Compulsory offshore excursions due to Covid with P&O

[SarahHben]

1 minute ago, joeecco said:

Fair enough. Should you wish to book though, this is a screenshot showing they will refund you that you can use as proof.

That's great, thank you.

Maybe we didn't get that option last year because we cancelled before P&O did. I was watching the '21 prices rising so we moved our deposit mid/late March when it was all starting to look pretty dire.

[Windsurfboy]

Ships are no more vectors of contagion than , busy hotel bars , night clubs etc etc. They have a bad reputation because of some over reaction  and very bad management by port authorities especially the first instance in Japan.  If you kept people in a hotel for a month with staff with no PPE it would be a similiar disaster. 

 

On the other hand I don't see why cruise lines are so reluctant to adopt the no vaccination no cruise policy. 

 

I'm diverging,  if people are happy to go on a cruise with these restrictions then they are free to go.

 

However, the question if they are unhappy should they be allowed their money back. P&O say no , but as Harry Peterson has repeatedly said, it up to a court to decide, if this is a major change. It will be tested at sometime. £100 to take it to small claims court is not much. Obviously no one has done thus yet as no one is being put this position. We can but wait and see, and speculate in the meantime.

 

 

 

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, ScratchTheRat said:

 

Do you not like your family or something? lol

 

For me, the idea of having to socialise with strangers fills me with dread! I'm going on holiday with the people I love and want to spend my life with, not to get away from them.

 

One of the reasons Im going on IONA is freedom dining, the idea of eating with strangers is bizarre to me.

 

Yes I love my other half dearly and also our friend who sails with us.  But we all love meeting new people, that is some of the reason to cruise.  We used to like the MDR but then swapped to Freedom and talked to new people every evening.  It was most enjoyable.  I'm with my husband 24/7, especially at the moment, so it's nice to meet other people to talk to.

 

why on earth would socialising with strangers fill you with dread?

[ScratchTheRat]

1 minute ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes I love my other half dearly and also our friend who sails with us.  But we all love meeting new people, that is some of the reason to cruise.  We used to like the MDR but then swapped to Freedom and talked to new people every evening.  It was most enjoyable.  I'm with my husband 24/7, especially at the moment, so it's nice to meet other people to talk to.

 

why on earth would socialising with strangers fill you with dread?

It's just the way I am 🙂

 

I have my little group of close friends and family and much prefer this to having lots of friends. We're all different and I'm sure we all find other peoples ways odd and unusual but none of us are wrong, just different ^^

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, terrierjohn said:

Since P&O will mainly have Brits on board, and most vulnerable Brits will have been vaccinated by early spring, I think you are all labouring under a false assumption. Even if covid does manage to get on board, it is hardly likely to create major medical problems, the elderly and vulnerable have protection, and the younger ones have a sniffle, where is the plague ship problem on that?

Spot on John!  that is exactly what I mean.

[jeanlyon]

1 hour ago, mercury7289 said:

With respect, mainly and most does not mean all and everyone!

Also, I imagine most cruise lines will follow Saga and only allow vaccinated folk on board.  They won't even allow someone who is exempt from being vaccinated.  That sounds the way to go to me.

[Dorset cruise fan]

13 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Also, I imagine most cruise lines will follow Saga and only allow vaccinated folk on board.  They won't even allow someone who is exempt from being vaccinated.  That sounds the way to go to me.

But the difference with Saga is that they cater exclusively for over 50s who should all be vaccinated in the priority groups 1-9.

For other cruise lines there will be many of their customers much father down the priority list who may not have had the offer of vaccinations. 

[majortom10]

4 minutes ago, Dorset cruise fan said:

But the difference with Saga is that they cater exclusively for over 50s who should all be vaccinated in the priority groups 1-9.

For other cruise lines there will be many of their customers much father down the priority list who may not have had the offer of vaccinations. 

So therefore would be making a rule that would lose them business and unless forced to by the government cannot see P&O, or mainly Carnival, insisting on all cruisers being vaccinated when majority of staff wont be. I have the personal belief that Saga have only done it as a confidence publicity stunt to get over 50s book with them and paying deposits and increasing their cash flow.

