Help our cabin is not what we expected!

Yes we requested for Queen bed when we booked it, which is why we are really disappointed

 

 

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Then I would insist that is what you want.....keep insisting....would you accept a balcony downgrade ...if so let P&O upgrade someone else ...who has requested separate beds... into your cabin and you accept their " downgraded" cabin.....just a thought. You may have to keep insisting time and again letting them know you are willing to " downgrade" to a cabin with a queen bed. Did you book direct with P&O or through a TA?

Then I would insist that is what you want.....keep insisting....would you accept a balcony downgrade ...if so let P&O upgrade someone else ...who has requested separate beds... into your cabin and you accept their " downgraded" cabin.....just a thought. You may have to keep insisting time and again letting them know you are willing to " downgrade" to a cabin with a queen bed. Did you book direct with P&O or through a TA?

We've asked for any other cabin but unfortunately they are totally booked, they even looked at upgrading us to any of the suites but there was nothing. We are expecting a phone call from someone at P&O on Monday to tell us if there is anything else we can do but it looks pretty hopeless as there is a long waitlist for cancellations. We booked it through a TA which feels like a mistake now.

We've asked for any other cabin but unfortunately they are totally booked, they even looked at upgrading us to any of the suites but there was nothing. We are expecting a phone call from someone at P&O on Monday to tell us if there is anything else we can do but it looks pretty hopeless as there is a long waitlist for cancellations. We booked it through a TA which feels like a mistake now.

In the UK, a Travel Agent acts as an "Agent Only" on your behalf.

Could a single bed/mattress be fitted in the middle?

First things first. Continue to do what you can through your TA and P&O direct. It may be that you don't get anywhere but it's worth a go.

Next, if you're still in B737 when you board then go straight to Guest Relations and put it to them and see if you can be moved. You may have to not unpack so that when everyone is onboard you are ready to move if another cabin is available.

If you're stuck with what you've got then you've at least done your best.

Next, look at the positives and perhaps you'll need to be a bit creative. You're still on a cruise and you've got a balcony. Speak to your steward and see if they can come up with a suggestion. I bet they've had this before.

I'm already thinking what I'd do if it was me (and I was a bit younger of course) and straightaway I'm thinking of the three pullman mattresses that I could use to put on top of one another between the two lower berths to build a double bed. I'm sure your steward could help if something else is needed to get the height right. A bit of a faff each night and you shouldn't have to do it but it may mean you can enjoy your holiday.

I remember being in a similar predicament years ago and took it upon myself to move a bit of furniture around to get the beds together each night and back where they were each morning. Again, a bit of a nuisance but I enjoyed my cruise.

All the best and good luck with getting it sorted.

Hi....yes they are fully booked but they can still "upgrade" someone who has already booked into your cabin and you accept the " downgrade " into theirs...a swop in other words

While I feel sorry for you, B737 most certainly has a balcony so you have been allocated what was guaranteed. The picture is not representative of B737. My understanding is that once your cabin has been allocated under the guarantee scheme, you cannot change it even if there were other cabins available. It’s the same with the upgrade scheme in that if you opt in and then find you have been upgraded but don’t like it you cannot normally switch back. There have been many threads on that topic!

First things first. Continue to do what you can through your TA and P&O direct. It may be that you don't get anywhere but it's worth a go.

 

Next, if you're still in B737 when you board then go straight to Guest Relations and put it to them and see if you can be moved. You may have to not unpack so that when everyone is onboard you are ready to move if another cabin is available.

 

If you're stuck with what you've got then you've at least done your best.

 

Next, look at the positives and perhaps you'll need to be a bit creative. You're still on a cruise and you've got a balcony. Speak to your steward and see if they can come up with a suggestion. I bet they've had this before.

 

I'm already thinking what I'd do if it was me (and I was a bit younger of course) and straightaway I'm thinking of the three pullman mattresses that I could use to put on top of one another between the two lower berths to build a double bed. I'm sure your steward could help if something else is needed to get the height right. A bit of a faff each night and you shouldn't have to do it but it may mean you can enjoy your holiday.

 

I remember being in a similar predicament years ago and took it upon myself to move a bit of furniture around to get the beds together each night and back where they were each morning. Again, a bit of a nuisance but I enjoyed my cruise.

