I’m definitely not happy, but thankfully we’re only flying one way. The email is a PR disaster for P&O, they should have been honest and acknowledge that we’re in for a substandard flight experience, not treat us like we’re all stupid 😢

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yes exactly this! I totally agree!

I am one of those affected, having booked Premium Economy seats on the flight to Antigua. I have made it clear to P & O that the alternative flights with Maleth are NOT acceptable. They blew a raspberry in response, say that under their standard Ts & Cs I would not get a refund of my deposit if I cancelled. I have joined P & O Caribbean cruises many times in the past and have upgraded the flight seats on every occasion. If I had been told this wouldn’t be possible on this cruise, I never would have booked it. I am prepared to pursue P & O in the courts if necessary. If this was happening in the US they would have had a class action slapped on them very quickly.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

As I said in the vlog, it’s always about TCs now and not what’s right or wrong. Makes me sad 😔 Sorry to hear about your predicament too.

@TheTopLaird

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie So true - but I feel on this occasion there has been such a stink that they will have to back off in some way. The first option might be the *alleged* TUI flights from Birmingham. If these exist, I’m hoping to get seats.

@dave6018

9 ай бұрын

I am in the same boat but I made my booking over the phone and I clear state I want premium economy , so I issued a dsar got the recording phone call!! Which say I would only book with a premium upgrade!! So now I'm going to do a section 75 credit card claim and I have also registered a complaint with ceo

@TheTopLaird

9 ай бұрын

@@dave6018 Absolutely brilliant 😂 I am now also going to follow the same route 👍🏼

@dave6018

9 ай бұрын

​@@TheTopLairdso I have tried multiple complaints to p&o and been told tough sh1t so enough is enough. I have a copy of my sales call and I paid on a credit card!! Part of me wants to do the small claims court but get a group of us together. It's not the money it's more the principal how they can sell me one thing over the phone and then change it and expect people to be ok with it!! I have two Cruises left with p&o and after that I'm never stepping on a p&o/carnival cruise ship ever again.

Thanks for the video Jamie! Was really disappointed with the email when we got it, there is at least 10 of us going in November for a 2 week fly cruise and we all thought about cancelling. I will leave another comment underneath this one letting you know what it is like!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yes please!!

A well balanced comment, one point to note !!! P&O said luggage goes straight to the ship..... IT DID ANYWAY. At Barbados one goes down the plane steps and walk the very short distance to the fleet of coaches, that thankfully they were upgraded in January 2022. We flew Tui Dreamliner from Manchester ( Jan 2022 ) and did not upgrade, we thought the legroom was FINE. In flight service was good.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

You dreamliner is comfortable and with good leg room even in economy.

A very balanced, calm review Jamie. Clearly something had to be done to cope with capacity however it's grossly unfair that some will be getting the service they paid for and others won't. Personally I wouldn't book economy on a long haul flight. I think the least P&,O can do is allow people to cancel with a full refund. I think this will impact adversely on P&O cruises that require a long haul flight and it'll be interesting to see how long their partnership with this airline continues.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Thanks, Angela. I have to say the feedback in my FB groups has been very poor with a number wanting to cancel or change airports. I personally wouldn’t book on a carrier like this to fly long haul. And I won’t book again now, unfortunately.

@tonynewman1694

9 ай бұрын

It's a big own goal for P&O will not consider Caribbean with them if this continues.

@richiehutchinson2801

9 ай бұрын

Hi Jamie does thus include Barbados returning to UK due to travel on Arvia in Oct thanks for all your hardworki great detail a great help.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@richiehutchinson2801 yes it does - will depend on your departure Airport and will be emailed if affected

@PrettyPink4044

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie Do you know if this affects Manchester Airport flights?

I’m on the TransAtlantic on the 27th. Had the email, and immediately threw some Air Miles and a companion upgrade voucher at Virgin and coming back Upper. I don’t fancy a Ryanair type of experience for 8 hours. Bring your iPads they say, well with no onboard USBs there’re gonna run out pretty quick playing movies etc. Love your vlogs Jamie BTW ❤

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I don’t blame you at all!!

I'll be following your flight vlogs Jamie. Thank you as always for your honesty

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Always have to say how you feel ❤️

Have just cancelled Fly/ Cruise with P&O. Having been told at time of booking that flight would be with TUI, Virgin or BA only to find that the carrier is a budget airline that has restricted seating. I did look at the possibly of transferring to an alternative fly/ cruise to fly with a carrier that has the capacity to give adequate legroom. The only issue is that no matter what cruise you select with P & O, they do not provide flight information until AFTER you have booked even if the cruise is only a week away. A lesson learnt in this case is to ensure who your flight will be with before you commit, in which case booking with P & O would not be a consideration. Ask for a refund if you cancel and you will find out what the letter P and the letter O actually stand for!

