P&O Cruises Changes Aurora and Ventura 2028 Cruises Following Refit Changes
P&O Cruises has announced changes to a number of Aurora and Ventura sailings in 2028 following changes to the ships’ planned refit schedules.
The changes affect guests booked on Aurora cruise R806 and Ventura cruise N805, while several new cruises will also be introduced.
Here’s what you need to know if you have a P&O Cruises holiday booked on either ship.
Aurora R806 has been cancelled
Aurora’s 19-night Atlantic Islands, Morocco and Cape Verde cruise, R806, which was due to depart Southampton on 5 May 2028, has been cancelled due to a change to the ship’s refit schedule.
Guests booked on R806 will have their booking cancelled and any money already paid refunded to the original payment method. P&O Cruises says refunds should be processed within 14 working days.
Affected guests will also receive a 10% Future Cruise Credit to put towards another P&O Cruises holiday. The credit will be valid for two years from the date it is created and there are no restrictions on the fare type or length of the new cruise.
Any extras purchased through My P&O Cruises will also be automatically cancelled and refunded.
A new Aurora cruise is being added
In place of the original schedule, P&O Cruises will introduce a new three-night short break aboard Aurora before she enters dry dock.
Cruise R806N will depart Southampton on 5 May 2028 and visit Zeebrugge before returning to Southampton on 8 May.
The itinerary is:
5 May 2028: Southampton
6 May 2028: At sea
7 May 2028: Zeebrugge
8 May 2028: Southampton
The new cruise is due to go on sale at 8:30am on 20 August 2026.
Aurora is then scheduled to enter a 16-night dry dock from 9 to 23 May 2028.
Ventura N805 is changing to a four-night cruise
There’s better news for guests booked on Ventura’s N805.
The original three-night Belgium cruise, which was due to depart Southampton on 27 February 2028, has been replaced by a new four-night cruise, N804R.
Guests currently booked on N805 will automatically be moved onto the new sailing and will receive the additional night at no extra cost.
There is also a significant change to the itinerary.
The planned call at Zeebrugge has been removed. Instead, Ventura will leave Southampton a day earlier, on 26 February, and spend an extended overnight stay in Rotterdam.
The new itinerary is:
26 February 2028: Southampton
27 February 2028: Rotterdam, overnight
28 February 2028: Rotterdam
29 February 2028: At sea
1 March 2028: Southampton
Guests will keep their existing cabin when they’re transferred to the new cruise.
What if you don’t want the new Ventura itinerary?
If the new itinerary doesn’t work for you, you don’t have to accept the change.
Guests can choose to transfer their booking to an alternative cruise free of charge, with no administration fee, provided this is arranged by 30 September 2026.
Pre-purchased extras made through My P&O Cruises will automatically be cancelled and refunded to the original payment method.
Four new Ventura cruises are coming
The change to Ventura’s refit schedule has also opened up space for four new cruises in February 2028.
These will include two Short Breaks, a Scandinavia Cruise Break and a Northern Cruise Break, with cruise numbers N804N, N804P, N804Q and N804R.
The new cruises are scheduled to go on sale from 8:30am on 20 August 2026.
Interestingly, P&O Cruises hasn’t yet confirmed when Ventura’s rescheduled refit will now take place.
When will affected guests hear from P&O Cruises?
P&O Cruises began contacting guests affected by both the Aurora R806 cancellation and Ventura N805 changes from 12 August 2026.
If you’re booked on one of these cruises, keep an eye on your emails and booking information for details specific to your holiday.
For Ventura guests, it’s particularly important to check the new Rotterdam itinerary carefully. An extra night onboard at no additional cost is a nice bonus, but the change from Zeebrugge to an overnight in Rotterdam may not suit everyone.
For Aurora guests, unfortunately the change is much bigger, with the original 19-night cruise cancelled altogether. The 10% Future Cruise Credit should at least provide some additional value when choosing a replacement P&O Cruises holiday.
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