P&O Pull the Plug on Dubai & the UAE

Over the past few days it has been announced that P&O Cruises winter sailing season to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf has been cancelled for Winter 2019/2020

President Paul Ludlow said the attacks on tankers in the Straits and the recent detention of a British-flagged tanker by the Iranian authorities means it is not advisable for P&O to operate cruise ships in the region.

“We have therefore taken the unusual step of withdrawing Oceana from the region for the upcoming season,” he said. “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.”

Currently P&O is working on new itineraries and deployment for Oceana including more departures from Southampton to Spain and the Canaries aswell as a 35 Night Sailing to the Caribbean before Christmas

P&O have also advised that guests currently booked to travel on any of the affected sailings will be issued with a full refund

At current other cruise lines based in the UAE are continuing with there schedules and offering added incentives to those affected customers in order to rebook such as discounts and On board extras. MSC Cruises will have 2 ships sailing from Dubai this winter, MSC Bellissima – the latest addition to the fleet will be offering 7 day sailings whilst MSC Lirica will be offering Longer durations of 11 nights. Royal Caribbean also have Jewel of the Seas based out in the Emirates for the winter season for those still wanting to benefit from Warmer Climates, Direct Emirates flights from the UK and an opportunity to experience everything this area has to offer.

We are in the process of rebooking all of our customers onto alternative itineraries for their winter cruise, and we await more information from P&O regarding the outcome of where Oceana will be sailing for the winter.

Eliza X