dgs1956

20 minutes ago, Tikka234 said:

Where did it say you could get money back for your cruise, I thought it was just for extras 

It clearly says for cruise before 15th May you can have full cash refund or 125% FCC. It also says if you accept FCC you can change your mind up until November and take the cash.

I think what P&O are offering is excellent.

32 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

Well said. We, too, will feel blessed if we live to see the end of this. Life as we knew it has gone for the time being, perhaps forever.

 

I just hope that everyone realises that in the scale of things whether or not cruise ships get back to normal is insignificant. 
 

Just read a really interesting article which explains why social distancing is so important and how even one person in a family ‘cheating’ can have catastrophic effects on it being successful. It also  encourages us not to give up or get fed up with this isolation. It’s really, really important!

 

https://elemental.medium.com/hold-the-line-17231c48ff17

 

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT.  (Not sure if I’ve inserted this correctly, apologies if not)

 

Stay safe everyone.

 

 

 

 

That is well worth reading.

42 minutes ago, Josy1953 said:

I'm not convinced that I want to travel again with P&O.  We had a serious ( for us) hygiene problem on Oceana in February and were treated in board as if we were a nuisance for complaining.  I wrote to P&O and got a standard reply from them saying that they were sorry but were sure that the on board team would have done their best to resolve our problem but as a goodwill gesture they will send us a luxury hamper.   They don't seem to realise that for someone with a health problem going into a dirty cabin complete with a child's nappy is serious.

They don't respond at all well to customer complaints. I made one about hygiene issues on Britannia and was given the usual soft soap response. On the last day of our last cruise, which had norovirus on the ship, we went for breakfast and returned to our cabin at 7.45 to collect our luggage to find the cabin had already been serviced. That is not acceptable.

1 hour ago, Selbourne said:

Your comments mirror my views precisely, in every respect. My wife and I first cruised with P&O in 1996, have been on all the ships (most multiple times) and in recent years have been going on around 3 P&O cruises a year. Whilst I have sympathy with P&O’s current plight, which is not of their making, and I am very concerned about their fantastic on board crews, I am appalled at their handling of this situation and their utter contempt for their customers. Paul Ludlow’s comments about customers always coming first are laughable. Their actions demonstrate that nothing could be further from the truth. Putting obstacle after obstacle in the way of customers getting their money back is shameful and not the behaviour of a company that I feel comfortable doing business with. Friends and family pull our legs as being P&O obsessives. Not any more. Sadly, I am struggling to think of anything that P&O could now do that would restore my faith in the company, and it really saddens me to say that. 

Again I 100% agree with you. The only thing that will see me cruising with them again is that we have paid for a cruise in May and have an £1100 deposit on a cruise in April 2021. Obviously we don't want to pay any more but don't want to loose the money. They have lost me as a regular and loyal customer.

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

I do'nt think you will have the option to transfer a deposit, if you do not pay the balance on time you will be deemed to have defaulted on your agreement and you will forfeit the balance.  An interesting article in today's Daily Mail gives lots of info about these ABTA "refund credit notes" or FCCs as P&O call them.

We intend to switch our deposits to a later cruise. My understanding is that P&O are allowing that, very magnanimous of them. We had booked part of the Arcadia World Cruise and the deposit is £1100 so its a fair amount to loose.

22 minutes ago, Tablelamp said:

 

As things stand at the moment I will not be paying any balances to P & O until things return to normal.  I just don’t understand how, if the foreign office have told us not to travel, how can P and O justify keeping our money.  When I fully paid my balance, it left my account within two hours.

I definitely won't be paying any more money to them. I am really angry about the lack of information and the stance they are taking. It is disgraceful. I have never considered P&O to provide a good customer service. Onboard the ship, then yes but if you ever have a complaint then its just brushed away. I am a regular cruiser with P&O and I would have considered myself to be loyal and supportive. That is no longer the case. If it looks like I will loose my deposits then I will reluctantly transfer them.

8 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

Our next cruise in September is due to be paid by mid June, and under the current terms we will not be paying the balance.  However if they reduced the final balance payment to 6 weeks before cruise date, and allowed FCCs to be used against existing bookings, then we probably would risk it.  Since we would like to cruise in September if its safe, and we have 3 more cruises booked after the September one which will ultimately need paying.

