Tejal Somvanshi
P&O Cruises has cancelled a 35-night Caribbean cruise on its ship Ventura that was set to sail from Southampton on January 4, 2027. The cruise line cited “operational reasons” for pulling the plug on this winter getaway, marking their second major cancellation in recent months.
“We’re sorry to inform you that your cruise is no longer going ahead,” P&O wrote to disappointed travelers in their announcement email. “We understand this news is disappointing.”
To handle the situation, P&O is moving affected passengers to a similar Caribbean trip on their ship Iona, sailing on the same dates. Travelers who prefer not to take the replacement cruise can get their money back.
This isn’t a one-off change for P&O. Just weeks earlier, they cancelled a 14-night cruise on the Arvia planned for August 30, 2026. For that specific cancellation, P&O offered affected guests £50 per person in onboard credit when booking a new cruise by June 30, 2025.
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While P&O hasn’t spelled out exactly what “operational reasons” mean, the impact on travelers goes beyond just the cruise ticket. Many passengers book flights, hotels, and make other travel arrangements well in advance for such long trips.
The cruise line isn’t leaving the Ventura idle. They’re planning three new itineraries to replace the cancelled Caribbean trip, with details coming out for sale on June 4, 2025.
A P&O spokesperson addressed the situation: “On occasion, it is necessary to change an itinerary from the one previously published. We are very sorry that Ventura’s 35-night Caribbean itinerary has been cancelled.”
The pattern of cancellations raises questions about cruise line scheduling practices. These Caribbean voyages represent significant travel plans for passengers, making the cancellation of such a lengthy voyage particularly notable.
For travelers affected by the cancellation, the key now is deciding whether to accept the transfer to Iona or seek a refund. While both ships offer Caribbean cruising experiences, some passengers have taken to social media to express concerns about the change in vessels and potential differences in the travel experience.
This news affects not just the cancelled Ventura cruise, but also shows how cruise lines handle major schedule changes and passenger compensation. The advance notice and automatic rebooking option suggest cruise companies are trying to minimize disruption while making necessary operational adjustments.
