Dgtrainer99

A terrible situation 😢

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Hello. I arrived home on Saturday from the Britannia Christmas cruise.  We enjoyed this very much but it is hard to judge this particular trip against other more heavily loaded cruises.  We found the cruise to be very similar to our seacation in July regarding restrictions.  The main points:

 

Testing arrangements at Gatwick were handled well. We took the bus to the testing centre at opening time and were in fact the only one on it. Result was received within 15 minutes and we waited in the seating area for this before being released to check in at the airport in our own time.

 

Seating on the plane was being tracked and traced so despite it being two thirds empty we were required to stay in allocated seats. Masks were required for the entire flight.

 

On arrival at Barbados the normal direct to ship arrangements were in place, again masks required and sanitizers used before boarding the buses.  Check in at port as per normal except much quicker with passports shown through screens.

 

On boarding directed to your muster station immediately to check in.  Cards in envelope at cabin door, watch the safety video.

 

The app was in operation for reservations but with so few onboard not really necessary to use it.  We had already booked excursions, speciality dining etc from home. We did use it to cancel a reservation for the Limelight Club as P&O had gifted us our trips there. Worked well.

 

Masks were worn throughout the ship when moving around. Sitting in bars etc they could be removed.  There was no mask requirements on the outside decks, in the spa or gym.

 

All facilities in the spa were available including the thermal suite and sauna. It was bootable in 2 hour slots at £25 per session. My husband used it on our 4 sea days and there was a buy three get a fourth free offer.  He thought it good value.  We both had spa treatments and received a 30% discount on numbers 4 onwards.  We also had access to the thermal suite for an hour as a freebie for 3 of these (I used these as my OH had purchased his package).

 

On the 3rd evening we were informed only one dining room would be open on the 6th floor as there were insufficient passengers to keep two open.  This actually created a nicer atmosphere and was no bother to us.

 

The food was good but noticeably a reduced menu in the dining room, there were however three vegetarian options every night.  We used the buffet for dinner a couple of evenings and this was noticeably less choice than even in July.  We had our Christmas dinner in the Epicurean which was outstanding.  We also ate there on two other occasions and the food and service were excellent.  The Glasshouse had its normal menu when we lunched there.

 

The theatre entertainment was the normal Headliners shows which we did not go to on this occasion as we had seen them all in July and last January.  We did go to the special Christmas Eve and Christmas afternoon shows and they were excellent as were the Carol's in the Atrium on Christmas Eve.

 

There was a party on deck for Santa's arrival and we were encouraged to sing and dance - something not done on a ship for a very long time by us.

 

The events around the pool were the same as in non Covid days with quizzes and build a ship on a ship being favourite with the guests. The charity crew cycle challenge was also well supported.

 

Going ashore:  only one island St Vincent required a test to go ashore. These were done in the restaurant the afternoon before arrival.  There was one positive test as a result of this, a solo lady passenger.  Unfortunately she and 6 close contacts were put into quarantine, all in balcony cabins with her on a separate deck to the others.  After 7 days the 6 close contacts were released to carry on their cruise, the first port after release being Antigua.

 

Grenada required a ship's excursion or a licensed taxi tour, the latter being available in the arrivals area.

 

The rules for St Kitts changed while we were onboard and you were able to go ashore there without a tour. All other ports also allowed independent exploration.  We had temperatures checked in most of them and Grenada and St Maarten asked to see vaccination certificates, with the former checking passports as well.

 

Day before Barbados arrival antigen test required which was again carried out in the restaurant on deck 5.  Well organised and very quick. Cost was £18.00pp added to your account. Results delivered in certificate form to your room that evening.

 

Overall we found the experience relaxing and had a great time.  Our only problem was last minute cancelled excursions. Unlike most people we do like to do excursions from P&O and have particular favourites in the islands such as the turtle swim in Barbados.  It was a little annoying to get a large number of cancellation letters on one day - 5 to be exact.  However the tour staff quickly helped book replacement trips and we actually did tours we had never done or considered and thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

I felt totally safe on this trip and all passengers obeyed the rules.  We did not see overloaded lifts or other rules being broken.

 

Based on our experience we would definitely do the Caribbean fly cruise on Britannia again this year, and indeed are looking at one at the end of February as our ski holiday just got cancelled again!

 

Hope this helps but if you have specific questions I might be able to help with please let me know.

Thanks for the comprehensive description, much appreciated.

I would be grateful for any feedback on the current Caribbean cruises or those from December, with regard to covid &/or limitations onboard or ashore.

TIA.

It’s our logic, also. The level of uncertainty is just too high at present. Hence given the chance to amend our booking, we will.