@TravelBlogJamie

8 ай бұрын

👍

Jamie, If P & O take full payment for Premium seats then a contract has been made and under the Goods and Services Act (2015) if they alter the offered service ‘which would have enticed a customer to book’ then a full refund of all monies paid should be claimable.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

That’s not what they’re saying unfortunately

Great Vlog again Jamie. I will be following your journey very closely as we are booked for January 2025. Our first fly cruise ever. Husband is a nervous flyer so took a lot of persuasion. I hope you do get to eat your words as I feel that this may be a long term partnership. Looking forward to your honest review. x

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I Hope to eat then as well 😂 I’m not so sure this will be long term if I’m honest …

Thanks for this review Jamie, I'm going the Caribbean Transatlantic on 27 October, then due to fly back on 10 November with Maleth Aero - am a little nervous as I have a history of blood clots and had banked on the extra leg-room. I completely agree that the 'fantastic on-board service' comment in the email is a kick in the teeth, as they then go on to describe a less than acceptable standard. Will be interested to follow this and fingers crossed for us all to have comfortable flights!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Hope it all goes well for you - let me know how it goes please!

@richiehutchinson2801

9 ай бұрын

Think that's ours from Southampton Barbados to Manchester on return with in laws and a wheelchair.

@tlynnl2570

6 ай бұрын

How did it go please?

Wow 😮most people can rough it for a couple of hours on a budget airline ✈️ but long flight with no movies 🍿 😢don’t think 💭 this will be popular

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s really not lol 😂

my elderly parents have saved up and had this cruise booked for ages , they were due to depart 24th Feb. they were always going to upgrade seats on flight to to my mums bad knee , but as that's not an option now. Also having to take a tablet on board to watch entertainment is not going g to work as they are not tec savvy, so have decided to cancel.. its really upset them both. definitely p&o have not supplied a like for like service . Agree its a total f**k up by p&o and that email was a joke. Most people have saved long and hard for this trip.. shame on you p&o

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

That’s so sad to hear and I’m so sorry for them 😩

Disgraceful lack of care for their customers…. Since this blew, Paul Ludlow has been conspicuous by his absence…. He needs to stand up and be counted……..

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I think a bit of transparency wouldn’t go amiss

Very well explained. When you booked this you were expecting a certain level of in flight service from the carrier. You are not going to get that.. I believe this will be a disaster for P&O.. I certainly would not book based on this. I await your vlog😮

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Thank you for your understanding - we will make the most of it!

We are booked on a Carribbean cruise in march 25 , fly out and 22 nights back to Southampton, we have booked premium flights as we like the leg room , the enhanced service and have gone for a slightly cheaper cabin to offset this , hopefully this won't be a long term partnership , we can live in hope 😁. Great video thanks 👍. Thank you Jesus

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I hope you get that exact service

@emjayvick511

9 ай бұрын

No guarantee you would have got what you paid for... thats why we cancelled and transferred our booking. 30" seat pitch on a 9 hour transatlantic with no premium option massve NO NO NO

Thanks for the video Jamie… My wife and I are not happy also,we fly on Nov 25th to BGI. Just had a reply from Paul Ludlow office trying to justify this craziness…if I could post this on here,I would!…they now mention putting customers on a waitlist for any spare flight availability they may have!!!.prob have to pay for that!!!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Urgh they have messed up big time

Just canceed my cruise back to Southampton from Barbados as P&O have replaced a lovely new TUI 787 Dreamliner with a crappy old A330-220. Whats even worse is that customers flying from Birmingham still get the 787 whereas frm LGW ad Manchester you get this... bad P&O very very BAD.....

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yes, that’s exactly what this vlog is about

@richardstreet7518

9 ай бұрын

Well done I have also decided not to take this flight / cruise..

@emjayvick511

9 ай бұрын

@@richardstreet7518 we changed to a Med cruise...

@annecopeland7759

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info Jamie, we're due to fly back from Barbados on 11th November, really not looking forward to it at all 😢 This will be the last time we book with P&O

@alywax_fan1555

8 ай бұрын

Is there not an option to book flights separately and make own way to the port or is it a lot more expensive? Sorry im new to cruising but always book our flights to the US separate. I know its a totally different situation so excuse my ignorance . They are going to lose a lot of business unless they come up with a better solution.

Hi Jamie. Thank you for a very good video. My wife and I are on Arvia’s transatlantic cruise out of Southampton, returning on the 11 November to Manchester. You reported that the standard seat pitch is 30” and as I’m 6’4” I was concerned I would not fit. Previously P&O told me we would be flying on the Tui Dreamliner which has a standard seat pitch of 33”, which I have flown before and know is fine. On the phone P&O now tell me the plane will be either an Airbus A330-200 9H-BFS or 9H-MFS. They told me the standard seat pitch will be 32” and extra legroom may be available to pre book in a few days (cost £95 pp), but could not advise on seat pitch, other than it will be more than 32”. However, I’m not at all sure that the advice given is reliable because Maleth Aero’s web site states the standard seat pitch is, as you mentioned , 30” and extra legroom 33”.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’m afraid it’s 30 inches with extra leg room being 33 inches - I’m not sure why P&O are saying this

Thanks for the info Jamie. As usual your cheery demeanour lightened my mood! I am sorry to hear this. Don't think this is a good move by P&O. It's becoming more like a cattle market. I am flying to Tenerife for a cruise in November-hopefully will still be Jet 2. Wouldn't fancy a long haul with this airline. Hope it gets sorted out. Look forward to seeing your blogs on this.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Lynn 🙏

