Help our cabin is not what we expected!

[amajaa]

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.

 

I was talking about a balcony cabin, although on Aurora twice we had to get an inside as the balconies were 3 times the price. But normally a balcony, we have certainly had balconies on Oceana for under £100 a night.

 

I hope P & O sort something out for them, it certainly seems like they are trying their best. Hopefully they will have a great cruise dispite the cabin layout.

[eddiecat]

Well my youngest daughter has just turned 20 and is an experienced and loyal cruiser, having clocked up over 100 nights on P&O. Needless to say, I have paid for all of them! Can’t think why anyone would bother to make this up.

 

 

 

Thank you!! I have cruised with P&O many times with my parents. My boyfriend is 21 and works, so do I. We like traveling and save up as much as we can to go on holiday. I don’t see why I would lie about any of this! Anyway thank you for understanding.

 

 

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[Selbourne]

I was talking about a balcony cabin, although on Aurora twice we had to get an inside as the balconies were 3 times the price. But normally a balcony, we have certainly had balconies on Oceana for under £100 a night.

 

I hope P & O sort something out for them, it certainly seems like they are trying their best. Hopefully they will have a great cruise dispite the cabin layout.

 

Again, ‘under £100 a night’? I take it you mean per person, so under £200 a night for the cabin? That would make more sense as the cheapest we have ever had a balcony cabin on Aurora was £212 a night (total for 2 persons) after deduction of OBC, and that was a Select fare with our first choice cabin number. As it happens, that’s for a cruise in 2019!

[eddiecat]

I think you will find that the OP has got what she paid for and has booked this way in the past before.

They have booked a guaranteed balcony cabin saver fare The bed configuration is only a request not part of the deal they chose.

 

They even go on to say they had no idea that the cabins were not all the same and they had a clueless travel agent who led them into this situation .

Chances are if they had knew this could happen they would have opted for a select fare and personally chose a cabin that had a double bed option. Chances are they would in future.

 

The travel agent did not want to know and put the phone down on them but P&O who they did not book with are doing their best to help even though they do not have to.

So I find the comments above saying P&O are walking all over them with a bit of fraud thrown in a little strange to say the least.

Booking a saver fare has nothing to do with being upmarket ,right down to a ferry booking ,it is just that ...A saver fare.

 

The good news is they will still have a great cruise and will not let a bed spoil it for them ,as they have said in their post .

 

 

 

Absolutely. I won’t make the mistake of using TA’s again and do my own research on the boats. I totally think we were misinformed by the TA and P&O are genuinely trying their best. I’ll let you know what happens on Monday, but regardless the cruise will go on! I’m sure we will make the best of it.

 

 

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[eddiecat]

On our first ever cruise we were in B737 - two adults, two kids - and it was very nice, although I hasten to add we didn't pay anything like that kind of money. Very quiet too.

 

 

 

I can see why you would be hoping for one that could be used as a double, especially at your price, but don't think they've put you in some sort of dark hole. You'll still enjoy it.

 

 

 

Thank you! This is really helpful, so nice to find someone who has been in this room. Can you tell me anything about the inside and how similar it is to other cabins?

 

 

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[eddiecat]

Too late for insurance , as I don't think they will cover a cancellation for I didn't get the bed formation I wanted. Also you can only move cruises on a select fare before final payment is made.

 

 

 

Like you say, we’ve looked at the T&C’s but not chance for total refund or cancellation it would have to be a ‘no show’. I couldn’t imagine losing that much money so we will go through with the cruise regardless, just feel like we have been misinformed.

 

 

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[Toftwood]

One feels your reply is a little over the top.

 

The customer booked through a useless TA. There has been NO fraud. A cabin wasn't chosen at the time of booking. The TA who may not know the ship so couldn't/didn't explain to customer what the sort of cabins are on this ship, as to what they would run the risk of getting. It is entirely possible that the TA didn't even pass on to pando that a queen bed would be preferred. I am not sure that the bed configuration forms part of the T and C myself.

