Britannia cruise 25th September

[Jennizor]

Has anyone who booked this cruise through a TA had any problems? I have used the same TA for many years and never had any issues at all. I started feeling a little uneasy a couple of weeks ago when after paying the balance to the TA, it didn’t appear on my P & O account. The lady who I booked the cruise with explained that P&O sent them a list every few days asking for balances due to be forwarded to them. She said not to worry, everything was fine. I kept checking my account and the balance was still shown as outstanding. After a couple of calls to the TA this week I was told today that the request for our payment had not appeared on their lists. She doesn’t understand why but after a couple of phone calls to P&O, they said this would be rectified in the next couple of days. I tried ringing P & O myself but they wouldn’t speak to me as I has booked through a TA. I am concerned that P&O may have cancelled my booking without telling me. My TA says she is 100% certain this not the case and is going to vigorously pursue this for me. Like everyone else they have trouble getting through to P & O but she promised to sort it for me. Nightmare……..

[molecrochip]

It sounds like your TA is experiencing a cash-flow shortage and are not paying balances until the very very last moment. That said, the payment date is past, even for TAs, and your TA will know that. There is nothing stopping the TA sending the monies across to P&O.

 

Your best bet is to log in to my.pocruises.com with your 6 character reference number. If this is successful then your cruise is still on the P&O system.

 

If something happens to your TA then P&O will look after you. It's not quick but will happen. Assuming your TA is ABTA bonded then your money will be safe.

 

Should you call P&O again, go through as one of their customers and then ask to a supervisor. Normally, they won't talk to you BUT if you explain there is something suspicious with your cruise funds being outstanding despite paying them to your TA, they should.

[Son of Anarchy]

43 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Has anyone who booked this cruise through a TA had any problems? I have used the same TA for many years and never had any issues at all. I started feeling a little uneasy a couple of weeks ago when after paying the balance to the TA, it didn’t appear on my P & O account. The lady who I booked the cruise with explained that P&O sent them a list every few days asking for balances due to be forwarded to them. She said not to worry, everything was fine. I kept checking my account and the balance was still shown as outstanding. After a couple of calls to the TA this week I was told today that the request for our payment had not appeared on their lists. She doesn’t understand why but after a couple of phone calls to P&O, they said this would be rectified in the next couple of days. I tried ringing P & O myself but they wouldn’t speak to me as I has booked through a TA. I am concerned that P&O may have cancelled my booking without telling me. My TA says she is 100% certain this not the case and is going to vigorously pursue this for me. Like everyone else they have trouble getting through to P & O but she promised to sort it for me. Nightmare……..

We've currently got one cruise booked via a TA.  Balance due date was two days ago, according to P&O site the balance has still not been paid.

 

Not overly fussed at this time.  I've got proof of payment, and as Molecrochip says P&O will eventually sort it.

[Jennizor]

Moley, thanks for your response.  I have been checking my P&O account daily and the balance is still shown as unpaid. I have been in touch with our TA  3 or 4 times (I’ve lost count) over the last two weeks and they seem to lay the fault with P & O. It’s just over two weeks to our cruise. I have never experienced anything like this before and it’s very worrying. We have everything in place, insurance,  NHS Covid vaccination passes and coach travel confirmation . We paid select fare to be able to choose our preferred balcony cabin. Saver fare customers are now receiving details of their cabin. How do I know that our cabin has not been allocated to them? Sorry if I appear to be ranting but I have been trying to get this sorted for two weeks. My TA blames P & O, and it appears you may blame them. How am I supposed to know. Thanks for your advice about how to approach P & O. I will try that in the morning.

[Megabear2]

I had this problem back in July.  I had paid in full at booking but until 2 days before sailing my cruise personaliser did not work. After many hours on the telephone by myself and my travel agent we were told the money had been sent/received by P&O but not allocated.  There were 10 family members on this cruise, all with individual bookings. Two had booked direct with P&O, the other three with separate T/As.  All three bookings made via travel agents experienced this problem.  

 

I also had the "balance outstanding" situation with a Princess cruise departing 28 August. Again it was 2 days before the cruise before the Medallion allowed any updates.

