P&O Still Insisting that Sailings are still going ahead

R3dders

Couldn’t see any similar posts relating to P&O Ferries

In November 2019, we bought and paid for a ferry crossing for two people and car with P&O Ferries for a crossing between Hull and Rotterdam to sail on 30th March 2020.  It was meant to be a one way crossing to commence a one month road trip visiting many countries in Europe.

Clearly this trip cannot go ahead in line with Government Advice which I fully agree with and accept.

I have not had any updates from P&O Ferries so made contact to establish the latest information.  After explaining my position, I was told that the sailing was still going ahead both for freight passengers and other vehicle and foot passengers when travel was essential. I explained that it was a holiday therefore not essential travel.  I was then offered to rebook a crossing or obtain a credit that could be used within the next 12 months.  I declined this offer and asked them to provide a refund in line with P&O Terms of Reference.  I was then told that this would not be possible as the sailing was not cancelled, although they stated that P&O  advice is that I shouldn’t travel.  After going round in circles for 30 minutes and attempting to speak with a supervisor, I had to terminate the call without resolving the matter.

I am awaiting a call back from my insurers to see if they can assist or advise.

Has anyone had any similar problems with P&O and did you manage to resolve the problems.

gags58

   We're in the same boat as you (excuse the pun). Heading to Ghent via Rotterdam for a week, on April 4th.
We have been holding off doing anything, hoping that the government closes Rotterdam down, but it's not going to happen! So I'm going to have to accept a credit note, and hope we live to use it.
   Have you tried to contact the CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, a member if the Dubai Ruling family. But when doing so, remember that his oil suppies are running low, and COVID19 has had a disastrous effect on oil prices.  :'(
Let me know how you get on. I'm now going to ask them if they would mind kindly holding on to my £840 for another year.
   I'ts absolutely disgusting.

Westin

gdust58ags58 said:

   We're in the same boat as you (excuse the pun). Heading to Ghent via Rotterdam for a week, on April 4th.
We have been holding off doing anything, hoping that the government closes Rotterdam down, but it's not going to happen! So I'm going to have to accept a credit note, and hope we live to use it.
   Have you tried to contact the CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, a member if the Dubai Ruling family. But when doing so, remember that his oil suppies are running low, and COVID19 has had a disastrous effect on oil prices.  :'(
Let me know how you get on. I'm now going to ask them if they would mind kindly holding on to my £840 for another year.
   I'ts absolutely disgusting.

I am sure that he will be awaiting your email and give it the attention it deserves when received.

Undervalued

R3dders said:

Couldn’t see any similar posts relating to P&O Ferries

In November 2019, we bought and paid for a ferry crossing for two people and car with P&O Ferries for a crossing between Hull and Rotterdam to sail on 30th March 2020.  It was meant to be a one way crossing to commence a one month road trip visiting many countries in Europe.

Clearly this trip cannot go ahead in line with Government Advice which I fully agree with and accept.

I have not had any updates from P&O Ferries so made contact to establish the latest information.  After explaining my position, I was told that the sailing was still going ahead both for freight passengers and other vehicle and foot passengers when travel was essential. I explained that it was a holiday therefore not essential travel.  I was then offered to rebook a crossing or obtain a credit that could be used within the next 12 months.  I declined this offer and asked them to provide a refund in line with P&O Terms of Reference.  I was then told that this would not be possible as the sailing was not cancelled, although they stated that P&O  advice is that I shouldn’t travel.  After going round in circles for 30 minutes and attempting to speak with a supervisor, I had to terminate the call without resolving the matter.

I am awaiting a call back from my insurers to see if they can assist or advise.

Has anyone had any similar problems with P&O and did you manage to resolve the problems.

But, as you say, the sailing is still going ahead and the purpose of your trip is no business of P&O, nor is it for them to decide if your trip is essential.

