A question about shore excursions and getting a refund if you can't go on the cruise

[nellydean]

Hi,

Have a Caribbean trip booked for a few weeks' time. We wanted to take a ship's tour and airport transfer on the last day but, if we decided not to, what time would we likely be transferred to the airport from the ship? Our flight back is not until after 7pm, so don't want to spend all day at the airport beforehand if it can be helped.

 

Secondly, there is a possibility we might not be able to make this cruise because of a health issue that has cropped up. If that was the case, and we have prepaid for dining and tours, are we still refunded even if we decide at the last minute that we can't go, or, do we need to cancel these dining and tour bookings by a certain time beforehand? If so, how do we do it? On our online booking? Or, with PO by phone (which is almost impossible to get through to at the moment). 

 

Much obliged for any advice, thanks.

[doog442]

Our flight from Barbados was at 1735hrs. We were asked to meet in the theatre at 1330hrs, left about 1350hrs, journey took 45 minutes.

 

As for tours and dining we had to cancel last year two weeks before the cruise so I cancelled everything online and they were quick in refunding. You can cancel any bookings weeks / days ahead or even on board. I think there might be a cut off time for cancelling tours ie 24 hours or something beforehand where you might lose part of the payment.

[nellydean]

Many thanks doog442, that's very helpful.

One further question please: Were you able to use the buffet before you left, or, if you didn't use it, do you know if you could have? And which other facilities were open to disembarking passengers?

[kruzseeka]

31 minutes ago, nellydean said:

Many thanks doog442, that's very helpful.

One further question please: Were you able to use the buffet before you left, or, if you didn't use it, do you know if you could have? And which other facilities were open to disembarking passengers?

All ships facilities are available for you to use (though some selected eating areas may not be).  Our experience has been being taken off the ship at a sensible time to get you to the airport in good time - typically mid afternoon depending on your flight time.  That might be about right for your timings.   But you won't be taken so that you're sitting around at the airport all day.  

You can come and go from the ship as you wish.

We've usually walked into Bridgetown in the morning, going to the Bridge House by the side of the river just over the bridge for a drink or coffee.  It's a pleasant walk along the waterfront.  We've gone back for some lunch before our transfer to the airport. 

 

It's all very well organised.

[doog442]

1 hour ago, nellydean said:

Many thanks doog442, that's very helpful.

One further question please: Were you able to use the buffet before you left, or, if you didn't use it, do you know if you could have? And which other facilities were open to disembarking passengers?

 

As above yes you can use the buffet and everything else as normal. Our internet package was also working up until we left plus we could use up any spare OBC if we wanted. 

 

Are you leaving from Barbados or Antigua ? Barbados is a very hot and busy airport, ideally you want to spend as little time there as feasibly possible within reason . With hindsight we would have arranged our own transfer from the ship which I think was about $40 according to the Horizon mag. We had a bit of a wait leaving the ship baking in the sun on the quay in a queue (we also saw the same the day before), the transport to the airport was cramped (we were stuffed into a mini bus with poor air con). P&O have their own lane through security etc at the airport which helps.

 

The issue at our departure gates was complete and utter chaos, incorrect gate numbers posted for flights, some of us were all put in a queue for an Air Canada flight and they were happy for us to get on it 😆, the system just collapsed I daresay due to the increased capacity of passengers leaving our ship (Arvia). Then dumped on the apron with the plane loaded in no order from the front so another long wait , all good fun.

 

 

[Sonyar]

Our flight from Antigua was at 19:30 and we had to meet in the theatre at 16:00.

[nellydean]

Thanks for all your replies

 

doog442, we are leaving from Barbados airport

 

A further question - do P&O supply shuttles at all the ports - Barbados, Tortola, La Romana Dominican Republic, Phillipsburg St Maarten, Antigua, Basseterre, Fort de France Martinique and Castries St Lucia - or, are the towns within easy walking distance? 

 

Many thanks,

H

[P&O SUE]

I’ve cancelled a couple of excursions before, just sign in your cruise Personaliser and cancel them before you cancel the cruise if you have to. The refund is almost immediate.

Good luck!

[doog442]

5 hours ago, nellydean said:

Thanks for all your replies

 

doog442, we are leaving from Barbados airport

 

A further question - do P&O supply shuttles at all the ports - Barbados, Tortola, La Romana Dominican Republic, Phillipsburg St Maarten, Antigua, Basseterre, Fort de France Martinique and Castries St Lucia - or, are the towns within easy walking distance? 

 

Many thanks,

H

 

Hi 

 

I didn't see any shuttles per se as we didn't really have the need.

 

Barbados - we did a tour straight from the quay but saw plenty of people walking from the ship with towels etc down towards the beach and town centre (20 mins?) .

 

Tortola - Again we did a tour but the terminal is pretty central to the town, probably a 15 minute walk to town.  

 

La Romana - there's a purpose built tourist trap straight off the ship, free pool, bars, usual tourist shops all within a secure zone. 15 min walk to local town (we saw people walking) 

 

St Maartin - usual tourist trap shops / bars at the cruise terminal. We did an external tour but saw literally hundreds of people walking towards the town and beach which I guess was a 20 minutes walk.   

 

Antigua. You are bang in the centre of St Johns 10 min walk but not a great area out of the cruise terminal shops.

 

St Kitts - usual cruise terminal area then a short walk to the town.  

 

Martinique - long pier, town is literally 200 yards away from the waterfront.

 

Castries, a longer walk to the town centre depending on where the ship moors. 

 

So yes, everything walkable and nothing like some of the Med ports where you need a shuttle. 

 

Just a note. We had a fantastic time with this itinerary and the cruise, I hope you manage to make it. 

Edited February 13 by doog442

[nellydean]

Many thanks again, door, and P&O Sue. Very helpful. Fingers crossed!