 

All the best and good luck with getting it sorted.

Thank you, I will try all of this :)

While I feel sorry for you, B737 most certainly has a balcony so you have been allocated what was guaranteed. The picture is not representative of B737. My understanding is that once your cabin has been allocated under the guarantee scheme, you cannot change it even if there were other cabins available. It’s the same with the upgrade scheme in that if you opt in and then find you have been upgraded but don’t like it you cannot normally switch back. There have been many threads on that topic!

We spoke to P&O directly (who were by the way very patient with me sounding irritated an on the verge of crying) they said they would absolutely upgrade us or downgrade us but give us some credit if they could but for some reason they cannot. I understand the guarantee scheme, it's just such a shock that the cabin we have been allocated is so far from what we expected. I've been on many cruises so I have no idea what this cabin will be like, we just wanted a simple standard balcony cabin, hence why I'm disappointed and upset about all of this. We will enjoy the holiday regardless it just seems so strange that as a couple we have been put in this bizarre one bed 3 pullman bed cabin.

I would guess that somebody will have to cancel their cruise before you sail, or even a 'no show' on the day.

Another thought - what may not be possible during your first week might just be possible for your second week. Keep up the pressure - and fingers crossed for you - but perhaps they would consider moving you for week two if they have a little more leeway then. Not ideal I know but could be some consolation. So sorry to hear you're in this position and very best wishes that they can do something for you and that you have a great time.

While I feel sorry for you, B737 most certainly has a balcony so you have been allocated what was guaranteed. The picture is not representative of B737. My understanding is that once your cabin has been allocated under the guarantee scheme, you cannot change it even if there were other cabins available. It’s the same with the upgrade scheme in that if you opt in and then find you have been upgraded but don’t like it you cannot normally switch back. There have been many threads on that topic![/quote

 

It still depends what fare you booked under....if you booked Select Fare and were given a guaranteed cabin of a certain grade then you can change to another cabin of similar grade.

If you booked late Saver Fare you have to accept the cabin given. I would think that seeing as you have paid £6000 you booked under Select Fare.

 

It does sometimes happen that you can book Select fare and still be only guaranteed a cabin....it has happened with us.

£6000!!.....wow....how long a cruise is it for....7 or 14 nights?....whichever...that is way over the top for a guaranteed cabin

£6000 for 2 weeks on Oceana in a balcony cabin?

We usually have A318 or similar and have to sail mid August so high season. We always book a Select Fayre and book early and have never paid more than £5,500 max.

Gob smacked that you paid this much - if you check out next year then this isn't the price for 2 weeks in August 2019 for a select balcony I don't think ... they were quoting £7,200 for us for 3 weeks in that cabin select.

:confused:

PS Sorry, just re read this and it seems a bit heartless --- really feel for you and hope that you have a good cruise. Am just so gob smacked re the price ! Really hope it all gets sorted out for you as we have just come off Oceana and it is a lovely cruise / lovely ship.

Sorry to hear your predicament and I have no realistic helpful suggestions though I wonder if you could swap with a senior officer ?

Anyway I just wonder if you used a standard travel agent as it sounds to me like they have let you down - and would recommend a specialist cruise agent next time

Wow I would never pay more than £100 a night for a cabin, that is really expensive, we have had 3 x 14 night Cruises for that price. I would complain to your T A , was it a specific cruise T A?

I know this might seem a bit of an “off” comment but as you have clearly travelled with P&O before (using the phrase loyal customers), what fare types have you booked on your previous trips and if you always book the same fare type then maybe you have been more fortunate in the past. I do hope however that you have a great cruise and are able to make the best of it

If you have booked a select fare with your travel agent then I would have thought they should have offered you a selection of cabin numbers (if I’m correct they are usually allocated a selection of each grade by P&O) which you could have then looked at the deck plans to find their location and possible layouts to pick the best cabin for you. That’s what has usually happened in the past when I’ve booked through a TA, this year I’ve gone direct but only because there’s not many discounts about nowadays. I really hope you get something sorted or at least some compensation and that you still have a lovely holiday.

Sam.

Sorry to hear your predicament and I have no realistic helpful suggestions though I wonder if you could swap with a senior officer ?

