It will not surprise many cruise lovers to hear that South Hampton is P&O Cruises favourite base. The company recently announced its 2012 summer/autumn schedule and no less than 148 cruise ships will embark from here on cruises that will take them all over the world.

The 2012 schedule offers plenty of cruises that have become old-time favourites with cruise passengers, such as the Canary Island cruise. Six out of the company’s seven cruise ships will offer long-haul cruises curing the 2012 season. This is of course perfect for those passengers who can not stand flying.

Only two ships, Ventura and Adonia, will offer fly-cruise options outside the normal January to April world season. Between January and April, Oriana and Aurora do, however, offer world cruises with a fly-cruise option.

In January 2012 Arcadia will be on a Far East, Africa and Australia cruise, while Adonia will be on a cruise to South America. After that Arcadia returns to the UK, from where it will embark on a series of cruises, all leaving from Southampton. These range from 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruises to 24-night cruises to New England and Canada. Overnight ports of call include Venice, Istanbul, New York, St Petersburg and Quebec.

Oriana will offer only ex-Southampton cruises during the 2012 season. Itineraries range from 3 to 35 nights and destinations include the Mediterranean, Western and Northern Europe, the Caribbean Islands and islands in the Atlantic Ocean.

All other cruises during the 2012 summer/autumn season will depart from and return to Southampton port.