P&O Cruises confirms Britannia will be based in Southampton in 2027: routes and itineraries to know

Big news for no-fly fans. P&O Cruises has confirmed Britannia will be homeported in Southampton year-round from winter 2027/28, with a programme that spans the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Atlantic Islands. Pre-registration has opened and general sale follows shortly, so here’s a quick, practical run-through of what’s coming and the itineraries already on sale. 

What’s been announced

• Year-round Southampton base: It’s the first time since Britannia launched in 2015 that she’ll stay on the south coast all year. Expect a mix of Med sunshine, Canary Islands escapes and longer adventures reaching the Caribbean without the airport faff. 

• Key dates: Pre-registration is open now and closes 20 October 2025, 8pm (UK). General sale starts 22 October 2025. 

• Programme flavour: P&O’s winter 2027/28 brief highlights bigger, more in-depth itineraries, with added ports and plenty of no-fly choice from Southampton. 

Britannia’s 2027 itineraries already listed

Below are confirmed voyages on P&O’s site and major UK agents. Handy for planning content or pointing group members to example routes.

• Norwegian Fjords, 7 nights, 23–30 Apr 2027 (B708): Southampton round-trip calling Haugesund, Ålesund, Olden, plus scenic cruising in Innvikfjorden and Nordfjord. 

• Eastern Mediterranean Discovery, 21 nights, 4–25 Jun 2027 (B714): Southampton round-trip with Málaga, Cagliari, Athens (Piraeus), Kuşadası, Rhodes, Heraklion, Valletta, Mallorca, Cádiz. 

• Western Mediterranean, 14–15 nights, departs 30 Jul 2027: Calls include Cádiz (Seville), Ibiza, Cagliari, Palma, Cartagena, Gibraltar on a Southampton round-trip. 

• Spain & France, 7 nights, 13–20 Aug 2027 (B720): Gijón, A Coruña, Vigo, Cherbourg. Great school-holiday option. 

• Spain, Madeira & Canary Islands, 14 nights, 15–29 Oct 2027 (B727): Funchal, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, plus Atlantic sea days there and back. 

Will there be no-fly Caribbean in winter 2027/28?

Trade briefings and P&O pages point to no-fly long Caribbean cruises from Southampton as part of the wider programme, alongside fly-cruises on other ships. Keep an eye out for 4–5 week options once all sailings are live. 

Why this matters for British cruisers

• No airports, no luggage limits: Drive to the terminal, bring what you like within cabin storage, and settle in from day one. 

• Winter sun without flying: Atlantic Islands and longer Caribbean routes mean warm-weather escapes straight from Southampton. 

• More choice across the calendar: With Britannia staying put, you’ll see fjords in spring, the Med in summer and longer sunshine sailings into autumn and winter. 

How to choose the right Britannia itinerary

• Fjords (Apr–Sep): Go for those 7-night runs if you want dramatic scenery, scenic cruising days and easy port-days like Olden and Ålesund. Pack layers and a light rain jacket even in June. 

• Eastern or Western Med (Jun–Aug): Ideal for culture and beach days with family-friendly ports. Check heat and walking distances in peak summer. 

• Spain, France & Shorter Hops (Aug): Great value school-holiday escapes with simple travel days and classic tapas-and-town itineraries. 

• Atlantic Islands (Oct): Warmth without the long haul. Good for first-timers who want a relaxed two-weeker and reliable weather. 

Booking tips

• Act on pre-reg if you want specific cabins like accessible rooms, family quads and mid-ship balconies. These always go first. 

• Check school dates: Those Spain & France weeks and summer Meds will price and sell quickly around holidays. 

• Think seasons: For calmer seas and cooler temps, look at late May or September fjords; for the hottest Med weather, July and August. 

• Watch for launch offers: Early-booking perks and loyalty discounts usually appear around programme launch. 

Final thoughts

For those of us who love the ease of sailing from the UK, Britannia’s year-round Southampton base in 2027/28 is a win. You can line up fjords, the Med and a solid dose of winter sun without ever seeing an airport queue. If you’ve got your eye on a particular cabin or school-holiday dates, jump on pre-reg and be ready for general sale.

FAQ

Is it confirmed that Britannia will be based in Southampton year-round from winter 2027/28?

Yes. P&O Cruises and multiple trade outlets have confirmed the year-round Southampton homeporting from winter 2027/28. 

When do bookings open?

Pre-registration is open now and closes 20 October 2025 at 8pm. General sale begins 22 October 2025. To register and/or book visit here.

Are any actual 2027 Britannia sailings live now?

Yes. P&O has live pages for several 2027 cruises, including fjords (B708), a 21-night Eastern Med (B714), Spain & France (B720) and a 14-night Atlantic Islands (B727). 

Will there be no-fly Caribbean from Southampton in winter 2027/28?

P&O promotes long no-fly Caribbean cruises from Southampton, and trade previews suggest they’ll feature in the 2027/28 line-up. We’re watching for the full set of dates to appear. 

Where can I see the day-by-day for the 21-night Eastern Med in June 2027?

On P&O’s official B714 page. It shows Málaga, Cagliari, Athens (Piraeus), Kuşadası, Rhodes, Heraklion, Valletta, Mallorca and Cádiz on a Southampton round-trip.