P&O Cruises cancels two European voyages over refurbishment delays; Royal Caribbean suspends Haiti calls amid safety warnings
Two European itineraries scrapped as refits extend; refunds offered and new week-long sailings announced. Separately, Royal Caribbean pauses Caribbean visits to Labadee through 2026 amid U.S. safety advisories.
P&O Cruises has canceled two planned European voyages after refurbishment work on its ships ran longer than expected. The Ventura Amsterdam voyage, due to depart February 23, 2026, would have been a four-night trip from Amsterdam. A separate two-week Arvia itinerary scheduled to begin on April 11, 2027, visiting Spain, France and Italy, has also been cancelled.
According to a Daily Mail report, a P&O Cruises spokesperson said it is sometimes necessary to change an itinerary from what was published, and that the company will refund affected guests to the original payment method within 14 working days. In addition, travelers booked on the cancelled cruises will receive up to £50 per person in onboard spending money for future cruises if they book again by October 24, 2025.
To help mitigate disruption, P&O has introduced two new week-long sailings. The K708N itinerary will visit the Norwegian fjords, while the K708P itinerary will travel to Spain and France. These replacements give passengers alternatives within a similar European framework, though they operate on different schedules than the two canceled trips.
In a separate move affecting the broader cruise industry, Royal Caribbean recently halted all upcoming cruise stops to its private beach resort in Labadee, Haiti, until at least May 2026. The decision followed a U.S. government crime warning and a reissued Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Haiti, citing concerns over kidnapping, crime, terrorism, civil unrest and limited health care. A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson told Fox News Digital that the pause is taken “out of an abundance of caution” and that affected guests are being notified. The advisory underscores how geopolitical and security risks can impact itineraries alongside operational constraints like ship refits.
Together, these moves illustrate ongoing adjustments in the cruise sector as operators balance maintenance needs with passenger expectations and safety considerations. Refund policies and clear timelines remain central to preserving customer trust, while new itineraries seek to cushion the impact of canceled sailings. As operators navigate refurbishment delays and evolving travel advisories, travelers are advised to monitor official notifications, confirm refunds, and consider alternative dates and routes when booking.