I sympathise but I can also understand the companies sticking to the letter of their terms and conditions. Had the government banned them from sailing obviously you would have been entitled to a refund. But they haven't leaving you in a horrid catch 22. 

bemac

Pretty similar experience though have got a partial refund with a credit note for the £180 to be used in the next 12 months. PO spokesperson suggested I claim back the money from my travel insurers if I cannot using the credit note. Which is odd, why would the insurance company be liable (and all premium payers carry the cost).?
Holiday was booked direct by me, house in Ireland has, under Govt Instruction, closed for the season. They returned my deposit in full without hesitation. PO on the other hand stated the return journey was fixed, they could  only refund the outbound because (allowing for delays on the road) I had paid extra to be selective on what time ferry I took. It is in their terms and conditions but did anyone expect COVID19, they haven't had to spend my money, its 2 months off and they have had it in their bank for 4 months now.

gags58

Westin said:

gdust58ags58 said:

   We're in the same boat as you (excuse the pun). Heading to Ghent via Rotterdam for a week, on April 4th.
We have been holding off doing anything, hoping that the government closes Rotterdam down, but it's not going to happen! So I'm going to have to accept a credit note, and hope we live to use it.
   Have you tried to contact the CEO, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, a member if the Dubai Ruling family. But when doing so, remember that his oil suppies are running low, and COVID19 has had a disastrous effect on oil prices.  :'(
Let me know how you get on. I'm now going to ask them if they would mind kindly holding on to my £840 for another year.
   I'ts absolutely disgusting.

I am sure that he will be awaiting your email and give it the attention it deserves when received.

Ha Ha ha! Excellent! I'm sure he will

crawsue

We are booked to sail on 25th May for a motorcycle trip to the Italian Moto gp in Tuscany, race weekend 31st May,its very unlikely to happen and my wife would not want to risk any travel in France or Italy this Summer in any case.

I emailed P&O and after a week they responded similarly to the above posts, " we're still sailing, rearrange or take a credit note for a year"

Compare to Ryanair (!) who have a refund section on their website or CalMac ( ferry co.) who have a full refund policy ,easily accessed from their website.

C'mon Martin, get stuck into P&O and reveal them for the charlatans they undoubtedly are. Crawsue

Westin

crawsue said:

We are booked to sail on 25th May for a motorcycle trip to the Italian Moto gp in Tuscany, race weekend 31st May,its very unlikely to happen and my wife would not want to risk any travel in France or Italy this Summer in any case.

I emailed P&O and after a week they responded similarly to the above posts, " we're still sailing, rearrange or take a credit note for a year"

Compare to Ryanair (!) who have a refund section on their website or CalMac ( ferry co.) who have a full refund policy ,easily accessed from their website.

C'mon Martin, get stuck into P&O and reveal them for the charlatans they undoubtedly are. Crawsue

??  So P&O are charlatans because they won't give you what you want, even though they are covered by the terms and conditions of the booking which you agreed to when you made your sailing reservation.

There is I suspect every chance your holiday will need to be rescheduled but at the current time the FCO travel advisories for both general non-essential travel and for travel to Italy do not cover your travel dates.    You are free to cancel your trip but don't expect a refund.   Still keen to cancel?

Aylesbury_Duck

Why did you book with them if you think they're charlatans?

Stamp your feet and tantrum all you like, you agreed to buy from them and agreed to their terms and conditions. 

FredyBs

Is there any update on this topic?
I'm in the same situation, I have a crossing from Hull to Rotterdam booked for 1st of May. P&O have been stubborn and are refusing to issue me a refund (my ticket is non-refundable), just voucher. The voucher is no good, as this travel was for a specific reason. Is there any advise how to proceed with P&O so I can win my refund argument? 
If it is a lost cause, do you think I shall go for a dispute via the credit card company? 
Thank you in advance.

Westin

FredyBs said:

Is there any update on this topic?
I'm in the same situation, I have a crossing from Hull to Rotterdam booked for 1st of May. P&O have been stubborn and are refusing to issue me a refund (my ticket is non-refundable), just voucher. The voucher is no good, as this travel was for a specific reason. Is there any advise how to proceed with P&O so I can win my refund argument? 
If it is a lost cause, do you think I shall go for a dispute via the credit card company? 
Thank you in advance.

You do not have a valid section 75 claim from your credit card provider.
They are offering you a credit voucher on your non-refundable ticket and your disinclination to travel. Far from being stubborn P&O are doing more than they need to.
Your refund argument is flawed and lost.