P&O Cruises sells Oceana to ‘fit for future growth’

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. 

Ludlow added, ‘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.’

Iona delivery delayed

LNG-powered Iona was due to have debuted this month. The ship is currently being outfitted in Bremerhaven, Germany.

P&O Cruises confirmed all guests who have booked a holiday on Oceana will be offered a 125% future cruise credit or refund. Built by Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard Oceana entered service with P&O Cruises in late 2002 and was named by the Princess Royal in 2003.

Last month, Carnival Corp & plc announced it would accelerate the sale of six ships in the fleet. This is the second Carnival ship to depart in recent weeks following Costa Cruises' 1996-built Costa Victoria.