Holiday nightmare!
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Hello All,
I have not posted for a while but just wanted to share something that happened as a result of reading an item on the forum. Since my husbands conviction in 2021 we have attempted to get back to a degree of normality, obviously life has never been the same as it was pre-conviction but we have and continue to cross many hurdles which this offence throws at us. Somebody on the forum (forgive me for forgetting names etc) has recently questioned if SO's are able to cruise, as we have undertaken quite a few cruises since conviction we have been able to escape the bowed heads, snipes and many restrictions that we have become accustomed to and enjoy being out at sea and relaxing to escape this nightmare. We had another cruise booked for the end of September this year however a very thorough member of the forum was able to share that some cruise lines had recently amended their T&Cs so I thought I better check (bearing in mind I had always done this prior to all of our bookings). To my horror I discovered the cruise line headed by Carnival Corporation (which owns many brands) had amended to say "By making a booking, the Passenger confirms that all persons named in the booking are not persons who: (i) have any unspent conviction for antisocial behaviour, violence, abuse, public disorder, or criminal damage or any other form of antisocial behaviour; (ii) have a conviction for a sexual offence that is subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; or (iti) are subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order or Child Abduction Notice."...
I was able to check the T&C's at the time of booking and this was not included as a clause. I immediately rang the cruise line who were extremely helpful and I disclosed our situation. They actually informed me I was the first person to do this and thanked me for being upfront and honest and also in their belief many people travel in the knowledge they are violating T&C's but if they are caught there would be serious consequences and be permanently banned from any cruises headed by Carnival Corporation, I advised we wanted to stay fully compliant but in the back of my mind was also mindful the police could easily contact the cruise line and as a result of violations we would be permanently banned from their company. For our honesty even though a cancellation at this stage would incur 100% charges they were excellent in refunding our whole balance without any penalties, they also informed me that I would not have any problems travelling with them however there is now a flag next to my husbands name but at any stage as and when he comes off the register to ring them and they would remove the flag and he would be fine to sail again.
I just wish I could remember the person who posted this message to thank them as despite my extreme disappointment I would hate to think what could have happened had we continued to travel oblivious to the T&C's.
I have been told there are cruise lines out there that do not stipulate this clause in their T&C's, much as I enjoy cruising I am not sure this is a responsible approach so for the time being as a couple we will give them a miss and stick to land based holidays until we can resume cruising again without any complications.
We are obviously truly disappointed but in the grand scheme of things and after going what we have been through know there are currently others struggling with much greater problems (which in our situation almost destroyed both of us) so to everyone struggling there is a chance of a life be it very different to pre conviction, when you think it is behind you at every corner it continues to rear its ugly head but you learn how to manage and cope much easier.
Sending my love and best wishes to all and thanks for reading.
Katie xxxx
I have not posted for a while but just wanted to share something that happened as a result of reading an item on the forum. Since my husbands conviction in 2021 we have attempted to get back to a degree of normality, obviously life has never been the same as it was pre-conviction but we have and continue to cross many hurdles which this offence throws at us. Somebody on the forum (forgive me for forgetting names etc) has recently questioned if SO's are able to cruise, as we have undertaken quite a few cruises since conviction we have been able to escape the bowed heads, snipes and many restrictions that we have become accustomed to and enjoy being out at sea and relaxing to escape this nightmare. We had another cruise booked for the end of September this year however a very thorough member of the forum was able to share that some cruise lines had recently amended their T&Cs so I thought I better check (bearing in mind I had always done this prior to all of our bookings). To my horror I discovered the cruise line headed by Carnival Corporation (which owns many brands) had amended to say "By making a booking, the Passenger confirms that all persons named in the booking are not persons who: (i) have any unspent conviction for antisocial behaviour, violence, abuse, public disorder, or criminal damage or any other form of antisocial behaviour; (ii) have a conviction for a sexual offence that is subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; or (iti) are subject to a Risk of Sexual Harm Order or Child Abduction Notice."...
I was able to check the T&C's at the time of booking and this was not included as a clause. I immediately rang the cruise line who were extremely helpful and I disclosed our situation. They actually informed me I was the first person to do this and thanked me for being upfront and honest and also in their belief many people travel in the knowledge they are violating T&C's but if they are caught there would be serious consequences and be permanently banned from any cruises headed by Carnival Corporation, I advised we wanted to stay fully compliant but in the back of my mind was also mindful the police could easily contact the cruise line and as a result of violations we would be permanently banned from their company. For our honesty even though a cancellation at this stage would incur 100% charges they were excellent in refunding our whole balance without any penalties, they also informed me that I would not have any problems travelling with them however there is now a flag next to my husbands name but at any stage as and when he comes off the register to ring them and they would remove the flag and he would be fine to sail again.
I just wish I could remember the person who posted this message to thank them as despite my extreme disappointment I would hate to think what could have happened had we continued to travel oblivious to the T&C's.
I have been told there are cruise lines out there that do not stipulate this clause in their T&C's, much as I enjoy cruising I am not sure this is a responsible approach so for the time being as a couple we will give them a miss and stick to land based holidays until we can resume cruising again without any complications.
We are obviously truly disappointed but in the grand scheme of things and after going what we have been through know there are currently others struggling with much greater problems (which in our situation almost destroyed both of us) so to everyone struggling there is a chance of a life be it very different to pre conviction, when you think it is behind you at every corner it continues to rear its ugly head but you learn how to manage and cope much easier.
Sending my love and best wishes to all and thanks for reading.
Katie xxxx
Hi Katie, thank you for sharing this and I'm so sorry your holiday plans have now fallen through. Sending you my love and a big hug.
I'm glad you got it sorted Katie, I know when I was looking at a cruise, I went through all the T&C's too, but can't remember speaking about it on here. I remember seeing that company though and noting their terms. Happy Land base holidays for a while.
Thank you Ocean (I smile when I see your name) and Just.
Its not the end of the world but just another reminder that despite having a spent sentence albeit suspended and been publicly humiliated the SOR seems to be an ongoing punishment for offenders registered on it, I don't think I would ever have realised the repercussions had we not had first hand experience. I wish I could get a message out there to people who have not yet offended but are contemplating. Apart from the obvious harm it does to the innocent victims people need to be aware of the all round destruction it causes.
Have a good day everyone
Katie xxx
Its not the end of the world but just another reminder that despite having a spent sentence albeit suspended and been publicly humiliated the SOR seems to be an ongoing punishment for offenders registered on it, I don't think I would ever have realised the repercussions had we not had first hand experience. I wish I could get a message out there to people who have not yet offended but are contemplating. Apart from the obvious harm it does to the innocent victims people need to be aware of the all round destruction it causes.
Have a good day everyone
Katie xxx