Update on P&O Insurance Issues

[watsonbeau]

Cunard have indeed updated as of 15 Feb.

 

under the “If you test positive on board “

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence/our-assurance-to-you?otprrf=direct

 

Which is good news.  Megabear2- thank you 🙏 

[Stu UK]

16 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

Out of interest, once you are on the ship, how often are you tested?  Is it only for when you want to go ashore?  I note from the P&O list, that many ports do not require a test for you to go ashore, only a PLF

We are currently onboard Iona. No testing apart from embarkation. However temperature checks each morning at restaurant entrances. I believe the crew are tested weekly. Yesterday evening there were announcements in public rooms for passengers to report to reception and later in the evening we saw on deck 9 a group of people being moved  with crew in white protective suits and sprays escorting them. Guess there has been a small outbreak. 

[Megabear2]

24 minutes ago, Stu UK said:

We are currently onboard Iona. No testing apart from embarkation. However temperature checks each morning at restaurant entrances. I believe the crew are tested weekly. Yesterday evening there were announcements in public rooms for passengers to report to reception and later in the evening we saw on deck 9 a group of people being moved  with crew in white protective suits and sprays escorting them. Guess there has been a small outbreak. 

I believe you are in Vigo today?  Would be interesting to know if the people you saw being moved are actually offloaded from the ship. If you see or hear anything could you post if you have time?  Enjoy your holiday!

[lujaha]

28 minutes ago, Stu UK said:

We are currently onboard Iona. No testing apart from embarkation. However temperature checks each morning at restaurant entrances. I believe the crew are tested weekly. Yesterday evening there were announcements in public rooms for passengers to report to reception and later in the evening we saw on deck 9 a group of people being moved  with crew in white protective suits and sprays escorting them. Guess there has been a small outbreak. 

Oh dear, we were on the previous cruise and saw no evidence of this.  There was an ambulance at the ship in Valencia, I think it was.  Couldn't see what was going on though.  When we got back to Southampton an ambulance came but again didn't see what was going on.  We had just left port when the ship stopped to disembark a passenger by boat.  That is all I know of on that cruise, but others may know more.  Maybe we were lucky?

[Stu UK]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

I believe you are in Vigo today?  Would be interesting to know if the people you saw being moved are actually offloaded from the ship. If you see or hear anything could you post if you have time?  Enjoy your holiday!

We just walked through the casino and there were several cases in one corner with a member of staff. Could have been crew change but doubt it, given the changes itinerary. 

[LifeonMars]

Some crew/entertainers did join the ship in Vigo 

[Stu UK]

No mid cruise testing on Iona last cruise. Told that no testing for port entry or random mid cruise next week when we head to canaries. 

[Megabear2]

I now have my final reply from Holiday Extras:

 

Dear xxxxxxx

 

Thank you for your email.

 

I'm glad you have been directed to the P&O Q&A so quickly, I was of course aware of its upcoming publication and hoped that it would help to clear up some of your concerns discussed in our previous conversations.

 

I'm afraid that it would not be appropriate or right for me to comment on P&O's own terms and conditions or intentions behind their words, I hope they can reach out to you soon to respond to your questions, if they have not done so already.

 

However, if you have any further questions about our travel insurance policies then I'd be happy to help.

 

Thank you again for your efforts in seeking a clear resolution to this matter, your emails have been very helpful.

 

Kind regards

Adam

 

Basically my work with them is done.  I have written one last letter to P&O/Carnival attaching this as I do think Adam has been remarkably clear and open with us and is correct that P&O should be clear in the intention of their wording.

 

Meantime I have spoken with my feet and with some regret have booked my latest cruise for June with Celebrity and my September one with RCI.  The decision is partly based on the cruise with confidence clause they offer which clearly states if you book before 31 March 2022 they accept all responsibility for you due to Covid.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Megabear2

[paulatsea]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

I now have my final reply from Holiday Extras:

 

Dear xxxxxxx

 

Thank you for your email.

 

I'm glad you have been directed to the P&O Q&A so quickly, I was of course aware of its upcoming publication and hoped that it would help to clear up some of your concerns discussed in our previous conversations.

 

I'm afraid that it would not be appropriate or right for me to comment on P&O's own terms and conditions or intentions behind their words, I hope they can reach out to you soon to respond to your questions, if they have not done so already.

 

However, if you have any further questions about our travel insurance policies then I'd be happy to help.

 

Thank you again for your efforts in seeking a clear resolution to this matter, your emails have been very helpful.

 

Kind regards

Adam

 

Basically my work with them is done.  I have written one last letter to P&O/Carnival attaching this as I do think Adam has been remarkably clear and open with us and is correct that P&O should be clear in the intention of their wording.

