Guaranteed prices for disabled passengers.

As you may be aware a lot of cruise companies are offering guaranteed grades, cabins and fares at a highly reduced rate, great for most of us and in some cases all of us but what about those with special needs, assistance required or other disabilities? Cabins are located by the Cruiseline after the booking has been made and could be anywhere and not near to friends and family in other cabins. In some cases on completely different decks.

I was pleased to find out when I called P&O that they make an exception in these circumstances and still offer the guaranteed price but can allocate cabins at time of booking so cabins next to or close to each other can be arranged, it makes sense really, if they did not do this then disabled passengers or those in need of care from other family members booked into other cabins would need to pay the higher price and actually select their location thus penalising those that most need the support. Well done P&O.

Then we go to Celebrity Cruises, I have the same request, and same scenario, guaranteed cabins at £1700pp or named cabins at £1860pp, 2 cabins are required as 1 gentleman has Parkinsons disease and needs care from family members in the second cabin, his 76 year old wife can not cope on her own. “We can not offer you cabins close to each other at the guarenteed rate” I’m told by Celebrity!!! We could still get cabins together but my retired customers with an ill member are expected to pay an extra £320 per couple to secure their comfort and peace of mind.

I will be trying Celebrity again in the future if required, hopefully for now I was mis-informed, as for my customers, I booked them a great Cunard Cruise, got a great price and got great support from the staff at Cunard.