What do we do with a Drunken Sailor?

Now I know what you are thinking – who got drunk?

Well, unfortunately, my blog this week isn’t about a captain, passenger or cruise ship staff getting drunk, it is in fact about P&O Oceana canceling of its sailings through Dubai.  Seems to be all over the news recently about cruising, between a potential ban in Venice to someone in a clown suit causing mass brawls on board!  It just reminded me of the song, as there are always ways to fix the issue at hand!

The news came as a shock to most of us on Thursday regarding Oceana and this was the official statement from P&O

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.

 

We’re sure both you and your customers will have lots of questions and want to ensure you’re fully supported. Here is a summary of the situation and the plans being put in place to help guests re-book:

All of Oceana’s winter season holidays (departing October 2019 to March 2020) to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf have been cancelled in order to protect the safety of our guests and crew.

 

All guests will be given a full refund. There is no compensation as this change is being made as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of P&O Cruises.

 

We are busy working on 14 new ex-UK itineraries for Oceana during this period. Featuring Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, as well as a pre-Christmas 35 night cruise to the Caribbean and Central America. These new cruises will be available to book from 20 August 2019.

 

For guests still seeking some winter sun with us this year, our 2019/20 fly-Caribbean holidays on Azura and Britannia from October to March are a great alternative. Next year’s Dubai & Arabian Gulf cruises departing between October 2020 – March 2021 remain as scheduled (we will of course continue to monitor the situation out there). A 10% discount on both of these options is available to those guests who are affected when they book Select Price or Early Saver by 30 September 2019.

 

If your customers would still like to visit Dubai and the Arabian Gulf this winter season, our sister brands, Aida and Costa Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation group, will still be operating out of Dubai as they are not British-flagged. Costa is offering a 20% discount on cruise-only fares on Costa Diadema in winter 2019 when booked by 30 September 2019.

The good news is, it is only British ships that have been taken out of the programme, MSC, Royal Caribbean, and other cruise lines are still sailing the area.  And if you do still want to sail on the Oceana, P&O haven’t taken her out of service, she will be offering some Ex-UK sailings shortly and throughout the October to March period.  These will become available on the 20th of August 2019.

Were you booked on the Oceana?  Have you managed to re-book something else?  If you haven’t, here at Cruise.co.uk, we are happy to help if you would like to get something else booked.