Are P&O being “Fare” to Our Veterans?

So I have often thought for a long time that the cruise lines do a wonderful job at allowing our Veterans to cruise at discounted rates.

I am a firm believer that Our Veterans should be allowed to have the most benefits applied to their bookings so they can holiday with the special extras when they cruise.

P&O have always been a fine example of this and have historically offered superb rates for all Veterans but this March took me by surprise and they have had a wholesale change of policy.

P&O new Policy states…

As of the 1st March 2018 Military Benefits can only be applied to a booking if you are registered with Defense Discount Service and have a Defense Privilege Card.
Not to be combined with Early Savers, Savers, On-board Bookings or Thank you for cruising offers or Partnership benefits. booked on a P&O Cruises Select Fare only.

This offer is available to Military guests who are members of the Defence Discount Service (the official MOD discount scheme) and have a Defence Privilege Card. This is a paid for membership, the cost for which is £4.99 for 5 years membership. The offer is available to those that are currently serving in the HM Armed Forces and those that have previously served within the HM Armed Forces. Guests will need to quote their Defence Privilege Card membership number for the Military Onboard Credit to be added to their booking.

In order to apply the Military Benefits you would need to supply your Defense Privilege Card Number at the time of booking along with the promotion code MLT.

The amount of on board spending money is applicable for the 1st and 2nd passengers in a cabin only and depends on the grade of cabin booked and the duration of the cruise:

Please note the latest this benefit can be applied is 7 days before departure and it is not possible to apply the Military benefit once you are on board.

Now I understand the Military discount card is only £4.99 and lasts for 5 years and to some extent there is clearly an administrative reason P&O are having to change their policy here but I must say for a huge business that do such a wonderful job at keeping British fans of cruising happy with the service I am surprised the business was not able to swallow these costs and put the cost of each cruise up by £0.25 pence.

If any Veterans reading this would like to book a cruise please do not hesitate to contact me for an exclusive cruise.co.uk discount.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.