Topic: Couple feeling feverish about P&O Cruises

QUOTE:

Hi Morton

Well it's alright being wise after the event (as many wise sages commenting on this thread appear to be) but bear in mind this is a young couple embarking not only on a voyage of the seas but also on 'life's voyage,' and what an officious and unsympathetic start to it.

My Mrs is a bit like you (and the others) in condemning, let's face it, their 'ineptitude' in failing to conform to one of several conditions as well as their matrimonial arrangements and committments, by smugly (excuse me) comments like 'they ARE the rules' and 'right is right and wrong is wrong,' 'black is black and white is white.'

This is termed UNCOMPROMISING and certainly not customer friendly, as I have recently experienced first hand from this same Company whose shortcomings I will continue to reveal.

So what, if the 'groom' didn't have yellow fever jabs, the risk of contracting the disease is his, not P&O, and THEY would not be held responsible for repatriating him back to the UK if he did catch it, in that unlikely event they would isolate him onboard, then offload him at the nearest port of call for the local health authority to sort out, together with his travel insurers.

Really, this was making a mountain out of a mole-hill, the bloke didn't have the disease, he just didn't have the piece of paper confirming that he had a reasonable chance of avoiding it, and surely P&O wouldn't choose fever-ridden countries in their itinerary?

It reminds me of an equally incongruous situation of 'forms' whilst serving my National Service in the Royal Air Force as a driver.
I was despatched on a rather long journey from Derbyshire to a sub-station at Cairn Ryan in Scotland.
I had the correct FORM that allowed me to drive the vehicle, but did not have form FMT3 (details of an accident to the vehicle.)
On requesting this form (to be carried at all times) a spare one was not available.
When I asked what would happen in the case of actually experiencing an accident - the reply was, "just don't have one."

You see, there's an answer for everything, usually extrapolated by those who are gifted with that ability.

You cannot put an old head on young shoulders.

Regards from Gordon

Not a case of being wise after the event. 'Life's voyage' can be pretty hard at any time. Extrapolate further. What if the ship visited a port where there had been an sudden and unexpected out break of yellow fever. If there were passengers on board who had not had the jab, how would that affect the continuing cruise, never mind the health of the passengers on board. Unlikely, yes. Impossible? No.
I think the analogy to your National Service is of no consequence whatsoever. 'Rules is rules' just ocasionally for the good of the whole if the totally unexpected should happen.

QUOTE:

......So what, if the 'groom' didn't have yellow fever jabs, the risk of contracting the disease is his, not P&O, and THEY would not be held responsible for repatriating him back to the UK if he did catch it, in that unlikely event they would isolate him onboard, then offload him at the nearest port of call for the local health authority to sort out, together with his travel insurers......

I don't know precisely where the couple were going in Brazil but apparently for parts of Brazil proof of vaccination is compulsory and is a requirement of the Brazilian government. P&O do not make the policy and their warnings are there to help. What would be the point of going on a cruise to Brazil if they would not let you off the ship, or worse, stop anybody leaving the ship.

QUOTE:

I don't know precisely where the couple were going in Brazil but apparently for parts of Brazil proof of vaccination is compulsory and is a requirement of the Brazilian government. P&O do not make the policy and their warnings are there to help. What would be the point of going on a cruise to Brazil if they would not let you off the ship, or worse, stop anybody leaving the ship.

Correct. You do and you also need proof for entry to further countries if you have visited an area susceptible to yellow fever.

QUOTE:

P&O's quoting of 'chapter and verse' of their small-print T's & C's is typical administrative 'giving the 'V' sign' or, putting it crudely, saying 'sod-off.'


Never mind, by disappointing experiences and in retrospect, like me, you will learn that there are more Cruise Companies with ships that sail the seven seas, other than those of P&O, and they want your custom.

With commiserations and better luck for the future,
Gordon

Alas Gordon, perusal of a selection of different cruise brochures reveals either the same or very similar terms, conditions and penalties. Celebrity, RCI, and Cunard to name the few I have in my bidet.

Yellow fever is a high risk across most of tropical South America and Africa and the risk is higher as you go away from the coast. Travelling up the Amazon puts you right bang in the the centre of the risk area.
Brian

QUOTE:

Presumably this couple are of the 'someone should have read the relevant parts of the brochure to us, then taken us both down the doctor's surgery for the jabs' school of thought.

My sentiments exactly Bosscat!

Hi Gordon i agree with your comments well said maybe this should put and end to this aregument, we are all human for god's sake can't we make a mistake.

QUOTE:

Not a case of being wise after the event. 'Life's voyage' can be pretty hard at any time. Extrapolate further. What if the ship visited a port where there had been an sudden and unexpected out break of yellow fever. If there were passengers on board who had not had the jab, how would that affect the continuing cruise, never mind the health of the passengers on board. Unlikely, yes. Impossible? No.
I think the analogy to your National Service is of no consequence whatsoever. 'Rules is rules' just ocasionally for the good of the whole if the totally unexpected should happen.

How suddenly does an outbreak have to occur?

Surely with modern communications the Captain of a modern ship would immediately be made aware of any hazards and health risks and would take steps to avoid that location - as is the case when accidents on the motorway network occur and motorists are advised to leave the motorway and choose an alternative route.

The analogy to which you refer, re my comparison about FORMS (absence of) and obsession with them.

The 'analogy' is intended to high-light the incongruity of those blinkered by officialdom and their unwavering dispensation of rules and regulations irrespective of individual circumstances that require the human-touch.

The 'volume of the law' is the letter of the law whose application sometimes requires interpreting by 'the spirit of the law.'

To err is human, to forgive, divine.

This couple, or one of them, have been judged guilty and which verdict, it seems, is devoid of forgiveness, let alone compassion - divinity not being available to the critics as an option.

Gordon Rhys-Williams

From the WHO site


Once contracted, the virus incubates in the body for 3 to 6 days, followed by infection that can occur in one or two phases. The first, "acute", phase usually causes fever, muscle pain with prominent backache, headache, shivers, loss of appetite, and nausea or vomiting. Most patients improve and their symptoms disappear after 3 to 4 days.
However, 15% of patients enter a second, more toxic phase within 24 hours of the initial remission. High fever returns and several body systems are affected. The patient rapidly develops jaundice and complains of abdominal pain with vomiting. Bleeding can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach. Once this happens, blood appears in the vomit and faeces. Kidney function deteriorates. Half of the patients who enter the toxic phase die within 10 to 14 days, the rest recover without significant organ damage.
Yellow fever is difficult to diagnose, especially during the early stages. It can be confused with malaria, typhoid, dengue, hepatitis and other diseases, as well as poisoning. Blood tests can detect yellow fever antibodies produced in response to the infection. Several other techniques are used to identify the virus in blood specimens or liver tissue collected after death. These tests require highly trained laboratory staff and specialized equipment and materials.

OK now can you understand why they were refused boarding. For more information go to www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs100/en/ (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs100/en/)

I think we all accept that we make mistakes - the thing is admitting you have made a mistake and accepting it -not blaming others