funinhounslow

5 minutes ago, joeecco said:

Exactly right yes, and then we made it to Rome in August and then Cyprus in October - all well within the law. 

Also managed to get to Cyprus for a diving trip booked well before this mess kicked off. 
 

The faff and expense incurred in getting a negative COVID test three days before departure means I wouldn’t do the same again...

I imagine the viability of fly cruises depends on when (if?) travel corridors can be reopened?

Can’t see them being viable if passengers have to go into quarantine on return to the UK...

ERTS are called ETSFs now - External Temporary Storage Facility

10 hours ago, wowzz said:

Given all the bad news about the rising infection rates, I find it incongruous that I keep getting pop up ads on this site for TUI 2021 summer holidays. Booking a summer holiday at the moment is the last  thing on my mind.

Struggling to see how a travel company advertising on a travel website is “incongruous“...

3 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Good news the money is back into your account.

Indeed, thank you 

The cruise was booked using FCC from a cancelled April cruise. I remember when rebooking thinking that of course this mess would be over by December. Little did I know...!

Applied for refund in Sep for cancelled Dec cruise and credit card was refunded on Friday so just within the three months timescale suggested by the TA. 
 

Just a shame all the shops are shut... 🤣

When my second P&O cruise was cancelled (that I had booked using FCC) the email said this at the bottom

If a cancellation of the whole cruise is necessary due to COVID-19, guests who had used their FCC for that cruise will be offered the same options as other guests are offered at that time. 

I took to mean that I could apply for a full refund of money paid - I don't see how else to interpret that sentence. I have applied for a cash refund and am now playing the "waiting game"...

OK thanks. I didn’t know this and didn’t want to cause the TA hassle unnecessarily. 
 

I have used chargeback once before (when a TA went bust funnily enough) and it was a painless procedure. 
 

I won’t go down that route just yet but it is worth bearing in mind. 
 

Thanks. 

On 10/1/2020 at 8:20 AM, Harry Peterson said:

Meanwhile, however, a full refund has now been made by Halifax under chargeback. Why everyone using cards for payment doesn’t do the same escapes me.

I considered this but wouldn’t chargeback claw the money back from from the TA rather than P&O (assuming one didn’t book direct)?
 

I am loath to do this - this isn’t the TA’s fault, and don’t see why they should be inconvenienced. I will carry on waiting...

2 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Like has previously been said if you cash a cheque or keep a credit sent to credit card knowing that it is not yours is breaking the law.

This from just the other week...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-54032709

1 hour ago, AnnieC said:

Around here very few staff wearing masks - a small minority in Sainsbury's and Tesco and that's it. Plus not a single staff member wearing a mask in any of the three pub restaurants I've been in recently. Can understand that it would not be pleasant wearing one all day, but not sure why the customers are expected to protect the staff but not the other way round; very happy to be enlightened, though, by those who know far more than I do.

Here you go...

Face coverings are not required for employees in indoor settings [...] where face coverings have to be worn by members of the public This also applies to banks, building societies and post office staff.

This is because employees should continue to follow guidance from their employer based on a workplace health and safety assessment

Source 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#face-coverings-at-work

I didn’t. Handy to know for when pub quizzes kick off again...

6 minutes ago, brian1 said:

I'd be nervous being in Tilbury after dark.Plenty of garlic and a crucifix is the way to go.

Thought that was Whitby...

20 hours ago, Britboys said:

On a different take, I have seen speculation on another forum that Oceana has been sold to the owner of Seajets, who operate a large ferry company in Greece - presumably to diversify into cruises. No idea how accurate that speculation is.

If we’re going to speculate (what fun!) maybe Stelios has bought it, will slap a bit of orange paint on and rechristen it EasyCruise III !

Went on a few EasyCruises back in the day - cheap and cheerful and my introduction to cruising. They remain my most enjoyable holidays ever...

Always had a soft spot for this one - our first P&O cruise was on Oceana and have never looked back 

Would have loved to go on her again but just never worked out,

Such a shame. 

33 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

Well this hot weather is certainly bringing out the loonies. Sat having a coffee this morning and keeping an eye out for Asda when I saw  a young man on a bike pedalling down the road closely followed by a lawn mower😲. I couldn't tell if it was on a little trolley or just being towed along behind. I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things. 😂

Avril 

Seems sensible to me - there’s a gardener round here who fits all his gear (inc lawn mower) in a trailer on his ebike. 
 

