P&O Cruises Australia has today followed a long list of lines in pausing its cruise itineraries for 30 days “following advice from the country’s public officials that mass gatherings should be limited to no more than 500 people”.
Says the line in a statement: “The 30-day pause takes effect from today until P&O’s planned resumption of cruising on April 12. The pause will affect cruises on Pacific Explorer, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria that were scheduled to depart Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide respectively.”
Carnival quickly followed, announcing a pause until April 13 for all five vessels in the combined fleet.
P&O has also offered the most generous refund policy yet for those who find their cruise has been cancelled due to the pause but who choose to rebook – a Future Cruise Credit equal to 200% of the cost of their original cruise. Passengers can get a 100% refund of their cruise fare if they don’t was a cruise credit.
President of P&O Cruises Australia, Sture Myrmell, said the cruise line was confident in its existing public health measures.
“Cancelling or reducing the length of a cruise is the last thing we would ever want to do but these are extraordinary times and we have no hesitation in putting the health and well-being of our guests, crew and the wider community first,” he said.
Mr Myrmell added the responsible course was for P&O to support the efforts of federal and state governments and their senior health experts as they work to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also advised Australians to reconsider their need to travel anywhere in the world.
The pause means:
It will be followed two days later (14 April) with Pacific Explorer departing Sydney on a 10-night cruise to the South Pacific. On 18 April, Pacific Dawn will depart Brisbane on a three day Comedy Cruise.
Carnival said in a statement: “While Carnival has not had a diagnosed case linked to our operation we realise this situation is bigger than the cruise industry and we will continue to do our part to support public officials to manage and contain this unprecedented public health challenge. ”
Other lines like Cunard and Ponant have also announced that they will halt operations.
Ponant has also stopped the operations of their entire fleet from March 15, until further notice. All our global teams are also mobilized in order to best manage the cancellation of future cruises, at least until April 19, says Ponant CEO Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée in a letter on the line’s website.
Guests will be contacted personally by Ponant and offered a Future Cruise Credit, valid over a period of 18 months to allow you to reschedule your cruise.
Cunard has also suspended new cruises on its ships until April 11.
- Pacific Explorer’s scheduled call to Eden tomorrow has been cancelled and the ship will return to Sydney for arrival as planned on Monday.
- Pacific Dawn’s cruise from Brisbane today will not proceed.
- Pacific Aria currently on a cruise to Tasmania will now return to Adelaide on Monday.
”Having reviewed all of our ship operations and industry recommendations, we have decided no new guests or crew will be joining our ships as we suspend operations until April 11, 2020.
“This pause in operations has been done in an abundance of caution to support the global effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.”
All guests impacted directly by this temporary suspension are being contacted regarding their voyage and their options.
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My son and i are booked on Pacific Dawn 12/09/2020. Are there any changes as of yet ?
What should we do?
Does Pand O know if the comedy cruises in the beginning of
May will still go ahead with the virus or will we be able to book for a later date also some being health care workers may have their leave cancelled.
We have a Cruise booked for 21st April, 2020, how is this affected with the
Government’s lockdown?
We have booked a short cruise within Australia on the 11/5 what are the chances of us sailing. Pacific Explorer
Well done to P&O for giving their customers fast and generous information it’s a pity Cunard did not do the same for the cruise on the 26th march on the Queen Elizabeth we are 10 days away and they cannot make a public announcement that the cruise is going ahead I shall not be booking them again they are a discrace all they think about is money.
Myself and my husband very worried about QE voyage from Sydney to SAN Francisco on 9 of May.
It is difficult to get any information from Cunard Sales Team. I understand it’s a very difficult situation what’s going on because of Caronavirus, but this uncertainty makes us very upset.
We just have to wait. So we are follow all the news about Cunard Voyages.
Thank you P&O for this important and understandable information.
I was so looking forward to embarking on my first cruise, a trip to New Zealand on the Pacific Aria.
I absolutely understand the reasoning and need for this to be cancelled. For me I am accepting that I need to “postpone” my holiday. I am not looking to cancel or receive a refund.
This is not an easy time for anyone including businesses and I want to support P&O and all who benefit from the tourism industry once It is safe to do so.
Kindest Regards
Katherine
You have suspended australian cruises for 30 days, bravo.
What if i want to suspend my cruise (new guinea) on 4 may 2020 to a later date or another cruise, can i do that without penalty as i am fully paid up for that cruise.
I dont see why it should be a one way decision by p&o
I still have concerns will mine cruise still leave Sydney on the 14/4 ? Will I get a refund if if does not go ahead ?
How does the 200 percent credit work ?
I have paid $4500 for a mini suite with a $650 bonus.
What happens when I re book.