Topic: P&O Cruises admits 'difficulty' in filling world cruise programme

P&O Cruises have announced today that they will be cancelling Azura’s 2013 World Cruise, over fears it would be "difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme".

The current "economic circumstances" was blamed for the decision.

In a statement a P&O spokesman said "Based on the success of our recent world cruise programmes, we have added more world cruise capacity for 2013.



“Due to current economic circumstances however, we are seeing a growing preference for shorter cruises which leads us to believe that it could become more difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme next year. In order to recognise this situation, we have taken the decision to redeploy Azura from her scheduled world cruise in 2013 and instead operate her in the Caribbean.”

Exact itineraries for the Caribbean 2013 will be released in the coming weeks.

Are you affected by these cancellations? Do you think P&O sister ships Ventura & Azura are not popular with the traditional P&O passengers?

well, i'll keep my fingers crossed 'cos having done the carib. with ventura in december, i was hoping to try it out with azura and try atul kulchar's restaurant.

I heard about this earlier today.


I'm wondering if Azura going back to doing Caribbean cruises at the start of 2013 is going to affect Ventura's schedules as well. The arrangement this winter is that Ventura & Azura do alternate weekends to each other. However, P&O set Ventura up next winter for doing week by week runs from Barbados cruise terminal so that her pax can embark for their fornightly cruises. Throw Azura back into the mix and do they have enough capacity to turn around 2 ships in Barbados on the same day?

The rumour is that Azura will be going to the Caribbean. The limiting factor is not the port capacity but airline capacity. Around six aircraft are required for half the ship and thats why they have two day turnarounds. I cant see that they would have two ships each doing 7 day turnarounds, which would be on different days so maybe they will revamp bith the Ventura and Azura cruises and transfer half of Ventura cruises to Azura so they could both do 14 day cruises. However Azura has some UK cruises up to Jan so might be difficult.
The other option is for Azura to do extended (30-35day) round trip Caribbean cruises which does not need aircraft.
All will be revealed shortly no doubt
Brian

QUOTE:

The rumour is that Azura will be going to the Caribbean. The limiting factor is not the port capacity but airline capacity. Around six aircraft are required for half the ship and thats why they have two day turnarounds. I cant see that they would have two ships each doing 7 day turnarounds, which would be on different days so maybe they will revamp bith the Ventura and Azura cruises and transfer half of Ventura cruises to Azura so they could both do 14 day cruises. However Azura has some UK cruises up to Jan so might be difficult.
The other option is for Azura to do extended (30-35day) round trip Caribbean cruises which does not need aircraft.
All will be revealed shortly no doubt
Brian

Oh that's a good point, Brian. I hadn't considered that one as a possible option.

As you say, we'll have to wait and see.

QUOTE:

P&O Cruises have announced today that they will be cancelling Azura’s 2013 World Cruise, over fears it would be "difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme".

The current "economic circumstances" was blamed for the decision.

In a statement a P&O spokesman said "Based on the success of our recent world cruise programmes, we have added more world cruise capacity for 2013.



“Due to current economic circumstances however, we are seeing a growing preference for shorter cruises which leads us to believe that it could become more difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme next year. In order to recognise this situation, we have taken the decision to redeploy Azura from her scheduled world cruise in 2013 and instead operate her in the Caribbean.”

Exact itineraries for the Caribbean 2013 will be released in the coming weeks.

Are you affected by these cancellations? Do you think P&O sister ships Ventura & Azura are not popular with the traditional P&O passengers?

Not personally affected but my neighbour, who is currently on the Aurora's whole world cruise, will be. She took great pride in telling me she was so quick off the mark that she had managed to get one of Azura's single cabins for the whole World Cruise 2013.

I personally prefer the Aurora, for a world cruise there are less passengers , and I think the Azura will have to have tenders at more ports than the smaller ships. CG

QUOTE:

P&O Cruises have announced today that they will be cancelling Azura’s 2013 World Cruise, over fears it would be "difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme".

The current "economic circumstances" was blamed for the decision.

In a statement a P&O spokesman said "Based on the success of our recent world cruise programmes, we have added more world cruise capacity for 2013.


“Due to current economic circumstances however, we are seeing a growing preference for shorter cruises which leads us to believe that it could become more difficult to fill an enlarged world cruise programme next year. In order to recognise this situation, we have taken the decision to redeploy Azura from her scheduled world cruise in 2013 and instead operate her in the Caribbean.”

Exact itineraries for the Caribbean 2013 will be released in the coming weeks.

Are you affected by these cancellations? Do you think P&O sister ships Ventura & Azura are not popular with the traditional P&O passengers?

Whatever!!!!!! ....Neil

QUOTE:

Whatever!!!!!! ....Neil

Not helpful Neil. You have a reputation for being fair and even minded apparently. So you made a bad choice and cruised on Adonia and didn't like it. Don't be so dismissive of other people's misfortune - it's not nice.

However, if you weren't being dismissive and your comment actually meant something to someone, then I of course apologize.

I have been on world cruises onboard s.s. Oriana, Canberra and mv Oriana; these three vessels were built to "ocean-liner" standards and for doing long ocean voyages.
The Azura was designed to do seven day Caribbean cruises; say no more. Except, P&O need a couple more new cruise-ships the size and quality of Oriana and Aurora with traditional features like forward observation lounge and decks, tiered stern decks and walk-around teak promenade deck. The new 141,000 grt. P&O cruise-ship is another step back-ward, bigger is not better, and who else out there hates the re-introduction of "two class" ships where the decks above the bridge are for the sole use of a privilaged few; examples, Norwegian Epic and MSC Fantasia.