P&O Cruises Sell Oceana – Ship To Leave This Month

P&O Cruises 20-year old, mid-sized ship Oceana becomes a casualty of the Covid-19 fallout. Today it was announced that she will leave the fleet by the end of the month, after an agreement was struck with an un-named buyer.

Although Oceana had returned to sail from Southampton, due to changes in her fly-cruise programme, it seems her return was short-lived. However, her place in the fleet will be quickly replaced by Iona, who will come into service as soon as it deemed safe to do so. There is also a sister ship, to Iona, planned for 2022.

So whilst we might be saying au revoir to a firm family favourite for now, we hope to be calling bon voyage to all those setting sail with P&O Cruises very soon!

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said:

Whilst we and many of our guests will miss Oceana, her departure will allow us to focus on our remaining ships in the fleet, as capacity expands with the delivery of Iona later this year followed by her sister ship, scheduled for 2022.

During this pause in our operations we need to fit the fleet for the future and ensure we have the right mix of ships once we resume sailing.

I am so sorry to disappoint those guests who were booked on Oceana but I hope they will be able to find a similar alternative holiday, whether that is from Southampton or a fly-cruise itinerary.

Customers who have a holiday booked on Oceana

All customers who have booked a holiday on Oceana will be offered a 125% Future Cruise Credit or 100% refund of monies paid to date as of 10am 7 July 2020.

Future Cruise Credits

All guests with a holiday booked on Oceana from 16 October 2020 onwards will automatically receive a 125% FCC. This can be used on any new booking made before 31 December 2021, for any holiday on sale during that period. If you had booked a City Stay, you will also receive that as an FCC to be used on another future cruise holiday. Unfortunately the FCC cannot be used to book another City Stay.

Please note you will receive either an FCC worth 125% of the monies paid to date (typically the deposit).

You can be secure in the knowledge that 100% of the money you have paid will continue to be protected by ABTA and ATOL. P&O Cruises ask that you please retain all booking documentation, including all receipts and confirmations.

5% Deposit for new bookings

P&O Cruises are also offering a 5% deposit for new bookings made between 30 June and 3 August 2020. The 5% deposit is available on applicable Early Saver and Select Price holidays of 19 nights or fewer from January 2021.

Q&A

When will Oceana be leaving the fleet?
The sale of Oceana will be completed in July 2020.

Why are P&O Cruises selling Oceana?
We are selling Oceana in order to fit our fleet for future growth and focus on our other mid-sized ships Arcadia and Aurora as well as the three larger ships and our new flagship Iona as well as her sister ship, scheduled for delivery in 2022.

Will you be selling Aurora and Arcadia too or any other ships?
No. Aurora and Arcadia are much loved mid-sized ships and will remain in the P&O Cruises fleet.

Which ship is doing fly/cruise next summer?
Azura will be offering fly/cruise holidays from Malta in summer 2021.

I was booked on Dubai and P&O Cruises cancelled that and now they’re cancelling another holiday
We are so sorry. Oceana’s Dubai season was cancelled due to the unsettled political climate for British flagged ships and now unfortunately Oceana will be leaving the P&O Cruises fleet.

Will P&O Cruises be offering a season in Dubai in the future?
Oceana’s first season in Dubai was very popular with our guests and whilst we do not have any current plans we would certainly consider putting another ship in the region at some point in the future, depending on the political climate

What will happen to anything booked on My P&O Cruises?
Any pre cruise purchases booked on My P&O Cruises will automatically be refunded to you via the card you paid with.