Strawberry field Posted January 7, 2020 #1 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Hi We have a cruise booked on Iona in June which unfortunately we have to cancel but I have spent over two hours holding on the phone to do so. Is there any other way to cancel like email for instance? Thanks for any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Peterson Posted January 7, 2020 #2 Share Posted January 7, 2020 (edited) It is possible to contact them by email, but since the T&C require a phone call (plus see below) it’s probably best to stick to that. So much easier and better to use a good cruise agent though - avoids all the poor service from P&O. If you have made your booking directly with P&O Cruises please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 355 5111 (calls charged at local rate). Please note that this is for direct bookings only, and any booking that has been made through a travel agent you will be asked to contact them to discuss any changes or cancellations. Edited January 7, 2020 by Harry Peterson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted January 7, 2020 Author #3 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Thanks Harry Just a case of keep trying then eventually I will get through. I’m just pleased I’m not trying to book a cruise. They must lose bookings by being so difficult to get hold of. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted January 7, 2020 #4 Share Posted January 7, 2020 4 minutes ago, Strawberry field said: Thanks Harry Just a case of keep trying then eventually I will get through. I’m just pleased I’m not trying to book a cruise. They must lose bookings by being so difficult to get hold of. Thanks again Have you tried the freefone number in Sharrons sticky at the top of the page? It is 0800 052 3840, at least you won't be charged for holding on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted January 7, 2020 Author #5 Share Posted January 7, 2020 I have tried the free number and just tried again but no joy. cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemorton Posted January 7, 2020 #6 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Took me about 35 mins to get through last night. Try pressing the buttons on the phone to book a new cruise, may get through quicker if they think they are going to be getting some cash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted January 7, 2020 #7 Share Posted January 7, 2020 52 minutes ago, Strawberry field said: I have tried the free number and just tried again but no joy. cheers If you have free generic phone calls then try this number. 0845 355 5333 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Peterson Posted January 7, 2020 #8 Share Posted January 7, 2020 Just now, terrierjohn said: If you have free generic phone calls then try this number. 0845 355 5333 Isn’t that effectively a premium rate number these days for most people (08 code)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrierjohn Posted January 7, 2020 #9 Share Posted January 7, 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said: Isn’t that effectively a premium rate number these days for most people (08 code)? Sorry about that I seem to have copied the wrong number, blame senility, try this instead. 023 8065 5000 Edited January 7, 2020 by terrierjohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine0138 Posted January 7, 2020 #10 Share Posted January 7, 2020 5 hours ago, Strawberry field said: Hi We have a cruise booked on Iona in June which unfortunately we have to cancel but I have spent over two hours holding on the phone to do so. Is there any other way to cancel like email for instance? Thanks for any help I had a similar problem with being on hold for ages, on anothe P&O group I was told to message them on FB messenger P&O responded about an hour later and everything was sorted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted January 7, 2020 Author #11 Share Posted January 7, 2020 25 minutes ago, Elaine0138 said: I had a similar problem with being on hold for ages, on anothe P&O group I was told to message them on FB messenger P&O responded about an hour later and everything was sorted Thanks Elaine I will give that a try cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Peterson Posted January 7, 2020 #12 Share Posted January 7, 2020 I find delays like this from a company trying to sell its products incredible. And as a Carnival shareholder (like so many other forum members) it annoys me, because bad customer service puts people off, quite apart from potentially lost sales. It’s almost as if they’re trying to drive people into the hands of TAs (possible) so they can reduce staffing. Personally, this thread should be a warning to people not to book direct. Higher prices (no TA discount) but lousy service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete14 Posted January 7, 2020 #13 Share Posted January 7, 2020 44 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said: I find delays like this from a company trying to sell its products incredible. And as a Carnival shareholder (like so many other forum members) it annoys me, because bad customer service puts people off, quite apart from potentially lost sales. It’s almost as if they’re trying to drive people into the hands of TAs (possible) so they can reduce staffing. Personally, this thread should be a warning to people not to book direct. Higher prices (no TA discount) but lousy service. Just to provide some balance, I have never had lousy service booking around 20 cruises direct, nor when contacting them about cruises if required. Wait time on the phone has not been an issue because it has been a few minutes at most. Obviously some are not as fortunate but please don’t condemn the whole organisation over the unfortunate, bad experiences of a minority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peardrop Posted January 7, 2020 #14 Share Posted January 7, 2020 I had to call this evening to cancel our cabin (a price drop made it worth forfeiting our £88 deposit, as we then saved £300 on the lower priced cabin) and I managed to get answered after 8 mins-not great but not as bad as I anticipated. The adviser was lovely and very helpful, sorting out our dining on the new booking and re-linking is with other friends on the same sailing. I got through on this number: 0345 355 5111 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted January 8, 2020 Author #15 Share Posted January 8, 2020 Thanks everyone I finally got through after a very long time to cancel our holiday. We have always booked direct and found it fine but after this next time I will consider a TA. Cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comcox Posted January 8, 2020 #16 Share Posted January 8, 2020 17 hours ago, Elaine0138 said: I had a similar problem with being on hold for ages, on anothe P&O group I was told to message them on FB messenger P&O responded about an hour later and everything was sorted I'm glad to hear about that FB messenger option. I live in the U.S. and cannot use the free phone number so when I'm on hold with the regular phone number it really adds up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachmad123 Posted January 8, 2020 #17 Share Posted January 8, 2020 1 hour ago, Strawberry field said: Thanks everyone I finally got through after a very long time to cancel our holiday. We have always booked direct and found it fine but after this next time I will consider a TA. In everything there are negatives and positives. For example we were on the recent cruise on the Ventura that broke down where we got a 50% refund, those who booked direct with po have been refunded almost immediately. However we booked through a TA and are still waiting. To add to the scenario our additional expenses are still awaiting authorization from po. So it could be potluck ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted January 8, 2020 Author #18 Share Posted January 8, 2020 True and I will probably book direct next time as well. Coming from Southampton and knowing one or two people who work there it just seems normal to book direct. It’s just the hassle of getting through that grates a bit. Never mind it’s all sorted now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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