P&O’s Oriana is poorly

We received notification this morning that Oriana will be coming home to Southampton from her current cruise 3 days early.

I visited Oriana in Southampton last year and she is my favourite P&O ship.  Modern and clean but still holds that traditional cruising feel.

The reason for her early return is due to a repair that is necessary on one of her two propeller shaft seals.  P&O have confirmed that whilst the work is necessary and needs to be done as quickly as possible to prevent the issue worsening, it has absolutely no impact on the ships safety.

Passengers on board have been informed and have been advised that once they return to Southampton, they can stay on the ship until their original disembarkation date of 1st March.

They have also been offered a Future Cruise Credit of 100% of their current cruise value to use on an Oriana 2014/2015 sailing or a 40% cash refund of the current cruise.

The remainder of Orianas sailing will run as follows:

What is the itinerary of the remainder of the cruise?

20 February                   Madeira

21 February                   Gran Canaria

22 February                   Tenerife

23 February                   At Sea

24 February                   At Sea

25 February                   At Sea

26 February                   Southampton                 Arrives 1800

27 February                   Southampton

28 February                   Southampton

01 March                       Southampton                 Disembark as scheduled

P&O released the following press statement:

P&O Cruises can confirm that Oriana’s cruise (X404) will be returning to Southampton three days earlier than planned to conduct some necessary repairs to one of the ship’s two propeller shaft seals. The repairs, whilst required, have no impact on the ship’s safety.

Due to the change in the itinerary Oriana is unable to call at some of the ports scheduled for this cruise.

Passengers on the cruise have been kept fully informed of the situation. Passengers will be able to remain on board and enjoy the dining and entertainment offering on Oriana whilst in Southampton until March 1, 2014 as planned.

All customers will have the choice of receiving a credit of 100% of their current cruise to use on a future Oriana Cruise in 2014 or 2015, or a 40% cash refund.

P&O Cruises director Christopher Edgington said: “Our decision to bring the ship back early has not been taken lightly and I am sorry that our customers’ holiday plans have been impacted. I hope that out customers’ holiday plans have been impacted.  I hope that the compensation package we have announced will allow us to welcome all of our passengers back on a future Oriana cruise soon”

Do you know anyone on this sailing who will have been affected?  Have you ever had a cruise cut short and what were the reasons?