P&O Cruises has said its decision to cancel Dubai and Arabian Gulf sailings was a ‘force majeure’ and so it does not need to pay commission on bookings.
Forty-nine departures on Oceana, between October 2019 and March 2020 have been cancelled because of rising tensions in the region.
P&O Crusies said: "This move is force majeure, which is an extraordinary event not within our control.
"Agents have always been and remain our vital business partners. We have ensured that all affected agents have all the communication and detail that they need so that they are ready to deal with their customers.
"The new programme of itineraries for Oceana will be available on August 20 and we have also given our agents an offer to encourage their customers to re-book, helping to secure their commission."
Passengers who have had bookings cancelled have been given an exclusive offer on 2020-21 Dubai and Arabian Gulf cruises and well as this season’s Caribbean fly-cruises.
P&O’s 99-night world cruise on Arcadia is still scheduled to call at Dubai in March next year.
