Oceana not docking in Spain

[BestGuessed]

Just to update the situation for everyone who is watching the Cruise Critic website to see what is happening at present. We are on board Oceana. Should have been docking in Malaga today but the ship has turned round after early morning announcement from the captain that we are not being permitted to dock in Spain as borders are now closed. This cruise was then due to dock in Valencia, Barcelona and Cadiz. We haven’t heard any more news and we await a further update as to whether we are headed back to Southampton or if we will still be docking in Lisbon.
Home to Southampton is our personal preferred option but we may need fuel/supplies ... we just don’t know until the next announcement comes from the captain. 
 

[Eglesbrech]

Sorry that you are stuck in that situation and thanks for taking the time to provide an update.

 

The first of many cruises to nowhere I suspect if ships continue to sail. There are now so very few ports open that P&O must be considering following Viking, Princess and SAGA in cancelling full cruises as leats for a while.

[jeanlyon]

Yes clearly there will be nowhere to dock.  I hear that Aurora has been barred from all ports on her Northern Lights, but not confirmed.

[FionaMG]

2 hours ago, BestGuessed said:

We haven’t heard any more news and we await a further update as to whether we are headed back to Southampton or if we will still be docking in Lisbon.

 

Portugal is allowing cruise ships to dock to take on supplies but passengers are not allowed to get off unless they happen to be residents of Portugal.

This measure was announced by the Portuguese Prime Minister yesterday evening.

[BestGuessed]

Thank you for giving us that Fiona .... that is very reassuring and more information than we have received on board. We have heard nothing since 7am when the announcement was made that we wouldn’t be permitted to dock in Spain. At present we have no idea where we are travelling to ... Gibraltar perhaps? Lisbon a possibility?? Or even Southampton??
It is certainly becoming a not very magical, mystery tour. 🤔🥴😢

[jeanlyon]

So sorry your cruise is being ruined, but nobody's fault.  It's awful.

[BestGuessed]

At 2.20pm just heard from the captain’s announcement that we are heading towards  Gibraltar and if we get clearance we will be docked there overnight.   No further information was given so perhaps we will pick up some supplies and begin heading back towards Southampton tomorrow. We are just waiting to hear the future plan.

[jeanlyon]

following you on AIS, can see you are turning in for Gibraltar.  Aurora has turned south after being refused entry to Norway.

[jan31]

Thank you for posting the updates 'best guessed'. My mum is on this cruise with her friend and messaged me earlier saying they were unable to embark in Malaga and I haven't heard anything since I presume she hasn't got a signal. Hopefully they manage to get supplies and you all get back safe and well. 

[Captain_Morgan]

In fairness to the company I’m sure they’re scrambling to find some where to go as well given ports are closing at a rapid pace.  Under normal circumstances I’m sure it would be much easier to call ahead and ask if there’s room to dock on short notice but these are far from normal circumstances. 

[NoFlyGuy]

15 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

following you on AIS, can see you are turning in for Gibraltar.  Aurora has turned south after being refused entry to Norway.

 

Looks like it.

We know the Production Manager was due to get off in Malaga from speaking to her last week. She was then going to join Iona.

We'll message her and see what's happening.

[jeanlyon]

Aurora definitely on her way home and next cruise cancelled as well, I am reading.

[hope33]

Where did you hear the next cruise on Aurora is cancelled as I am supposed to be going on it

 

[NoFlyGuy]

She's coming back to Southampton as well after Gib - wonder if her next cruise will be cancelled as well.

 

With Ventura due back soon there will be 3 European based ships with nowhere to go.

 

The PM has said she will get off there but has to now go home for 2 weeks before joining Iona. They are obviously taking no chances of transmission between ships.

 

We advised her to bring back plenty of bog roll and hand sanitiser from the stores! 

[jeanlyon]

38 minutes ago, hope33 said:

Where did you hear the next cruise on Aurora is cancelled as I am supposed to be going on it

 

On Facebook from someone on board the ship.  They have been told by the staff.

[Captain_Morgan]

54 minutes ago, NoFlyGuy said:

She's coming back to Southampton as well after Gib - wonder if her next cruise will be cancelled as well.

 

With Ventura due back soon there will be 3 European based ships with nowhere to go.

 

The PM has said she will get off there but has to now go home for 2 weeks before joining Iona. They are obviously taking no chances of transmission between ships.

 

We advised her to bring back plenty of bog roll and hand sanitiser from the stores! 

 

Is the return to Southampton official?  Not doubting your source, but it seems a little worrying that information about onward plans are being shared through unofficial channels.  Add to the fact the next scheduled cruise is meant to be the repositioning to Malta for the fly Med season so is that now in jeopardy too?  I can only imagine the glass windows in Carnival House are well and truly fogged over due to the steam pouring out of everyone's ears in there trying to figure this out 

[NoFlyGuy]

22 minutes ago, Captain_Morgan said:

 

Is the return to Southampton official?  Not doubting your source, but it seems a little worrying that information about onward plans are being shared through unofficial channels.  Add to the fact the next scheduled cruise is meant to be the repositioning to Malta for the fly Med season so is that now in jeopardy too?  I can only imagine the glass windows in Carnival House are well and truly fogged over due to the steam pouring out of everyone's ears in there trying to figure this out 

 

That's what she said.

I expect there will be posts on the Facebook Oceana group from passengers coming up soon as well.

[Captain_Morgan]

4 minutes ago, NoFlyGuy said:

 

That's what she said.

I expect there will be posts on the Facebook Oceana group from passengers coming up soon as well.

 

Apologies....i misread your post as when i see PM the first thing that came to mind was dear Boris 🤣 and as such i guess i utuned out a bit thereafter

[BestGuessed]

Oceana is now docked in Gibraltar. Passengers have been allowed ashore provided they do not cross the border to Spain. No update as to what happens next apart from we are supposed to be leaving here later this afternoon. Where we are are headed is anyone’s guess but my husband and I just want to get back to Southampton and thereafter home again ASAP. 
As my last post said  ..... this has turned into a “not very magical mystery tour.”

[Literary Lynne]

Understand from friends currently on Oceana that they are heading straight back to Southampton, arriving Wednesday 18th March. They have been given a full 100% credit.

Lynne