bazlin Posted August 27, 2016 #1 Share Posted August 27, 2016 p&o why dont you ansure the phone been on hold 20 mins to pay my blance f £6.359 web site wont let me pay on line DONT YOU WANT MY MONEY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiB Posted August 27, 2016 #2 Share Posted August 27, 2016 p&o why dont you ansure the phone been on hold 20 mins to pay my blance f £6.359 web site wont let me pay on line DONT YOU WANT MY MONEY Which isn't the exact reason I never book direct. Let the TA have the hassle Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wblee Posted August 27, 2016 #3 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Whenever we come back from a cruise we fill in the questionnaire and I always note the questions about how the cruises are booked and managed, P&O seem to be interested in why we don't book direct with them, obviously it is more profitable for them. They have no chance. Looking at the forums and the many complaints about the phones it is amazing to me that ANYONE books direct. We always use, and will continue to use, a specialist cruise company and have never had to pay more than the P&O direct price, in addition we get quick replies, great service and additional loyalty benefits. It seems very much as though the bean counters are running (or is it ruining) customer service and employing less and poorer trained (cheaper) people. Not the fault of the poor people answering the phones but typical of big businesses in UK nowadays. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgs1956 Posted August 27, 2016 #4 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I used to book directly with P&O and also, like many others, have a Personal Cruise Specialist. The whole system is an absolute joke. I finally went to a well-known cruise specialist and booked. Fantastic service and cheaper. The next time I phoned to book with the cruise specialist they answered using my name. Just a small point but it does make you think they are on the ball. Again it was cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazlin Posted August 27, 2016 Author #5 Share Posted August 27, 2016 i will never book direct again with p&o i have spent all day trying to give them money the web site wont let me pay online Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CCFC Posted August 27, 2016 #6 Share Posted August 27, 2016 If you have tried to pay on the website check they don't take payment twice, apparently that bug is back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moqui_girl Posted August 27, 2016 #7 Share Posted August 27, 2016 I never book direct but I had to this time as I used tesco clubcard vouchers. It's been a hassle all the way and so old fashioned and behind the times. They send you letters reminding you to pay your balance - who does that anymore (!not to mention a waste of money)? Just send me an email with the link to the place where I need to pay the balance and it's much easier for everyone [emoji849] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazlin Posted August 27, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted August 27, 2016 got through and complaned they added £50 to my OBC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted August 27, 2016 #9 Share Posted August 27, 2016 Well good for you, but one of the reasons I book with a TA is I get extra discount off every cruise and I don't have the hassle either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted August 27, 2016 #10 Share Posted August 27, 2016 We have booked on line before now, but our TA adds another 5% discount to P&O's so we use them now. It amazes me that the phone line system is so poor -------- but, then again, we have tried to price up cruises with P&O and Celebrity on line today and neither site recognise our loyalty membership numbers. Something we said ? :confused::rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majortom10 Posted August 27, 2016 #11 Share Posted August 27, 2016 It is a Carnival UK problem in Southampton they are having the same problem answering phones in Cunard and Princess thyey are obviously short staffed or cutbacks with no intention of employing more staff. Also if you phone the 0843 number P&O/Cunard/Princess they are making money out of the calls so its not in their interest to answer quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted August 27, 2016 #12 Share Posted August 27, 2016 It is a Carnival UK problem in Southampton they are having the same problem answering phones in Cunard and Princess thyey are obviously short staffed or cutbacks with no intention of employing more staff. Also if you phone the 0843 number P&O/Cunard/Princess they are making money out of the calls so its not in their interest to answer quickly. Agree about the length of time to answer the phones. I phoned bookings on Wednesday and had to hold on listening to the message about the advantages of select fare for 20 minutes, got disconnected after a few minutes then had to hold the line for a further 30 minutes to talk to someone again. However I never use the 0843 but get an alternative number from the say no to website. BTW I didn't book direct needless to say but spoke to a specialist agent who gave me a VG discount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAB1 Posted August 27, 2016 #13 Share Posted August 27, 2016 P&O have a freephone number that I understand they answer more quickly as it costs them money. It has to be provided as per the "bill of rights":- "The right to have included on each cruise line’s website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. To contact P&O Cruises, please call 0800 0523840." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted August 28, 2016 #14 Share Posted August 28, 2016 P&O have a freephone number that I understand they answer more quickly as it costs them money. It has to be provided as per the "bill of rights":- "The right to have included on each cruise line’s website a toll-free phone line that can be used for questions or information concerning any aspect of shipboard operations. To contact P&O Cruises, please call 0800 0523840." Thanks for that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted August 28, 2016 #15 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Could P&Os free phone number be a 'stickie' at the top of the page please? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Sharon Posted August 28, 2016 #16 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Could P&Os free phone number be a 'stickie' at the top of the page please? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Done :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted August 28, 2016 #17 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Done :) Thank you [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartanexile81 Posted August 28, 2016 #18 Share Posted August 28, 2016 Could P&Os free phone number be a 'stickie' at the top of the page please? Forums Great suggestion Florry and thanks for sorting it out so quickly Sharon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brynmelyndavid Posted August 28, 2016 #19 Share Posted August 28, 2016 This will be my first cruise with P&O so I have only my experience with this to judge them by. I have to say however that I booked online without a problem and paid the balance online last week without a problem. It took me barely 5 minutes. My only complaint would be that neither on the Cruise Personaliser or on my Booking Confirmation did it give me the web address to make the payment. I had to call, but to be fair the recorded voice told me the web address early on in the anouncement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soobs Posted August 28, 2016 #20 Share Posted August 28, 2016 (edited) I rang the 020 number yesterday and waited for over half an hour till the portable phone crashed then rang again on the 0844 number answered within 5 minutes and got an excellent service when I did get through but so I should when I am paying an arm and a leg for the call. They just don't seem to have the staff on at weekend during the week there is no problem Edited August 28, 2016 by soobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted August 29, 2016 #21 Share Posted August 29, 2016 I rang the 020 number yesterday and waited for over half an hour till the portable phone crashed then rang again on the 0844 number answered within 5 minutes and got an excellent service when I did get through but so I should when I am paying an arm and a leg for the call.They just don't seem to have the staff on at weekend during the week there is no problem At the end of July / first week of August it was as bad mid week as it was at the weekend. That may have been because of high demand, but surely they can afford to take on more staff occasionally :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strawberry field Posted August 29, 2016 #22 Share Posted August 29, 2016 I have only booked two cruises with P&O but got through using the Southampton 02380 number as I don't pay for calls on my mobile. Both bookings have been answered immediately and all done within minutes. Is it because I only live ten minutes away and frightened I may pop over to see them😊 Without going through the thread I don't know if it's been posted before, sorry if it has......02380 655000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debs24 Posted August 29, 2016 #23 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Agree about the length of time to answer the phones. I phoned bookings on Wednesday and had to hold on listening to the message about the advantages of select fare for 20 minutes, got disconnected after a few minutes then had to hold the line for a further 30 minutes to talk to someone again. However I never use the 0843 but get an alternative number from the say no to website. BTW I didn't book direct needless to say but spoke to a specialist agent who gave me a VG discount A lot of people use Travel Agents. Can you give the names please. Good to be able to compare as we are cruise newcomers. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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