P&O Cruises cancels all holidays until early 2021 due to coronavirus

P&O CRUISES has extended the cancellation of its sailings until early 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK's biggest cruise line explained that due to travel restrictions, holidays are not able to restart until later next year.

All sailings were originally cancelled until October 15, but last month they announced this would be extended until November 12. This has been extended again.

All Caribbean cruises are cancelled until the end of January 2021 and all cruises from and to Southampton are cancelled through February as well as Arcadia and Aurora, which have already been cancelled through to the end of their spring.

President Paul Ludlow said: "With evolving restrictions on travel from the UK, unfortunately it is necessary to cancel these itineraries.

"These further cancellations vary according to ship as well as complexity and length of itineraries, advice and guidance regarding ports of call and current air availability for fly/cruises."

"We are continuing to monitor the overall situation closely and will certainly reintroduce cruises should the opportunity arise and it is feasible to do so."

Customers with affected bookings will automatically receive credit for a future sailing worth 125 per cent of the cost of their original trip. They can also request a cash refund.

Mr Ludlow added: “Whilst adherence to the protocols on board and ongoing vigilance will be critical, this will always be coupled with providing the well-deserved and memorable holidays for which we are known, with all the standout moments on board and experiences on shore. This is what we have always done and will continue to do.”

Continuing on an optimistic note, he said: “We cannot wait for restrictions to ease, borders to open and for us to once again be able to set sail for a new beginning.”

P&O is also on the brink of culling up to 40 per cent of its workforce.

Around 1,600 of the company’s 4,000 posts are at risk due to huge losses caused by Covid-19.

P&O’s rival operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages went into administration earlier this year while Carnival, the world’s largest cruise company, is losing £500million a month to maintain its fleet.

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