P&O Cruises slammed by family over 'lack of empathy'

Scott and Stacey Bradley were looking forward to an extended get-together of 20 members of their family on the cruise of Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands due to depart Southampton in April.

But tragedy struck earlier this month when their 13-year-old son Maison suffered two spinal strokes.

It meant the family were unable to go on their long-anticipated holiday, which cost them around £3,500, but were left angered when they say P&O Cruises refused their request to move the holiday.

This was despite having a letter saying their son was not fit for travel.

Maison in hospital (Image: Supplied)

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Maison's dad Scott, 43, said: "With this devastating blow to our family, my wife had to close her childminding business with immediate effect.

"The news still haunts us all, and the memory of our son being so broken is something that we will not be able to shift.

"Whilst we appreciate they are a business, to show no compassion or empathy for our circumstances we find atrocious.

"We didn’t want to cancel the holiday, but just move it. They could have kept the money and we would have paid any additional needed for a later cruise. But we were just met with no.

"It is causing stress at an already difficult time. The reason we wanted to reschedule it for next year was to make it a goal for Maison.

"When the day comes that our son can come home, we shall look to book something for us as a family, when we know what his mobility will be. But will avoid anything to do with P&O."

Maison was rushed to Winchester Hospital on February 8 after suffering symptoms including severe headaches and tingling sensations in his hands.

Following a series of tests, including blood work, CT scans, and an MRI, his condition worsened, leading to his transfer to Southampton General Hospital.

Maison lost mobility in his left side, and although physio is going well, he will be in the hospital for at least eight weeks.

The Bradley family on a previous holiday (Image: Supplied)

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The cruise had been booked through Hays Travel agency, who have been asked for comment.

P&O Cruises refunded half of the cost of the cruise, while they had to claim on their travel insurance for the rest.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said: ”We are so sorry to hear of these circumstances. As the guest booked through a travel agent, we were unaware of these issues.

"Whilst appropriate travel insurance is a condition of booking we have contacted the guest and offered to give the cancellation charges as a future cruise credit to give her the flexibility she needs at this time, as a gesture of goodwill.”