Brittany Ferries

R3dders

News programmes and Martin Lewis only seem to cover airlines, cruises and holiday companies, Ferry crossings don't seem to be getting a mention.  I would feel a lot happier if I could have a conversation with somebody at the company and not an email exchange that takes up to 72 hours to get a response and does not allow follow up questions.

DoaM

To both posters ... how much is involved, and how did you pay?

Alan_Bowen

The problem for every travel company at the moment is that all offices are closed, many staff put on furlough and not allowed to work even from home, leaving a skeleton staff to send out standard replies to any emails received. To be honest that situation is unlikely to change any time soon. If your ferry has not been cancelled yet, do not cancel as then they can charge cancellation fees based on the type of ticket you have, once the ferry company cancels the actual journey you have booked, you are entitled to a full refund, even according to Brittany Ferries own booking conditions

R3dders

I booked on Credit Card in November 2019.  My P&O outbound was a 'standard' booking for £158 and I have been informed I will be receiving vouchers to value paid valid for 12 months.  The Brittany Ferries one is a 'Flexi' booking amounts to £335.  I have already spoken with my insurers as both covered by insurance.  I don't really want to make any insurance claims at this time as I have further more expensive holidays booked for later in the year including Spain, New Zealand and Australia which I cannot see coming off.  Individually they are not large amounts, but when the full years holidays are added together it will amount to a fair amount of vouchers that I probably won't be able to use.

Lazydayz71

I have the same problem, we've been told we'll be receiving vouchers but I will be asking for a cash refund. 👍

From the ABTA website: "When your ferry operator cancels your service, it should offer the choice of an alternative or a refund".

See the full webpage here:   https://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/frequently-asked-questions/my-ferry-has-been-cancelled-what-are-my-rights

ikr2

Hmm. We have Brittany Ferries bookings for late July (a Flexi ticket). We've paid the 127.50 deposit and remaining 75% is due to be paid on 12th May.
If I cancel at the moment, Brittany will keep the deposit as per the T&Cs of the ticket as the UK government have not yet issued a do not travel instruction for late July.
If I wait for a DNT to be issued, the remaining £382.50 will have been paid and Brittany will try and fob me off with vouchers (although I want cash, as is my right)
I could cancel the ticket but then would have to find a way to recover the £127.50 deposit. Either:
a) Travel insurance (£50 excess per adult so I might get £27.50 back)
b) Section 75 on my credit card (full amount)  bur would I qualify?
As others have said, there's lots of advice for air tickets but not so many for ferries?

Lazydayz71

ikr2 said:

Hmm. We have Brittany Ferries bookings for late July (a Flexi ticket). We've paid the 127.50 deposit and remaining 75% is due to be paid on 12th May.

Yes, it's a difficult decision. Of course if you pay the balance and it's then cancelled you would be due your refund in cash but that's not to say you might have to battle for it, letter, emails, phone calls, etc.

It might be easier and less stressful to just cut your loses and take the hit for £127.50.

I hope you can resolve it somehow.

R3dders

I have asked Brittany Ferries to confirm my position.  I booked a Flexi Sailing for the end of April, which allows me to cancel and receive 75% refund.  I need to know if it will be a cash refund or vouchers.  If its cash I will take it and accept the £85 loss, but if its vouchers I may as well wait it out and at least receive the full 100% refund in vouchers.  Although I intend to argue my case for a full cash refund in line with THEIR terms and conditions.  (I am still awaiting a response to my online query made 3 days ago)

Lazydayz71

R3dders said:

I booked a Flexi Sailing for the end of April, which allows me to cancel and receive 75% refund.

I would assume your ferry for the end of April will be cancelled, therefore you will be entitled to a full refund in cash not vouchers.

From the ABTA website: "When your ferry operator cancels your service, it should offer the choice of an alternative or a refund".

See the full webpage here:   https://www.abta.com/help-and-complaints/frequently-asked-questions/my-ferry-has-been-cancelled-what-are-my-rights

R3dders

Fully agree Lazydays, but unfortunately Brittany Ferries doesn't.  They're only offering vouchers valid for 2 years and have severed all means of communication to discuss further apart from an email query system that takes between 2-28 days to get a response.  I've studied their terms and conditions and can confirm they are not complying with them.  The ferry crossing has been cancelled.