P&O Cruises’ Britannia Diverts to Port Nigg for Medical Emergency, Resumes Itinerary

Introduction
On June 8, 2025 , P&O Cruises’ Britannia was forced to divert early from its course and dock at Port Nigg, Scotland , due to a medical emergency involving a passenger . The vessel, carrying nearly 3,700 guests and 1,400 crew members , had been on a 14-night British Isles cruise departing from Southampton . The ship entered the Cromarty Firth earlier than planned to allow for a medical transfer ashore, then resumed its voyage before docking in Invergordon the next morning as scheduled. While limited details have been released about the nature of the emergency or the passenger’s condition, the incident highlights the importance of well-coordinated medical response procedures aboard large cruise ships.

Details of the Incident

Medical Emergency Overview:

• A significant medical incident occurred aboard *Britannia*, prompting an unscheduled stop at **Port Nigg, Scotland**, on **Sunday evening, June 8, 2025**.
• The ship was originally set to arrive in Invergordon on **Monday morning, June 9**, but advanced its arrival into the Cromarty Firth by approximately 24 hours.
• At around **6:45 p.m. local time**, *Britannia* briefly docked at **Port Nigg**—a deepwater oil and gas facility repurposed for maritime emergencies—to facilitate the transfer of the affected guest to shore-based medical services.

Operational Adjustment:

• Following the disembarkation of the passenger, the ship repositioned to the **Moray Firth**, executed a slow loop overnight, and returned to the **Cromarty Firth** in time for its originally scheduled docking in **Invergordon** on Monday morning.
• This maneuver allowed the ship to maintain most of its itinerary while ensuring the guest received timely care.

Passenger and Crew Response:

• P&O Cruises confirmed that the decision to divert was made to ensure the guest received appropriate medical attention.
• No further information has been released regarding the individual’s condition or the specific nature of the medical emergency.
• Crew members followed established protocols to manage the situation efficiently and with minimal disruption to the rest of the passengers.

Vessel Itinerary:

• *Britannia* is currently operating a **14-night British Isles cruise** that departed from **Southampton, UK**, on Friday, June 7, 2025.
• The itinerary includes stops in **Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales**, with a return to Southampton scheduled for mid-June.

Response and Impact

Emergency Procedures:

• The use of **Port Nigg**, which serves as a contingency location for maritime emergencies, allowed for a swift and controlled medical evacuation.
• The Scottish Ambulance Service and local authorities coordinated the transfer of the passenger to land-based medical facilities.

Itinerary Management:

• Despite the early diversion, *Britannia* successfully resumed its sailing and maintained most of its schedule.
• Passengers were informed of the event via onboard announcements and updates from the bridge team.

Broader Implications:

• This incident demonstrates the **operational flexibility** of modern cruise vessels when managing urgent health situations at sea.
• Industry experts emphasize the need for **robust onboard medical teams**, real-time coordination with **local emergency services**, and access to **remote port facilities** like Port Nigg for critical interventions.

Key Takeaways:

• A medical emergency prompted P&O Cruises’ *Britannia* to divert early to **Port Nigg, Scotland**, on **June 8, 2025**, allowing for a guest to be evacuated ashore.
• The ship briefly docked at Port Nigg (~6:45 p.m.) and later resumed its itinerary, arriving in **Invergordon** as scheduled on **June 9**.
• The incident involved coordination between the ship’s medical team, local authorities, and the Scottish Ambulance Service to ensure proper care was provided.
• *Britannia* is on a **14-night British Isles voyage**, with no major disruptions reported beyond the early docking adjustment.
• While details remain limited, the case reinforces the cruise industry’s reliance on remote ports and emergency planning for urgent medical evacuations.