P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises have both been forced to make significant changes to sailings from Southampton, with severe weather and industrial action in France causing delayed departures, cancelled ports and shortened holidays.
Ventura arrived back in Southampton 24 hours later than planned on Sunday 25th October 2026, forcing P&O Cruises to reduce its next sailing from seven nights to six.
Meanwhile, MSC Virtuosa remained alongside in Southampton overnight rather than departing on Saturday evening, with two French ports removed from its itinerary and a replacement stop added in Spain.
Both ships have been affected by Storm Austen, while P&O Cruises has also cited Storm Boelo in its decision to delay Ventura’s return. Separate disruption in France has added further complications to the two itineraries.
The changes affect passengers travelling on week-long cruises to destinations in France, Spain and Portugal, although the impact on the holidays differs considerably between the two ships.
P&O Ventura Passengers Lose A Day Of Their Cruise
Ventura had been due to return to Southampton on Saturday 24th October following a seven-night voyage. However, deteriorating weather conditions prevented the ship from arriving on schedule.
According to the Associated British Ports cruise schedule, the ship eventually reached Southampton at 6.07am on Sunday 25th October.
Passengers booked on the following sailing were informed of the disruption on Friday 23rd October, giving them approximately two days’ notice that their embarkation would be delayed.
In its communication to affected guests, P&O Cruises explained:
“Due to the impact of Storm Austen and Storm Boelo our Southampton operations team and the Port Authority have delayed Ventura’s arrival into Southampton by 24 hours,”
Passengers were instructed to arrive at their previously allocated check-in times, but on Sunday rather than Saturday.
The delayed departure means that Ventura’s scheduled seven-night voyage to France, Spain and Portugal has been reduced to six nights.
Cherbourg, which was originally due to be the first port of call on Sunday 25th October, has been removed from the itinerary.
Although the delayed embarkation would have made the visit impossible, P&O Cruises also identified disruption in France as a reason for cancelling the stop.
The company told passengers:
“Following recent protests and civil unrest in France, we have also taken the decision to cancel the planned call to Cherbourg on Sunday 25 October,”
The remaining ports are currently unchanged, with Ventura scheduled to visit Porto on Tuesday 27th October, Lisbon on Wednesday 28th October and Vigo on Thursday 29th October.
The ship is expected to return to Southampton on Saturday 31st October, preserving its original disembarkation date.
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