P&O Cruises has announced that it will go smoke free in all inside areas on board three of the cruise ships in its fleet. This will come into place in October where there will be allocated smoking areas put into place. Passengers will also be able to smoke on their cabin balconies. The three cruise ships this will affect are Oceana, Ventura and Artemis.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Since Britain went smoke free in July 2007 the British public has become accustomed to being in a smoke free environment with 76 per cent of the general public supporting the ban. We hope that becoming smoke free will give all our passengers, especially children, a cleaner and more pleasant environment in which at enjoy their holiday on board. Cruise ships already provide so many ways to have a fun and healthy holiday, such as spas and fitness centres, and this is another step towards an even healthier holiday experience for all. Ventura and Oceana are both child friendly, and between them could have over 1000 children on board at any one time, therefore we want to ensure they are breathing clean air on board as well as clean ocean air out on open deck.”

P&O Cruises have now published their 2009 Preview Edition brochure which features their 2009 cruise holidays. Their cruises cover 235 destinations in 82 different countries as well as a cruise around Britain, the first of its kind for P&O Cruises.

Ventura will depart from Southampton 19 times in her first full year of sailing. This cruise ship is the first purpose-built ship for the British market and will also do 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados in her first full year.

Artemis will offer an 11 night debut tour of the British Isles calling at the likes of Greenock, Dublin and Falmouth.

P&O Cruise’s managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Our 2009 programme is our biggest yet, offering a 30% increase in capacity for our brand with the first full year of Ventura. We have more ships, more UK departures and more breadth of appeal than any other cruise line.”

“For a brand that has brought the world to the door of British passengers for almost 170 years, it is perhaps long overdue and fitting for us to visit the British Isles.”

“Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing.

“Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”