Cheaper, healthier and less polluting than a van, and no parking hassles.

3 hours ago, drsel said:

Don't the staff try to sell you drinks or spa packages on PO?

Yes but they aren't at all "pushy". Same with the speciality restaurants...

In connection with this drink prices on board really aren't that different to what you'd pay in a city centre pub, (and no "service charge" added on) so opting for a package may not be worth it for many...

14 minutes ago, drsel said:

What are the salient features of P and O that made you choose it in the past?
what are the pros and cons?

In no particular order:

Value - I think their prices are “fair” - the cost of the cruises, the prices on board (drinks, bespoke dining in particular) and excursions. A few times I’ve tried to price up doing certain trips independently and in my view for the meagre savings it just wasn’t worth the faff. 
 

Entertainment - generally ok. Headliners shows always of a good standard. Others can be “hit and miss” - seen some great comedians, bands, entertainers, others not so much. Luck of the draw really. The quality of on board speakers isn’t that great to be honest. Plenty of quizzes which I like
 

Food - Well it suits me. I don’t really get the comments criticising the buffets - I go there for a quick bite and it’s fine for that. I always make a point of going to Indian night. MDR again I have no issues with choice and quality. The Epicurean is wonderful. 
 

Sensible dress code in the evening. Formal nights well supported. 
 

Lots of interesting itineraries from Southampton. 
 

Don’t compare it to “flashier” cruise lines, manage your expectations to the price you’ve paid and I see no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a P&O cruise. I understand the product has gone more “mass market “ over the past 20 years, but if you want to dress up every evening and have your pants pulled down every time you go to the bar there’s always Cunard 😄
 

1 minute ago, bobstheboy said:

Is that comment for me ?    

No it’s for the poster giving you dodgy legal advice...

4 minutes ago, staygulf said:

Not the same at all. That case was a bank error. This is a payment which could have a legitimate explanation as I’ve said. If you receive such  a payment there is no obligation to repay unless the payer proves it was a mistake. Rhind v Commercial Bank of Scotland

But we know it’s a mistake...

2 hours ago, bobstheboy said:

For those that have followed my posts I have had a very nice email from  PO telling me that they had inadvertently repaid my refund twice. 

Is it really worth playing games?

4 minutes ago, staygulf said:

Certainly not. I’d take it as far as I could. I would let them threaten legal action and then offer to pay it back over a period. 

By this do you mean “retaining wrongful credit” (1968 Theft Act)?

People have done time for that...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/7269507.stm

However tempting, not worth playing games imo...

Thanks for the interesting replies. I am leaning towards booking direct in the future and this seems the wiser option all things considered...

4 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

I have definitely learned a lesson that saving a few pounds is not worth the hassle in case of a problem despite appearing to have excellent customer service in the good times.

Well this is it. I had a similar experience last year when an internet booking site went bust leaving me in the lurch. The story only has a happy ending because the both the hotel and credit card company went "above and beyond" to help.

I think for the sake of peace of mind I will look into booking direct from now on. I think the key lesson is that the fewer parties involved in a transaction the better - it's simpler and reduces the potential for being fobbed off/buck passing.

Now to wait for cruising to resume...

Thanks again all!

I know we may be a way off from booking cruises again, but hopefully that day will come soon.

I was just wondering if there were any lessons to be learned from recent experiences regarding refunds? (FWIW when my cruise was cancelled I opted for FCC and my TA was able to book on a new cruise with no fuss.)

It seems to me that the use of a TA may complicate the refund procedure by adding an extra layer of bureaucracy? Also it may "muddy the waters" if anyone wanted to go down the S75/chargeback route...

I'm wondering if booking direct may not be a better option in future. Pandemics aside, maybe the simplicity of one transaction and one company to deal with might make it worth paying a slight premium?

Or am I missing something?

6 hours ago, mercury7289 said:

What is the Company public web site?

 

https://www.pocruises.com

If you can register with CC and participate in the forums, you will certainly have no difficulty renewing your passport online. Honestly it’s a painless process. You can treat yourself to a meal in the Epicuran with the money you’ll save...

Just be careful to avoid shadows in your picture and you’ll be fine.