J310

[david63]

Just booked this cruise as a replacement for the same cruise that we should have done in 2021

[rogerrovers]

We also have booked this cruise,

Jenny

[Stephen]

A nice bit of crisp Norwegian air should help keep the germs at bay David.

[david63]

Just had an email from P&O saying that "due to operational reasons" there have been changes to the itinerary for this cruise.

It is now doing it in reverse order (not a problem) but Torshavn and Akureyri have been replaced with Tromso (big problem as we have been and don't particularly want to go again) and, wait for it, Liverpool (even bigger problem). This means that we will be calling at a port that is 45 minutes from home, in a city that I have been to more times than I can remember and will then spend a day at sea getting back to Southampton to have the pleasure of a four hour drive back home passing Liverpool.

This is advertised as a cruise to Norway - how long has Liverpool been in Norway??????

The one surprising thing is that the email has the arrival and departure times for all ports of call - what has happened to P&O's secrecy?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Perhaps you can abscond while in Liverpool.

[Stephen]

It does annoy me when they say ‘for operational reason’. Why don’t they just be honest and tell you the real reason. Perhaps we would be more understanding.


Probably down to bl**dy protesters anyway.

[Manoverboard]

Perhaps you can abscond while in Liverpool.

Perhaps you could drive his car back from Southampton in time for their arrival at Liverpool

[Mervyn and Trish]

I'll get my mate Fingers O'Flaherty to do it. I know he has a licence. I saw him make it.

[kaymar]

Just had an email from P&O saying that "due to operational reasons" there have been changes to the itinerary for this cruise.

It is now doing it in reverse order (not a problem) but Torshavn and Akureyri have been replaced with Tromso (big problem as we have been and don't particularly want to go again) and, wait for it, Liverpool (even bigger problem). This means that we will be calling at a port that is 45 minutes from home, in a city that I have been to more times than I can remember and will then spend a day at sea getting back to Southampton to have the pleasure of a four hour drive back home passing Liverpool.

This is advertised as a cruise to Norway - how long has Liverpool been in Norway??????

The one surprising thing is that the email has the arrival and departure times for all ports of call - what has happened to P&O's secrecy?

David, no chance of going to Southampton on the coach and disembarking at Liverpool on the way back?

[david63]

David, no chance of going to Southampton on the coach and disembarking at Liverpool on the way back?

That is one of the many options that we are considering - but I hate paying for two days of the cruise that i will not have.

The favourite option at the moment is to go for a similar cruise on another line with the favourite being Princess

[Mervyn and Trish]

Can you get a refund?

[david63]

Can you get a refund?

Probably not - unless I can invoke section 40

[towny44]

Can you get a refund?

Probably not - unless I can invoke section 40

You used to be able to transfer bookings between P&O, Cunard and Princess. It might be worth checking if that is still possible.

[david63]

You used to be able to transfer bookings between P&O, Cunard and Princess. It might be worth checking if that is still possible.

The current rules say that the cruise that you transfer to must be of equal, or greater, value - that would not be the case with the Princess one although there is a Cunard cruise but would mean going Queen's Grill level (if there are any suites available - not checked)

[kaymar]

David, no chance of going to Southampton on the coach and disembarking at Liverpool on the way back?

That is one of the many options that we are considering - but I hate paying for two days of the cruise that i will not have.

The favourite option at the moment is to go for a similar cruise on another line with the favourite being Princess

We recently booked J408 to Norway and Iceland in June 2024. Last p.o.c. is Belfast and, living where we do, it would make considerable sense to disembark there and take the short hop across the Irish Sea instead of going on down to Southampton, back up the M6 to Preston then another boat trip back home, taking at least two more days. As you say, that would mean missing the end of the cruise but Belfast to Soton? not all that exciting.

Not sure if we can do that under current rules, however, but almost two years for that to change. I'd be interested to hear what you decide to do, though.

Keith

[Teepers]

We are also booked on this cruise and received the same email from P&O, and completely agree with the the odd choice of slotting in Liverpool as a replacement port.
We only live 25 minutes away but thought we will make the most of it, go for a wander round The Walker Art Gallery, World Museum and maybe pop home with a case, unpack and come back to the ship

[barney]

We are also booked on this cruise and received the same email from P&O, and completely agree with the the odd choice of slotting in Liverpool as a replacement port.
We only live 25 minutes away but thought we will make the most of it, go for a wander round The Walker Art Gallery, World Museum and maybe pop home with a case, unpack and come back to the ship

Brilliant

[david63]

The decision has been made - we are cancelling this and have booked a similar cruise with Princess.

[Chalgrave4]

The decision has been made - we are cancelling this and have booked a similar cruise with Princess.

Good Call

I wonder if enough people do this P&O may get the message that messing things about like this is not good for business

[towny44]

They probably have fairly acceptable reasons for the changes, even the rather pointless inclusion of Liverpool as a substitute for Akureyri. But they never share any of this with their customers, which results in a justifiable lack of faith in P&O.
I wonder if they will ever learn from these appalling customer service gaffes.

[Stephen]

They probably have fairly acceptable reasons for the changes, even the rather pointless inclusion of Liverpool as a substitute for Akureyri. But they never share any of this with their customers, which results in a justifiable lack of faith in P&O.
I wonder if they will ever learn from these appalling customer service gaffes.

I doubt it unless enough people cancel or change cruises like David.

[Stephen]

The decision has been made - we are cancelling this and have booked a similar cruise with Princess.

I hope you told them the reason why David, in no uncertain terms.

[Kendhni]

To some the ports of call are less important than the cruising experience, to others (me included) the ports of call are a major deciding factor.

[Manoverboard]

David ... Did you invoke Claude 40 per chance ?

[david63]

David ... Did you invoke Claude 40 per chance ?

No, Claude was busy, but I am going down the Clause 40 route