 

Anyway I just wonder if you used a standard travel agent as it sounds to me like they have let you down - and would recommend a specialist cruise agent next time

:o:o :oI dont know how happy the Op's other half would be with this arrangement, but hey, I guess what goes on on Oriana, stays on Oriana. :o:o:o

If you have booked a select fare with your travel agent then I would have thought they should have offered you a selection of cabin numbers (if I’m correct they are usually allocated a selection of each grade by P&O) which you could have then looked at the deck plans to find their location and possible layouts to pick the best cabin for you. That’s what has usually happened in the past when I’ve booked through a TA, this year I’ve gone direct but only because there’s not many discounts about nowadays. I really hope you get something sorted or at least some compensation and that you still have a lovely holiday.

Sam.

Sorry bu this is a guaranteed booking, meaning that you cannot pick your cabin. You are allocated one by the company. These are generally offered near the end of the booking period when the cruise is well booked up. As reading the thread seems to be the case. Confirmed by the price which has been paid.

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Sorry bu this is a guaranteed booking, meaning that you cannot pick your cabin. You are allocated one by the company. These are generally offered near the end of the booking period when the cruise is well booked up. As reading the thread seems to be the case. Confirmed by the price which has been paid.

 

 

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Oh I see. I only wondered if it was select fare as a couple of people thought the price was quite high. I’ve never done a late booking as work kind of restricts that kind of thing for me so I wasn’t aware of guaranteed bookings as such, only those in saver fares. Thank you for clarifying that for me daiB :)

Wow I would never pay more than £100 a night for a cabin, that is really expensive, we have had 3 x 14 night Cruises for that price. I would complain to your T A , was it a specific cruise T A?

Your comment isn’t terribly informative unless you clarify whether you are talking about £100 a night in total or per person and what type of cabin you are referring to. The OP is talking about a balcony cabin. I presume you might be talking about an inside? If so, then that’s chalk and cheese, especially on the older ships where there are fewer balcony cabins and they carry a bigger price premium than the newer ships. Of course, if you are talking about a balcony cabin on Oceana for that price then your comment is entirely relevant and I apologise.

Your comment isn’t terribly informative unless you clarify whether you are talking about £100 a night in total or per person and what type of cabin you are referring to. The OP is talking about a balcony cabin. I presume you might be talking about an inside? If so, then that’s chalk and cheese, especially on the older ships where there are fewer balcony cabins and they carry a bigger price premium than the newer ships. Of course, if you are talking about a balcony cabin on Oceana for that price then your comment is entirely relevant and I apologise.

Interestingly the cruise in question is not even listed by the TA I use showing it is full. You will not get cabins at £100 pppn.

In July the cheapest inside for 7 nights is £131 pppn and for 14 nights it’s £112 pppn.

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I am unclear from this thread precisely what class of booking was made (Select, Saver, Guarantee etc) but as we know, anything other than a select booking carries a degree of risk. I might be wrong, but I don’t believe that the bed configuration is ever guaranteed on anything other than a select booking with a confirmed cabin number at point of booking. Other than that it’s a ‘preference’ rather than a condition of booking.

I would just like to offer a couple of points of reassurance to the OP.

Firstly, there seems to be an insinuation from some that you might have been ripped off price wise. I doubt this very much. P&O operates fluid pricing and prices for the same cabin on the same cruise vary wildly. From our experience, the cheapest price (for a select fare with specified cabin) is always when the Cruise first goes on sale, 2 years out. Between then and the Cruise the prices go up and down like a yo yo based on supply and demand, but is never cheaper than at launch. I suspect that you just booked at an expensive time, but you were obviously comfortable with the price to have booked the cruise, so I wouldn’t stress over that aspect and let it spoil your Cruise.

Finally, even when a Cruise is officially sold out, they usually have a few cabins empty for emergencies if they have to relocate someone. Last year we were on Britannia in August and had a problem with our suite. The ship was technically full but we were offered a choice of two cabins to choose from and were even told that we could sleep in the ‘spare’ balcony cabin whilst retaining our suite for everything else. All of this was arranged by the extremely helpful Customer Services Manager, who I suggest you seek out as you board, should the problem not be resolved before.

Whilst we have always found the land based customer service team at P&O to be dire, the ships staff are first class and will go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy the cruise. I predict that this will all get resolved and you will have a lovely cruise. We have very fond memories of Oceana.

