P&O Cruises P&O Cruises extends pause in operations until October 15
June 02 2020 - 05:15AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMCCL
P&O Cruises extends pause in operations for all sailings until October 15, 2020
MIAMI, June 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- P&O Cruises has announced an extension to
the pause in its operations until October 15, 2020 as it focuses on working in
close coordination with all relevant public health bodies to approve further
enhancement of the company's 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 (PHE) and the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), 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.
Ludlow continued:
"We have now amended our systems so that those guests with the enhanced 125%
Future Cruise Credit may now redeem them online without the need to call us,
which will make things much easier for our guests. Further details of this will
be on the website."
Following feedback from guests P&O Cruises has also confirmed that the Future
Cruise Credit, which may be held until the end of 2021, may be put against any
holiday on sale at that time, giving guests maximum flexibility and choice.
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. This option will also be
available until the end of December 2021.
"P&O Cruises is also introducing a 5% deposit for new bookings made between 27
May and 29 June 2020. The offer is available on applicable Early Saver and
Select Price holidays of 19 nights or fewer from January 2021. See website for
details.
"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."
Expanding on the likely protocols Ludlow said:
"We have for years had in place many of the protocols now considered advisable
for other social gathering venues, such as hand-sanitizing stations and
rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures. We also have for years gone
beyond those protocols by having guests complete a health declaration form and
having a comprehensive medical facility on board each ship providing 24/
7 medical care and treatment. During the recent crisis, we added robust health
screening upon embarkation, starting with thermal scanning of guests and crew.
"Along with the rest of the world, we will adapt. We will work closely with
medical experts and global authorities to help us determine the best way to
move forward while honoring our highest responsibility - the health, safety,
and wellbeing of our guests, crew and communities we visit, along with
compliance and environmental protection.
"We have always taken such pride in our standards of cleanliness and hygiene
before Covid-19, but when we return there will be enhanced protocols approved
by hospitality and national public health authorities. This will ensure we
continue to have in place high levels of cleanliness across every single aspect
of public areas, crew living areas and every item of furniture in cabins and
everywhere on board as well as approved safety standards for the service of
food and drink; entertainment and experiences on board and on shore.
"When the time is right, we will be ready to resume our tradition of providing
amazing holiday experiences for our guests."
About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises is Britain's favourite cruise line, welcoming guests to experience
the good life and enjoy a blend of discovery, relaxation and exceptional
service catered towards British tastes. P&O Cruises fleet of premium ships
combine genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring
guests have the holiday of a lifetime, every time.
In 2020, P&O Cruises will launch Iona. The new LNG-powered ship, with
5,200-guest capacity, will be the largest ship built to serve the UK market.
Iona will feature enhancements to already successful brand signature venues
from the existing fleet, as well as features newly developed for Iona. These
include a breathtaking three deck atrium in the heart of the ship as well as
SkyDome - an exclusively designed glass dome by award-winning British engineers
Eckersley O'Callaghan. This will be a world first at sea and offer a unique
space for both relaxing in all weathers and providing entertainment, featuring
aerial performers and a wealth of live acts.
P&O Cruises visits over 200 destinations worldwide and offers itineraries
generally ranging from two to 17 days and also an annual world cruise. P&O
Cruises sails to Australia & New Zealand, Baltic, the British Isles, Canada,
Spain, Portugal & the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Central America, Dubai &
the Arabian Gulf, the Far East & Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean,
Scandinavia, South America, the South Pacific, the United States and Western
Europe.
CONTACT: Michele Andjel, michele.andjel@carnivalukgroup.com 023 8065 6653 /
07730 732 072
END
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June 02, 2020 05:15 ET (09:15 GMT)
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