Cruise Connect - a positive booking experience (in the end)

[TigerB]

I am aware that many folk have had an awful experience previously with trying to book complimentary coach travel with Cruise Connect, so I thought I would share my experience of booking.

 

After booking a cruise a few days ago for my sister and brother-in-law, and with them wanting the return coach travel, I was told that I could book it online as I have done before for parking with CPS; I was advised to wait a couple of days.

I tried unsuccessfully this morning, several times in fact. After inputting the booking number and thinking it would zero out the price, it instead quoted a price of £216. On the last attempt I went one step further, and inputted their details on the next page, thinking it would zero out when I proceeded to the basket. No! A payment of £216 was required. I went no further.

 

I read an old thread this afternoon, with many folk writing about being on hold for forty minutes or so before being cut off, and the same thing happening when they called again.  Not expecting a positive outcome, I dialled the number. After the dour sounding Scottish guy did his opening bit, I was treated to some really dodgy jazz 'holding music'

After five minutes of that, I was rather glad that the I got a single ringing tone and the call was terminated.

 

I left it until 16:30 to call again, really not expecting any success.

The Scottish guy wasn't any perkier!

I was then only treated to a few seconds of jazz before the phone was answered by a lovely lady. After providing the booking number, she asked if I had tried to make the reservation online. I said I had, after being advised to do so by the P&O agent. "I'm sorry you were told that; our online booking isn't set up for it. You can only call or email us".

Anyway, long story short, other than taking the booking number and confirming the passenger details, she didn't need any further details; she transferred all their information across from the saved data, from when I tried to book online.

The call lasted less than four minutes, and my sister received the confirmation email almost straightaway.

So, what I thought would be a nightmare, turned out to be a positive experience.👍🏻

[FangedRose]

Apart from the month or so when they had trouble with their phone lines (that when that old thread thread refers to) I've never had any trouble contacting Cruise Connect (Intercruise) to make a booking or to answer a query.

 

You have never been able to book the complementary coach via their online booking system so I don't know why P&O would tell you otherwise. (Well I do, P&O shoreside leave a lot to be desired, you are much safer booking via a travel agent who specialises in cruises).

 

Their system has improved in that they now save your contact details and you don’t have to repeat them next time and often confirmation comes through before the call is ended.