Edited February 3, 2021 by majortom10

[joeecco]

16 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

So therefore would be making a rule that would lose them business and unless forced to by the government cannot see P&O, or mainly Carnival, insisting on all cruisers being vaccinated when majority of staff wont be. I have the personal belief that Saga have only done it as a confidence publicity stunt to get over 50s book with them and paying deposits and increasing their cash flow.

Yes 100% agree. P&O won’t do this, they are trying to appeal to us younger folk with Iona and Gala 2 so they’re not about to start saying ‘you cannot sail with us’. 
 

 

[ann141]

I think Saga are stating vaccinations obligatory as a marketing ploy (they asked customers opinions before they made the decision) As others have stated it probably works for them because of the age group but can't see it being possible for P and O to bring it in as there is no plan to vaccinate children at the moment.Also, Saga are not guaranting that their crew will all be vaccinated and not allowing for medical exemptions I think is unfair.(People who are exempt from Yellow Fever  for medical reasons can get a certificate stating that and I think Saga should let people book who have a genuine health reason not to have the covid jab

[terrierjohn]

8 minutes ago, ann141 said:

Also, Saga are not guaranting that their crew will all be vaccinated and not allowing for medical exemptions I think is unfair.(People who are exempt from Yellow Fever  for medical reasons can get a certificate stating that and I think Saga should let people book who have a genuine health reason not to have the covid jab

Ann, I suspect that the number of people with genuine medical exemptions not to have this vaccination will be fairly small, and of these the numbers likely to want to cruise  will be even smaller.  So probably not as significant an issue as some will want to indicate.

[Snow Hill]

Getting back the excursions element of the post not sure how compulsory excursions would work in places like Venice and Dubrovnik which are primarily places to walk around, browse the shops, have a meal, coffee etc. Is it likely that we will see locations of this type disappear off itineraries for the next couple of years?  
 

 

[yorkshirephil]

15 minutes ago, Snow Hill said:

Getting back the excursions element of the post not sure how compulsory excursions would work in places like Venice and Dubrovnik which are primarily places to walk around, browse the shops, have a meal, coffee etc. Is it likely that we will see locations of this type disappear off itineraries for the next couple of years?  
 

 

I am not sure how they would work in any busy area, but at the moment it is all hypothetical.

[Windsurfboy]

I don't think Saga is a marketing ploy . Based on research amongst their client base their policy reflecting a genuine belief that it woild be a lot safer if everyone was vaccinated. Given that Oxford have now shown that a vaccination not only protect you but helps protect others by reducing transmission it seems an even better  idea. I hope they can extend it to the crew asap.

 

Yes Saga are lucky with their demographics,  in that they believe they will be able to fill ( 80% ) ships in June just with over 70s. We are again diverting from the main issue. But if a cruise line can run for a couple of months with  ships full of people who are acknowledged as the most vunerable with no incidents , it will be a great confidence booster.

 

In the UK at least by Autumn all adults will be vaccinated.   P&O could never have a everyone  vaccinated policy  as no government has suggested  vaccinating children. 

 

Australia is thinking of only opening up to the vaccinated. EU is looking at vaccination passports. Perhaps that's the way it will go. If so these restrictions may not be required. If countrues only let in the vaccinated then, we will have sympathy for the small number medically exempt, who must be accommodated somehow within the rules . As for those who just don't want to protect others they can stay at home.

[jeanlyon]

I think anywhere you want to travel will be vaccinated people only.  As for P&O, the majority of their passengers are over 50, all of whom should be vaccinated by early summer.  As for those exempt or not wishing to be vaccinated, I think they are within their rights to refuse their custom, as they are the ones who could bring Covid on board.

[joeecco]

1 minute ago, jeanlyon said:

I think anywhere you want to travel will be vaccinated people only.  As for P&O, the majority of their passengers are over 50, all of whom should be vaccinated by early summer.  As for those exempt or not wishing to be vaccinated, I think they are within their rights to refuse their custom, as they are the ones who could bring Covid on board.

