Chaos As Oceania Is Pulled From Dubai

Well there  is never a dull moment in the cruise industry, and last week was no exception to say the least!

On Wednesday afternoon P&O made the announcement that Oceana would be pulled out of her Middle East cruise programme , due to run from ocotber 2019 until spring 2020.

This is  how it appeared in the press –

“Following close monitoring of the situation within the Straits of Hormuz and taking advice from external authorities, P&O Cruises has cancelled its planned Dubai and Arabian Gulf programme from October 2019 to March 2020.
The increased tension in the region highlighted by the attacks on tankers in the Straits 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 have therefore taken the unusual step of withdrawing Oceana from the region for the upcoming season. Whilst we appreciate our guests will be disappointed, the safety of our guests and crew is absolutely paramount and given our UK status, coupled with the uncertainty in the region, we have had to make this difficult decision.”

I am sure this has not come as a surprise to may, with the increasingly difficult situation in the Gulf but it has lead to disappointment for thousands looking forward to sme winter sunshine.

However Oceana is the only ship, British or otherwise, to be pulled from the is part of  the world. In fact MSC are offering big discounts for Oceana passenger to rebook with them. The issue appears to be with the flag the ship sails under, but other ships will be sailing through the same region during their World Cruises in the spring of 2020. P&O Arcadia being one of them who carries the same Red Ensign but, as yet , there has been no announcement regarding any change to her itinerary, unless she is going to be heavily guarded through the Straits of Hormus.

Oceana will undertake a new winter programme to be released on 20th Auguts. This will include the Canary Islands, Iberia and long Christmas Caribbean cruise to and from Southampton. Not quite as glamerous and exotic as the Middle East but better safe than sorry.