P&O Cruises announced it will withdraw from Duba UAEi during the winter due to tensions over shipping in the Persian Gulf (aka Arabian Gulf).
According to the company, following close monitoring of the situation within Hormuz Strait, P&O UK canceled its scheduled Dubai & Arabian Gulf program from October 2019 through at least March 2020.
The move follows several British-flagged ships being seized in Gulf waters recently, which raised security fears.
In a statement, P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said that "the increased tension in the region highlighted by the attacks on tankers in the Straits and the detention of a British-flagged tanker by the Iranian authorities" meant as a British company flying the Red Ensign it was not advisable for them to maintain their planned Dubai & Arabian Gulf program during the winter season.
He added they had therefore taken "the unusual step of withdrawing Oceana from the region for the upcoming season."
All bookings will be cancelled, and travellers will be given a full refund.
The news is a blow to the port of Dubai which earlier announced the conclusion of 2018-2019 cruise season with a record 51% increase in cruise tourists and a 38% rise in cruise ship visits.