I disagree that P&Os passengers are majority over 50s. Some ships and itinerary’s have an older demographic yes but they have four huge family friendly ships that thrive in school holidays especially. Unless they vaccinate children it would be wrong to say only vaccinated guests. a childhood is mostly memories and those that are lucky enough to go on holiday will always remember them and cherish them. Telling family’s they can’t go on holiday but over 50s can is wrong on every possible level. 

[Adawn47]

3 hours ago, jeanlyon said:

why on earth would socialising with strangers fill you with dread?

He could have a little social anxiety phobia. Some people don't feel comfortable when meeting or mixing with strangers not of their own choosing. The clue was when he said he will chat to a few people around the ship at a distance for a short while. Whatever makes a person happy  and comfortable on their cruise is alright with me.

Avril

Edited February 3, 2021 by Adawn47

[Selbourne]

8 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

In the UK at least by Autumn all adults will be vaccinated.   P&O could never have a everyone  vaccinated policy  as no government has suggested  vaccinating children. 

Not quite, as the vaccinations aren’t compulsory. I heard a statistic the other day that as many as 20% of the BAME community are refusing them. That’s a hell of a lot of people. Much less (1-2%) amongst the rest of the population, but the refusal rates may increase as the vaccinations get to the younger age groups, where some may feel that they aren’t at significant risk from the virus. Personally, I would support P&O adopting a policy that all over 18’s must be vaccinated or cannot cruise. 

[jeanlyon]

5 minutes ago, joeecco said:

I disagree that P&Os passengers are majority over 50s. Some ships and itinerary’s have an older demographic yes but they have four huge family friendly ships that thrive in school holidays especially. Unless they vaccinate children it would be wrong to say only vaccinated guests. a childhood is mostly memories and those that are lucky enough to go on holiday will always remember them and cherish them. Telling family’s they can’t go on holiday but over 50s can is wrong on every possible level. 

Yes forgive me, I tend to think of ships that I sail on.  You are quite right, of course, some are child friendly and therefore would attract young families.  Brain not working due to Covid jab day before yesterday.  .Well that's my excuse.

Edited February 3, 2021 by jeanlyon

[Adawn47]

2 hours ago, terrierjohn said:

Ann, I suspect that the number of people with genuine medical exemptions not to have this vaccination will be fairly small, and of these the numbers likely to want to cruise  will be even smaller.  So probably not as significant an issue as some will want to indicate.

Not forgetting that the majority of passengers will have been vaccinated.

Avril

[Selbourne]

4 minutes ago, jeanlyon said:

Yes forgive me, I tend to think of ships that I sail on.  You are quite right, of course, some are child friendly and therefore would attract young families.

The last few cruises we have done on Aurora the average age of passengers has been mid 70’s. On our last Britannia cruise, the average age was mid 40’s, so a difference of some 30 years. That’s not just based upon my perception, but the figures given by the Captain during the welcome on board drinks. 

Edited February 3, 2021 by Selbourne

[jeanlyon]

Yes agree, but it does say on the BBC that they hope all adults will be vaccinated by the autumn.

[Selbourne]

8 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

He could have a little social anxiety phobia. Some people don't feel comfortable when meeting or mixing with strangers not of their own choosing. The clue was when he said he will chat to a few people around the ship at a distance for a short while. Whatever makes a person happy  and comfortable on their cruise is alright with me.

Avril

We tend to do a mix of sharing and dining alone. We have made friends that we are still in contact with as a result of sharing and it’s part of the experience for us. However, I quite understand why some people find it very odd. I don’t think that many of us would even remotely contemplate sharing a table in a land based restaurant if asked to do so!

[jeanlyon]

Well said Avril.

[jeanlyon]

23 minutes ago, Adawn47 said:

He could have a little social anxiety phobia. Some people don't feel comfortable when meeting or mixing with strangers not of their own choosing. The clue was when he said he will chat to a few people around the ship at a distance for a short while. Whatever makes a person happy  and comfortable on their cruise is alright with me.

Avril

Avril, that is fair comment, but I rather took umbrage at the suggestion that I didn't love my family which is why I need other people.  Another ridiculous statement.  I love meeting people.  I've spent most of my life meeting and greeting people.  My husband is also a very gregarious person so loves to meet new folk.

Edited February 3, 2021 by jeanlyon