P&O Ferries – which has no connection to Carnival Corporation-owned P&O Cruises – caused widespread anger on Thursday (17 March) after a sudden mass sacking of 800 UK-based seafaring staff via video call.

The legality of the move was questioned by transport select committee chair Huw Merriman, while maritime and aviation minister Robert Courts said he was “extremely concerned and frankly angry” at the way workers had been treated.

As confirmation of P&O Ferries’ actions came early yesterday afternoon, social media saw concerns raised for potential implications to the operations of P&O Cruises, which many online mistakenly believed to be related companies.

https://twitter.com/pandocruises/status/1504447534659510273

This prompted the cruise line to post that it was “entirely unrelated” to the ferry firm and a number of travel agents to also send out similar messages to their clients.

Taking to Twitter on Friday morning (18 March), Ludlow stressed P&O Cruises “has been part of the Carnival Corporation and plc for over 20 years”, stressing how his line had “no connection to P&O Ferries”.

“Our thoughts go out to all those affected by yesterday’s news, however please be assured it’s business as usual on our cruises and our crew look forward to welcoming guests onboard soon,” Ludlow added.