P&O Cruises apologises after guests say Christmas Day on new ship was ruined

By Lisa James
30/12/2022
Home » P&O Cruises apologises after guests say Christmas Day on new ship was ruined

P&O Cruises has apologised to passengers on board new ship Arvia’s maiden voyage, amid complaints of long queues for Christmas dinner, reservations that didn’t exist and internet problems, among other issues.

The cruise line admitted the service on Arvia’s inaugural – a two-week cruise from Southampton to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands – was not up to its ‘usual high standards’.

Restaurateur Gwyndaf Jones told The Times: “It’s a lovely ship, but in hindsight they were not ready to sail.”

Passenger Lynne Wheatley told The Times: “We waited two and a half hours and the food was awful.

“We were in a restaurant with no tablecloths — it was more like your kitchen table. I spoke to one couple who got sat down at 11pm.”

Other complaints included ‘bad internet’, people being unable to get into their rooms and show rehearsals taking place on the main pool deck on Boxing Day.

P&O Cruises said: “We are so sorry for those guests affected by the IT and connectivity issues on Arvia’s current cruise, which caused dining issues and restaurant delays for a proportion of guests on Christmas Day.

“This service was certainly not up to our usual high standards and we wholeheartedly apologise.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure our guests have a wonderful holiday for the rest of their time on board and enjoy all the activities, entertainment and celebrations.”

One passenger tweeted P&O saying: “To be honest the 1st few days were a complete shambles.

“It does seem to be getting better.”

The Independent reports another passenger tweeted she’d had to queue for two hours for dinner on another P&O Cruises ship, Iona, saying it was ‘the worst Christmas Day’ of her life.

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