P&O Cruises has put its winter 2028-29 programme on sale, and it is a big one: 130 destinations across the fleet, sailings from November 2028 through March 2029, and a handful of itineraries that push well beyond the usual winter sun circuit.
The collection mixes Southampton departures with fly-cruise options aimed squarely at warmth seekers — the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean get the most attention — but the headline acts are the long-haul "grand tour" holidays. Aurora's expanded USA and Caribbean Grand Tour now combines North and South America in one extended sailing, with overnight stops in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, giving passengers proper time in two of Brazil's biggest cities rather than a rushed day trip.
There's a swansong in the mix too. Arcadia's farewell season features an enhanced World Cruise with more variation from previous years, including overnight stays in major cities. One date worth circling: Arcadia will be in Madeira on New Year's Eve, timed for the island's famous fireworks display over Funchal bay — one of the most spectacular NYE celebrations anywhere.
Elsewhere, Azura gains a second turnaround port for its Canary Islands fly-cruises, adding Gran Canaria departures alongside the existing Tenerife programme, plus extra calls in Morocco including Agadir. The Europe fly-cruise season stretches two weeks further into October, picking up Central and Western Mediterranean itineraries, and the Caribbean line-up includes extended stays in ports like Antigua.
Money matters if you book early. Holidays booked by December 16, 2026, for departures on or after October 12, 2028, qualify for introductory offers: 10% off select price winter 2028 holidays, an extra 5% for Peninsular Club members on selected sailings (right up to departure), free cabin upgrades on selected Select Price and Early Saver cruises, and a 10% low deposit. If you like the sound of any of it, the timeline matters — pre-registration runs from the morning of October 13 to the evening of October 19, 2026, and general sale opens October 21, 2026.
Who is this for? Basically two types of traveller: those who want an easy fly-cruise to guaranteed winter sunshine without a long flight beyond the Canaries, and those with the time and budget for a proper odyssey — a world cruise, or a month-plus stringing together the Americas. Booking two years out sounds extreme, but for cruise cabins (especially on a farewell season like Arcadia's) it's normal, and the early-bird discounts plus low deposit make it a low-commitment way to lock in a cabin choice. If a NYE in Madeira with fireworks over the harbour appeals, that sailing will likely sell fastest.