3 hours ago, molecrochip said:

Hang in there. There are some serious conversations happening at present and they are very much on a cruise by cruise basis. Updates will be forthcoming.

 

The primary concern is to deal with the cruises in progress which appear to be falling apart. Iona, QM2 spring to mind. Focus is then on the cruises which leave this weekend on Britannia and Ventura. This last one is currently 'in doubt' given the problems encountered by QM2.

 

One thing that is clear is that Omicron isn't being picked up as quickly/as well on LFT as previous variants therefore more positive cases, i.e. those in the incubation stage, are slipping through the net.

 

Britannia and fly Caribbean cruises are not such an issue as you need a negative PCR within 3 days and the negative LFT on the day of departure.

Thx for the info.

4 hours ago, Denarius said:

BAD NEWS!

My travel agent has just rung to tell me that P&O are not prepared to transfer my Caribbean cruise, despite them having said earlier this morning that they would.

She had been told that they would transfer to any available cruise; all that was needed was for her to ascertain which cruise I wanted to transfer to and to make the booking. She then rang me and we agreed I would tranfer to an equivalent cruise in Jan 2023 on which cabins and flights were available. When she rang P&O to do so however,  she was told that she had been missinformed by the person she spoke to earlier, and that the offer to transfer was only applicable to specific European cruises; Caribbean cruises were not covered. They  were not prepared to honour the offer. Furthermore, they are not prepared to carry forward the substantial FCC of £1940 which I used in partial payment; all I will get back is 10% of the total fare. Needless to say, I am extremely annoyed.

All they’re thinking about is their bottom line. It’s not as if there aren’t general health & safety concerns. Very poor!

we’re due to fly out to Barbados on the 21st Jan & I’m very uncomfortable with the situation.I spoke to P&O & the only options offered are go or cancel. 
 

it’s our first cruise & as it stands it will be our last, if I don’t cancel. 

2 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

Appears to be Europe.  The P&O Cancellation Terms thread has several posts regarding moving bookings.

Just spoke to P&O and we can’t amend. Gun to the head comes to mind. P&O’s main concern is the bottom line. Yes they are putting measures in place, but so did symphony of the seas etc.

47 minutes ago, Son of Anarchy said:

From what others have posted, people have been able to move cruises to fresh booking.  Might be worth trying your TA again.  If still no joy, I would speak with P&O directly, even the phone line says you should speak with your TA.

Was this for Caribbean cruises sailing in Jan?

I’ve seen a number of various covid issues on YouTube relating ships sailing out of the USA. Is there any info. Relating to P&O cruises currently in the Caribbean? We’re due to fly out in late January, but have significant concerns TBH. I’ve approached P&O, via our TA, to see what options we have, but no alternative other than go or cancel was offered.

Thanks for the replies, very prompt for Christmas Day. Very interesting.

1 minute ago, mercury7289 said:

Good Luck!

When you read some of the posts, you can see some of the potential candidates. The power of social media is massive in influencing things.

Just out of curiosity who are the known employees of P&O or influencers, who are subsidised by P&O? It just helps in understanding I dependant opinions & views.

What are the options if the imminent cruises are cancelled, as we fear they will be?

First time cruisers, hence after general knowledge.

Are the speciality restaurants on Azura fixed price, or variable depending on the dishes? What’s are the typical costs? Plus how do the restaurants rate?

Thanks in advance.

17 hours ago, wowzz said:

So, about £8 for a large glass of house wine. If you both drink at least 6 glasses of wine every day of the cruise it is worth taking the package.

However, in many ports you can buy a bottle of wine to take back on board to drink on your cabin (naughty, but lots do it), which might influence your decision.

 

What’s the typical cost of a glass of wine? Plus can you use the onboard credit to go towards the drink package?

Do most people buy the package?

we’re first time cruisers, so green as grass in cruising.

Just not sure where to buy the package or not. Using the calculator on cruise mummy, we’re in a borderline situation.

We’re travelling on Azura in January.

How many formal nights can be expected on a 2w Caribbean cruise? Plus what’s the dress code for the speciality restaurants on the Azura?

22 hours ago, Ardennais said:

Valencia is lovely, never been to Alicante. But I’ve visited Rome and Florence several times and there’s sooooooo much more I want to see in both places!

Rome is well worth a long a long weekend 

On 9/26/2021 at 5:14 PM, molecrochip said:

 

P&O are no different to any other cruise company in this pandemic. It's sad to see you won't be cruising again. Would you have been any happier if you had been told that they no longer make red Fords?

