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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

P&O just cancelled my half term holiday because I have kids !

176 replies

IhatePandO · 30/09/2021 15:50

I am furious, just received a notice from P&O saying they had cancelled my booking for a 7 day cruise during half term week because they have decided to reduce the number of unvaccinated passengers. Unless my 11 year old child complies with their vaccination policy of 2 vaccines we have been turfed off. I called and clearly explained that there is no approved available vaccine for children under 11, only to be told "yes we know that". I'm bloody furious, they must have known this when we booked weeks ago and now they are selling my cabin off on their website at a much higher price. I didn't expect this from a company like P&O. AIBU to never travel with them again?

OP posts:
PatriciaHolm · 30/09/2021 17:03

Are you going to the Caribbean, OP?

This page says that for non-Caribbean, those between 5-17 will either need to be vaccinated or have a negative PCR.

www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence

RussianSpy101 · 30/09/2021 17:04

This is the email I received

P&O just cancelled my half term holiday because I have kids !
Gimlisaxe · 30/09/2021 17:04

Surely the point is not about being vaccinated and choosing not be vaccinated, its the fact the OP can't get her 11 year old vaccinated and I would have thought this would be put in the same group as not being able to be vaccinated for medical reasons

STripleM · 30/09/2021 17:08

This makes no sense. Being vaccinated does not stop the transmission of Covid. Why are P&O being so unreasonable!?

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/09/2021 17:08

@Beseen22

Surely they can reduce the number of unvaccinated people who have been offered but declined the vaccine rather than those that cannot physically have it yet
And how exactly do they know who those people areConfused?

Do you suggest that anyone who can't produce a vaccination cert should provide official proof that they are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons? That sounds like a court case waiting to happen. Far easier to divide into vaccinated/not vaccinated.

That said op, it's really crap. Have you taken to twitter to call them out on it? If they are cancelling, they should be compensating you in some way, not just refunding you.

olivehater · 30/09/2021 17:08

People seem to think they are safe just because they are vaccinated. I am vaccinated and I passed Covid onto my kids.
We have turned into a worlds that treats children like pariahs all for a bloody virus’s that barely affects them. It’s a disgrace!

NashvilleQueen · 30/09/2021 17:09

I think a lot of cruise lines are American owned and children have been vaccinated in the US.

Iputthetrampintrampoline · 30/09/2021 17:09

I would take a stand here OP and take them to court. I would love to hear a Judges stance on this as I am sure there is no precedent set to discrimoinate in this way against anyone let alone a child, Companies are making up rules to suit which sets a dangerous precident in my view, Like the care workers who refuse the vaccine etc let them sack you then go to tribunal there is nothing in law that says life must end as we know it if unvaccinated,It is a scandal and underhand, I am double jabbed but its been my choice and the word there is choice not state ordered, I am really sorry for you today to have your family treated as second class citizens due to you having a young family,This is beyond the pale.

deeni · 30/09/2021 17:09

That's a huge shame for you OP but I think it sounds sensible for them and their passengers.

NashvilleQueen · 30/09/2021 17:10

Also a lot of cruise passengers may be older and therefore more vulnerable (even if vaccinated) so they don't want to take the risk.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/09/2021 17:11

@RussianSpy101

This is the email I received
But surely there are enough in the under 18 age group who have been fully vaccinated that they can't make that assumption?
SmellyOldOwls · 30/09/2021 17:12

@candlelightsatdawn

I mean I get that vaccinations a choice. I suppose by the flip side people forget that PO also have a choice and they have chosen to minimise their risk for other people's safety including their staff.

It sucks but I suppose that people wanting to go on a cruise and potentially spreading Covid around doesn't trump people's need to not catch Covid and potentially get very sick. People's safety and health comes above people's right for a holiday.

Vaccination isn't a choice for children though, they don't have that option. Absolutely disgraceful and shitty behaviour from P&O.
Tilltheend99 · 30/09/2021 17:14

Is it possible they, or your travel agent, miss sold it to you? I was under the impression that some cruise companies were only taking passengers with proof of being double jabbed. Does kind of discriminate against children though as they are unlikely to be jabbed currently. Hope it gets sorted out for you.

RumblyMumbly · 30/09/2021 17:15

Children have been treated appallingly through the pandemic as continues to be the case!

minipie · 30/09/2021 17:17

What did you get told at the time of booking?

Was there some small print about only vaccinated passengers are guaranteed a place or even something vaguer like we may impose covid related requirements on places?

If there wasn’t anything along those lines then this is pretty dodgy.

Are you able to book anything else?

MichelleScarn · 30/09/2021 17:17

So is this going to be the end of cruises, holidays abroad etc for those who are unable to take the vaccine?

itsgettingwierd · 30/09/2021 17:17

@Dollywilde

That’s awful. Surely if they want to reduce unvaccinated travellers they should be targeting those who are eligible but have declined.
Agree with this.
Goingdriving · 30/09/2021 17:19

Children aged 12-17 are only offered one dose. So they are not fully vaccinated. The government has not really explained why.

MyDcAreMarvel · 30/09/2021 17:20

@STripleM Being vaccinated does not stop the transmission of Covid no but vaccinations significantly reduce the spread of transmission.
A cruise is a confined space it was the right decision.

Flup · 30/09/2021 17:20

I'm surprised you were able to book as I thought all Cruise companies were only taking fully vaccinated passengers.
There will be many people who want adult only / fully vaccinated cruises, maybe they had trouble selling a trip with children on?

Either way very underhand of P&O to treat you like this.

I'm fully aware that vaccine isn't impermeable to covid (double vaxxed and had covid) but it reduces the risk substantially.

Noogar · 30/09/2021 17:26

@MichelleScarn

So is this going to be the end of cruises, holidays abroad etc for those who are unable to take the vaccine?
Cruises possibly. It's like they probably wouldn't send an unvaccinated astronaut into space.

Or they'll have special nonvaccinated cruise.

They tend to attract older, more vulnerable people

choixx · 30/09/2021 17:26

I mean I get that vaccinations a choice.

You understand kids are only being offered one though?

Noogar · 30/09/2021 17:26

Oops, posted too soon. And their main customer base needs to feel safe.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 30/09/2021 17:27

@Goingdriving

Children aged 12-17 are only offered one dose. So they are not fully vaccinated. The government has not really explained why.
I just found that out on another thread. They're fully vaccinated where I live so presumably it's only UK based customers between 12 and 17 they are cancelling automatically.
choixx · 30/09/2021 17:27

It sucks but I suppose that people wanting to go on a cruise and potentially spreading Covid around doesn't trump people's need to not catch Covid and potentially get very sick.

But vaccines don't eliminate the spread?

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