Your February 2026 Update from Michael Wilson

Hello and welcome to my February 2026 update!

After weeks of continuous rain back home, I’ve treated myself to a quick week in Barbados, and I’m writing this update as my sunny break sadly comes to an end. The forecast in the UK shows no sign of the rain easing, with even the odd spot of sleet mixed in for good measure, so I’m not exactly looking forward to the rather dramatic change in climate on my return.

There has been a wonderful mix of cruise ships visiting the island during my stay. It began with Britannia, which was in port when we arrived, and it was lovely to watch her sail past the following evening. No fewer than three Princess ships have called here over the week – Grand Princess, Majestic Princess and Enchanted Princess – and next week it will be the turn of Arvia, in port for a couple of days as P&O Cruises continues to operate the largest Caribbean fly-cruise programme, supported by dedicated charter flights from many parts of the UK.

I have mentioned this before, but it really is a fantastic way to experience the Caribbean, removing much of the usual travel complexity and allowing you to step straight into holiday mode.

While I have been away, one of the key highlights has been the launch of a brand-new 19-night Arcadia cruise, which went on sale and proved to be an enormous success, with Bolsover taking more than 50% of all agent bookings on the very first day.

Sailing on 11 November 2026 to the Mediterranean, this voyage has limited availability and represents exceptional value. You can follow this link to find out more.

I would also like to highlight an offer from P&O Cruises that I believe will be of particular interest to a large number of our customers. As many of you are past guests of the cruise line, this is a great opportunity to benefit from additional savings on a future sailing, and one that I expect will appeal to many of you.

Savings of up to £400 per cabin are available on selected cruises of up to 23 nights when making a new Select Price or Early Saver booking. The level of savings varies by cabin type and cruise duration, with the greatest discounts available on longer sailings. In addition, bookings can be secured with a low deposit of just 5%, making it easier to plan ahead. On a number of Select Price holidays, guests may also benefit from additional on-board spending money of up to £400 per balcony cabin on sailings of 14 nights or more, offering extra flexibility to enjoy dining, spa treatments or other experiences on board.

Demand for this offer has been strong, and availability is limited to select departures. The savings and added benefits apply to new bookings made until 3 March 2026 and are subject to availability, so if this is something you would like to explore, our Cruise Experts will be happy to check your eligibility and talk through the options.

Meanwhile, Princess Cruises has announced that two new speciality dining options have been introduced on board Diamond Princess. Makoto Ocean brings Chef Makoto Okuwa’s Edomae-style sushi to the ship, offering a refined Japanese dining experience that has already been well received on Sun Princess and Star Princess. Guests can expect a carefully crafted menu alongside cocktails inspired by traditional Japanese flavours.

Diamond Princess has also welcomed the return of Crown Grill, Princess Cruises’ signature steakhouse, now located in the former Savoy Dining Room. Long established as a guest favourite, Crown Grill is known for its premium cuts, fresh seafood and consistently attentive service.

Alongside these developments, Princess Cruises is also currently offering an additional incentive for those looking to book in the coming weeks. On various sailings, guests can receive up to $500 in onboard spend per stateroom. This offer runs until 2 March, and can be a great way to enjoy a little extra flexibility on board, whether that’s dining, spa treatments or other experiences during your cruise.

If you are considering a Princess sailing, our Cruise Experts will be happy to talk through the options and check availability – simply call 01246 819 819 or book online.

I’d also like to highlight a notable milestone for Cunard, as Queen Mary 2 recently completed her first-ever transit of the Panama Canal. Best known for her Transatlantic crossings, this historic sailing gave guests the opportunity to experience one of the world’s great engineering achievements from the decks of an iconic ship.

Looking ahead, Cunard has confirmed that further Panama Canal transits are planned across the fleet in 2026 and 2027, including sailings with Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne and Queen Victoria.

One particularly special voyage worth noting is Queen Anne’s 82-night South America Discovery cruise, sailing round-trip from Southampton in January 2027 with no flying required. This immersive itinerary explores the continent in depth, with highlights including overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, a sailing around Cape Horn, glacier cruising in Patagonia and a Panama Canal transit.

Guests booking this voyage with Bolsover Cruise Club can enjoy a number of added benefits designed to enhance the sense of occasion. These include double Cruise Club cashback, offering savings of up to £8,598 per suite, as well as a complimentary Luxury Celebration Package worth $550 to enjoy on board. 

The package includes a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Champagne, a dinner for two at Sir Samuel’s Steakhouse & Grill, a tropical bouquet, Champagne truffles, a formal portrait, breakfast in bed with Champagne, Cunard bathrobes and slippers, and a set of souvenir Champagne glasses. These inclusions are available on selected bookings made until 2 March 2026 and are subject to availability.

P&O Cruises’ Ventura is currently undergoing a refit designed to refresh guest spaces and maintain modern standards of comfort, while keeping the familiar layout and relaxed atmosphere that so many guests value.

Rather than major structural changes, the focus of the work is on interior updates across the ship. Public areas and accommodation spaces are being refreshed with new carpets, finishes and soft furnishings to create a brighter, more cohesive feel on board.

One of the key areas being updated is the Atrium, although many of the bars, lounges and outdoor spaces are also receiving updates, with refreshed upholstery, colour schemes and finishes tailored to each venue. Several restaurants are being refurbished with new seating and finishes, while the Arena Theatre, Oasis Spa and Salon, retail spaces and guest service areas are also included within the wider programme of work.

Once complete, the refit will ensure Ventura continues to offer the comfortable, welcoming experience guests expect, with refreshed interiors designed to keep the ship feeling current for years to come. We will be sharing images of Ventura’s new look on our website, so keep an eye on this page for the latest updates. 

She is due to set sail again later this month, so if you are considering sailing on Ventura once the work is complete, our Cruise Experts are on hand to help. Please call 01246 819 819 or book online at a time that suits you.

Lastly, many of you will have recently received our latest Cruise & Stay Collection, which brings together a selection of holidays created by our expert team. The collection showcases a wide range of itineraries developed in partnership with our cruise line partners, combining memorable cruises with thoughtfully chosen stays ashore to help you experience destinations in greater depth.

Covering destinations across the globe and a variety of travel styles, the collection is designed to offer inspiration whether you are planning your next getaway or simply starting to explore ideas for the future. If you haven’t yet had the chance to look through your copy, you can view the Cruise & Stay Collection online. As always, our Cruise Experts will be happy to help if anything catches your eye; simply call 01246 819 819 or book online.

To all those setting sail in the coming weeks, bon voyage, and may you enjoy every moment of your holiday.