P&O closed on Sunday - what to do?

[Megabear2]

Hello again.  As those who read earlier of my experience yesterday will know, I'm in a really bad place after my previous cruise.  

 

I've just realised on checking emails received the past day that my balance on my October P&O Iona cruise is due today.  As my aunt is critically ill in an Italian hospital after being removed from our Princess cruise we will clearly not be going. I'm currently at a services on the M3 after taking a call from Italy and just need a break due to tiredness.

 

I had intended to call P&O while here to discuss options but they are of course closed.  In view of the circumstances what do people think P&O will do as I cannot speak to them until tomorrow? There is a considerable amount of money in this booking as it has two FCC as the deposit from our cancelled April cruise when covid struck us down.

 

For those who have kindly taken an interest in the now removed posts about our problems, I can advise the Italian hospital has just called me to say she has a serious odema with massive fluid build up overnight and will most likely be undergoing surgery later today. 

 

We are currently awaiting information from Paying to Much as to whether her claim will be accepted and my brother in law is arranging flights for him and my aunt's sister to fly to Rome later this evening.

 

Thanks again.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Megabear2

[Windsurfboy]

Send them an email now, with your instructions,  presumably to move cruise. This will arrive today , thus beating deadline.

[Rupert2251]

24 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Hello again.  As those who read earlier of my experience yesterday will know, I'm in a really bad place after my previous cruise.  

 

I've just realised on checking emails received the past day that my balance on my October P&O Iona cruise is due today.  As my aunt is critically ill in an Italian hospital after being removed from our Princess cruise we will clearly not be going. I'm currently at a services on the M3 after taking a call from Italy and just need a break due to tiredness.

 

I had intended to call P&O while here to discuss options but they are of course closed.  In view of the circumstances what do people think P&O will do as I cannot speak to them until tomorrow? There is a considerable amount of money in this booking as it has two FCC as the deposit from our cancelled April cruise when covid struck us down.

 

For those who have kindly taken an interest in the now removed posts about our problems, I can advise the Italian hospital has just called me to say she has a serious odema with massive fluid build up overnight and will most likely be undergoing surgery later today. 

 

We are currently awaiting information from Paying to Much as to whether her claim will be accepted and my brother in law is arranging flights for him and my aunt's sister to fly to Rome later this evening.

 

Thanks again.

I would email them, explain the situation, the email will have todays date so when you speak to them tomorrow they should be able to tie the email to the phone call. Its not your fault that P&O don't open on Sundays! I really feel for you Megabear.

[Astrajet]

27 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

For those who have kindly taken an interest in the now removed posts about our problems, I can advise the Italian hospital has just called me to say she has a serious odema with massive fluid build up overnight and will most likely be undergoing surgery later today. 

 

We are currently awaiting information from Paying to Much as to whether her claim will be accepted and my brother in law is arranging flights for him and my aunt's sister to fly to Rome later this evening.

Sincerely hope that all goes well for your aunt and that the insurance issues get resolved satisfactorily. Do take care of yourself, especially in this hot weather.

[Dermotsgirl]

Hi Megabear - I was really concerned when your previous thread disappeared.

 

From everything that you said, your situation is so far out of the ordinary and I would like to think that P&O would help you on an individual basis.

 

There’s no way of speaking to them today, so I would hope that they would not hold this against you. As you made some contacts when you were doing your research on insurance cover, perhaps it’d be worth getting in touch with an individual that already knows you, so you can get the help you need.

 

You must be exhausted, both physically and mentally. I hope you’ll be able to get some rest today.

 

Sending best wishes your way 

[mercury7289]

38 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Hello again.  As those who read earlier of my experience yesterday will know, I'm in a really bad place after my previous cruise.  

 

I've just realised on checking emails received the past day that my balance on my October P&O Iona cruise is due today.  As my aunt is critically ill in an Italian hospital after being removed from our Princess cruise we will clearly not be going. I'm currently at a services on the M3 after taking a call from Italy and just need a break due to tiredness.

 

I had intended to call P&O while here to discuss options but they are of course closed.  In view of the circumstances what do people think P&O will do as I cannot speak to them until tomorrow? There is a considerable amount of money in this booking as it has two FCC as the deposit from our cancelled April cruise when covid struck us down.

