P&O Cruises’ Iona Cancels Bilbao Call as Storm Austen Nears

P&O Cruises’ 5,200-passenger Iona has cancelled its final port call, at Bilbao-Getxo on Thursday, October 22, 2026, because of Storm Austen. The ship will spend the day at sea and seek shelter near Brixham before returning to Southampton on Saturday, October 24, as scheduled.

This is the second port cancellation on the seven-night voyage, which departed Southampton on October 17. Civil unrest in France had already forced the removal of Le Havre and changes to the timing of two Spanish calls.

Iona’s captain, Andrew Foote, notified passengers of the latest change through onboard announcements and a letter delivered to their cabins on Wednesday, October 21. “Having considered the conditions ahead, we have made the decision to cancel our call to Getxo and return to Southampton,” Foote wrote.

Through Biscay to shelter off Devon

The 184,089-gross-ton ship crossed the Bay of Biscay overnight from Wednesday into Thursday. Windy.com showed winds of 20–30 mph across the bay during that period. AIS tracking had Iona proceeding toward Southampton instead of docking at the Spanish port.

“As we make our way through the Bay of Biscay, we expect conditions to be uncomfortable at times,” Foote cautioned passengers in his letter.

He also outlined plans to head toward the Brixham area after the crossing to find more protected waters. Brixham lies on Devon’s south coast, approximately 120 nautical miles by sea from Southampton; no port visit there has been announced.

Associated British Ports’ Southampton schedule lists Iona’s arrival at 6:15 a.m.

Friday, October 23, is expected to bring the storm’s strongest winds. Forecasts put winds through the English Channel at 40–50 mph while Iona is due to shelter near Brixham.

The Met Office’s amber wind warning, issued at 10 a.m. on Thursday, forecasts strong northwesterly winds on Friday morning, with widespread gusts of 60–70 mph and possible gusts around 80 mph on exposed headlands. Heavy rain is also expected, with winds gradually weakening later in the day.

A broader yellow warning forecasts gusts of 50–70 mph, with coastal areas of southern England and Wales facing the strongest winds before conditions ease during Friday afternoon.

Passengers discussing the crossing in the sailing’s Facebook group described mixed experiences. Some reported remaining in their cabins because of seasickness or struggling to sleep through the ship’s motion, while others said they enjoyed the movement.

P&O Cruises’ Arvia and MSC Cruises’ MSC Preziosa and MSC Virtuosa are also reaching Southampton early because of Storm Austen.

Earlier revisions extended the A Coruna stay

Passengers had received notice of the first itinerary change before embarkation. Le Havre, originally scheduled for Sunday, October 18, was the voyage’s only French call and the departure point for excursions to Paris, about a 2.5-hour drive away.

That day became a sea day. Vigo moved forward from Tuesday, October 20, to Monday, October 19, while A Coruna gained an overnight stay beginning Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday, replacing the original single-day visit.

P&O Cruises confirmed that shore excursions purchased through the line for Le Havre would be cancelled and refunded. Tours in Vigo and A Coruna affected by the revised schedule were to be adjusted where necessary, and the Shore Experiences team would contact passengers about any further issues.