 

Pando are trying to pick up the pieces for this customer. If they can they will ,if they cant well that is up to the customer to decide. I don't think making the sort of threats you suggest would actually get them on this cruise, which by their own admission they want to go on.

 

Pando cannot conjure up cabins out of thin air just because the TA didn't do their job and advise the customer what sort of cabins are on the ship.

 

 

 

I don’t think the travel agent is proven to be useless at all and I feel that is a very unfair assertion.

 

Also, as someone else has mentioned, I don’t believe that “bed-type” is contractual.

 

However, what everyone agrees is that the cruise line do understand the passenger’s deep concern and are clearly exploring opportunities to improve the situation. As the OP says, she is a P&O regular passenger but maybe has not been greatly involved in the booking process too much in the past. Let’s hope for good news in a day or two.

[gadabout60]

Absolutely. I won’t make the mistake of using TA’s again and do my own research on the boats. I totally think we were misinformed by the TA and P&O are genuinely trying their best. I’ll let you know what happens on Monday, but regardless the cruise will go on! I’m sure we will make the best of it.

 

 

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I have found using a specialist cruise agent to be invaluable

High street travel agents I personally would avoid as I wouldn't expect them to have the knowledge re cruises - but don't write off all travel agents - there are some good ones out there who will get you good deals

[TheArchitect]

Thank you! This is really helpful, so nice to find someone who has been in this room. Can you tell me anything about the inside and how similar it is to other cabins?

 

Well. Bear in mind it was our first cruise so we didn't have anything to compare it too. We really liked it, however. Especially during the day when the upper bunks were raised and there was a bit of room!

 

 

Our teenager would thrown on the doors and sit on the balcony enjoying brunch, in fact she preferred the peace and quiet to the lounges and the poolside.

 

We thought about taking it again this year but weren't so fussed about the itinerary, so Azura instead.

 

I think you'll have a good time. Don't get too wound up about it.

[BunnieBear]

I don't understand loyalty to cruise lines. We're walking wallets to them. Why not try out the competition?

 

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[Tom Baker]

If the OP doesn't get the situation resolved to her satisfaction and has suitable insurance cover in place I would suggest consulting a sympathetic private GP to discus a health issue that may arise in early June. Not that I would condone such action.

[eddiecat]

I don't understand loyalty to cruise lines. We're walking wallets to them. Why not try out the competition?

 

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I have been on many many different cruise lines. For example I’ve been on a Cunard, a couple of Royal Carribean and MSC but also P&O. We enjoyed P&O and they had the exact ports that we were looking to visit (Athens, Venice etc.), this holiday decision was nothing to do with the cruise line. However as a returning customer, I feel like we have been let down slightly, but I’m sure the cruise will still be fine as people have reassured.

 

 

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[HomelessBear]

Just thought - not sure you’ll get an answer on Monday as it’s a bank holiday. In my experience I’ve had to wait for a “working day” to get an response from someone with any clout.

Hope it works out for you.

 

 

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[BunnieBear]

If the OP doesn't get the situation resolved to her satisfaction and has suitable insurance cover in place I would suggest consulting a sympathetic private GP to discus a health issue that may arise in early June. Not that I would condone such action.

Great advice - potentially spend some time in prison instead. Full board but sadly no drinks package, although I understand the "entertainment" is very different.

 

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[BunnieBear]

I have been on many many different cruise lines. For example I’ve been on a Cunard, a couple of Royal Carribean and MSC but also P&O. We enjoyed P&O and they had the exact ports that we were looking to visit (Athens, Venice etc.), this holiday decision was nothing to do with the cruise line. However as a returning customer, I feel like we have been let down slightly, but I’m sure the cruise will still be fine as people have reassured.

 

 

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That's an informed decision but sometimes I read complaints from people who have only cruised one line and I just want to scream "stop giving them your money every time then!" Once you've tried a few it's fair enough.

 

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[BunnieBear]

The OP may find the balcony more accessible with the layout it has. Sometimes floor space can be very limited with the beds pushed together. I had to crawl up from the bottom of the bed last time!