 

38 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

 

For those who have kindly taken an interest in the now removed posts about our problems, I can advise the Italian hospital has just called me to say she has a serious odema with massive fluid build up overnight and will most likely be undergoing surgery later today. 

 

We are currently awaiting information from Paying to Much as to whether her claim will be accepted and my brother in law is arranging flights for him and my aunt's sister to fly to Rome later this evening.

 

Thanks again.

Suggest that you e-mail them today, with your query, and further tell them that you will wait for there reply, before you pay the balance.I would also send  e-mails to different departments including his nibs. Sorry to hear of your predicament Just seen that this has already been suggested,slow off the mark!

Edited July 10, 2022 by mercury7289
slow

[Eddie99]

I hope things improve for you.  
Sounds like some sensible advice in previous posts.

I wonder if P&Os Twitter account is monitored today?  It could lead you to a human - though I have doubts.  Might be worth just trying - say you have an emergency & “is there anybody there?”.  In the unlikely event that you get a response you could get into a DM  - direct message - conversation, without broadcasting to the world

 

When you think about it, there MUST be someone on duty for worldwide emergencies

[Son of Anarchy]

Hope your aunt makes a swift and full recovery.  Hope you can also resolve your cruise situation satisfactorily.

[wowzz]

I'm not sure why the previous posts should have been deleted, although the posts should probably have been posted on the Princess forum, given that they were nothing to do with P&O. 

[Eglesbrech]

Getting something with todays date stamp is a good idea. Email or even Twitter or Facebook which proves you have made an instruction.

 

From past experience they don’t do much immediately if a final payment is not made. We have had a reminder a month after cancelling.

 

Once home have a nice long rest and let the rest of the family take the strain for a bit. Your aunt is in the hands of the professionals now, they will look after her.

 

 

[lindyloo22]

Hope all goes well for you and a swift recovery for your aunt.

[Megabear2]

This is an update on all my problems:

 

1.  After waiting 55 minutes this morning I got through to P&O.  Initially informed I would have to pay 50% cancellation charge because I didn't ring on Saturday.  I remonstrated strongly on this point, and the lady took onboard the situation I had found myself in.  After some discussions she was able to offer in conjunction with Natasha (one of my previous contacts regarding the insurance situation) a very suitable solution.  Basically the 5% deposit which should have been made on booking has been written off. P&O are kindly gifting me my aunt's FCC to use on any of my bookings or to make a new one in the future.  Their generosity is very much appreciated and they also took the time to tell me how they and Cunard would have handled the situation on Saturday, certainly offering me comfort that Princess had handled things badly.

 

2. Princess do not have a customer service lin apparently.  After holding for an hour I was able to cancel mine and my aunt's next booking with them.  The agent tried very hard to find someone senior for me to speak to but the call was refused on numerous occasions.  He advised me to complete the questionnaire sent yesterday and give a score of zero on the front page. He also stated in additional comments to give my contact details and request direct contact be made. I have done this.

 

3. Good to Go insurance have admitted their error in not allowing me to stay in Italy with my aunt.

 

4. My aunt is now in intensive care in critical condition and we have been informed to expect the worst. Her sister has flown to be with her today. My brother in law continues contact with Good to Go and Princess and has activated his power of attorney.  We continue to pray for a miracle.

[Cathygh]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this. I will join you in praying for a miracle

[lindyloo22]

So sorry to hear this, let’s hope for a miracle.

[Astrajet]

So very sorry to hear about your aunt's condition. Such a very difficult time for you all. You are in our thoughts & we too pray for a miracle. 

Edited July 11, 2022 by Astrajet

[Eddie99]

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that 

 

[molecrochip]

3 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

This is an update on all my problems:

 

1.  After waiting 55 minutes this morning I got through to P&O.  Initially informed I would have to pay 50% cancellation charge because I didn't ring on Saturday.  I remonstrated strongly on this point, and the lady took onboard the situation I had found myself in.  After some discussions she was able to offer in conjunction with Natasha (one of my previous contacts regarding the insurance situation) a very suitable solution.  Basically the 5% deposit which should have been made on booking has been written off. P&O are kindly gifting me my aunt's FCC to use on any of my bookings or to make a new one in the future.  Their generosity is very much appreciated and they also took the time to tell me how they and Cunard would have handled the situation on Saturday, certainly offering me comfort that Princess had handled things badly.

