During the last two years, we have taken three P&O Cruises.
The Covid tests needed for the first two cruises, were arranged and done at the port in Southampton at the expense of P&O.
Well organised and absolutely no problem.
The third cruise was in June this year and it was necessary to organise our own tests.
We managed to do it, but not without a lot of problems and expense.
This I was prepared to accept, thinking that if ALL passengers and staff on board were fully vaccinated and tested, we would be reasonably safe to enjoy our cruise.
Unfortunately, this was not the case.
Passengers and Crew go ashore throughout the cruise, mixing at leisure with people who are possibly victims of Covid, then allowed back on board with no further testing.
Guess who spent the last five days of their cruise, isolating in the cabin.
Apart from feeling quite ill and miserable, my husband and I were very disappointed that the cruise we’d saved and looked forward to was spoiled.
P&O were not to blame.
They would have no customers at all if passengers were totally confined to the ship; the shore excursions are a big part of any cruise holiday.
Furthermore, P&O went out of their way to see that we were well looked after during the period of isolation and when disembarking at Southampton.
They also compensated us for the lost days of the cruise.
I don’t know the answers to overcoming these problems, however, I don’t feel inclined to gamble on booking another cruise just yet.
I’d love to have another cruise holiday, but not whilst Covid is still in circulation.