I’m looking to book in January on Britannia and now that’s looking very doubtful. Glad I saw this

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Sad times

We booked a Caribbean cruise with P&O in Feb 2020 flying from Gatwick. Before our holiday their subcontracted carrier Thomas Cook went bust, but P&O acted very quickly and changed airlines to Tui with no inconvenience to their passengers. We flew on a modern Tui Boeing Dreamliner and although we did not book premium seats, which seemed to give little in the way of extra space for a high cost, we had enough room. The pictures you showed of the Maleth plane looked to have very cramped seating. To me it seems P&O have chosen this new carrier to cut costs.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

The Boeing Dreamliners have very generous seat pitches! The Maleth aircraft, no…

Both my partner and me enjoy the videos so informative especially as we are now going to be going on our first ever cruise in 2024 so excited for this opportunity together

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Have the best time together ❤️

To do long haul I would definitely book a better grade on the flight for leg room as im 6ft here so I know what its like for Maffoo, even when I fly from Edinburgh to Birmingham to visit the other half I always pay extra for the extra legroom seats. I definitely feel that this would put me off doing a fly cruise with P&O if and when I do a cruise. I hope they compensate you and Maffoo for the lack of service you'll be getting on this plane Jamie.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

We would never book this plane or these seats independently - never!

Thank you Jamie for your very clear video. We are booked to go to Caribbean on Britannia for 2 weeks in December 2024 to celebrate our Ruby wedding anniversary. We are very concerned about the change of carrier so much so that we are considering using our select price benefits to change to a completely different cruise to celebrate my husband's 65th in May '24 instead. This will be a cheaper cruise so P and O will be the loser. Shame as we have never travelled further than Europe and this would have been a holiday of a lifetime.

@TravelBlogJamie

8 ай бұрын

I Wonder if you could try to book extra leg room seats on the flight? Might alleviate some concerns?

Fair points all well made. I was not impressed with Maleth record regarding tranportation of animals for vivisection. Nor was i impressed with P and O reply "Maleth Aero serves global passengers and cargo over thousands of flights, including Covid vaccines and international aid workers. It serviced a short-term contract for a third-party company that included the transportation of animals, but it's no longer involved in this work." Now that is corperate BS.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It is indeed corporate talk and self-preservation

First cruise. First time to carribean and for our honeymoon. Thankfully comments havent darkened my mood. Very excited. Just happy have a flight to get there and not cancelled completely. Both had to work ridiculous hours to save for this. Having only flew in recent days with ryanair im sure an airbus will be a breath of fresh air. Will be sure to bring earphones to drown out all the moaners that are lucky enough to go on cruises more often and usually fly with 31-32" of legroom rather than 30" 😊 thanks for your video. Definitely helped realise im still very lucky to be going on a once in a lifetime holiday.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Enjoy 😊

@laurenjackson4181

9 ай бұрын

Do you have a video for what will happen with check in once you land before getting on ship abroad? As details state you get transfer included and been told once we will leave luggage at Gatwick we won't see it again till it is in our cabin? Thanks Lauren

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@laurenjackson4181 when you land and clear immigration you’ll be taken to the cruise terminal where you then check in for your cruise officially and when done, board the ship

Thank you for a balanced view. We had not received notification of change and we had upgraded. No communication with us, but went to pay the balance on Saturday and the travel agent informed us. Opts were to source our own flights and pay for them, but would forfeit the flight up grade and the transfer to and from the ship, but they kindly offered us £75 on board spend!! Attitude take it or leave it!! So we cancelled and now out of pocket hundreds of pound. Disgraceful attitude P&O !!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

This makes me so sad 😞

Thanks for another excellent video Jamie - as ever brilliantly balanced and researched, with a very fair assessment of what seems to us to be a huge own goal by P&O. We have annual leave to use in December and had dabbled with the Carribean on Arvia, but this has 100% closed that door for us. We won't be booking any fly cruises where there is a risk of this, especially with 2 young children ("activity packs" notwithstanding).

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’m saddened to hear another potential customer not considering booking because of this. No doubt you’ll have something else lined up though ❤️

@MarinaAndJoeGo

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie we've got a couple ideas - looking at a Center Parcs alternative, which could be fun😃

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@MarinaAndJoeGo oh we’ve booked CP again for January

@MarinaAndJoeGo

9 ай бұрын

​@@TravelBlogJamie Nice! What accomodation have you gone for?

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@MarinaAndJoeGo cheapest (apartment) - was £459 in total for the 3 nights

I found it cheaper (quite a bit) to have my travel agent arrange the flights a couple of days before the cruise from Barbados earlier this year.. this included a pre stay at a resort hotel and all transfers. Flights were with virgin airlines from lgw… just back from a Malta cruise and this also was arranged with the travel agent who booked hotels pre and post cruise at a saving over the p&o rates

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

Thanks for the information

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

No problem

As always....you are really funny...I always look forward to your videos.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

🙏🙏🙏

Hi Jamie ,just wanted to say thanks for the blog , after the mild heart attack and rushing to check, P&O haven't changed our flights from Gatwick, however there were some quirks, originally on the 11th of September when we tried to book our premium seats ,we were offered the later Gatwick flight at 11 ish where we were able to book and pay ,think now we know that the earlier flight must be the new carrier ?? We will be on Britania for Christmas and hopefully happy to be there after our comfortable 9 hour flight. Roland anf Marie

