Mis-sold suite and PO will NOT take responsibility
Searched for a Christmas cruise and as a treat because we would be on the ship for Christmas we looked for a suite. The highest class of suite on the Iona per the PO website is the 'Suite' the description shows a space of 434-530 sq ft of space. Two rooms, lounge with sitting area, balcony, TV and a separate bedroom with another TV and balcony. Shower and bath tub and separate WC. Perfect ...we booked this as this was what we needed. The most important part of this room was bath tub, my husband previously suffered from a Cervical Fracture of the neck (broken neck) and how he walks, stands and rests are all negotiable. A bath tub means he can bathe without standing in a shower , essential for a 14 night break.
All was well, I logged into my booking a few weeks later and noticed by 'Suite' was now named a 'Family Seaview suite'. Didn't think too much of this but then researched our room on google , room 8110.
It was here on You tube that I was shown that the 'Suite of room 8110 was NOT the suite on the PO website or on my booking.
The suite in fact had no balcony, was not a two roomed suite and maximum size was 330 sq ft, but worst of all the bath tub did not exist and we only had a shower.
How could this be ? I looked into this further and found a small print note to say 'no balcony with this suite on Iona'. Okay accepting no balcony , what about the rest, the difference in size, layout, bathing facilities.
I then tried to speak to PO about this, I needed to cancel this suite as it did not meed the needs of my husband's disability. Trying to speak to P&O was a nightmare, I was on hold every time I tried for at least 40-60 minutes and I just never got through.
My only other alternative was to complete an online form, no live chat was available and no call back facility. I completed this form explaining that I had been mis-lead and the suite they sold me was not the suite I was being offered. Weeks went by and no response. I completed two further contact forms before I finally got a reply.
The reply was outrageous, no apology, no explanation just a copy and paste of the cancellation charges. This was generic and had not considered my dispute and detailed submission.
I had to respond back to this email twice and when I finally got a response back I was told 'they will look into the wording of this suite on their website' however there was nothing they could do, and once again I was reminded of the cancellation fees.
I am absolutely disgusted with the behaviour of P&O, how dare they describe and show a suite which does not exist and sell it to customers. How can the suite be so different and have different facilities - this is a complete mis-selling to all customers.
I needed this suite for my husband's previous injury and disability - yet they will not take responsibility for this and had the nerve to suggest I claim on my travel insurance. How on earth would I make a claim ? P&O has mis-sold me a suite and this is unacceptable. I have photo's of the room they are selling today Live on their website, IT IS NOT THE ROOM YOU GET. I also have photos of 'Manage my booking' and it clearly shows the suite I DO NOT GET.
I will now seek legal advice , this is a holiday sold that does not match the description in the brochure/website, the regulations state TRAVEL PROVIDERS CANNOT PROVIDE MISLEADING INFORMATION. It is also considered a criminal offence.
If you looking at PO - research the room on the internet before taking their word for it.
So wrong we cannot trust a big, successful British brand to be honest on what it is providing.
In relation to PO response.. we HAVE raised our complaint and concerns with guest relations and four weeks on we are awaiting a response!!!!
June 17, 2024
Unprompted review