 

Both these experiences were extremely distressing and in my opinion totally avoidable.  The problem would seem to be within the cruise companies. I cannot believe that three totally unrelated travel agents were miraculously having cashflow problems at exactly the same time. One company was a very well known online cruise specialist, one a big high street name and the remaining one an independent top rated high end agency. There was therefore absolutely no link between them, yet each had apparently failed to pay their customers' balances according to P&O.

 

Hope this might ease your worries a little.

[Jennizor]

Thanks for this Megabear. Sorry for your bad experience but it does make me feel a little better. My TA is phoning me on Saturday with, hopefully, some good news. Usually by this time we are getting excited about our cruise. We just feel we can’t at the moment.

[Cathygh]

There was a posting a few weeks ago about this - again the TA had paid P&O but P&O had not allocated the funds. This was easy to prove as the TA concerned does not hold clients' funds. 

BTW I have experienced a TA ceasing to trade after we had paid the full balance, and P&O were great, no problems at all.

 

Edited September 9, 2021 by Cathygh

[Megabear2]

I'm sure all will be well. I do understand your anxiety.

[lindylooellalouise]

22 hours ago, Jennizor said:

Has anyone who booked this cruise through a TA had any problems? I have used the same TA for many years and never had any issues at all. I started feeling a little uneasy a couple of weeks ago when after paying the balance to the TA, it didn’t appear on my P & O account. The lady who I booked the cruise with explained that P&O sent them a list every few days asking for balances due to be forwarded to them. She said not to worry, everything was fine. I kept checking my account and the balance was still shown as outstanding. After a couple of calls to the TA this week I was told today that the request for our payment had not appeared on their lists. She doesn’t understand why but after a couple of phone calls to P&O, they said this would be rectified in the next couple of days. I tried ringing P & O myself but they wouldn’t speak to me as I has booked through a TA. I am concerned that P&O may have cancelled my booking without telling me. My TA says she is 100% certain this not the case and is going to vigorously pursue this for me. Like everyone else they have trouble getting through to P & O but she promised to sort it for me. Nightmare……..

Hi it all sounds a nightmare have you checked in online yet and can you access any luggage labels or e ticket I’ve had similar issues with a travel agent where I could check in online only but not had my cabin allocation or luggage labels and e ticket issued.

[Jennizor]

No Lindy, we can access nothing at all, other than the original booking and the balance owing still showing. It’s not doing my mental health any good at all. I am normally a very organised person but at the moment I can’t seem to get my brain in gear. 

[Jennizor]

What is interesting is that the balance I paid a couple of weeks later for our Caribbean cruise in December is shown. Same TA used.

[tring]

On 9/8/2021 at 5:58 PM, Jennizor said:

Has anyone who booked this cruise through a TA had any problems? I have used the same TA for many years and never had any issues at all. I started feeling a little uneasy a couple of weeks ago when after paying the balance to the TA, it didn’t appear on my P & O account. The lady who I booked the cruise with explained that P&O sent them a list every few days asking for balances due to be forwarded to them. She said not to worry, everything was fine. I kept checking my account and the balance was still shown as outstanding. After a couple of calls to the TA this week I was told today that the request for our payment had not appeared on their lists. She doesn’t understand why but after a couple of phone calls to P&O, they said this would be rectified in the next couple of days. I tried ringing P & O myself but they wouldn’t speak to me as I has booked through a TA. I am concerned that P&O may have cancelled my booking without telling me. My TA says she is 100% certain this not the case and is going to vigorously pursue this for me. Like everyone else they have trouble getting through to P & O but she promised to sort it for me. Nightmare……..

 

I hope you have been able to speak with P&O by now and at least be on the way to sorting the matter.  What I can tell you is that whilst it is normal for a TA to act as an agent for both you and the tour operator, after your money has been paid to them, they are usually acting as agent for the tour operator (P&O).  If this is the case, your money has legally been paid to P&O.  Hence as Moley advised, P&O will look after you.

 

Also, did you pay your TA by credit card, (even just a part of the payment, e.g. the deposit)?  If you did, the credit card company are liable under section 75 Consumer Credit Act for any loss the TA has caused, which would include disappointment, stress and inconvenience, as well as the cost of the cruise, should you, at worst, encounter problems.  However, I certainly do hope you manage to sort this directly with P&O and that it is sorted soon.