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

So pleased you get to enjoy the original plans - have a great time ❤️❤️❤️

Virgin atlantics seat pitch is 30 inch down the back. I’m guessing they have had issues with the original airline or have struggled to get a flight operated from Gatwick. Even if booked with BA or TUI you could turn up and find your flight covered by a wet lease carrier ( Hifly smartlynx Titan) with no notice. Most of the time the IFE breaks anyway. I did a flight back from the US with Ba and it was broken on the whole plane.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Most of the time it breaks? I’ve never had that…

P&O sent out emails saying how great this company is and how they helped ship millions of covid vaccines into the UK.. Knowing what we know now I’m surprised they used that as a sales pitch…

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I agree!

@iloveanimals1662

9 ай бұрын

😂😂😂 That's put me right off now!

Can't believe P&O are treating their guests like this.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

We will be ok 👌 I hope 🤞🏼 😂

@Marhababoy

9 ай бұрын

Oh how awful. Flying with an airline you’ve never heard of. Unless you normally charter a private flight then why would you have heard of them? You all need to grow up, self entitled idiots. Your frustration is at P&O not with an airline you’ve never flown with! And the airline does have business class aircraft according to their website AND entertainment however it’s P&O who CHOSE not to charter those particular aircraft ! Get a grip!!!

@warpedweft9004

9 ай бұрын

they have the same parent company as Princess who are also treating their guests shamefully at the moment in regard to taking away things from passengers who have already booked and paid. Seems to be a company wide problem.

We had booked premium to go as I have back trouble. Was just told no extra leg room available on new flight. Also no refund on our deposit if we cancelled. We cancelled and have lost our deposit. Needless to say no more of our money will be going to P&O

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

So so sad

Great video Jamie well explained, We are due to go on Arvia in Feb 2025 if they are still using Maleth next year this will be cancelled. Isn't it strange whenever something happy or good is being announced by P&O Mr Ludlow comes on with one of his smiley happy videos, as soon as something controversial comes along he disappears.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It would be great it P&O mitigated the disaster of that email they sent out but im not sure they always work like that! Sorry to hear you’ll be cancelling if things don’t change

I’ve noticed a lot of changes to the quality with P&O due to cost cutting. This sounds horrendous. If I hear this happening with flights out of Manchester I will be thinking twice about the cruise next year. Thanks for sharing.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

😩😩😩

Now I think people have every right to call p&o Butlins at sea !!! We've cruised with them for over twenty years and over fifty cruises and have noticed lots of cut backs. And I think its about time they stopped blaming covid. Keep up the good work Jamie. 👏 Dave F.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

🙏🙏🙏

My wife, myself and our two teenage sons had 2 seperate cabins booked. The booking was linked so everything was together. We had to split the bookings so the adults were in one cabin each. They have now split our flights up so that one pair is on Tui and the 2nd is on Maleth! They wouldn't put us all on Tui so we have had to all go on Maleth. They have forced our hand into freeing up space on the Tui flight! Disgraceful 😡 We would not have agreed to this on the original booking.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Oh this is terrible!!

Hi. We were lucky - flying from Manchester - on TUI - phew! But I do agree with those on the alternative flight. You paid the same as us and should have the same as us.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Have a great flight and cruise 🚢

I first flew long haul on a British Caledonian DC-10 forty years ago & we at least got inflight audio throughout the flight & a movie that appeared on a large screen at the front of the cabin. Maleth Aero doesn't even reach the standards of the early 80s.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

That’s saying something!!

Our window was just opened to book seats with Maleth Aero at midnight last night. Not been able to book seats. The booking page crashes and the phone number that comes up for you to phone is unrecognisable. Not sure if this is P and O side or Maleth booking side. Not a great start really. Still looking forward to Jamaica🎉and Arvia though😀on a positive note, I really like the new Drinks Package - took it on Britannia recently for the first time and yes for us, it was really good value. In the past we just paid as we went. Also a huge congratulations for the staff on Britannia - outstanding

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

No, it’s not working: a total farce

I’m fuming as we were going to book February to go on the arvia … not a Chance now I’m looking at celebrity cruises . So bad P&O need to sort it out !! They are going to have a lot of people cancelling.

@TravelBlogJamie

8 ай бұрын

They’ve had a significant number of people cancel

Another point here is most airlines operate 8 across on the a330 2-4-2 with only Cebu Pacific a Philippine low cost airline offer 9 across like maleth so along with the tight pitch the seats will be very narrow.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

Oh Jamie! We have also had this email and are gutted! We are the first to fly back to UK on this airline from Antigua as we are on the transatlantic sailing from Southampton. I am really horrified that we have been treated like this by P&O. Even a sweetener of additional OBC would be some comfort but no, nothing! Previously we flew with TUI, which has always been great. For us, we will be looking at other cruise lines and cancelling the one we have booked for October 2024. This is because first, our cruise was completely cancelled, then second this. Third … we would lose so much of our money because it’s so close to our departure. I even asked our travel agency if we could stay on the ship but, apparently, this “is not allowed”. Well, back to back cruises are allowed - maybe the terminology was incorrect and it’s just a fully booked ship? Finally, a huge mistake by P&O not being truthful.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’m really saddened to read this - hope you get things sorted 🙏🙏🙏