 

Meantime I have spoken with my feet and with some regret have booked my latest cruise for June with Celebrity and my September one with RCI.  The decision is partly based on the cruise with confidence clause they offer which clearly states if you book before 31 March 2022 they accept all responsibility for you due to Covid.

Thanks megabear - could you clarify for me - I thought p&o had just announced that they would take care of any noncovid offloading costs ?

 

I assume holiday extras don’t cover the non Covid offloading ? I am with them and can’t see it included in their cover.

 

 

I wrote to Marella on the same subject - I have had no reply within the 72 hours promised so am following up.

 

thanks again for all your efforts on this.

[Megabear2]

30 minutes ago, paulatsea said:

Thanks megabear - could you clarify for me - I thought p&o had just announced that they would take care of any noncovid offloading costs ?

 

I assume holiday extras don’t cover the non Covid offloading ? I am with them and can’t see it included in their cover.

 

 

I wrote to Marella on the same subject - I have had no reply within the 72 hours promised so am following up.

 

thanks again for all your efforts on this.

Hi Paul. Yes we believe the P&O and Cunard wording is there to fill the gap. Holiday Extras do not cover this item and have confirmed that their underwriters have absolutely no intention of doing so.  As mentioned by Terrierjohn a couple of quotes back the wording refers constantly to "positive" with no mention of "negative".  Adam Edinburgh and Molecrochip have stated that the text IS designed to fill the gap but Adam felt the text was a little ambiguous and suggested P&O could be ask to clarify the exact intention as we are reading it.  I have now written as he suggested to seek the clarification.

 

To be truthful I think we are pretty much okay and am not too worried. As Adam said, though, a more clear explanation would be better for all.

 

Good luck with Marella.  I can also confirm Celebrity and RCI are continuing their policy of covering Covid events if the cruise is booked before 31 March 2022 so we now have four companies accepting responsibility.  I've nothing from Princess, Fred Olsen or NCL who all appear to be carrying on regardless.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Megabear2

[paulatsea]

50 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Hi Paul. Yes we believe the P&O and Cunard wording is there to fill the gap. Holiday Extras do not cover this item and have confirmed that their underwriters have absolutely no intention of doing so.  As mentioned by Terrierjohn a couple of quotes back the wording refers constantly to "positive" with no mention of "negative".  Adam Edinburgh and Molecrochip have stated that the text IS designed to fill the gap but Adam felt the text was a little ambiguous and suggested P&O could be ask to clarify the exact intention as we are reading it.  I have now written as he suggested to seek the clarification.

 

To be truthful I think we are pretty much okay and am not too worried. As Adam said, though, a more clear explanation would be better for all.

 

Good luck with Marella.  I can also confirm Celebrity and RCI are continuing their policy of covering Covid events if the cruise is booked before 31 March 2022 so we now have four companies accepting responsibility.  I've nothing from Princess, Fred Olsen or NCL who all appear to be carrying on regardless.

Thanks very much - I have just chatted to Marella and they just referred me to the insurance company - in my case holiday extras - who don’t cover this situation as you have said.

 

Marella chat refused to answer directly my question about non covid positive close contact offloading assistance so I am taking that as none being offered.

they just said “I can’t say anything more than I have already said” - so they have been briefed to not comment I assume.

 

Best wishes 

 

Paul

[Megabear2]

Sorry Paul that they are being difficult.  I've never sailed Marella but have frequently travelled with Crystal and TUI for land based holidays.  They have been excellent through Covid with free changes etc so I'm surprised that Marella won't engage with thr customers. Perhaps you should email their head office with Adam's information on what isn't covered and challenge them to how they would expect customers to buy something that doesn't exist? I  afraid we get nowhere without calling them out.  Might be worth a try as nothing to lose but hour time.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Megabear2

[paulatsea]

35 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Sorry Paul that they are being difficult.  I've never sailed Marella but have frequently travelled with Crystal and TUI for land based holidays.  They have been excellent through Covid with free changes etc so I'm surprised that Marella won't engage with thr customers. Perhaps you should email their head office with Adam's information on what isn't covered and challenge them to how they would expect customers to buy something that doesn't exist? I  afraid we get nowhere without calling them out.  Might be worth a try as nothing to lose but hour time.

It’s not much to ask that if something goes horribly wrong then they take charge and sort everything out for you - cruise with confidence would then live up to the slogan.

 

Having the worry that this might happen and then if it does having  to pay for an isolation hotel and book new flights home when you are not covid positive (and therefore not insured) is just wrong I my opinion. 
I realise that these are not their rules but the port/country rules but still I would have thought that the least they could do would be to organise and cover your flight home.

 

I would book more cruises with them if this was sorted out as the Marella cruises I have been on have been very good.

It would be a great selling point.

