P&O Cruises Cancels Zeebrugge Cruise Due to Extended Refit Delay – Passengers Face Refunds and Disappointment

P&O Cruises has announced the cancellation of its planned three-day cruise from Southampton to Zeebrugge, Belgium aboard the Aurora, scheduled for Monday afternoon. The delay stems from an unexpectedly extended refit period currently underway at the ship’s dry dock in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Approximately 1,874 passengers have been directly affected by this disruption.

The cancellation was communicated to passengers just 24 hours prior to their scheduled departure via email on Sunday, leaving many feeling blindsided and frustrated. Stacey Pinhorne, one of the impacted travelers who had booked a week off work to celebrate her and her friend Kim’s 50th birthdays, expressed significant disappointment with the lack of warning provided by P&O Cruises. She recounted receiving emails up to two days before sailing that promoted the upcoming trip without disclosing any potential issues related to the ongoing refit.

Pinhorne’s frustration highlights a critical issue: a perceived failure in proactive communication from the cruise line. She stated, “I thought it was a joke at first – is it a spam email? How do I know if this is actually true?” The company’s lack of transparency, particularly given the significant disruption to travel plans and celebratory arrangements, has understandably soured her opinion of P&O Cruises.

P&O Cruises has issued a full refund to all affected passengers and is offering a 20% future cruise credit on monies paid. However, many passengers, including Pinhorne, are questioning whether they will reconsider booking with the company in the future. The Aurora remains docked in Rotterdam for continued repairs, with its next scheduled departure from Southampton now set for Thursday. Customer service offices were closed on Easter Sunday, further exacerbating passenger difficulties in seeking immediate assistance and understanding the reasons behind the delay.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson acknowledged the inconvenience and apologized to guests. They emphasized the company’s commitment to providing a seamless cruise experience but admitted that unforeseen circumstances related to the refit had necessitated the cancellation.