After having a long haul flight cancelled on us by the airline late at night after hours of delays, and only a slim chance of being able to leave 26 hours later meaning we had a good chance of missing the cruise, I'd never trust the fly-cruise deal. I want to pick my own airline that I know has plenty of code shares and aim to get into the port city at least 48 hours before departure. We hadn't experienced this before because we usually tack on a couple of weeks travel and end with the cruise, but this time we were starting with the cruise. We managed to get our flight swapped to another code share airline early in the piece once the delays started to get serious. By that time we figured the plane wasn't leaving that night due to looming curfews and the need to swap out crews, but it's not an experience I ever want to repeat.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

Balanced video. We are also on Crappy-Aero. We have asked P&O when they signed the deal as details were released after full balance paid. Shame on you P&O , and your discrimination against some passengers. Treat ALL your passengers fairly and admit your failings and pay compensation!

@TravelBlogJamie

8 ай бұрын

I feel for those in particular who need extra space and can no longer travel but lose their money

Hi Jamie on your recent fly cruise with Marella from Dubrovnik how late was it that you were able to print off your cruise boarding pass from Marella’s cruise control web site?

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’m sorry I don’t know - I imagine it would be up to 24 hours in advance, though. Otherwise, download to phone?

Good luck i wouldn't be happy oh well that has put me off a caribbean cruise , i hope you still have a lovely time.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Put me off too

Very good review it’s shocking

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

🙏🙏🙏

One thing you may have missed is that almost al A330s operated by other carriers (such as Virgin) are 8 across. The Maleth Air are 9 so they will be very narrow indeed.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

@TravelAnorak

9 ай бұрын

Sounds like how TUI squeezed in 8 seats across on their 767s while 7 across is the usual standard.

Have a cruise booked for January, flights on this old carrier from Manchester. I am due to pay the balance this week. I can only fly with TUI if I fly from Birmingham. This is out of the question so looks like we are going to have to cancel. This is my first cruise with P&O and will most definitely be my last!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

This makes me so sad and I’ve had so many similar comments!!

It’s our honeymoon the 23rd December on Arvia for two weeks. Very grateful we are on a TUI flight but furious for others on Maleth Aero.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Have a great time!

One other thing to note, you say we've all paid the same yet people are getting different in-flight services. That's not correct, those flying from Manchester would have paid HUNDREDS more to fly from there yet are getting a worse in flight service. 😔

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Please read my description

We are booked on Arvia departing 16/12. Paid for premium but now in cattle class on Maleth? Have P and O broken a contract as we paid for premium. Not received any refund so does the contract stand?

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

If you’ve paid for premium you will get a refund for the extra you paid for those seats plus £75 OBC pp in the cabin

I’m not a fan of P&O so very glad I’m not booked on this flight as it seems very disappointing for all of you. Having worked in the Falklands during the pandemic, the only transport for the 20 hour flight was an RAF chartered plane with terrible food, no alcohol and no entertainment I know what it’s like - so bring you iPads, your own food, and possibly a pillow and blanket as these may not be supplied either and it’s good to sleep on a long flight. We didn’t have crowding and there was plenty of legroom though - same plane, different configuration - here’s hoping P&O rethink a bit - it sounds like a cost cutting exercise with only disadvantages for the travellers!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I think I’d rather have minimal facilities but more leg room for sure!

These trips are not cheap so many people have saved and worked hard for this to happen not some undervalued service this will make fewer people less likely use PO

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I agree ☝️

I'm very disappointed tbh, i booked a 2 week cruise on January for our 25th wedding anniversary, flying from Manchester , this isn't the luxurious start to our special celebration i had in mind 😢

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Far from it: Hope you enjoy once you arrive, though! And congratulations 🎉

Hi Jamie, long time since we spoke on Facebook, however as we’re cruising shortly after you and under the same conditions as you, I thought i would jump onto KZread and see if you had any info, cheers for the info, really looking forward to your thoughts when you go, keep me posted, Alasdair

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Will do!

The boarding pass for Explorer 2 is on the same page as where you print the luggage labels at the moment it’s greyed out (boarding pass) but I might be a bit early. Thought you might have remembered when you did your cruise although it was a year ago!!!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’ve been on multiple cruises since them

@rogercorley445

9 ай бұрын

I bet you have!!!!!! Via the Iglu cruise chat I’ve ascertained the boarding passes are printable from 72 hours before departure. Thank you for your consideration Jamie

I'm one of the passengers now flying with this airline and I've paid for premium for health and comfort reasons I will be receiving £75 on board credit but not happy about the whole thing I will be considering my options.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s disappointing for sure

@garyball5914

9 ай бұрын

Love your cruise channel totally honest and informative well done 👍

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@garyball5914 thanks Gary - appreciate it

This is shocking, we are flying from Glasgow on 25th Nov to barbados, thankfully we are still flying with Tui, hope everything goes well for everyone that is flying with this other airline.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏

I on going on the same cruise it seems. Really puts a massive downer on the trip knowing the flights will be less than service expected and paid for

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s very disappointing

If PO had kept Azura sailing in the Caribbean instead of Arvia, they would not have to scrabble around looking for planes capable of a long flight. I have checked what BA would charge you for a premium seat on a Friday or Saturday it’s just over £2,230 return. You will have to wait for your luggage reaching the the arrivals, then queue for immigration clearance. Then find a taxi to take you to the cruise terminal. Also as a private passenger if the plane is late they won’t wait for you, unlike if you are on a PO flight.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I don’t think hardly anyone here is suggesting going independently at this late stage… Imagine paying for your fly cruise and then paying for another flight.

