P&O Cruises sends Iona to the Caribbean in winter 2027–28 - 6 reasons UK cruisers should care

George and Dan
Oct 7
3 min read

Big news just dropped: P&O Cruises will send Iona to sail in the Caribbean for the winter 2027‑28 season - the first time this ship joins Arvia in tropical waters. That’s a major shift for UK cruising, giving more choice for sunseeking sailors in the colder months. In this article, I’ll explain what this means, who benefits, how it stacks up, and things to watch before you book.

What’s changing & why it’s exciting

P&O revealed at a recent travel conference that Iona will be repositioned to offer Caribbean itineraries during the 2027–28 winter season.

Here’s what makes this development interesting:

More UK capacity in the Caribbean off‑season
With two Excel‑class ships (Iona + Arvia) in the region, P&O is backing demand from UK cruisers who want Caribbean escapes in winter.
Longer, more varied itineraries possible
Iona’s size and facilities allow for bigger routes, more port calls, and potentially more overnight stays.
Better value & logistics
If more sailings are available, competitive pricing and more flexible departure windows become likely.
Brand confidence & positioning
P&O is signalling it wants a stronger presence in premium warm‑weather cruising from the UK market.
Cross‑selling & appeal to seasoned cruisers
Some people who cruise with P&O in Europe may be tempted to try Caribbean sailings without switching brands.
Rebalancing seasonal fleet deployment
Ships that would have otherwise remained in Europe over winter may now shift, opening up new European/Canary itineraries in other seasons.

What UK cruisers should think about / compare

Topic	What to check	Why it matters
Flight & transfer	How easy is it to fly into the embarkation port in the Caribbean?	Avoid long connections or expensive flights.
Included vs optional extras	What’s included in fare (drinks, excursions, transfers)?	Ensure you’re comparing like‑for‑like.
Ship size & crowding	Iona is large — what’s the guest number like in tropical ports?	Smaller ports may feel crowded or limited.
Itinerary variety	Which islands/ports will she visit?	Some are more “in demand” (Bahamas, Jamaica, etc.).
Seasonal weather risk	Winter is still hurricane season in parts of the Caribbean	Be aware of possible re‑routing or adjustments.
Comparisons with other cruise lines	How will P&O’s Caribbean offerings compare with rivals (Royal Caribbean, MSC, etc.)?	You want to know if you’re getting the best for your money.

How this stacks up versus previous P&O winters

Historically, P&O has deployed ships in the Canary Islands, Mediterranean or other warm destinations during the UK winter. Having Iona in the Caribbean represents a leap in offering - bringing more prestige, scale and tropical choice to their winter schedule.

It also mirrors moves by other major lines (like MSC, Royal Caribbean) that keep ships in warm zones year‑round. This puts P&O in a more direct competitive stance in the winter sun cruise market.

Final Thoughts

For UK cruise fans, this is a compelling development. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to try P&O in the Caribbean, the 2027–28 Iona deployment could be it. But as always, the devil’s in the details - check routes, cost inclusions, logistics and weather before committing.

If you spot the full Iona Caribbean schedule when it’s released, drop me a line and I’ll help you compare options or map out the best cabin - happy to assist.

FAQ

Q: When will P&O publish the full Iona Caribbean itineraries and fares?

A: That’s not public yet, but likely in the next 12-18 months ahead of the 2027-28 season.

Q: Will Iona take over all Caribbean sailings or share them with Arvia?

A: She’ll join Arvia, so you’ll have two Excel‑class ships in the Caribbean under P&O.

Q: Will this change affect P&O European or Canaries cruises?

A: Possibly - ships may shuffle. Some winter European or Canaries sailings could shift to fill gaps.

Q: Is winter 2027–28 a safe time to visit the Caribbean in terms of weather?

A: Winter is past the peak hurricane season (which is roughly June‑November), but there’s always residual risk. Always check cancellation/replacement policies.