P&O Cruises has extended its pause in cruise operations to April 2021, in response to “current uncertainty around European ports of call”.

The suspension impacts sailings on Iona, Britannia, Azura, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora.

All guests with bookings on a cancelled cruise will automatically receive an enhanced 125 per cent future cruise credit, or alternatively a 100 per cent refund by filling out a form on the P&O Cruises website.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “With hopeful news headlines clearly we do not want to extend our pause in operations any further than absolutely necessary, but given the ever-changing guidance around international travel and the varying regulations in many European ports of call, we felt it prudent to cancel these additional dates.

“In addition, as the final payments are due for these cruises very soon we felt it was the right thing to do for our guests.

“We are so sorry to disappoint those who were due to travel but really hope they will rebook for later in the year or for our new programme of 2022 holidays, which went on sale earlier this month with strong demand, showing great confidence in cruising in the future.”

Last week (17 November), P&O unveiled a “remarkable first week on sale” of its 2022 cruises.

The line’s 2022 programme, which was put on sale on 11 November, features more than 150 cruises from Southampton and Mediterranean fly/cruises. Cruises range from four nights in Amsterdam through to a 30-day sailing to North America and Canada.

New ship Iona is also scheduled to a second season to the Norwegian fjords in 2022, departing from Southampton.

Offers include a five per cent low deposit on all cruises, a 10 per cent discount for past guests, as well as a five per cent discount for new guests making a Select Price booking. All offers are available until 14 December 2020.