P&O Cancel Dubai Sailings

Cancelling a whole season’s cruises is not a decision any tour operator would make without very good reason. The shock announcement this week that P&O are withdrawing Oceana from the Arabian Gulf this winter has caused a lot of disappointment to those already booked and a lot of work for the cruise line and it’s agents.

Their decision was made over Iran hijack fears and recent attacks on tankers in the region and, of course, passenger and crew safety is their number one priority.

“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.”

Oceana will be now based in Southampton and will offer itineraries to Portugal and the Canary Islands as well as a 35 night sailing to the Caribbean and Central America.

Anyone already booked to Dubai will be offered a full refund.

MSC and Costa are still offering sailings in the Arabian Gulf with extra benefits offered for those on cancelled P&O sailings.

It is always very frustrating when your holiday plans are changed and, believe me, they are the worst calls we have to make to you. We live in a volatile world which is often very difficult to predict where is deemed safe or advisable to travel to. An unusual situation like this does emphasise the importance of booking with a reputable travel agent as we will make all the often very lengthy and expensive calls and request any refunds for you. Calls to P&O cost 7p a minute and calls often last in excess of 30 mins. We will also help you source alternative travel plans.

If you have been affected and are looking for alternative holiday plans, call me 03303038292.