passengers

Holidaymakers have been left bitterly disappointed after P&O Cruises pulled the plug on a 35-night Caribbean cruise aboard the Ventura – just weeks after another cruise was scrapped.

The long-haul voyage, which was due to set sail on January 4, 2027, has been cancelled due to what the cruise line is calling “operational reasons.”

It follows the recent axing of a 14-night trip on sister ship Iona, which had been scheduled to depart on August 30, 2026.

In an earlier cancellation, the BBC reported on how cruise passengers hit out at P&O Cruises after two voyages scheduled for October 2025 aboard the Iona were scrapped to make way for a refit.

The cruises, both due to depart from Southampton, were pulled from the calendar, with the company citing the need for maintenance work.

Guests were offered full refunds along with on-board spending credit as an incentive to re-book another trip.

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But many said the gesture didn’t go far enough – especially when they discovered that like-for-like holidays on different dates came with a hefty price hike.

In an email sent to passengers affect by the recent Ventura cancellation, P&O said:

“Due to operational reasons, we’re sorry to inform you that your cruise, departing 4 January 2027, is no longer going ahead.

“We understand this news is disappointing and would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

“To avoid you missing out on your holiday, however, we’ve automatically transferred you to an alternative cruise, G701, on board Iona.”

Frustrated passengers have since taken to Facebook to vent their anger and sadness over the abrupt change, with many saying they were looking forward to the now-cancelled voyage.

A spokesperson for P&O Cruises told the Echo:

“On occasion, it is necessary to change an itinerary from the one previously published and we are very sorry that Ventura’s 35-night Caribbean itinerary departing January 04 2027, has been cancelled.

“Where possible, we are pleased to offer affected guests to transfer to Iona’s similar Caribbean sailing across the same dates.

“Ventura will now offer three new itineraries, which go on sale on June 04, 2025.”

Budget airline Ryanair has shared a simple packing tip which can help passengers “save space” in their hand luggage – and it’s something that is often recommended by travel experts

Ryanair, famed for its budget-friendly fares, has a strict baggage policy that can catch passengers off guard, leading to unexpected fees at the airport. The amount of luggage you can bring depends on whether you’ve purchased a standard fare, chosen Priority, or paid extra for cabin or hold baggage.

No matter your baggage allowance, Ryanair has shared a simple packing tip they claim will help you “save space”. The airline advises against leaving any space unused, suggesting: “Roll your clothes instead of folding. They’ll wrinkle less and you’ll have much more room in your luggage to fit in any extras you pick up while you’re away.”

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This rolling technique is often endorsed by seasoned travellers. For those flying with a standard ticket on Ryanair, only one small bag is allowed free of charge, which must not exceed 40 x 20 x 25cm.

Should your bag be larger than these limits, you might end up paying an additional fee at the airport, so it’s crucial to ensure everything fits within the permitted dimensions.

Lifestyle experts from Oakley have weighed in on the matter, highlighting that the effectiveness of rolling clothes to maximise luggage space actually hinges on the technique used.

They explained: “While the age-old advice of rolling clothes to save space is nothing new, the real game-changer lies in the technique.

“Instead of simply rolling each garment individually, consider layering items within each other before rolling. For example, place socks and underwear inside shirts or pants to create compact bundles that save both space and preve.”

You can boost your luggage allowance by purchasing a Priority ticket which not only allows you to board earlier but also entitles you to a second larger cabin bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm and weighing up to 10kg.

When it comes to distributing weight, Ryanair also shared a handy tip for customers, reports the Express. They said: “Do pack your heaviest items, for example, shoes [and] jeans, in the bottom of your wheelie suitcase. You’ll find it’s much easier to roll as the weight will be more evenly distributed.”

Passenger who want to take extra luggage but also save money, in the long run, should always book and pay for any additional bags in advance of their flight. It’s always cheaper to do this online before you arrive at the airport.

What is Ryanair’s luggage allowance?

All Ryanair fares include one small personal bag which can be brought on board, such as a handbag or laptop bag, but this can only measure up to 40 x 20 x 25cm and must fit under the seat in front of you. Anything more than that and you’ll have to pay extra.

Passengers can pay for Priority which entitles them to board via the Priority boarding queue at the gate, plus take one small personal bag measuring 40 x 20 x 25cm and a 10kg bag measuring 55 x 40 x 20cm.

If you’re looking to check in a bag, you have the option to add either a 10kg or 20kg check-in bag to your booking.

However, these must be dropped off at the check-in desk prior to going through security and both options come with an extra charge.