I came back from barbados last night 29/12 this flight was delayed by over 5 hours. Absolutely ridiculous. Barbados Airport is NOT the place you want to be held over, i felt so sorry for those passengers.

@TravelBlogJamie

6 ай бұрын

And today both flights out of Antigua will be damaged at least 4-5 hours. We are allowed to sat in our cabins, however, and our pick up time adjusted accordingly. It makes me laugh that there were people on here saying this was the best decision P&O have made regarding chartered flights 😂

Unsafe We had two flights. Things like one crew member couldn’t close the door ( she had worked for them for a week) Only one week of training. Then training on board. Not like ANY UK airline. 8 crew is a minimum on this aircraft type full qualified. A trainees don’t count. We had 2 on flight out and 3 on flight back. Being train on the job by one member of staff. We had no confidence in the training being given. A good start to flight home was one crew member was not in cabin for takeoff she was in the flight deck. Leaving only 7 in cabin against the regulations. One crew member per door.

@TravelBlogJamie

6 ай бұрын

👍

Bar service at additional cost 🤔 aren’t drinks usually inclusive on long haul

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yes they are. But not on this one. You’d think to soften the blow they’d do more to improve the in flight service but no…

And one other thing the crew said “ I knew that I was do the P & O in spring of of this year” so we had to pay the full balance before we found out

@TravelBlogJamie

6 ай бұрын

👍

I booked the cruise last night, knowing that Maleth Aero will be the airline. I hate flying, and using this airline makes me very nervous. BUT the offer was great, especially for a 1 week cruise over NYE on Arvia. When I was younger, I flew on lots of aircraft that hat no personal tv screens, which tbh, isn't nice, but we'll just take our iPads and talk our way to Antigua. Wouldn't be mad if they changed airlines again, BUT here's the thing: we're from Germany, and here, a 1 week cruise to the Canary Islands would have been more with a German cruise line than this week in the Caribbean flights. Can't wait! Any idea on how likely it will be that because of all the negative press they might change the airline?!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I’ve heard they are looking at alternatives but I doubt that will happen yet: I’m more concerned about people with disabilities who needed the extra room that tv screens tbh

@dominicedwards9117

6 ай бұрын

What deal pls?

We were booked Premium and the refund has arrived although no notification from P&O this was going to happen. I’ve read about some compensation in the form of on board credit as well - again nothing from P&O are you able to confirm if this will be automatically given?

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

You should get £75pp onboard credit on your cruise account

Our Birmingham flights were £100 each more expensive than the London flights so it's not the same price. Regional flights have always been more expensive

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

But that’s nothing to do with the service / facilities

@gregfaulkner

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie Just pointing out that the price is more, so you're not actually paying the same from London. Anyone moving their flight from London to Birmingham with have to pay the more expensive price we've paid for years.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@gregfaulkner or you can come to London and pay less

@gregfaulkner

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie Theres no point now lol

Other carriers that fly an A332 have a 2-4-2 layout rather than what Maleth is offering. And that is with a bigger seat pitch. Maleth seem to be geared up to flying these aircraft on high density short to medium haul flights rather than those of 8 hours or more. I am going to be flying from Birmingham for my cruise and the one thing that you have forgotten is the fact that we have to pay more to do so. Overall this is a PR disaster for P+O as a Ryan air experience on a long haul flight is not going to be acceptable for most.

@TravelBlogJamie

8 ай бұрын

Hello Phillip - I think you have missed all the comments I’ve made about fares. You haven’t paid more for your flight for the inflight service, you’ve paid more due to the airport you’ve chosen to fly from. There’s a big difference. Otherwise, agree that it’s a PR disaster

Yes,,me and my missus are booked for the Caribbean cruise 18th Nov. Just found out about this absolute scandal last week. Can we change the flight ? I have a bad back of 30 yrs in the building trade and I’m extremely concerned about this! Can anybody help ??

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I think you could change airport but I imagine most from Birmingham will be full

Looks like Easyjet or Ryanair!! What a let down after paying all that money! We flew TUI Dreamliner to Barbados for our transatlantic P&O cruise on Azura - would NOT have booked if I'd known we'd be broken by the flight!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Exactly this

I Jamie have read and listen to your blog, we are transatlantic from Southampton to Barbados 27-/10-11/11 but we are flying back on a tui Dreamliner which we are very happy about. Would not like the flight you are going on. I have arthritis and by the time 9 hrs flight I would not be able to walk at all

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s definitely going to cause some to be very uncomfy

when we booked TUI call centre assured us it would be on a TUI 787.......

