British cruise firms axes Argentina stops

Two British cruise liners will not dock in Argentina because of continuing tensions with the country over the Falklands.

P&O Cruises has scrapped three Argentinian port destinations from two around-the-world cruises because the company cannot guarantee they will be able to dock.

The liners - Arcadia and Adonia - are also visiting Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands, on the cruises leaving Southampton next month.

Recently, Argentinian port authorities have refused permission for cruise ships that have been to the Falklands to dock as tensions over the islands continue to simmer between London and Buenos Aires.

Thousands of passengers, due to embark on the 95-destination cruises, were informed of the decision last month.

A spokesman for the company said: "Over the past few months we have been working hard with both the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our local agents to gain assurances from the Argentinian government that our ships will be allowed to call into Argentinian ports.

"Concerns have been raised that ships associated with Britain and flying the red ensign may not be permitted to call into Argentina or will be severely delayed, as has been the case on numerous occasions during 2012.

"Despite our best efforts, these assurances have not been received and the risk that we will be refused entry into these ports of call is too high."

"As a British cruise company we cannot allow ourselves to be the subject of any political dispute or put our customers and crew into any situation where their enjoyment may be compromised.

"With this in mind, we have had to take the difficult decision to remove all Argentinean ports of call from the itinerary."

P&O will now not dock in Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Ushuaia.

PA