P&O expands cancellation freedom
P&O Cruises Australia is set to unveil a generous new customer policy for its 2021 cruises, with the aim of giving guests more flexibility and confidence to book.
The initiative comes alongside an additional 5% bonus commission which will be paid to travel agents in Australia and NZ on all new bookings made from 23 Oct 2020 to 01 Dec 2021.
Under the new “P&O Assurance” policy to be announced today, guests are able to cancel at any time up to 75 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, and receive a full refund with no cancellation fee.
The revamped policy applies to all existing and new bookings made before 03 Mar 2021, while guests scheduled to sail on or before 31 Jan next year can access the same offer if they choose to cancel at any time up to 30 days prior to departure.
P&O Assurance also allows guests to cancel their cruise up to 14 days prior to sailing and receive a 100% future cruise credit, with P&O Australia Head of Sales & Marketing Ryan Taibel saying “as we look ahead to the time when we can welcome our guests onboard again, we know it’s important to provide guests with as much flexibility as possible around future bookings”.
The bonus commission was recognition of the ”overwhelming support” of the travel trade, Taibel added, “both through the good times and the challenging year we’ve all been faced with”.
“We want to support them in getting back on their feet and work together on making thousands of Aussies’ and Kiwis’ future cruise holidays come true.
“The opportunity to earn extra commission is one way of instilling confidence and showing our unrivalled support for our agency partners,” Taibel said.
The bonus commission offer applies to P&O Australia Value Plus, Value Go and Short Sales fares, and will be added automatically to reservations at the time of booking.
P&O’s new policy follows last week’s confirmation that Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will join the local fleet earlier than previously expected (CW
23 Oct), with both set to begin sailing in the first half of 2021 and itineraries are now on sale.
Taibel said he was optimistic about the return of cruising in the region, saying “from the start of this highly unusual year, we have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of our guests who are looking forward to being back onboard and sailing as much as we are”.