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

[IhatePandO]

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?

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

It's outrageous

@MichelleScarn

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

Yes. Unless you are willing and able To quarantine your kids on arrival and not do indoor activities like go to the theatre and restaurants which require vaccine passports for the over 12s. New York is out, for example, as is Rome. If anyone knows the reason why our kids aren’t being fully vaccinated I’d like to know.

@deeni

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

I wouldn’t like to make a decision like that so it must have been heavily considered I’m sure. A cruise is very different than other holidays as they could be hours away from hospitals if it spreads onboard and people need more assistance than the onboard facilities,

Any excuse for P&O not to have kids on their ships tbh. Go Royal Caribbean instead.

And their main customer base needs to feel safe.

But what happens when they need to attract new customers?

That seems a bit outrageous and I feel there has to be some sort of consumer law that makes it illegal or means they have to compensate you! I don’t know of one but this just seems mad!

So sorry to hear this OP. I think this kind of thing is going to be a bit of an ongoing problem. We've been looking at places to go at Christmas, bolstered by the "travel is opening up again" headlines, only to find that as our DD2 is 14 and will have had only 1 vaccine (because that's all she's being offered), there are many European countries we can't travel to...

Sorry OP, just been reading the uproar on the Facebook groups. I guess cruising will be out of bounds for families for a while. Which is a shame as P&O attract a high number of families on their ships.

Is it worth contacting Rip-Off Britain, or The Times Travel Doctor? If either of them take up your case, even if P&O won't change their stance they will get some very bad publicity.

They have been given limits on how many unvaccinated people can travel at the moment. Sadly this makes it harder for children to travel at the moment but it’s a needs must.

It's a real shame for you that you were able to make the booking and then their policy changed. I'm not surprised you're disappointed.

However, I think only allowing fully vaccinated passengers is a very sensible policy.

Royal Caribbean have the same policy. We’ve got a cruise booked with them next summer which I assume we won’t be able to go on

Well if it's a choice between holidays or DCs being doubly vaccinated against all medical advice, it doesn't seem a difficult choice. No holidays for DCs it is.

You can still catch and spread Covid even when vaccinated but I'm guessing their legal team have said they're covered for liability if they enforce vaccines for passengers as much as possible. I know businesses that have been advised similar by their lawyers. It's all about legal responsibility and nothing to do with health.

Child free cruise? Sounds perfect.

My children have 2 doses as I'm cev so it doesn't apply to all children. I suspect they won't be the only type of company to insist on vaccines- we have a hobby Christmas show and all the audience will have to show proof of vaccines.

Absolutely sucks that they are targeting kids, who have no choice but to remain unvaccinated.
Families and children are being left to it by society and treated appallingly.

I hope this story gets picked up, although I find there isn't much public understanding or empathy for those of us with kids when it comes to Covid.

So poor!

Its upsetting for you and they should have given you more notice but it's a fair policy.

We all know that kids spread it and at that age arent vaccinated. It's a bit unfair to expect to risk others.

Bluebells there are plenty of child free cruises available. This was not advertised as that. It’s half term fgs!

Well I’m double vaccinated and still caught Covid so it’s no guarantee of anything. I would make a complaint to P&O as it’s discrimination based on your parental status.

I listen to a lot of Disney podcasts, and they were discussing the fact that companies are in a cleft stick, as the vast majority of passengers want everyone to be vaccinated.

Anyone remember at the beginning of the pandemic those cruise passengers who contracted covid somewhere around Japan? The son was on tv demanding Airforce One rescue his parents .

I don’t know what a cruise ship would do now if there were an outbreak.

I'd be annoyed but I can see why they are doing it.

And age discrimination.

Disney cruises accepted under 18s with a paid for pcr. All adults to be double vaccinated and everyone had a lateral flow at port. Last Disney cruise from UK is tomorrow and as far as I know no covid outbreaks.

I don’t know what a cruise ship would do now if there were an outbreak.

I wouldn't even risk it at the moment