Very disappointing cruise to Greece

This cruise on Ventura 18th September – 5th October 2018 was specifically aimed at the Greek islands with 5 ports of call there, Zakynthos, Mykonos, Santorini, Paraeus and Katakolon. On the way out there was one port, Palma, which is always a delight. On the way back there was the usual 1/2 day call at Gibraltar. There were 7 ports and 8 sea days.

Just 6 days before we left the UK we received a letter from P & O advising that the itinerary had been altered slightly reversing two ports and then just 4 days before we left we were advised that the late departure from Mykonos (originally 11 p.m.) would now be 8 p.m. and therefore a planned P & O evening trip with dinner ashore to enjoy a ‘Greek’ evening could not take place.

In the event there was a storm in the Aegean which the captain had to avoid and we lost 3 ports in Greece – Mykonos, Santorini and Katakolon. This was a major disappointment and we ended up arriving in Piraeus during the night and spending two days there and one in Zakynthos. As one substitute on the way back we visited Cagliari in Sardinia. We ended up with 5 port days and the 1/2 day at Gibraltar. Even in Piraeus we purchased a red bus hop on hop off ticket on board the ship, organised by P & O, and from the moment we left the ship joining the bus queue it took 5 hours to complete the round trip and we didn’t have any time to ‘hop off’ !!!

10 Sea Days and only 2 Greek ports. Hardly what we paid for and P & O simply say that the events were beyond their control and obviously no compensation will be given. This is not good enough. When will P & O start caring about their loyal customers – we have cruised over 200 nights with them and have another cruise booked which is 55 nights. They have had 15% deposit for this latter cruise for nearly two years!! Everything is in P & Os interest only. They do not care enough about the customers!