Amending a ferry booking

louisemacmorris

I wondered if anyone could help. I was due to go to Ireland via ferry on the 27th July till the 7th August. I was travelling from cairnryan to Belfast. My plan was to visit family in the south. 
At time of booking I looked into quarantine restrictions but couldn’t see anything and knew I didn’t need to quarantine on return.
I booked direct ferries (stena line) on the 4/7/20 at a cost of £367. The ticket was non refundable.
Due to the influx of tourists Covid numbers have increased. I was then aware Ireland were enforcing a 14 day quarantine on arrival. My duration was only 12 days. 
I contacted the ferry company and asked to cancel my booking but asked if I could get a voucher to use the ferry at a later date when things had settled down. This was the advice given on their dedicated Covid site. They have replied to say since the ferry is going I could not get a voucher. I paid with credit card and just wondered where I stood? 

[Deleted User]

Are you sure the quarantine restrictions include Scotland?   I would think unlikely but stand to be corrected.   

louisemacmorris

I thought the same but I think we are grouped as UK. I just want to rebook when things settle down but ferry company is having none of it. I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request. I’m not asking for money back and will no doubt need to pay extra when I rebook 🙈. 

Alan_Bowen

The problem is that the Republic has had quarantine for those arriving from the UK for months and has made it clear that this situation will not change in the near future. On that basis, you booked when that policy was in place, and nothing has changed. There is no restriction for those living in the North to cross the border to the Republic but I assume your car will give the game away and if you are caught the garda are now under instructions to arrest. You should have checked the Irish position before booking, there is no breach of contract by Stena that would allow a claim against your credit card I am afraid

louisemacmorris

You are right I only checked about quarantine on return. With the influx of tourists there is now a lot of media attention on the 14 day quarantine on arrival where there wasn’t before. I also assumed that as Scotland’s r number is low it might be ok. The Irish media now specifically mentions the UK and USA as that must be where the majority of tourists are coming from and are bringing in Covid. Thanks for your advice.