 

2. Princess do not have a customer service lin apparently.  After holding for an hour I was able to cancel mine and my aunt's next booking with them.  The agent tried very hard to find someone senior for me to speak to but the call was refused on numerous occasions.  He advised me to complete the questionnaire sent yesterday and give a score of zero on the front page. He also stated in additional comments to give my contact details and request direct contact be made. I have done this.

 

3. Good to Go insurance have admitted their error in not allowing me to stay in Italy with my aunt.

 

4. My aunt is now in intensive care in critical condition and we have been informed to expect the worst. Her sister has flown to be with her today. My brother in law continues contact with Good to Go and Princess and has activated his power of attorney.  We continue to pray for a miracle.

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt's situation. I didn't see your earlier posts otherwise I would have input.

 

P&O aren't open on a Sunday but Princess are and whilst they cannot access your P&O booking, in the most serious of cases, they can send an email.

 

As it is, when monies are due on a Sunday and they are closed, I believe you actually get Monday as well before the computer gets up set. The law would consider it an unfair contract term otherwise.

[Megabear2]

6 minutes ago, molecrochip said:

I'm sorry to hear about your aunt's situation. I didn't see your earlier posts otherwise I would have input.

 

P&O aren't open on a Sunday but Princess are and whilst they cannot access your P&O booking, in the most serious of cases, they can send an email.

 

As it is, when monies are due on a Sunday and they are closed, I believe you actually get Monday as well before the computer gets up set. The law would consider it an unfair contract term otherwise.

Thank you for the information.  My previous posts on what happened were removed as I did not want them under General cruise area.  I will be posting my experience on the Princess board but originally posted here as a form of letting of steam amongst friends.  Princess have been dreadful, I'm just grateful P&O have restored a little faith for me.

[Dermotsgirl]

I’m glad that P&O have been helpful, and that in due course you’ll reach some sort of resolution with Princess. It won’t make up for what happened, but maybe they’ll learn something for the future and won’t treat another passenger so badly.

 

So sorry to hear about your aunt’s condition , such a shock for you all. 
 

Take care  ❤️

[Jazzytelly]

Hope you get a better outcome for your Aunt that you have been told to expect. 
 

We have been on a few Princess Cruises so read the Princess Forum so I will await what actually happened. I am guessing perhaps your post was moved so you asked for it be be removed.

 

Good luck and hope all goes well for you and your family 

[Megabear2]

1 hour ago, Jazzytelly said:

We have been on a few Princess Cruises so read the Princess Forum so I will await what actually happened. I am guessing perhaps your post was moved so you asked for it be be removed.

You are correct.  I did not want my experience to be used in the general cruisers section as I considered what was/is happening as something very personal that i wanted to let off steam about amongst a group i have grown to know and trust over a period of time.

 

I have now posted my experience on the Princess forum as after due consideration believe it is important enough to seek other opinions on.

[Megabear2]

Just an update for anyone interested.  My aunt has not changed condition but she is now on an intensive care ward rather than a "floating bed" - I took this to be some sort of trolley.  She is being considered for a move to a specialist cardiac centre if she remains stable.

[dunnster1965]

I am sorry to hear about your aunt's and your situation.

[Waju]

This is a heartbreaking tale Megabear and one we all hope we never have to face - on land let alone at sea.  

 

You have handled it really well, especially on the Princess board, I'm pretty sure I would have gone to pieces.  You needed a helping hand and were badly let down.

 

My very best wishes to your Aunt and don't forget to look after your yourself too.

 

 

[Peppers mum]

Megabear my heart goes out to you it really does, I missed your original post on Saturday but have now read everything you have posted both on here and on the PC site. 

 

It's an absolutely appalling way to have been treated.

 

Yes mistakes happen in life, we are all only human after all but Ive always said and believed its how those mistakes are then handled that makes all the difference.

 

It's ironic that you should find yourself in this position after all your amazing work with the various insurance companies a few months ago. I was in awe of you.

 

I hope your aunt recovers and as has been previously said on here take time for yourself too, you've been and are continuing to go through the most dreadful ordeal which as Waju has just said we all hope we never find ourselves in.

 

My thoughts are with you, your aunt and the rest of her family.

Please take care x