P&O Cruises cancels all sailings until mid October
P&O Cruises has cancelled all cruises up to and including October 15.
It said it was working with public health bodies to enhance its ‘already stringent’ health and safety protocols.
In the latest of a series of videos P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: "As a business our operational focus is not ‘when can we resume sailing?’ but is instead ‘how can we develop a comprehensive restart protocol that will keep everyone on board, our crew and guests, safe and well and still give our guests an amazing holiday?’
"We are working with government and industry bodies at the highest possible level, such as Public Health England and the US Centers for Disease Control and Preventio, to review every aspect of a holiday with us and establish a framework of policies and procedures. Our aspiration is to be adopting best practice in managing Covid-19 within the travel industry.
"Unfortunately, as the world continues to adapt to this global crisis, we have made the decision, difficult as it is, to extend our pause in operations for all sailings up to and including October 15, 2020. We are so sorry for the disappointment this will cause to so many of our guests."
All guests who were booked on these cancelled sailings will receive an enhanced Future Cruise Credit which gives an additional 25% on top of the amount paid for the holiday.
Following feedback from guests, P&O Cruises has also confirmed that the Future Cruise Credit, which may be held until the end of 2021.
FCCs may also be used to upgrade or for a second cabin for any existing booking and also may be gifted or transferred to someone else.
P&O Cruises is also introducing a 5% deposit for new bookings made before June 29. The offer is available on applicable Early Saver and Select Price holidays of 19 nights or fewer from January 2021.
"We want to apologise once again to those guests who wait for refunds, particularly at a time of financial constraints, however the new technology we have in place is rapidly improving things though and we continue to make further progress on a daily basis," it said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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