Brittany Ferries cancellled Minicruise

davehsug

Hi All. Got a call from Brittany Ferries this morning, cancelling our booked minicruise from Portsmouth to Santander leaving on Friday 7th March. This is due to a problem with the ship & the replacement being too small to carry minicruise passengers.
Of course they're refunding the ticket price, but where do I stand with other costs.
We'd booked into a hotel in Portsmouth on Thursday & Sunday nights, but this was a Travelodge non-cancellation cheap rate. We have insurance, but didn't include cancellation as I only bought the policy yesterday, when it became clear that the weather wasn't going to be a problem.
According to their website, the ship didn't operate on the Tuesday sailing either, so they could have let us know earlier? We only received an email on Monday, telling us to enjoy the trip & offering advice!
I raised the question of the hotel & she said to write, but she doubted they would make any payment.
Is it worth writing to them? The least they can do is offer a discount on a future trip I would have thought.
Any advice appreciated.

richardw

I'd just ask them to book you on an alternative mini break to

France or the Channel Islands from Portsmouth.

davehsug

Thanks Richard, it's not really practical though. Obviously being a 24 hour sailing, you have a cabin for 2 nights & this wouldn't be the same on a much shorter sailing to France, so there would be the additional cost of hotels there.

richardw

davehsug wrote: »

... being a 24 hour sailing, you have a cabin for 2 nights & this wouldn't be the same on a much shorter sailing to France, so there would be the additional cost of hotels there.

IMHO BF can pay for the hotel, why should you lose out on a mini break?

jackieblack

davehsug wrote: »

Hi All. Got a call from Brittany Ferries this morning, cancelling our booked minicruise from Portsmouth to Santander leaving on Friday 7th March. This is due to a problem with the ship & the replacement being too small to carry minicruise passengers.
Of course they're refunding the ticket price, but where do I stand with other costs.
We'd booked into a hotel in Portsmouth on Thursday & Sunday nights, but this was a Travelodge non-cancellation cheap rate. We have insurance, but didn't include cancellation as I only bought the policy yesterday, when it became clear that the weather wasn't going to be a problem.
According to their website, the ship didn't operate on the Tuesday sailing either, so they could have let us know earlier? We only received an email on Monday, telling us to enjoy the trip & offering advice!
I raised the question of the hotel & she said to write, but she doubted they would make any payment.
Is it worth writing to them? The least they can do is offer a discount on a future trip I would have thought.
Any advice appreciated.

Unfortunately, this is one of the risks you take when booking DIY.
I usually book a cancellable rate (unless the no-cancellable is so ridiculously cheap that the loss wouldn't be an issue).

BF are not liable for any independent arrangements you make, however unfair you may feel that is.
If you get a sympathetic CS agent then they may offer something as a gesture of goodwill.

richardw

I'd go to Caen instead on BF

Outbound Sailing Return Sailing
Portsmouth to Caen Caen to Portsmouth
Departure Fri 7 Mar 2014 14:45 Sun 9 Mar 2014 16:30
Arrival Fri 7 Mar 2014 21:30 Sun 9 Mar 2014 21:15

In their holiday section they have hotels in Caen and Ouistreham, perhaps have a browse and pick an alternative and then call them up and ask for it.

davehsug

Had a look Richard, but they all seem to be starting in April or May. Worth a go, though, I think I'll give them a call.

davehsug

Called them but was told to look on the website for hotels! Tweeted there twitter, they looked into it, but said nothing suitable. Just have to chalk it up to bad luck.

richardw

The ferry to Caen is available from Portsmouth going on Friday returning Sunday, I'd just book that and then book a hotel in Caen and enjoy the weekend in France and also use the Portsmouth hotel that you've already booked.