P&O Cruises has revealed how it plans to say goodbye to Arcadia, the adult-only ship that will leave the fleet and transfer to sister line Holland America on August 21, 2029. Before she goes, the ship gets a full farewell season packed with headline sailings — and early bookers can lock in launch discounts.
The centrepiece is a 126-night World Cruise departing January 6, 2029, with maiden calls at Nosy Be in Madagascar, Hiroshima, Mahé in the Seychelles, Kochi in India, Osaka in Japan and Puerto Princesa in the Philippines. It also revives ports P&O hasn't visited in years, among them Maputo in Mozambique and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. Balcony cabin fares start from £18,499 per person, based on two sharing.
If a world cruise is a stretch, there's plenty else. A 16-night Atlantic Islands sailing departs December 21, 2028, timed so guests spend both Christmas and New Year on board — with a New Year's Eve stop in Madeira to catch the island's famous Funchal fireworks. Summer 2029 brings a 21-night Western Mediterranean cruise from June 4, a 14-night Baltic itinerary from June 25 covering Northern Europe's historic capitals, a 16-night British Isles cruise from July 9, and a 22-night Central Mediterranean departure from July 30 — the ship's last extended sailing in that region.
P&O has confirmed that all Arcadia sailings already on sale will run as planned, including the winter 2028-29 programme. Keen cruisers can pre-register for the winter itineraries between 8.30am on October 13 and 8pm on October 19, 2026, with general sale opening October 21, 2026.
There's money to be saved by booking early. Anyone who books by December 16, 2026, for a departure on or after October 12, 2028, can access a 10 percent launch discount on applicable Select Price winter 2028 holidays, a further 5 percent Peninsular Club member discount on selected fares, a free uppers offer on selected Select Price and Early Saver cruises, and a reduced 10 percent deposit on both fare types.
Why care? Farewell seasons tend to attract loyal repeat cruisers and sell faster than standard itineraries, and a world cruise on a mid-sized ship like Arcadia offers ports that bigger vessels can't reach. If Madeira's fireworks, a Baltic summer or a four-month circumnavigation is on your list, the booking window and discounts make 2026 the time to act. The season also matters practically: once the ship moves to Holland America in August 2029, these sailings won't be repeated under the P&O flag.
