P&O Ferries: Consumer Council offers advice to people whose sailings cancelled

P&O ferry customers whose sailings failed to leave after the firm sacked hundreds of crew are entitled to an ‘alternative sailing’ or their money back, the Consumer Council says.

The consumer rights body issued guidance in the wake of the company making 800 workers redundant on Thursday sparking widespread anger.

Sailings have been suspended while the company replaces crew sacked by video-call leaving customers, including freight transporters, having to come up with alternative arrangements.

Read more: P&O staff set to protest at NI harbour after Zoom call sacking

Sailings to and from Larne and Cairnryan remain cancelled and the company says it is organising travel for customers via an alternative operator.

Hannah Brown, Senior Transport Policy Officer at the Consumer Council, said: “Passengers who were due to sail on P&O Ferries over the coming days are entitled to an alternative sailing to their destination at the earliest opportunity under comparable conditions at no additional cost, or a full refund.

“Passengers may also be entitled to compensation depending on the length of delay to their final destination and the cause of the delay. P&O Ferries is advising customers who are due to travel to check its Twitter for the latest advice.”

The Consumer Council issued further guidance for people whose ferry is cancelled, saying you should be provided with:

* A choice of an alternative sailing OR a full refund;

* Overnight accommodation if necessary, provided by the ferry company where possible (but not in instances of severe weather). It can be limited to £70 per night and maximum of three nights;

* You may be entitled to compensation depending on length of delay to your destination and it will be a percentage of the cost of the ticket price. You are not entitled to compensation where delays are caused by severe weather or extraordinary circumstances.

The Consumer Council said their website has a number of free resources including a Plain Sailing guide, which outlines ferry passengers’ rights when faced with delays and cancellations.

Read more: Calls to boycott P&O after 'scandalous' sacking of 800 workers

Read more: P&O Ferries says replacement workers being 'intensely trained' after axing 800 staff to cut crew costs by 50%

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