Asia still in P&O plans

P&O Cruises has not given up ambitions to expand into Asia despite having to cancel its Cruise Asia programme this week.

The cancellation came after parent company Carnival sold the 1,200-passenger ship Pacific Sky to a Spanish operator. P&O Cruises will begin the programme in February as planned, but end it on April 29.

On top of a full refund, the company is offering customers booked after this date 5% off a Carnival UK cruise booked in 2006 and agents will receive £50 for any cruise cancelled.

Carnival UK director Peter Shanks said Cruise Asia had been well received by the trade and the brand would be retained.