p&o is offering a child the chance to be a matchday mascot for the Southampton FC Women v Birmingham fixture on March 15 (ET). The winner will receive a full Southampton kit and match tickets for themselves and two guests, with the competition closing on March 8 (ET). At the same time, several P&o cruise calls to Kingstown have been cancelled because of safety concerns at the cruise and ferry terminal, a port official said yesterday (ET).
Breaking details: mascot competition and entry rules
P&O Cruises is running a competition that awards one child aged 7–12 the opportunity to walk out as a matchday mascot at the Southampton fixture on March 15 (ET). The prize package includes a full Southampton kit to be worn on the day and kept afterwards, match tickets for the mascot and tickets for two guests. Entrants must submit a photo of the child and explain why they should be chosen; the competition window closes on March 8 (ET).
The offer is positioned as a family-facing promotion tied to the matchday experience at St Mary, with the kit and guest tickets forming the core elements of the prize. Terms and conditions apply for entry and eligibility; entrants were instructed to submit image and text material by the stated closing date (March 8 (ET)).
P&o cancellations and vendor impact
A port official said yesterday (ET) that authorities are working feverishly to address the cancellation of multiple P&O Cruises calls to Kingstown. The cancellations relate to safety concerns at the Cruise Ship and Ferry terminal, specifically problems with Ferry Fenders — the heavy-duty shock-absorbing components that protect vessels and dock structures during berthing.
Those cancellations have translated into immediate commercial pressure for local tourism vendors. The port official noted that P&O Cruises’ ships are among the largest vessels visiting regional ports and can carry between 2, 000 and 5, 000 passengers, magnifying the revenue impact when calls are lost. Ship names operating in the market include Britannia, Iona, Arvia, Ventura and Azura, listed among examples of the class of vessel affected.
The port authority has been identified in connection with long-standing safety concerns at the terminal, which were cited as the reason behind halted calls. Vendors who depend on organised shore excursions and day visits from cruise passengers are facing reduced trade while the cancellations remain in effect.
What’s next
Authorities are expected to prioritise repairs or assessments of the Ferry Fenders and related berthing infrastructure while monitoring the schedule of incoming P&O sailings. Officials have signalled urgent action to restore calls and limit further economic knock-on effects for tourism vendors. Observers on the ground will watch for formal clearance of the terminal and any resumption notices from port management; fans and families eyeing the mascot competition must meet the March 8 (ET) entry deadline and be prepared for final selection ahead of March 15 (ET).
Field updates will continue as port authorities confirm technical findings and as the competition moves toward its closing date; p&o remains central to both stories unfolding in port communities and matchday plans.