Sorry bu this is a guaranteed booking, meaning that you cannot pick your cabin. You are allocated one by the company. These are generally offered near the end of the booking period when the cruise is well booked up. As reading the thread seems to be the case. Confirmed by the price which has been paid.

 

 

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Yes, to be fair it was a guaranteed booking, however the TA informed us that the cabin would be like any other balcony cabin! We trusted them with this holiday and it just feels as if we are paying a lot of money for something that isn't up to the standard we expected. Sorry if all of this sounds totally over the top, just want to make sure that I'm not wasting money. :)

Yes, to be fair it was a guaranteed booking, however the TA informed us that the cabin would be like any other balcony cabin! We trusted them with this holiday and it just feels as if we are paying a lot of money for something that isn't up to the standard we expected. Sorry if all of this sounds totally over the top, just want to make sure that I'm not wasting money. :)

I understand it's very disappointing but go and enjoy everything else about the cruise. When you get onboard, go down to reception and explain calmly the circumstances maybe add a few tears!!) and ask them to keep you in mind if another cabin becomes available. You might even try leaving a note at Reception for the Hotel General Manager. Not saying it will work, but nothing ventured nothing gained! Don't get annoyed or it will be counter-productive IMO.

I am unclear from this thread precisely what class of booking was made (Select, Saver, Guarantee etc) but as we know, anything other than a select booking carries a degree of risk. I might be wrong, but I don’t believe that the bed configuration is ever guaranteed on anything other than a select booking with a confirmed cabin number at point of booking. Other than that it’s a ‘preference’ rather than a condition of booking.

 

I would just like to offer a couple of points of reassurance to the OP.

 

Firstly, there seems to be an insinuation from some that you might have been ripped off price wise. I doubt this very much. P&O operates fluid pricing and prices for the same cabin on the same cruise vary wildly. From our experience, the cheapest price (for a select fare with specified cabin) is always when the Cruise first goes on sale, 2 years out. Between then and the Cruise the prices go up and down like a yo yo based on supply and demand, but is never cheaper than at launch. I suspect that you just booked at an expensive time, but you were obviously comfortable with the price to have booked the cruise, so I wouldn’t stress over that aspect and let it spoil your Cruise.

 

Finally, even when a Cruise is officially sold out, they usually have a few cabins empty for emergencies if they have to relocate someone. Last year we were on Britannia in August and had a problem with our suite. The ship was technically full but we were offered a choice of two cabins to choose from and were even told that we could sleep in the ‘spare’ balcony cabin whilst retaining our suite for everything else. All of this was arranged by the extremely helpful Customer Services Manager, who I suggest you seek out as you board, should the problem not be resolved before.

 

Whilst we have always found the land based customer service team at P&O to be dire, the ships staff are first class and will go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy the cruise. I predict that this will all get resolved and you will have a lovely cruise. We have very fond memories of Oceana.

I don't mean to be unclear sorry for any confusion. We booked this through a TA (which I am now regretting). They didn't disclose the type of cabin that they were offering us at the time (February 2018) because according to the TA it was 'the only cabin left'. It's hard to believe but we felt like it was worth the money at the time. It was in fact a guarantee cabin so we only got given out cabin number yesterday. We were, however, promised a balcony cabin of an accordingly 'high grade'. The TA didn't tell us that there was a chance that we would get a cabin that was very different from the other balcony cabins. (Could be our fault as well for not doing thorough research, however this holiday was perfect for us and really important to my family for various reasons).

Secondly, we have contacted P&O directly and my TA. The TA was incredibly rude, and not helpful whatsoever, genuinely made me want to cry as they told us 'there was nothing they could do' and proceeded to put down the phone very quickly. We then contacted P&O directly who were very helpful, I agree the people who work for P&O are very understanding and helpful they are brilliant. However they also said there wasn't much they could do, but the guy I spoke to said he would contact the managers and do everything he could. He will get back to me on Monday and I will let all of you know what they say they can do, if anything.

I am sure the holiday won't be damaged by this minor hiccup but it's just really disappointing that we are paying near the same amount for a selector cabin yet the cabin we are getting only has one fixed bed and 3 fold out beds.

Thanks :)