P&O Cruises have cancelled their winter 2019/2020 Dubai and Arabian Gulf programme as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz.
P&O had Oceana scheduled to serve the region in 2019 & 2020 but she will now be moved to serve European cruises from Southampton.
The cruise line’s President, Paul Ludlow, issued a statement today explaining their reasoning and the options that will be offered to passengers booked on the affected itineraries.
“We have been closely monitoring the situation within the Straits of Hormuz over recent months and taking advice from external authorities. The increased tension in the region highlighted by the attacks on tankers in the Straits in recent months and the detention of a British-flagged tanker by the Iranian authorities means as a British company flying the Red Ensign it is not advisable for us to maintain our planned Dubai and Arabian Gulf programme this winter season.”
“We are very sorry but we have therefore taken the unusual step of withdrawing Oceana from the region, which will impact holidays due to depart later this year and in early 2020.The safety of our guests and crew is paramount and given our UK status, coupled with the uncertainty in the region, we have had to make this difficult decision for this upcoming season, which we hope you understand is due to factors beyond our control.
As a result of this, your booking will be cancelled and you will be given a full refund. We are currently working on a range of new exciting holiday options for Oceana. This will feature departures from Southampton sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, as well as a pre-Christmas 35 night cruise to the Caribbean, all of which will be available to book from 20 August 2019.
Alternatively, you may prefer one of our 2019/2020 fly-Caribbean holidays or 2020/2021 Dubai and Arabian Gulf cruises for exotic winter sun. If you wish to book one of these holidays, we are delighted to offer you a 10% discount on these two destinations booking Select Price or Early Saver by 30 September 2019.“
If this was interesting to you consider sharing it using the buttons below. Have you sailed on Oceana? Ever Have you had a cruise cancelled? Got a question I haven’t answered here? Feel free to leave a comment, or contact me on twitter at @CruisingWithTom or Instagram at @TomLovesCruising