P & O and Coronavirus, anyone had any luck transferring?

newgirly

Hi, we have a cruise with p&o around Italy departing from Malta (or not!) in May, any clearly we don’t know what the situation may be by then. Although it’s pretty plausible there will be serious issues still. I have phoned the customer service helpline and have been told all this will have blown over by then and not to worry. 

Slightly worrying their plans seem to be hope for the best. My problem is if we cancel now we lose 50% of the cost rising up as the next few weeks pass, it seems you can only transfer to a later date if you have a doctors certificate to state you are not fit to travel which we are. If they cancel the cruise we will get a refund or credit, but what if they don’t? I’m not very confident that they will cancel and have visions of us bobbing around nowhere for a week unable to berth 😆 

Has anybody had any luck transferring to a later date who is fit and well? I’m also wondering what others in our position plan to do really, I know other cruise companies are being way more flexible and it’s seriously making me question if we will use then again after many years. 

HampshireH

No experience however with the current problems of major viral spread on cruise ships and an anticipated peak in April and May coupled with the current restrictions imposed in Italy, it's highly likely advice is going to change imminently.

The big liners will need to forecast compensation costs going forward as this is a huge risk to their business.

Without sounding pessimistic fingers crossed they cancel the trip for you and your not left in a limbo

Ganga

Have you tried contacying them and asking them the same?

newgirly

Hi, thanks for posting, yes I’m crossing my fingers for a cancellation as early as possible, it’s a gamble at the moment. I did contact them on Friday but didn’t get any info as to what they may do in various circumstances, the guy just made light of it all really and said it’s business as usual and everyone is overreacting. It may not be dangerous for the vast majority but it’s already having an effect for my family with some having to work from home even with no cases as some companies have shut in the city, and many events cancelled. 

It may well be an overreaction but cruise companies can’t dictate where they can go in this situation so I can’t see how they can reassure clients, in which case an option to change date or have a credit should be available now. 

mystic_trev

I’m supposed to be sailing to Norway on a Fred Olsen cruise to Norway from Newcastle, in just over a weeks time. I’m actually hoping it still goes ahead, but with the situation escalating so quickly, I’m doubting  it will.

newgirly

Sorry to hear that, do let us know what happens. When you do go at whatever point in time I hope you enjoy it we went last year and loved it so much we booked for next year too.