We are in a similar position. We have a cruise on 30 May that I would expect to be cancelled and one in December and another in April 2021. We would go with transferring payments to the December one. If not we can only move them as far from now as possible. I think like a lot of people we are not happy with P&O's response or lack of it.

I would doubt they are optimistic but I would concur with the other three attributes.

1 hour ago, Tablelamp said:

 

My cruise starts on 17th May on Aurora.  Like you I am going to insist on a full refund.  Trouble is, P & O have more power to their elbow and the chances of getting through to them on the telephone is ?.  
 

I paid £15 for a letter from my GP stating that I had an underlying health condition, only to find that P & O had moved the goalposts.     £15 Wasted.

Have you tried to claim a cash refund from P&O and presented your letter? My understanding was that they are refunding them as I have been asked to give them a letter.

1 hour ago, AndyMichelle said:

It's not only struggling businesses that the government are helping. 

I have a relatively successful business, but to have your total income ripped away and still have to pay most of your bills is a frightening experience. 

We could have survived for a bit, but

putting the staff onto Furlough has effectively secured their jobs and we will come back fighting with no redundancies. 

Without the tax breaks etc, it could have been a different story. 

Yes, somebody has to pay, but at least we will still have profitable businesses ready to go again and start recouping the tax whereas with no help, we would come back to no economy... 

The weak will not survive, even with this help. 

Andy 

 

In 2001 we had a Farm Park (A Tourist Attraction) and we took it over 26 days before the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. We lost over 80% of our income for the year and never received one single penny of help from anyone. The government gave compensation to farmers but Tourist Attractions received nothing. In fact, the local authority actually increased our Business Rates significantly. We were in such a financial predicament we even approached the Agricultural Benevolent Service to ask for help. The guy laughed and put down the phone. Many small businesses will go under if this goes on for just a few months unless they get help. Incidentally, at that time, we listened to the news every day and Nick Brown, Minister of Agriculture, repeated every day that it was under control. Six million sheep and cows were slaughtered and it was estimated the country lost £8 billion. That will be nothing compared to what we are going to experience this time.

21 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

That’s a very commendable attitude, but I don’t believe that it is customers responsibility to shore up struggling companies with their own cash, even if they can afford to. I wonder how many of those accepting future credits from travel companies will still be as understanding if any of these companies go under and their future credits are suddenly worthless and their money is lost for good?

I agree. P&O do nothing that doesn't suit them. They would never show leniency if a customer was in difficulty. I will be trying hard to get MY money back.

8 hours ago, Adawn47 said:

I didn't take offence wowzz. I knew you were right. We already have a cruise booked for  October 2021, which I shall immediately be getting insurance for☺. As I said, I really don't want to cancel, unless it's absolutely necessary. We're  still hoping to go. We've been looking forward to it.  There's still time yet before we  have to make that decision or P&O will make it for us.

Avril 

I don't suppose its possible to transfer your 2020 deposit to the cruise you have booked in 2021.

30 minutes ago, scarlet ohara said:

Well I’m retired NHS who got the email from my regulator yesterday and am happy to try to help. I’ve no intention of working in the front line and putting myself at risk as I have some health issues which mean I get a flu vaccine. I’m also out of date but am pretty sure I can help remotely by giving phone advice, even if only limited. To be honest, I’ve nothing else to do as no holidays, no coffee shops or restaurants to meet friends in, no grandchildren to look after. I might as well do something!!

I take my hat off to you. My very best wishes.

1 minute ago, staygulf said:

Why not wait for it to be cancelled as is likely to happen? They must refund you then. 

I plan to do that but belt and braces are needed with P&O.

We are booked on Iona to Fjords on May 30. Clearly this cruise will be cancelled so I contacted the TA today to ask about a refund. I was told they could transfer the cruise of I could have FCC but for a full refund I needed a doctor's letter stating I'm not fit to travel for health reasons. I have already asked my doctor to provide a letter. I'll see how it goes.

1 minute ago, staygulf said:

Why not? It’s only a few mouse clicks to transfer money. 

Like I say, its a personal opinion that we should be reasonable and its certainly more than "a few mouse clicks" to refund thousands of customers. 

Clearly all cruises are going to be cancelled for several months in advance. Personally I think that we all need to be patient as we surely can't expect P&O to process all these refunds within their normal timescale regardless of what the law states.