 

Good Luck,

 

Barbara

[Jennizor]

Barbara, thanks for your very positive response. Until tomorrow I am trusting the TA. I have dealt with Karen many times over the years and she has never let me down. She’s not in today but is going to ring P&O first thing tomorrow. I can’t get P&O to speak to me but Karen did on Wednesday so I’m hoping she has some positive news for me.

 

I did pay by credit card so I know I will get my money back. I really, really want the cruise more than the money though. What is more baffling is that I paid the balance for our December Caribbean cruise two weeks ago and that has been applied. 
 

Thanks again, Barbara. I am feeling very emotional about this issue and your support brought a tear to my eyes. 

[tring]

23 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Barbara, thanks for your very positive response. Until tomorrow I am trusting the TA. I have dealt with Karen many times over the years and she has never let me down. She’s not in today but is going to ring P&O first thing tomorrow. I can’t get P&O to speak to me but Karen did on Wednesday so I’m hoping she has some positive news for me.

 

I did pay by credit card so I know I will get my money back. I really, really want the cruise more than the money though. What is more baffling is that I paid the balance for our December Caribbean cruise two weeks ago and that has been applied. 
 

Thanks again, Barbara. I am feeling very emotional about this issue and your support brought a tear to my eyes. 

 

Perhaps your payment just got lost in the payment system somewhere, but best sorted sooner than later, so best not to let it run into the weekend.

 

Barbara

[lindylooellalouise]

16 hours ago, Jennizor said:

No Lindy, we can access nothing at all, other than the original booking and the balance owing still showing. It’s not doing my mental health any good at all. I am normally a very organised person but at the moment I can’t seem to get my brain in gear. 

Hi hopefully you will get this sorted out soon👍You need to be looking forward and getting excited for your cruise not stressing out it’s all part of the enjoyment when you check in and get your tickets and luggage labels 👍

[Jennizor]

Thanks Lindy, I will keep you posted. 

[Jennizor]

Very strange this. The balance for our cruise is still showing as outstanding but I have been able to check in online. Very happy as it shows  the balcony cabin we booked. Can’t download tickets or luggage labels however. I’m just happy there is evidence we might get to go on our cruise.

[Megabear2]

That's exactly where we got to but not until 2 days out.  Definitely a good sign.  Hopefully you can start to relax now and enjoy the anticipation.

[Jennizor]

Thanks Megabear, I do feel happier now. Fingers crossed no hiccups.

[Jennizor]

Great news today the balance payment has been applied. Have now checked in just need to print off e-tickets and luggage labels. Disappointed that we have to print of the labels as paper ones are not very strong. May try to strengthen them cardboard, anyone any better ideas?

[Ardennais]

9 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Great news today the balance payment has been applied. Have now checked in just need to print off e-tickets and luggage labels. Disappointed that we have to print of the labels as paper ones are not very strong. May try to strengthen them cardboard, anyone any better ideas?

We always print ours off and never had a problem. My tip is to use plenty of staples - does the job and so strong that we have to cut them off with scissors after getting home. 

[Bin man]

We  laminate them if you have a laminater of course 

[silkworms]

Amazon do great e-ticket tags etc for all Carnival brands including

Princess and p and o. Just google luggage tags for cruises and you

will find a good choice.

[terrierjohn]

14 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Great news today the balance payment has been applied. Have now checked in just need to print off e-tickets and luggage labels. Disappointed that we have to print of the labels as paper ones are not very strong. May try to strengthen them cardboard, anyone any better ideas?

Never had a problem with home printed luggage labels, after they are folded they are very strong. We usually  staple them around the handle to form a circle, and never had one go missing.

[Active8]

34 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

Great news today the balance payment has been applied. Have now checked in just need to print off e-tickets and luggage labels. Disappointed that we have to print of the labels as paper ones are not very strong. May try to strengthen them cardboard, anyone any better ideas?

Brilliant news, at least it’s all sorted and you can start getting all the stuff together ☺️