 

They could set up their own specific cruise insurance subsidiary - have a cruise policy that covers everything including this offloading situation - sort everything out directly (with the customer not having to make any claim) and recoup the cost via the premiums ! 
 

anyway I will continue correspondence with them.
 

Paul

 

 

 

 

[bee-ess]

Just seen this on the News - I wonder if this stop EU ports insisting on Covid cases having to quarantine ashore and thus reducing the risk of the negative testing close contacts having to quarantine ashore. I

 

EU further relaxes COVID rules to enter the 27-nation bloc

European Union member countries agreed today that they should further facilitate tourist travel into the 27-nation bloc for people who are vaccinated against COVID or have recovered from the virus.

From next month, the European Council recommends that EU nations lift all testing and quarantine requirements for people who received vaccines authorised in the EU or approved by the World Health Organisation.

Individuals who received the last dose of their primary vaccination series at least 14 days and no more than 270 days before arrival, or who have received a booster dose, would be eligible along with those who recovered from COVID-19 within 180 days of travel.

The EU's executive commission welcomed the non-binding guidance, which also makes clear that no test or additional requirements should be applied to children under six who are travelling with an adult.

[clearblueseas]

I saw this too. It’s from the 1st March and would be wonderful if it applies to not only land but shipping as well.

[clearblueseas]

From the European Council today

 

COVID-19: Council updates recommendation on non-essential travel from third countries

 

 

 

Infographic - COVID-19: travel from third countries into the EU

See full infographic

The Council adopted an updated recommendation today on the temporary restriction of non-essential travel into the EU. The amendments introduced respond to the evolution of the pandemic, the increasing vaccination uptake and administration of booster doses, and the recognition of a growing number of certificates issued by third countries as equivalent to the EU digital COVID certificate. The new recommendation will start to apply on 1 March 2022.

Under this recommendation, COVID-19 restrictions should be applied taking into account both the situation in the third country and the individual status of the person. Member states should allow non-essential travel for persons vaccinated with an EU- or WHO-approved vaccine, recovered persons and all persons travelling from a country on the EU list. For some of these travellers, additional measures such as PCR testing before travel could apply.

Edited February 22, 2022 by clearblueseas
Posted twice

[Megabear2]

48 minutes ago, clearblueseas said:

additional measures such as PCR testing before travel could apply.

This was exactly what Celebrity intimated to me yesterday that the would most likely not be relaxing this requirement in the near future.

[bee-ess]

On 2/14/2022 at 10:21 PM, Megabear2 said:

I have asked in plain English for a yes or no on this point

 

"Reading this it seems to specifically refer to POSITIVE testing passengers but I am assuming that as all the conversations have been regarding NEGATIVE testing passengers being disembarked the phrase "However, if your insurance doesn’t cover your required disembarkation arrangements, we will organise and pay for your isolation stay and journey home" does in fact apply for those passengers forced to disembark by port authorities regardless of their test results. I should be grateful for your confirmation of this"

 

To my mind there would be little point in adding wording about paying for costs not covered by insurance for positive tested passengers because they are already covered. The only grey area there would be if the insurer would not accept the passenger being offloaded as necessary (and my previous reply had indicated this might occur). Therefore I think P&O are trying to cover all eventualities but as usual being very clumsy and non committal.  

 

I'm hopeful Molecrochip is right but await the confirmation from Adam Edinburgh.

 

Hi Megabear - did you ever get confirmation that the new P&O covid quarantine policy covers negative testing contacts as well as positive if not covered by travel insurance.

 

I wrote to P&O a month ago to ask this question and have received no reply and wonder if they are just being evasive on the subject.

[Megabear2]

I'm in the same boat as you I'm afraid, no reply. I think they do not intend to discuss it any further.  I am taking my 1 April Aurora cruise and assuming they will look after us if the worst happens. No point in flogging a dead horse as they say!

 

I've changed allegiance for my next two cruises so will not worry about this until my next P&O/Cunard cruise is imminent.

[Kittyonions]

Along with many others, I would like to add my gratitude to Megabear2, for all the hard work put into this topic. Many of us are feeling reassured, and confident enough to book another cruise.

[Astrajet]

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

I am taking my 1 April Aurora cruise and assuming they will look after us if the worst happens.

We are also on Aurora on 1st April and have adopted the same outlook.  Hope you have a great cruise, you certainly deserve it after all your hard work on the insurance issues.

Many thanks - maybe see you onboard!

 

[Yorky67]

Thanks Megabear. We’re reassured and together with lower omicron numbers felt confident enough to rebook QM2 round trip via New York to Caribbean in 3 weeks. 

 

Nationwide were most helpful yesterday, answering all our questions and with extra Cruise Cover, Trip and age extension we’ve hopefully covered most eventualities.