P&O Cruises first to release itineraries for 2021/22 roundtrip Dubai cruise season

P&O Cruises has released cruise itineraries for Oceana’s 2021/22 cruise season, sailing roundtrip out of Dubai in the Arabian Gulf between November and March.

Oceana will sail alternating 7-night cruises from Dubai to destinations in the eastern and western Arabian Gulf, with passengers able to book the cruises back-to-back for a two-week butterfly itinerary.

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While P&O Cruises was forced to cancel its Dubai cruise program for the current season, the itineraries have proven immensely popular with British fly-cruise tourists, so much so that the cruise line released a marketing program centered on the Arabian Gulf region for the first time.

“The popularity of this region is soaring and these itineraries offer a mix of destinations, experiences and unique cultures complemented by a choice of unusual tours including camel racing and dune rides,” says Paul Ludlow, President of P&O Cruises.

Speaking on the attraction of P&O Cruises in the region, he added that it was primarily due to the proudly British nature of the cruise line in an alluring and exotic region.

“P&O Cruises is British through and through,” he said. “We recognise that British guests want the security of a home away from home, not to mention personal service, the feeling of anticipation, incredible adventures ashore, relaxation and friendships – all coming together to create lasting memories.”

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It was also the very British nature of P&O that forced it to cancel its current Dubai cruise season, though. Ludlow said at the time that, because the entire P&O fleet flies the Red Ensign, it couldn’t risk a confrontation with Iranian naval forces.

The UK and Iran were at a political impasse at the time following the seizure of oil tankers by both countries.

Oceana is a mid-size cruise ship, fresh from a major refit that saw many of her public areas and technical equipment overhauled. She now has the feel of a much newer ship, closer to the standards of P&O’s new Britannia-class.

The 2272-passenger, 77,000-gross ton cruise ship will arrive in Dubai on October 30^th, 2021 following a 20-night repositioning voyage from Southampton. The following day she’ll begin her 5-month cruise season out of Dubai.

Oceana’s 2021/22 Dubai cruise itineraries:

P&O Cruises’ Oceana will sail alternating 7-night roundtrip cruises from Dubai to the eastern and western parts of the Arabian Gulf.

Her eastern Arabian Gulf itineraries will depart Dubai and call in Muscat and Khasab, Oman and Abu Dhabi, before returning to Dubai.

The western Arabian Gulf itineraries will depart Dubai and call in Mina Sulman, Bahrain, Doha, Qatar, Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi, before returning to Dubai.

On both itineraries the ship will stay overnight in port on the first night of the cruise, giving passengers two full days to explore Dubai.

Passengers can also combine the two for a 14-night in-depth exploration of all the principle cruise ports in the region, with an overnight in Dubai at the beginning and mid-way through the cruise.