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

This is very dishonest of P&O. Refunds should be offered

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Wouldn’t mind the option of changing or cancelling but of course T&Cs!

We are lucky as we are flying with TUI. I would not have wanted to have flown with Maleth but it's not too long ago that IFE was a pipe dream on some long haul flights. In fact 2015 we flew from Santiago to Madrid (c14 hours) on an Iberian A340 without IFE. This year we booked in advance but from next year onwards we won't need to and I will only sail P&O in the Caribbean if I can guarantee which flight we are on at the time of booking, which is within 14 weeks of sailing. If others do the same it could cripple P&O's Caribbean operations if they continue on this path. I'm sure it is a last resort due to plane shortages but I cannot see extra aircraft being available next year. Let's hope I'm wrong!

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

We would never book a flight like this for long haul and will not book a Caribbean fly cruise with P&O again until they change this.

@davidcollins6482

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamieditto😢

PR was more annoying with the P&O twitter post next day with Gary Barlow banging on "I love exploring new destinations or returning to old favourites, but it's always about the journey that takes you there" , Yes my Prem Economy has been returned and gor £75 each OBC but lost the extra weight PE would provide for the 2 weeks duration

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yup; it’s all about the journey but not this one lol 😂

Their business model was always likely to run aground on flight logistics with the massive Britannia and even more massive Arvia out there carrying about 9000 passengers between them each week. It’s a Herculean task to secure enough seats each week on scheduled and charter aircraft when the numbers are so huge and THIS particular debacle is the inevitable result. The mega ships should probably have stuck with Southampton to Southampton cruises with the smaller vessels like Aurora doing the Caribbean shuttles.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I think it’s fine if you know this is the carrier in advance because then you get to make a choice. But yes, a loooot of people to get out there and back

@gerardmackay8909

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie thing is when we booked repositioning in March I don’t remember being informed which airline we would be flying on the one way trip out (as it turned out it was BA). I can handle the long flight out because it’s all in the daytime but the overnight back is a real penance. Anyway hope you have a great time notwithstanding.

Some of the comments about how I didn’t know what I was talking about and that Maleth would be a far better choice haven’t aged very well, have they… lol 😂

Sad that P&O think it’s customers are not savvy enough to see through this. It is a cost cutting exercise and there is absolutely nothing good about it, so be up front, give options, and perhaps offer guaranteed money back if this does not suit some customers. This is a very late change, the deadline for total payment has arrived, tying you in so it seems pretty poor timing to me.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Agreed

In view of the fact that PO have made a big change can't you switch airports?

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

We haven’t had that option and Birmingham is the nearest - it would actually be a supplement and not exactly local to us either

Long haul flights (packed to the gills) can be very uncomfortable as space is king. I am still recovering from a flight where an inconsiderate passenger in the forward row reclined the seat so far back that I was pinned into my seat. My foot fell asleep and I could hardly stand as I attempted to make it to the bathroom mid-flight. I have never flown coach since. P&O should have made this change much earlier and not this close to the travel date. Matthew will not be a happy camper for sure.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

He won’t, and as someone with chronic pain under my rib cage I need space too. Far too late to make these changes without options to change or cancel

@warpedweft9004

9 ай бұрын

we are often long haulers - 22+ hours for us to get to Europe, 13 hours to west coast USA or 15 to Dallas, depending on the airline. Most airlines they use are el cheapo and the seats are not designed for comfort. Cheap flights leave at the crack of dawn when there's little transport to the airport and generally include several very long layovers to Europe, blowing put the total time to get to your destination to 40-50 hours, not including any internal flights once you get into the country/continent. From Australia we are very limited in the cities we can fly into long haul, which often means a connecting flight or two. We've found we're best off doing the flight arrangements ourselves, and leaving plenty of time once we get to the port city in case of flight delays and/or cancellations.

Have you noticed Virgin is 8 across the cabin and they are 9. It’s not just the pitch the width is going to be bad too.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s going to be a tight squeeze

@rmc6935

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie Sadly it’s the P&O I first sailed it. Like it lump is not great for future business. I wouldn’t book if I thought there was a chance of them.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@rmc6935 I’d never book this aircraft for long haul for our needs

@rmc6935

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie No one would book them. I guess P&O bank on not many customers caring too much about it. Sadly the way facebook blew up I think it’s a bad miscalculation.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

@@rmc6935 it was the cheek of the email saying it would be a fantastic In-Flight service when that’s not remotely the case!

Airbus A330's are normally configured 2-4-2 in economy on scheduled airlines. This appears to be 3-3-3 - You don't need to be an expert in maths to determine what that will do to seat width.

