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‘Cruises for under £50 a day’ as Royal Caribbean sails from Southampton
US cruise giant Royal Caribbean International is to base a ship in Southampton for the first time next year in a direct challenge to rival P&O Cruises. The company is to deploy 1,800-passenger vessel Legend of the Seas at the port in summer 2005 offering 14-night itineraries to the Canary Islands and Mediterranean. Royal Caribbean claims the ship will become the first in its 19-strong fleet to be dedicated to the UK market. The cruises go on sale through a stand-alone brochure from March 1 with prices leading-in at £1,199 per person and £199 for children for 14 nights. Legend will run 13 cruises from Southampton – Carnival-owned P&O’s UK home base – next summer. Discounts of £100 are available for bookings made by the end of April together with free car parking at the port worth another £100. Royal Caribbean claims the discounted rates will enable a family of four sharing a cabin to cruise for less than £50 a day for a fortnight. New ports of call include Praia da Rocha in the Portuguese Algarve and Vigo in Spain, offering access to Cadiz and Seville. The Southampton sailings complement existing departures from Dover and Harwich. Royal Caribbean UK managing director Patrick Ryan said extended stays would be offered in a number of ports. “This is the first time that we have offered regular 14-night itineraries to fit in with demand for a traditional two week summer holiday,” he said. Mr Ryan claimed that the company would offer an “unstuffy” cruise experience. “We will combine American service standards with British traditions such as afternoon tea and a good pint. “We have also more active and adventurous shore excursions such as mountain biking and water parks which will particularly appeal to guests and families looking for new experiences,” he said. A series of roadshows for agents are planned to coincide with the brochure launch: Southampton (March 2), Birmingham (March 4), Bristol (March 10), Gatwick (March 11-12), Manchester (March 15), Glasgow (March 17) and Belfast (March 23). Report by Phil Davies
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