P&O Cruises, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has decided to cancel the 2019-20 Arabian Gulf cruise programme of the 77,441 gross ton Oceana that flies the British flag.

This would have been the second time, the ship would have operated in the region, based in Dubai.

However, rising tensions in the region after Iran seized the British flag tanker Stena Impero last month resulted in the cancellation of the programme.

Britain has an 4,900 ton frigate called HMS Montrose and an 8,500 ton destroyers, the HMS Duncan, in the region that are now tasked with escort duties of merchant ships through the Straits of Hormuz, plus facilities in Bahrain and Oman to service them.

A few weeks ago, Marella Cruises that is the UK based cruise unit of TUI AG said it would position a second ship in the Arabian Gulf for the 2020-21 season. Although it caters for the British market, its ships fly the flag of Malta.

Meanwhile, Dubai expected 211 calls for the 2019-20 season, an increase from 152 in the previous one prior to the withdrawal of Oceana from the region, Menafn. Com reports. The ship’s new winter programme would be published later this month.