Coronavirus: P&O Cruises cancels all sailings until mid-November
P&O Cruises has extended the suspension of sailings until mid-November due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic.
The UK’s largest cruise line said the decision was due to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advising people to avoid cruises.
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide hit 20 million yesterday, with little sign of the pandemic slowing the future for the cruise industry remains uncertain.
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South America, a popular cruise destination, is one the worst-hit regions of the globe, with Brazil passing 100,000 deaths from the disease on Sunday.
P&O has cancelled all sailings until November 12, while two trips with longer itineraries due to begin in January 2021 have been suspended.
The firm had previously cancelled sailings until October 15.
P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “It is clear that whilst the guidance is in place it is not advisable for us to resume operations.
“As well as cancelling all cruises up until November 12 2020 we will, sadly, also be cancelling Aurora’s Caribbean and South America Adventure and Arcadia’s World Cruise.
“Given long-term planning, combined with the complexity and length of these long-haul itineraries and evolving border restrictions, we need to ensure that we adhere to the guidance as it stands.
“I know that these January cruises, in particular, are holidays of a lifetime and we are so sorry for the disappointment that these cancellations will cause.”