UK-based P&O Cruises has marked the launch of a new air charter partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways which will bring many UK guests to the company’s two Caribbean-based ships during the 2024-25 winter season.

The inaugural flight departed from Manchester Airport on November 1, 2024, carrying 300 guests to Bridgetown, Barbados, where they will board the flight of 3,647 guests. Brittany and begin a 14-night trip to the Eastern Caribbean.

P&O Cruises, a brand of Carnival Corporation which primarily serves the United Kingdom, its home ports Brittany and the 5,200 guests Arvia in the Caribbean for the winter seasons. It markets sailings as cruise-flight packages for UK customers with return flights from several UK airports.

The partnership with Norse Atlantic Airways was announced in May 2024after P&O Cruises revealed it was seeking a new airline deal.

Previously, the company’s charter partner was Maleth Aero, but customers complained about the lack of premium seats and on-board entertainment. The cruise line’s president addressed these concerns in a message to travel agents and former customers in February 2024, when he posted a video on.

Besides Norse Atlantic, the cruise line also had air charter agreements with TUI Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

“We are extremely proud to see Norse Atlantic Airways’ first charter flight take off, marking the start of our Caribbean winter season.» said Paul Ludlow, Chairman of P&O Cruises and Carnival UK.

“We know that flights play a key role in the overall holiday experience, which is why we have chosen to partner with Norse, alongside TUI Airways and Virgin Atlantic for our charter offering. These partnerships support our commitment to ensuring our guests receive a consistently high level of service in all elements of their P&O Cruises vacation,» added Ludlow.

Until March 2025, Norse Atlantic will operate a Friday service from Manchester to Barbados and Saturday flights from London Gatwick and Manchester to Antigua/Barbados. These Manchester flights will alternate between St. Johns, Antigua and Bridgetown, since Arvia offers alternating cruises departing from both ports.

The service is offered onboard the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which features in-flight entertainment and additional seating, including 43 inches of seat pitch and 12 inches of recline.

“We’re excited to begin this journey with P&O Cruises, connecting UK travelers to stunning Caribbean destinations,» said Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways.

“Our commitment to quality and affordability aligns perfectly with P&O Cruises’ promise of unforgettable vacations, and we are delighted to offer passengers direct, comfortable flights that make their journey as enjoyable as their stay on the islands,» Larsen added..

P&O Cruises’ other seasonal charter partners offer additional flight options from more UK destinations. Virgin Atlantic will operate a service from London Heathrow every 14 days, with departures on Fridays, to Barbados.

TUI Airways flies to Barbados on Fridays and Saturdays from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham airports. It also operates regional feeder flights to larger airports from several destinations, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland; Bristol, Newcastle and Bournemouth, England; Cardiff, Wales; and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Winter Series Features the Caribbean’s Best Sun Destinations

Brittanyentered service in 2015, operates 14-night voyages from Barbados with stopovers in Curacao, Bonaire, Grenadines, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Saint Martin.

Read also: Cruise in the Eastern or Western Caribbean: which one will I prefer?

In March 2025, the ship will reposition in Southampton and undertake a series of cruises to the Norwegian fjords, Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Some itineraries will include destinations in Spain, France, the Canary Islands and Portugal.

Arviaan Excellence-class ship launching in 2022, operates 7- and 14-day cruises from Bridgetown, Barbados, and St. Johns, Antigua. The shorter itineraries depart from Bridgetown or St. Johns and call at Grenada and St. Lucia, while the longer cruises, all round-trip from Bridgetown, visit these ports as well as Martinique, St. Kitts, Tortola, Saint Martin and Antigua.

Following its winter series on the Caribbean, Ariva in March 2025 it will also deploy to Southampton and launch a spring and summer voyage program to Western Mediterranean ports.