Boarding Denied

[CaroleF]

In this mornings Telegraph the Consumer Champion answered a letter from someone who was complaining that he and his family were denied boarding by P&O because of his wife's pregnancy. He had two small children and his wife was 31 weeks pregnant. When they got to check in they were told that she would not be allowed to board because she was well over the limit for pregnant women to travel on the ship. Their claim was that they should have been made aware - they hadn't realised it was in the Ts and Cs that women could not travel if they were over 24 weeks. He claimed that P&O should have enforced mandatory screening of pregnancy. P&O would not accept any responsibility and refused any goodwill gesture. He said if they had mandatory screening in place they could have opted to have the cruise at a different time. The Consumer Champion, while sympathetic for the disappointment their children must have suffered, said they had no case. She maintained it was up to the couple to check the cruise line's pregnancy policy before they booked. She said they could have filled in the Onboard Needs questionnaire where they could have mentioned the wife's pregnancy but they chose not to. They were trying to say it was up to P&O to ask about possible pregnancy whereas she said the responsibility was theirs. She was surprised that anyone in such a late stage of pregnancy would consider travelling. She said she was not prepared to as P&O to compensate the couple for their financial loss. They said they'd paid £5,500. I'm really surprised that a women who was 31 weeks pregnant would even consider travelling. They don't say where the cruise was going to.

[david63]

Seems quite right to me - it is not P&O's fault that passengers do not read the T&Cs, or for that matter use a bit of common sense, assuming that they have some

[Ray B]

I agree, read the T&Cs and also what to expect on your cruise like formal nights and not being allowed in certain bars and restaurant's.
Also, just remember if you book over 9 months prior to sailing, be careful how romantic you get in bed.

[Onelife]

The Consumer Champion was absolutely right in reaching this decision…can you imagine sitting at a dining table then asking for a glass of water only to find you were paddling in it.

[Stephen]

The Consumer Champion was absolutely right in reaching this decision…can you imagine sitting at a dining table then asking for a glass of water only to find you were paddling in it.

[allatc]

Do people go through the T&C's with a fine toothcomb ?

[david63]

Do people go through the T&C's with a fine toothcomb ?

Probably not but again you cannot blame P&O

As another thought I wonder if they had cruise/travel insurance?

[Meg 50]

they had insurance and the claim was thrown out. I did wonder if they might have had a claim against IGLU, but I suppose if you book online, rather than face to face.....

[Ray B]

Correct Meg, a snippet from the letter.

That meant our subsequent claim to the travel insurer failed, as it was not an insured loss.

[Mervyn and Trish]

People need to take responsibility for themselves. For some it's always someone else to blame.

P.s. Stephen, sell them a Compo form.

[Meg 50]

Correct Meg, a snippet from the letter.

That meant our subsequent claim to the travel insurer failed, as it was not an insured loss.

surely they filled in the medical bit? it asks if you've seen a Dr recently etc etc. pregnancy is quite a major factor.
They are looking more and more like chancers

[Stephen]

People need to take responsibility for themselves. For some it's always someone else to blame.

P.s. Stephen, sell them a Compo form.

Can they write? They obviously can’t read.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Surely for a modest extra charge, plus commission, you supply ready completed forms?

[Happydays]

No one's fault but their own. As Merv said people need to be responsible for themselves.
Personally I couldn't imagine wanting to go on any holiday at 31 weeks pregnant!

[Mervyn and Trish]

I've decided not to get Trish pregnant before our next holiday.

[Happydays]

[Stephen]

I've decided not to get Trish pregnant before our next holiday.

Do you use a stand in instead

[Stephen]

Surely for a modest extra charge, plus commission, you supply ready completed forms?

I don’t do modest.

[Onelife]

I've decided not to get Trish pregnant before our next holiday.

[Stephen]

Merv must be doing a Christmas or Birthday cruise

[Whynd1]

Also on crows nest forum a gentleman denied boarding on Aurora for not declaring he uses a walking stick.
Apparently you now need to complete a section on the cruise personaliser. So please beware anyone who takes a walking stick on board.

Lindsey

[Stephen]

Sounds a bit harsh.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Perhaps he intended to put it on the table. Hate that. Deserves to be chucked off.