Tag Archives: Brexit

P&O Cruises issues Brexit reassurance

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P&O Cruises has issued a series of promises to its passengers in a bid to ease any fears over Brexit.

As uncertainty mounts over the UK leaving the EU, the line reminded passengers they will avoid foreign currency fluctuations due to onboard spending being in pound sterling.

P&O Cruises also reminded passengers that all cruises with the line will be protected by Atol and Abta.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “We want to reassure our guests that whatever is happening in the world of politics, their holiday and peace of mind is of the utmost important to us.

“Our Brexit promise is that no matter what the future brings, our guests can rest assured when booking a P&O Cruises holiday as they will always pay in pounds sterling in advance and can take advantage of a low deposit to secure their holiday.

He added: “Also, a P&O Cruises holiday offers unbeatable value as so much is included as standard including meals, entertainment, children’s clubs, flights and taxes.

“With sailings directly from Southampton and by choosing shore excursions in advance, our guests can explore Europe without the need for euros.

“In addition, the currency on the ships is pounds which covers all shopping, dining, drinks, indulgent treatments in the spa and a range of shops with favourite British jewellery, clothing and cosmetic brands. We also have the protection of both Atol and Abta.

“With over 180 years of P&O history and expertise, we guarantee to manage any potential impact on holiday plans and help our customers sail through Brexit and onto their next cruise.”

ITT 2017: MSC Cruises chief raises fears over Brexit and shipping regulation

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ITT 2017: MSC Cruises chief raises fears over Brexit and shipping regulation

MSC Cruises boss Pierfrancesco Vago says the operator is working closely with the UK government on Brexit amid fears over implications for global maritime regulation.

Speaking in the line’s spiritual home of Sorrento in Italy at this week’s annual ITT conference, the operator’s executive chairman said the entire sector is regulated according to British maritime law.

Vago questioned whether there would be time for bilateral deals to be done with every other country in the world and said Brexit could make the current British-based regulatory system invalid.

MSC and other cruise lines are working through the UK Chamber of Shipping with the UK government on what Brexit means for shipping.

“We are all very much engaged, we are very much part of the process,” he said.

“It’s very complex. Sometimes there are questions that can’t be answered so it’s very important we are part of the process.

“The common denominator for shipping in general is the British law, that’s what regulates shipping. Britain from the legal side may have to enter bilateral agreements with everyone else, that makes the shipping law system invalid.

“If we have all the lawyers in the world working to make bilateral agreements to make British law available to the world, two years will not be enough.”

Vago said Brexit could also be a challenge to travel in general due to visa restrictions and border control. “The freedom of movement is everything,” he said. “It’s how everything should work.”

Vago said he was very proud that the growth seen in the cruise sector in recent years has created so many jobs for people from around the world. Globally the sectors sustains nearly one million employees including 360,000 in Europe and 73,000 in the UK. MSC has switched its technical base to the UK to take advantage of British expertise where today it directly employs 250 people.

“This is an industry that creates jobs. That makes me very proud. That’s what Europe needs, that’s what the world needs,” Vago said.

He added the ultimate aim for the next generation of cruise ships was to for them to have zero impact on the environment. The lines recently announced next class of ship, which will be the world’s largest, will be powered by LNG.

Royal Caribbean chief warns Brexit could increase cruise prices

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Clia Conference: Royal Caribbean chief warns Brexit could increase cruise prices

by Natasha Salmon  May 26th 2017, 17:36

Gallery: Clia Conference 2017

Brexit could affect freedom of movement and prices of cruises, Clia chairman Stuart Leven has said.

Speaking at the annual Clia Conference in Southampton Leven, Royal Caribbean International’s vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said Brexit would impact cruise in three ways.

“Firstly it could impact the freedom of our guests and passengers to cross borders, the second is freedom of our staff and our crew to cross borders.

“The third is the impact it has in what we charge because there is the customs union that allows us to take goods on ships from one country to the next without charge or taxation. And they are the three main areas which could see change due to Brexit.”

Leven said the main risk from the changes by Brexit will also come when customers book their holidays during the process until 2019 but it was down to agents to maintain confidence in cruise and travel market.

“At some point next year people will be booking their holidays for 2019 and in doing so there will be a lot of uncertainty around whether people will need visas to go to Europe.

“You as travel agents need to reassure them that it is business as usual, it is alright and make sure we don’t get a short turnover on the bookings which none of us want.”

In his role as chairman for Clia in UK and Ireland Leven said he was working with the Abta committee in making sure ‘the cruise industry is represented’ in government negotiations.