Topic: Couple feeling feverish about P&O Cruises

A newly-wed couple have spoken of their anger at P&O Cruises after they were not allowed onboard their "dream holiday"

Darren and Rita Painter, from Bradninch, told the Mid Devon Star they were left devastated when they were unable to embark on their Caribbean and Amazon cruise because Mr Painter had not had his yellow fever jab.

Mrs Painter told the news provider: "At no point did anyone tell us we needed a yellow fever certificate. If they had, of course we'd have done so."

According to the tour operator, the information detailing the requirement is clearly listed in the brochure.

But Mrs Painter disagrees. She added: "The information we needed a yellow fever certificate was on page four of a 35-page document of the advertising brochures we were sent a few weeks before."

The couple are now calling for a refund on their £4,043 holiday as they say they were not properly informed.

P&O Cruises told the news provider they were "in contact" with the Painters and encouraged all future passengers to read through holiday information carefully.

Do you think the requirement for yellow fever jabs could be made clearer for holidaymakers? Have you ever had a close call with missing a holiday?

You would have thought that anyone going to the tropics, and in particular the Amazon, would have checked with their doctors to see what was required, regardless of what was or wasn't in the brochure. Apart from yellow fever, you need everything else going for that part of the world.
Brian

QUOTE:

You would have thought that anyone going to the tropics, and in particular the Amazon, would have checked with their doctors to see what was required...

Yes, but some people just don't think like that!

Any holiday, let alone a dream holiday needs to be read through. I read every detail. Check if any vaccinations are needed. There is a wealth of info out there. I do feel sorry for them. But it should be check, check, check before you go. Carol.

If you book a flight to any country for which special vaccinations are required the onus is on you to find out what you have to do to protect yourself. I can't see why it's any different if you book a cruise - you're the adult, you should find out for yourself. It seems to me we live in a culture these days whereby everyone expects everything sorted out for them.

QUOTE:

Any holiday, let alone a dream holiday needs to be read through. I read every detail. Check if any vaccinations are needed. There is a wealth of info out there. I do feel sorry for them. But it should be check, check, check before you go. Carol.

Good point, I'll get my boosters before traveling to Southampton!

QUOTE:

Good point, I'll get my boosters before traveling to Southampton!

No boosters needed for Magnifica. But.... Paracetamol- check. Sturgeron-check. (could be a little wobbly in Southampton docks, that night) Sunglasses- check ( Dont want anyone seeing the bleary eyes) Alka-Seltzer- check. Carol :D

QUOTE:

Any holiday, let alone a dream holiday needs to be read through. I read every detail. Check if any vaccinations are needed. There is a wealth of info out there. I do feel sorry for them. But it should be check, check, check before you go. Carol.

Sad situation but echo what you've said here, Mumfords. I would add the necessity to check whether visas are needed too...

The responsibility for yellow fever jabs, or any other jabs cannot be with the cruise line or tour operator. Requirements change all the time and what may be relevant when the brochure is printed will not necessarily be the same when you travel.
We all have the responsibility to go to a travel clinic or GP surgery to see what jabs are required prior to travel. You have to be pretty naive to think you can travel to the Amazon without needing jabs!

Val

Why oh why can people not take responsibility for their own incompetence? "Nobody told me" is typical how some people stagger from one crisis to the next. Not only do we have access to practice nurses, NHS Direct, but the answers to most queries such as this are now at our fingertips with the likes of Google etc.
Sorry! Little sympathy coming from this old grump......Wilba