The deadly wildfires which have broke out on the island of Madeira have affected the itinerary of a P&O Cruise ship.
Fires are causing wide-spread devastation on the Portuguese island which is located just in the Atlantic Ocean and hundreds of miles away from the Moroccan coast. The fires first broke out on Monday and according to the BBC 3 elderly people have died so far after fire hit their homes in the capital of Funchal. The city is under threat including over a hundred thousand homes in the city.
As a result the P&O Azura which is operated by British based P&O Cruises has cancelled its scheduled call at the Funchal today. The cruise line told Cruise Hive “Due to the forest fires Azura has cancelled today’s call to Funchal and will replace it with a day at sea. The itinerary will then continue as scheduled.”
The 115,000 gross ton vessel is currently sailing a 13-night Canary island cruise which departed Southampton, UK on August 7. This ship will be sailing a day at sea instead of calling at Funchal, Madeira and then call at St Cruz De La Palma as normal tomorrow. P&O Azura can carry almost 3,100 passengers at double occupancy and is one of the largest in the fleet.
Cruise Hive will keep readers updated on any further itinerary adjustments related to the Madeira wildfires.
