October 18, 2026 — P&O Cruises has dropped Le Havre, France, from this week’s Iona sailing because of protests and civil unrest across France. The call was the ship’s only French stop and the main gateway for a day trip to Paris. Guests get an overnight in A Coruña, Spain, instead.
What changed
Iona’s 7-night Spain and France cruise left Southampton, England, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and is due back on Saturday, October 24. P&O emailed guests about the change before boarding.
| Date | Original plan | New plan |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Oct 18 | Le Havre, France (full day) | Sea day |
| Mon Oct 19 | — | Vigo, Spain (moved up a day) |
| Tue Oct 20 | Vigo, Spain | A Coruña, Spain (arrive, overnight) |
| Wed Oct 21 | A Coruña, Spain (day call) | A Coruña, Spain (depart) |
| Thu Oct 22 | Bilbao-Getxo, Spain | Bilbao-Getxo, Spain (unchanged) |
| Sat Oct 24 | Return Southampton | Return Southampton (unchanged) |
Dates follow Cruise Hive’s report of the guest letter. Cruise Mummy gave a different day for the Vigo call; check the ship’s daily planner on board.
Why
P&O told guests that because of “ongoing protests and civil unrest in France” the ship would skip Le Havre. Cruise Hive reports the unrest centers on government budget and service cuts, the rising cost of living and fuel, and education funding, and cites Le Monde as counting more than 600 demonstrations planned for October 17, some aimed at blocking key roads.
Refunds
- Le Havre shore experiences booked through P&O are cancelled and refunded automatically.
- Vigo and A Coruña tours affected by the new timings will be adjusted where needed, and P&O’s Shore Experiences team will contact guests with other concerns.
- Tours or Paris trips booked independently must be refunded by the companies that sold them.
- Neither report mentions onboard credit or other compensation.
What it means for travelers
- Your flights home are not affected. Iona still returns to Southampton on October 24. Southampton Airport is closest, with London Heathrow and Gatwick the main long-haul options.
- If you planned to leave the ship in France or meet someone in Paris, that plan is off. There is no French port left on this sailing.
- Booked on a later cruise with French calls (Le Havre, Marseille, Bordeaux and others)? Neither source names other affected ships, but the protests are ongoing. Keep an eye on email from your cruise line and avoid non-refundable side trips that depend on a French port.
- Flying into France to board a ship? Road blockades were part of the protest plans, so build in extra time between the airport and the port, and arrive the day before.
Sources
- Cruise Hive — P&O Cruises Changes 3 Ports on Iona Cruise as French Unrest Grows
- Cruise Mummy — P&O Cruises Reroutes Iona Away From French Port Amid Civil Unrest
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