P&O Cruises today advised that it will cancel three school leavers’ cruises scheduled for late 2007.
P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith said the move followed a decision by the company to no longer offer age-specific holidays.
“P&O Cruises’ passengers range from 12 months old to more than 90 years of age, with an average adult age of 47 years, and we want to cater for this diversity year-round.
“As our business continues to develop, we see our future growth coming from this traditional, broad customer base. School leaver and other age-dedicated cruises are not where we see our business developing.
“Accordingly, we will no longer offer cruises dedicated to a specific age bracket.”
Mr Smith apologised to school leavers already booked on the 2007 cruises for any inconvenience caused by the decision.
He said P&O Cruises would still operate its scheduled 2006 school leavers’ cruises in November and December, which are fully booked.
Mr Smith said this year’s school leavers’ cruises would be subject to heightened security measures including additional security officers, the use of CCTV cameras and the implementation of the company’s new excessive behaviour policy which will see passengers engaging in inappropriate behaviour disembarked at the next port of call.