 

There is actively no contempt for customers. P&O are very aware of the needs of customers to understand what will be happening however this has to be balanced with giving out information that transpires to be wrong. Let me give you an example:

• P&O announce freedom to tour alone in the Caribbean, people book independent tours, then UK or overseas Government change rules..... unhappy customers.
• P&O announce bubbled tours only in the Caribbean, people cancel cruises, then UK or overseas Government change rules..... unhappy customers.
• P&O say nothing or provide basic details until they are sure what they are saying is accurate..... unhappy customers.

P&O have taken the third option. Another example: P&O announced some countries require bubbled tours in order to disembark. They didn't say which. Yesterday, Britannia left on a cruise to the Med. P&O still do not know if passengers can disembark alone in Italy so provided clarification in cabins than its bubbled tours only. They left it as late as possible to give as much chance for independent excursions to apply. For clarity: Italian authorities will make their decision before Britannia arrives and P&O will undoubtedly relax matters where possible.

 

There is no right answer in this pandemic. These are very fluid times.

 

As for compensation, clauses 40, 43 and 45 of the booking Terms and  Conditions  cover all of the changes P&O can make without giving compensation.... which is quite a lot. Current version here:  https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions although the version you signed up to will be similar.

 

I'm sorry if this all sounds harsh but I still want there to be a cruise industry in two years time.

It’s not harsh. It’s when you ask a question 3 times & receive cut & paste answers that tell you nothing. It’s better to tell people that we’re waiting as late as possible to inform people & the timescales are … It’s not that we don’t understand.

The issue for me is becoming a point of principle & sorry to disagree but it is contempt. They are looking at the balance sheet, (as all companies do) & after a poor period trying to maximise revenue.

On 9/26/2021 at 10:23 AM, bbtablet said:

If you were P&O, what would you say to customers?

I would be honest. After life in projects you learn to be honest & tell people how it is good or bad.

13 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

The trouble is because P&O have not published these protocols most of the bookings are long past 90 days and they have the money already. Passengers have been forced to hold on long past the 90 days and effectively have been loyal and relied on P&O to treat them fairly.  The cruise may well be a long way from what they booked many months ago, particularly those who rebooked from cancelled voyages.  You would not expect someone to order a red Ford car and turn up three months later on delivery to be told it's a blue Toyota which is effectively what P&O are suggesting with these Caribbean cruises.

 
exactly.

I’ve now asked 3 times for info. Two of the replies are duplicates, basically cut & paste. So I’ve now been raised a complaint. I’ve ordered the red Ford & don’t want the blue Toyota.

As my wife wasn’t keen on a cruise it took some persuading her to book. It was for our 60th birthdays. We’ve pushed it back from January this year to January 22. After the way we’ve been treated, there is no chance of me using P&O again, plus the whole episode leaves a real bad taste in my mouth.

The issue is the contempt with which they treat their customers. It would be far better to be totally honest & put people in actual picture. It’s not that we don’t actually know what they are doing - stringing people along whilst they are waiting to see what happens!

14 hours ago, molecrochip said:

Correct.

 

Its best part of 2 months before Britannia is due to arrive in Barbados for the first time this year. In that time, there is expected to be changes to the Passenger Locator Form and the UK government traffic light system. Likewise there is an expectation that some Caribbean islands will adopt different rules for cruise ships carrying vaccinated/pre-tested guests to the general visitors arriving by plane.

 

It is very likely that P&O know what all of these changes are. As I've explained before, travel companies tend to get advance warning so they can put plans in place, but are not allowed to share the information ahead of the government announcement. Same is likely with Caribbean ports.

 

If the information hasn't been released by 8 October (2 weeks before the transatlantic), then people should be concerned.

Thx.

The problem is when they say nothing, or keep it very open, whilst I understand that sometimes they need to, it just leaves a big question mark? That doesn’t I still confidence.

if they know something it would be better to at least prompt that there will be improvements alongside timescales, without giving details of what.

See below for the response I’ve just received, however I find it very general, which concerns me.

”We organise testing that may be required to go ashore in various destinations on your itinerary. These tests will be available to purchase on board, at a cost of £18 per antigen test per person and £25 per PCR test per person. Currently the majority of ports we will be visiting this year do not require entry testing. However all guests disembarking in the UK are currently required to take a UK re-entry antigen test. All requirements are subject to change. During your holiday, destinations on your itinerary may have various documentation requirements. You are responsible for meeting the entry requirements of each destination but we will be happy to guide you through all testing and documentation needs on board. P&O Cruises cannot accept responsibility if you are denied entry to a country because you do not meet its entry requirements. 

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and we look forward to welcoming you on board.”

Having gone through the thread, it appears that there is still no conclusive answer fromP&O ref. disembarkation testing at the Caribbean islands, or has anyone heard different?