P&O Cruises have today announced that they will be cancelling a number of cruises to Dubai and the Arabian Gulf in winter 2019 due to tensions between Britain and Iran in the Straits of Hormuz.

What P&O Cruises said about the Oceana cruise cancellations

We have been closely monitoring the situation within the Straits of Hormuz over recent months and taking advice from external authorities. The increased tension in the region highlighted by the attacks on tankers in the Straits in recent months 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 are very sorry but we have therefore taken the unusual step of withdrawing Oceana from the region, which will impact holidays due to depart later this year and in early 2020.The safety of our guests and crew is paramount and given our UK status, coupled with the uncertainty in the region, we have had to make this difficult decision for this upcoming season, which we hope you understand is due to factors beyond our control.

As a result of this, your booking will be cancelled and you will be given a full refund. We are currently working on a range of new exciting holiday options for Oceana. This will feature departures from Southampton sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, as well as a pre-Christmas 35 night cruise to the Caribbean, all of which will be available to book from 20 August 2019.

Alternatively, you may prefer one of our 2019/2020 fly-Caribbean holidays or 2020/2021 Dubai and Arabian Gulf cruises for exotic winter sun. If you wish to book one of these holidays, we are delighted to offer you a 10% discount on these two destinations (further information can be found below) when booking Select Price or Early Saver by 30 September 2019.

Use your 10% discount on a new booking before 30 Sept 2019 on the following cruises

The 10% saving offer applies to all guests sharing a cabin and is applicable to new Select Price or Early Saver bookings made on selected departures by 30 September 2019. Your account number must be quoted to receive this promotion.

Revised P&O Cruise 2019/2020 Oceana itineraries – available 20 August 2019

Frequently asked questions about the cancelled 2019 cruises on Oceana

What do I need to do now?

Nothing. Your booking will be cancelled and a full refund will be processed.

Do you have any alternative cruises that fall during the dates of my Dubai and Arabian Gulf cruise?

P&O Cruises are currently confirming Oceana’s alternative season of cruises, which will be available to book from 20 August 2019. This will include departures from Southampton sailing to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, as well as a pre-Christmas 35 night cruise to the Caribbean. There are also many other alternatives available to book now.

What is the process for booking another holiday?

We will be cancelling your current Oceana booking. If you wish to book an alternative holiday with us, please contact us on 01246 819819.

If you would like to book any October 2019 to March 2020 fly-Caribbean holiday or any October 2020 to March 2021 Dubai and Arabian Gulf cruise we would be delighted to offer you a 10% discount when booking Select Price or Early Saver before 30 September 2019.

On which cruises can I use my 10% discount?

Your 10% discount may be applied to any October 2019 to March 2020 fly-Caribbean holiday or any October 2020 to March 2021 Dubai and Arabian Gulf holiday booked before 30 September 2019 on Select Price or Early Saver.

How do I use my 10% discount on a new booking?

The 10% saving offer applies to all guests sharing a cabin and is applicable to new Select Price or Early Saver bookings made on selected departures by 30 September 2019. Your account number must be quoted to receive this promotion. Offer is combinable with our current on board spending money offer, on board sales, Military, Shareholder and our ‘Thank You for Cruising’ promotion, but not combinable with Saver fare or Tesco vouchers.

When will my booking be cancelled?

Your booking will be cancelled immediately.

May I transfer my booking?

No, your booking will be cancelled and a full refund will be issued.

When can I expect to receive my refund?
Payment method  Booking agent  No. of working days
VISA P&O Cruises 3
MasterCard P&O Cruises 3
American Express P&O Cruises 7
Cheque P&O Cruises 7
All payment types Travel agents Contact travel agent for timescales
Why is P&O Cruises not paying compensation?

This change is being made as a result of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of P&O Cruises. Clauses 40 and 41 of the Booking Conditions provide for cancellation without compensation in such circumstances.

I have booked extras such as hotels, land tours etc with you. Will you be refunding this?

All aspects of your holiday booked through P&O Cruises will be refunded. If you booked any additional packages through your travel agent, please contact them directly. If you booked any other arrangements independently then please contact your travel insurance provider.

Will you reimburse me for out of pocket expenses?

We recommend that you speak to the provider directly to cancel any arrangements made in the first instance and request a refund from them. If this is unsuccessful you may wish to contact your travel insurance provider.

Will the 2020 Arcadia World Cruise or 20/21 Dubai and Arabian Gulf programme be cancelled?

No, the call to Dubai in March 2020 will be maintained unless we receive advice to the contrary nearer the time. Oceana is still scheduled to operate a season within Dubai and the Arabian Gulf in late 2020. Given this is over a year away, we hope that the situation will have resolved itself by then. Should the position change, we will advise booked guests as soon as possible.

Why are other cruise lines still visiting the area?

Other cruise lines may have ships registered in different countries but as a British company flying the Red Ensign, coupled with the uncertainty in the region, we have been advised against maintaining our planned Dubai and Arabian Gulf programme this winter season.

My question is not answered, who can I contact?

Please contact a Cruise Experts at Bolsover Cruise Club on 01246 819819 and they will be happy to help you further.

All guests booked on the affected cruises are being contacted by post and email from P&O Cruises direct. We will also be contacting our guests to discuss their options.

Please bear with us during this busy period as we aim to speak and get back to our customers as soon as possible.

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