P&O Cruises and Cunard have announced that they are extending their “pause in operations” for all sailings up to and including 15 May 2020, due to the ongoing impact of coronavirus (covid-19) on the cruise industry.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow issued a video statement today (30 March) updating agents and customers about the changes.

“It is clear that our original date of April 11 to resume sailings, which would have been a 30 day pause in operations, is just not feasible in light of the government announcements last week,” said Ludlow.

“Regrettably, therefore, we are now extending this pause until May 15. Given the current guidelines it is prudent and practical to extend the pause until normal operations can be resumed.

“As we work through the evolving restriction on ports around the world future itineraries may be subject to change and so we are looking at how we phase our ships back into service.”

In addition, the restrictions have forced the temporary slow down of work by Meyer Werft in Germany, where the final outfitting on new ship Iona is being completed.

Ludlow continued: “We are working with the team at the shipyard to see exactly how this will impact upon Iona’s delivery.

“We are all so sorry for the disappointment this will cause to everyone and particularly those guests who had booked Iona’s maiden voyage.”

President of Cunard, Simon Palethorpe, said: “The impact of covid-19 is affecting personal routines and businesses as well as placing significant travel restrictions around the world.

“Everyone in the Cunard team is aware of the need to support the management and containment of covid-19 globally. This includes protecting the health and safety of our guests and crew. It is therefore right we extend the pause in operations.”

He added: “It is too soon to know exactly how this situation will evolve. But I do know that we, the Cunard team, will commit all our resources, energy and talent to weather this storm and come out stronger than ever for our guests.

“We have been sailing for 180 years and we look forward to many more. We will get through these tough times together and look forward to welcoming our guests back on board again soon, when the time is right.”

Cunard guests who were due to sail between 11 April and 15 May will automatically receive a 125 per cent Future Cruise Credit. This can be redeemed against any new booking, on any voyage sailing before the end of March 2022, providing the booking is made by the end of December 2021.

All P&O Cruises guests with a holiday booked up to and including15  May this year will automatically receive a future cruise credit of 125 per cent.

P&O Cruises and Cunard are among a host of other cruise lines that decided to suspend sailings in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Visit gov.uk for the latest coronavirus travel advice.