@TravelBlogJamie

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely although some people on here can’t do the maths

Hi Jamie just wat he'd your video I my self definitely not happy having booked this fly cruise from Antigua an 11 hr flight on this inferior freight airline I phoned po and asked if I could change airports and was told no They must known well in advance they were going to use this airline and failed to inform there passengers they waited until people paid I. Full for this holiday With out getting there money back as I had not paid in full was put in a position with in days if I did not cancel meaning I would lose my deposit I would been charged another £2.650 pound within the 91 days of the cruise I have asked for my deposit back but they refuse saying its within there terms and conditions but is it in there terms that they can be allowed to with hold flight information for this long

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

It’s so unfair isn’t it 😩 We would never book a plane like this for a long haul flight - quite simply we’d travel with a different company

Glad I received notification of a TUI flight in premium, otherwise I would have cancelled. I can just about cope for 4 hours in economy due to my height, so I would dread 9 hours or so

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Yep that would have been difficult

Virgin A330 is 2-4-2 I have decided not to sail with P&O on their return transatlantic (Arvia) next March. I would expect P&O to use UK. carriers. Premium seats booked on tui are being refunded and £75 oBC offered if asked...

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

This is what I mention at the end of the vlog - glad you can confirm

@emjayvick511

9 ай бұрын

totally unacceptable

@greenfloyd9531

9 ай бұрын

Can I ask what UK carriers can offer full charter with bonded luggage? The answer is none. There is no one sadly. When Thomas Cook went bust about 1800 seats per day on the UK charter market went straight away.

Maleth are based in Bournemouth in the UK., Although most of its aircraft are registered in Malta. They also operate some Virgin Airbus A340 aircraft

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

👍

@greenfloyd9531

9 ай бұрын

The A340s are freight only. Plus they are slow :-) they are actually based in Chicago as part of the AELF group.

@ciudad-del-mar

9 ай бұрын

​@@greenfloyd9531their UK base is Bournemouth however. They have one passenger A340 registered to European who used to fly for Palmair.

Is this the same from Manchester? Xx

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

I believe so, yes

Not good pr for p&o. I remember years ago flying from exeter to rhodes the airline was icelandic air we had 2 small children then no tv or screens to look at. The seat next to me was empty i asked if i could put one chold who was sat on my lap in the seat so i could eat my meal answer no. Never known staff so rude so i hope youre flught is ok only time will tell

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

We’ll find out soon enough!! 😩

We are due to go from.manchester next year paid extra £100 extra we have time cancell our cruise so very disappointed with PO

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Very sad to hear that

P&O do not specify, and never have, who the flight operator will be. Anybody who was Premium has been refunded, and some extra spending money for on the boat, to the tune of £75 per person. It was all speculation that flights would be provided by TUI or Virgin. If a Travel Agent told you this, the complaints should be aimed at your TA, not P&O. They wouldn't be so stupid to guarantee such a thing.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

You’re wrong actually - and I don’t have a TA - they’ve always used those carriers expect for when there has been a cancellation or severe delay and then have contracted another more last minute. The fact you can PAY for premium on booking means it will be one of those carriers. Of course they choose the airline way in advance. They’ve literally just changed it last minute and made the whole experience inequitable.

@paulduncan4892

9 ай бұрын

@@TravelBlogJamie did they guarantee you a TUI or Virgin flight? Have they reimbursed the premium part of the fare? Did you receive compensation in the form of some spending money? In terms of booking planes, this is quite last minute.

@donnacourt1471

9 ай бұрын

P&O told us that the flights are with TUI or Virgin when we booked whilst on the Ventura in August 2022 so they are very stupid as you put it.

@TheCarlanthony

9 ай бұрын

Per the T&CS they never put what operators they use. In aviation you are never guarenteed to be on the same company plane you booked or at least expected. TUI do not have enough aircrafts neither do Virgin, BA etc that is why they have these. Per a tweet from P&O they will still offer some premium seats. People would be more angry if they just cancelled the cruises like last year. @@TravelBlogJamie

Just managed to get the page to load to book seats. Found out after ringing p&o there are £45 each way pp. Is that normal?!

@robbrooks4858

9 ай бұрын

Flight booking page now down for maintenance!😡

@laurenjackson4181

9 ай бұрын

Yes I rang them and the woman said as everyone is trying you just need to keep trying. When I managed to get on earlier all the doubles had gone. And if you want a seat near the doors it £90 pp per flight.

@robbrooks4858

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the info…much appreciated

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Gah 😩

@robbrooks4858

9 ай бұрын

After 6!days of trying..managed to get on the flight portal and booked extra legroom seats to Barbados with Maleth…£95 per person one way!!!!!this was at midnight yesterday!!!

I have had no choice but I have had to cancel as I am disabled and I just can not sit in premium, i never book a flight unless I upgrade, I can manage Emirates or simaler, because there seating is far superior, but I still pay extra to have my seat where I want. So at the moment I am down £700 and I doubt very much P&O will return that deposit, quoting the usual terms and conditions line. Anyway going to Thailand instead, somewhere completely new.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

This is horrendous - I’m so sorry 😞

Not a hope that I would be going, especially when they used to use B.A most of the time to Bridgetown.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Alas I’m not prepared to lose a number of thousand of pounds. We won’t book again though

Very good and balanced review and I’m glad you’re going to give it a chance. As you mentioned, this was very poorly managed by P&O, to say it is an equivalent service when it won’t be and not clearly explaining what is included and what isn’t. It’s been confirmed that those who booked premium or premium economy seats will get a refund plus £75 obs. I’ve heard that the crew and food/drink will all be from TUI and it’s just the plane that is Maleth.

@TravelBlogJamie

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for you comments!