By
Alice Chambers |
When planning unforgettable cruises, Jack Cochrane, senior manager of itinerary and destination planning at Carnival UK, plays a key role in crafting experiences that cater to a diverse range of guests. From Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 to P&O Cruises’ Arvia, Cochrane and his team work meticulously to ensure that each cruise offers something unique.
“My role is to support the development of attractive itineraries for both P&O Cruises and Cunard while ensuring the successful operational delivery,” he explains. “I work collaboratively with the commercial deployment and revenue management teams to align on the commercial plans for the season and overlay this with our insights into delivering the best possible holidays options for our guests.”
The starting point for planning any cruise itinerary is often surprisingly simple. “The first question we ask is, ‘Can this ship dock at this port?’,” says Cochrane. Carnival UK’s fleet ranges from Queen Mary 2, which stretches over 340 metres and has a draught deeper than many cruise vessels, to the smaller P&O Cruises’ ship Aurora, at only 272 metres. As such, port infrastructure plays a crucial role in determining which destinations are feasible, and Cochrane credits strong relationships with port agents and authorities for providing the necessary information to make these decisions.
“Our port agents are our eyes and ears on the ground so their support and guidance to optimise our operations is invaluable,” he says. “Communication is key as every party is working towards the aligned goal of a successful cruise call in a destination. For example, we may be asked to adjust our call times to support shipping movements in the port or to ease guest flow in a terminal.”
The Caribbean remains a popular cruise destination for British travellers
However, the itinerary planning process doesn’t stop there. Once logistical feasibility is confirmed, Cochrane considers factors like travel distance, fuel consumption and guest preferences. One of the ways ports can ensure they are on Carnival UK’s radar is by catering to the demographic of the guests onboard.
“Many international guests travel with Cunard, whereas P&O Cruises predominantly attracts British travellers,” says Cochrane. “Ports that understand these differences can better align their offerings to match guest expectations. This is particularly important when considering the varying capacity of the ships. P&O Cruises’ Iona, for example, can cater to over 6,000 guests, while Cunard’s Queen Victoria holds just over 2,000. Tour capacity and the destination’s ability to handle guest numbers in the town will vary significantly between the ships.”
Carnival also values ports that offer authentic local experiences. “Guests love the local factor,” says Cochrane. “From local performers to cruises that celebrate the ship setting sail from a new destination, these personal touches create memorable moments that leave lasting impressions after the cruise ends. Collaboration between port authorities, local stakeholders and the Carnival UK team ensures that each port call delivers the best possible experience for guests.”
As for current itineraries, Cochrane highlights some of the most popular routes: “P&O Cruises’ Iona has been extremely popular visiting the beautiful Norwegian Fjords such as Olden, Hellesylt and Flam throughout the summer. Arvia, on the other hand, operates out of Barbados in the winter and this destination is always a favourite of P&O Cruises guests.”
“For Cunard, Queen Mary 2’s famous transatlantic voyages are still as popular as ever, and we were very excited to launch Queen Anne which has been extremely popular with Cunard guests. Queen Anne operates a variety of itineraries from Southampton to the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, Baltics and Iceland.”
Cochrane also shares his personal favourite: the P&O Cruises Azura’s fly-cruise programme from Valletta, Malta. “The itineraries visit some wonderful destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean such as Dubrovnik and Kotor,” he explains.
Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 recreates the historic seven-night transatlantic voyages from London to New York
Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026, Cochrane is excited about new and returning destinations.
“Our longer discovery itineraries return to ports in Morocco such as Tangier and Casablanca, which is a beautiful corner of the world,” he says. “We have also increased the number of visits to Kusadasi, Turkey, during P&O Cruises’ Azura itineraries, giving our guests the opportunity to visit two of the most popular travel destinations at the moment.”
Plus, in June 2025, P&O Cruises’ Britannia will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a classic British Isles cruise, including an overnight in Liverpool. “Arvia will also be calling in Toulon for the first time, offering shore experiences to Saint-Tropez, France,” adds Cochrane.
And for Cunard fans, Queen Elizabeth will debut a new programme of nine and 12-night voyages from Miami to the Caribbean, while Queen Mary 2 is set to transit the Panama Canal for the first time in 2026.
As Cochrane and his team plan future itineraries for Carnival UK, one thing remains certain: each itinerary is crafted with care, precision and a deep understanding of what makes a cruise truly unforgettable.
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