to North Cape, the Baltics and western Europe in winter 2028.

Aurora will also to South America for a 75-night grand tour in 2028, with calls in Brazil and Chile, while Arcadia's 2028 world cruise at 124 nights will be one of P&O Cruises' longest, featuring an east Asian leg taking in Nagasaki and Tokyo.

Azura will sail Canaries fly-cruises, with some select departures including calls in Madeira, as well as Morocco's Agadir and Casablanca.

Finally, Ventura will embark on a new seven-night Scandinavian cruise, returning to Southampton for New Year's Eve 2027, before sailing to Copenhagen, Oslo and Kristiansand.

The season will see P&O Cruises visit nine ports that have not featured in its itineraries for at least five years, including Tokyo, San Diego and Hawaii.

Ruth Venn, P&O Cruises associate vice-president sales and distribution, said: "Highlights including family-friendly holidays on Arcadia and Aurora, the return to ports from Japan to Hawaii, and Iona’s first Caribbean winter season. Collectively the new programme gives agents lots of great talking points and many new sales and marketing opportunities."

Pre-registration for the season opens rom 8.30am on Tuesday 14 October and will run through to 8pm on Monday 20 October before itineraries go on general sale from Wednesday 22 October.

Agents booking their clients by 17 December 2025 can secure offers including 10% discounts and low deposits on select and early saver fares; third and fourth guests sharing the same cabins sailing for free on select off-peak winter 2027/28 cruises of six nights or more sailing from Southampton; an extra 5% discount on select holidays for Peninsular Club loyalty members; and 20% discounts on Classic drinks packages.

A 14-night Caribbean fly-cruise onboard Iona departing 10 December 2027 calling in Saint Kitts, Antigua and Barbados leads in from £1,499pp for an inside cabin.

A 12-night North Cape sailing onboard Iona, meanwhile, leads in from £899pp for an inside cabin, departing 17 November 2027 and calling in Alta, Hammerfest and Tromso.