Yahoo News P&O Cruises cancels all sailings until mid-November
P&O Cruises has extended the suspension of sailings until mid-November.
The UK’s largest cruise line said this was due to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advising people to avoid cruises because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It has cancelled all sailings until November 12, while two trips with longer itineraries due to begin in January 2021 have been suspended.
In acknowledgement of FCO guidance we’ve extended our pause until 12 November 2020 and cancelled a number of longer duration cruises sailing before 31 March 2021. We are so sorry for the disappointment that these cancellations will cause. Here’s P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow: pic.twitter.com/hPZ0IVypFa
— P&O Cruises (@pandocruises) August 11, 2020
The firm had previously cancelled sailings until October 15.
Customers with affected bookings will automatically receive credit for a future sailing worth 125% of the cost of their original trip.
They can also request a cash refund.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “It is clear that whilst the guidance is in place it is not advisable for us to resume operations.
“As well as cancelling all cruises up until November 12 2020, we will sadly also be cancelling Aurora’s Caribbean and South America Adventure and Arcadia’s World Cruise.
“Given long-term planning, combined with the complexity and length of these long-haul itineraries and evolving border restrictions, we need to ensure that we adhere to the guidance as it stands.
“I know that these January cruises, in particular, are holidays of a lifetime and we are so sorry for the disappointment that these cancellations will cause.”
Mr Ludlow said P&O Cruises is working in partnership with public health agencies, the Department for Transport and industry body Cruise Lines International Association.
He went on: “We will follow all applicable guidelines to enhance our already stringent measures to keep our guests and crew healthy and well, and we will not resume sailing until this approved framework is in place.
“Fundamentally, we will be adopting best practice within the travel industry.”
The FCO’s advice in relation to cruise travel has been in place since July 9.
“The good news is that confidence in cruising is strong and we are seeing increasing and significant demand from our guests,” Mr Ludlow said.
“We know that the FCO guidance is under constant review and we are hopeful that, as they are aware of the work the industry is doing, this will change before too long.”
