P&O Cruises UK sold one of the fleet's oldest liners - MS Oceana.
The Southampton-based cruise company sold the vessel after 20 years of service. The buyer was not disclosed, as well as the ship's sale price. MS Iona (P&O UK's newest liner) is scheduled to start operations on October 24, 2020. A sistership (XL=class vessel) is currently on order and planned for inauguration in 2022.
The UK's largest cruise company has suspended voyages fleetwide through mid-October due to the COVID restrictions. According to Paul Ludlow (Carnival UK's and P&O UK's President), during the pause in their operations, they needed to fit the fleet for the future and ensure they had the right mix of vessels once they resumed sailing. Ludlow added he was "so sorry to disappoint guests who were booked on Oceana". Customers will be offered rebooking with FCC (future cruise credit) or a monetary refund.
P&O's parent company Carnival UK (part of Carnival Corporation) announced in May it planned to cut a total of 450 jobs across Cunard and P&O UK to "ensure the future sustainability" of the business.