Are Aurora’s Days Numbered?

Are P&O Aurora’s cards marked…?

This is the question I have been asking myself since the announcement that Oriana is to leave the fleet in August 2019.

When Oriana does leave the fleet, is is going to leave the 17 year old Aurora as the oldest and smallest ship in their fleet especially (at 76,000 tonnes) since the sale of Adonia to Azamara in March this year.    With the arrival of Iona in 2020, their new 180,000 mega ship, could this then signal the end of Aurora?

The Carnival corporation, who own P&O cruises have been very open about their want up upgrade their passenger experience through the adding of newer and more efficient ships, whilst replacing less efficient and older ones over time.  But is this right for the P&O brand?

If I had £1 for every customer that I speak to who says that they don’t like the bigger ships, that they’re too big and would much rather sail on the smaller ships, I would have honestly retired by now.  The big ship trend has started in America, where they do seem to have a love for them there, and obviously, the Carnival Corp are an American Company. But is this trend, the right trend for P&O, who are the UK’s most popular cruise line and solely operate for British guests?

Yes there are always going to be British guests who want to experience the larger ships, and there really is a cruise line and a ship out there for everyone.  But I do think P&O should be listening to their core and key customer base who don’t all want such massive mega ships.

So here are some words to the Carnival Corp….

HANDS OFF OUR AURORA!!!

Heed these words or other cruise lines will.  There are other cruise lines that will love to and quite easily attract P&O customers if not.  Fred Olsen and Viking Ocean Cruises for one.

Let me know your thoughts below.