26 minutes ago, UncleZen said:

I have a cruise booked in June 1st on Ventura. I havent heard a thing from P&O at all. I've not received the email everyone is on about. It looks like there wont be any ports to stop in anyway. I booked through a TA (tui), do I cancel via them, or via P&O? Also it looks like i can cancel (under 70) rather than postpone because my wife has early onset Alzheimers which I think qualifies as a chronic neurological  disease. Paid on  credit  card aswell for extra cover.

We are the same. We're booked on Iona for 30 May and never heard a thing. It'll get sorted out in due course. You have to deal via TA.

42 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

I have already cancelled and am getting 40% back and an FCC, but the terms are changing daily.  I'm not going to be greedy.  I'm comfortable with that.

Well said Jean. There are more important things than profiting from this situation.

6 hours ago, Curranv1 said:

DGS1956 - Thanks very much for taking the time to post your experience. It’s much appreciated. It seems it worked out really well for you -well done! We fly from Manchester at about 1130 so it’s no hardship to arrive 3 hours before the flight. 

So, on outward journey you were asked if you wanted to pay for seats on return journey? 

Many thanks again and hope you had a lovely holiday. 

Yes it worked out very well for us both ways. As far as I could make out, most people who hadn't booked were more or less in aisle seats across from each other. We were asked on the ship if we wanted to pay for our return flight seats. It is in the Horizon Paper about midway through the cruise. They set up a Flight Desk to pay for them. We didn't bother. Good luck.

On 11/28/2019 at 7:11 AM, Curranv1 said:

To dgs1956 -many thanks & much appreciated. 

Also configuration of plane had a bearing: 3/4/3. I’m not anti social, honestly, but prefer when can book just 2 seats together. 

I suppose, to be fair, not adding this cost to the cruise fare still leaves us with a choice but also gives Tui/P & O some revenue. 

Thanks again all

We have just returned today from Caribbean to Birmingham today on TUI Dreamliner. The seat configuration is 3-3-3 (2-3-2 in Premium). For the first time we decided not to book flight seats. On the outboard flight we arrived just over 3 hours before departure and were ASKED which seats we wanted and we chose a window and middle seat together. On return we were allocated two aisle seats across from each other. So, it worked out very well for us but to be honest I'm not really sure if I would do it again. Incidentally, we had the opportunity on board to book our seats for the return flight.

1 minute ago, chrisg1uk said:

It certainly does take all sorts.   You were very polite.   Space is certainly an issue on these flights and we have seen many very surprised that having "got round" the limits there is suddenly not enough room to store all their stuff.   I do wonder whether the lower limit on these flights is also to help with the mini bus transfers to the ship which can be a bit "snug" and would only be made more unpleasant if folk were allowed bigger / heavier cabin bags.     

That is the other point of course, that you may get into the aircraft with a "bigger" case, it doesn't fit, and the crew put it in the hold. Its just not worth it. The bus transfers, especially in the Caribbean, are a problem as well. Even with our small bags I normally finish up with it on my knee.

As an aside, on our first ever cruise we booked Premium seats. When we took up our seats the overhead locker was "full" as a gentleman 3 rows in front had neatly placed his jacket, full width, and his hat in it. When I very politely asked if he could move his jacket he refused. The Cabin Crew said they would put our bag, which was the correct size and small, in the hold. I said that wasn't happening as it held my wife's jewellery. I decided to neatly fold the jacket in half and put our bag in amidst his protestations. Some people beggar belief and it always amazed me that when you encounter someone like him that you keep meeting them throughout the cruise.

The allowance is clear on your E Ticket. Ours says "Hand Luggage: 1 piece, max weight 5kg, 55cm x 40cm x 20cm". 

If you take a bigger or heavier bag then you risk hassle.

1 hour ago, Curranv1 said:

Many thanks all for replies. I almost caved in and paid to book seats on aircraft but like dgs1956 we’re going to take our chances. If we’re split up I’ll just annoy whoever I’m sat next to! So, instead when we’re in St Vincent we’ve booked day trip to Mustique. Cost is £228 after loyalty discount so bit more than booking seats with Tui but feel that offers more for our money. Thanks again 

We're flying on December 7 so will let you know how it goes.