 

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[Tom Baker]

Great advice - potentially spend some time in prison instead. Full board but sadly no drinks package, although I understand the "entertainment" is very different.

 

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[eddiecat]

Well. Bear in mind it was our first cruise so we didn't have anything to compare it too. We really liked it, however. Especially during the day when the upper bunks were raised and there was a bit of room!

 

 

Our teenager would thrown on the doors and sit on the balcony enjoying brunch, in fact she preferred the peace and quiet to the lounges and the poolside.

 

We thought about taking it again this year but weren't so fussed about the itinerary, so Azura instead.

 

I think you'll have a good time. Don't get too wound up about it.

 

Thank you so much. Really put me at ease. Was mostly worried about it because I couldn't find any photos or reviews of cabin B737 anywhere so it's really good to hear from someone who's experienced the room :)

[eddiecat]

That's an informed decision but sometimes I read complaints from people who have only cruised one line and I just want to scream "stop giving them your money every time then!" Once you've tried a few it's fair enough.

 

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Very true! It's always good to experience the variety of cruise lines there are before making any commitment to one. Even then, I believe each cruise line has something different to offer, for example MSC, perhaps wasn't a gastronomical adventure however their cabins were clean, bright and spacious and the ship was fabulous too.

[eddiecat]

The OP may find the balcony more accessible with the layout it has. Sometimes floor space can be very limited with the beds pushed together. I had to crawl up from the bottom of the bed last time!

 

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True! Due to the Oceana being an older ship, the cabins tend to be smaller than the newer ones so there might be some positives to having this perhaps disjunctive room. However I'm sure as people understand, it would be preferred if we could have the Queen layout cabin that we thought we would have. :)

[eddiecat]

Just thought - not sure you’ll get an answer on Monday as it’s a bank holiday. In my experience I’ve had to wait for a “working day” to get an response from someone with any clout.

Hope it works out for you.

 

 

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I was thinking this too, perhaps he forgot it was a bank holiday. Anyway, he promised Monday so I expect Monday. If not, then it will be an extra 24 hours until we find out whether the situation has been resolved or not.

[BunnieBear]

I was thinking this too, perhaps he forgot it was a bank holiday. Anyway, he promised Monday so I expect Monday. If not, then it will be an extra 24 hours until we find out whether the situation has been resolved or not.

I bet Bank Holiday weekends are busy for bookings as a little taste of freedom and good weather focuses people's thoughts on holidays.

 

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[Slugsta]

Very true! It's always good to experience the variety of cruise lines there are before making any commitment to one. Even then, I believe each cruise line has something different to offer, for example MSC, perhaps wasn't a gastronomical adventure however their cabins were clean, bright and spacious and the ship was fabulous too.

 

With this kind of attitude, I'm sure you will make the most of whatever cabin you get and enjoy your cruise. However, I completely understand your disappointment and hope you can get this resolved to your satisfaction.

[eddiecat]

With this kind of attitude, I'm sure you will make the most of whatever cabin you get and enjoy your cruise. However, I completely understand your disappointment and hope you can get this resolved to your satisfaction.

Thank you :) I'll be sure to let everyone know what happens when P&O get back to me.

[Tiembiay]

True! Due to the Oceana being an older ship, the cabins tend to be smaller than the newer ones so there might be some positives to having this perhaps disjunctive room. However I'm sure as people understand, it would be preferred if we could have the Queen layout cabin that we thought we would have. :)

 

 

Just keep you mind focused on your intention. You wish to have a balcony and a twin bed. Period! Put it out to the universe. Do not question what has happened. It happened for a reason. Maybe you will truly enjoy the circumstance as it appears now. Or, something other will happen that is ultimately better than your perceived outcome. Maybe an Owners Suite becomes the only available cabin due to a no-show. Whatever will be, will be. Go without resistance, and everything will work out for you. You will have the best time, if that is what feel it is, then it will all work out.

 

 

(From my iPad, so please forgive the errors)