P&O Cruises to scrap daily service charge!!!!!

In major turn around last week P&O announced that from May 2019 they will be abolishing all gratuities fleet wide  from every departure, this includes those customer who already have bookings confirmed prior to this news. This is a huge boost for customers travelling with P&O saving passengers around £50 for a 7 night cruise, and I’m sure this will now give them the much needed edge to bring back lost custom or gain some new customers from their competitors.

Since the news broke P&O have addressed customers main concerns that fares would not rise as a result and staff wouldn’t be paid less as a result of the move. They also went on to explain that this move was not prompted by passenger feedback, or any one specific event, just that it was a decision “to make life simpler for passengers”.

P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: “We take huge pride in giving guests a holiday experience that’s truly memorable and special. By removing the daily discretionary service charge, P&O Cruises will make enjoying a cruise holiday an effortless experience, knowing that great service comes as standard.”

Followers on Facebook have welcomed the change……….

Amanda wrote ”  I’m so glad that P&O have decided to change this system… it really irritated me that a large proportion of guests were removing these gratuities making everyone else, who didn’t, “subsidise” their holiday!!! Also, it now gives passengers the opportunity to reward crew members, for the excellent service that they receive, personally, so much better “

Also Mary praised the move “Thank goodness for that! I have been requesting this for a few years. Naturally you will tip for good service, but I think tipping is a very American habit which seems to have rubbed off on the English. P&O are good value for money, so hope they don’t increase their prices too much. Looking forward to my next cruise with them.”

What do you think on this change?

Do you think more cruise lines will move in line with this announcement and follow in P&O footsteps?

Would this sway you decision as to which cruise line to book with?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Until Next time

Marie

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