P&O Cruises extends pause in sailings to mid-November

P&O Cruises Azura
P&O Cruises Azura

P&O Cruises has extended its pause in operations until November 12, 2020 and also cancelled two long itineraries due to depart in January 2021.

In the company’s latest video 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 & 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.”

P&O Cruises has reported confidence in cruising is strong and the cruise line is seeing increasing and significant demand from guests.

The current Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) guidance advising all British resident against cruise holidays is under constant review and P&O Cruises remains hopeful that, as they are aware of the work the industry is doing, this will change before too long.

Guests booked on the cancelled cruises will automatically receive an enhanced 125% Future Cruise Credit or alternatively can fill in the website form for a 100% refund. 

Ludlow continued: “We have invested significantly in new systems and technology to speed up the refund process and to date we have refunded tens of thousands of guests, although it is heartening to see that the majority of our guests have opted for the FCC so they have a holiday to look forward to in the future.”

He also confirmed that the company will still take delivery of the much anticipated new ship Iona “before the autumn.”