A couple’s dream Caribbean cruise holiday has been cancelled by P&O because their children are not double vaccinated – despite it being impossible for them to get the Covid jab.
Ally Keeting, 31, and her husband Joe, 35, had booked the £14,000 December Caribbean cruise with their two young children back in August.
They were shocked when the holiday company called to inform them that their children, Sofia, 2, and Finley (5 months), would need to be twice vaccinated in order to board.
The call came after the cruise firm last month changed its policy on its Caribbean cruises, meaning all passengers must be double vaccinated, irrespective of age.
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has recommended Covid jabs only for children 12 and over.
It is currently impossible for the Keetings’ children to be vaccinated against Covid within the UK.
The Leeds family, West Yorkshire, has since received their holiday money back. But they have had to pay an extra £2,000 in order to travel with another firm.
Ally, a civil servant said that she was just baffled by the situation and was really upset. How can we accomplish something that is impossible?

Ally Keeting, 31, husband Joe, 35, had booked a £14,000 December Caribbean cruise with their two young children back in August. They were shocked when the holiday company called to inform them that their children Sofia, two, and Finley (five months), would need to be twice vaccinated in order to board.
“There is no other place in the world that vaccinates children as young as this vaccine – they aren’t licensed for that age group.
“It’s like hitting your face on a brick wall.” It was amazing to me.
The couple and their children were due to travel from Manchester Airport with his mother, sister, and her two children on December 17.
From there, they were due to fly out to board P&O’s Britannia ship in Barbados.
Joe’s mother purchased it as a gift for her family in celebration of her 70th Birthday.
They had begun planning all their trips to the islands, and even purchased holiday clothes.
Ally looked online, and all the Caribbean countries required a Covid for children, she said. The couple booked in August.
But P&O changed its policy last month. Paul Ludlow, president of the line, stated that the Covid-19 protocols had to adapt to the changing public-health situation. This was what prompted the change in policy.
The family was given a refund and has booked another trip with Tui.
Ally said that they just felt really sad. You would understand if they had to cancel it due to regulations.

The couple and their children were due to travel from Manchester Airport with his mother, sister, and her two children on December 17. From there, they were due to fly out to board P&O’s Britannia (pictured) ship in Barbados
Ally stated, “But when they have their own policy that doesn’t make sense: It’s irritating and hurtful.”
A spokesperson from P&O Cruises said: ‘We are so sorry for the disappointment that this has caused.
“However, due to the long-haul destinations and many countries visited, along with the evolving health protocols in the Caribbean, all guests (regardless of age) must have completed their vaccine course at least 14 days before they travel for this season’s Caribbean cruise holidays.
It comes as No10’s vaccine advisors warned today that it was ‘far too soon’ for the UK’s to follow the US lead in jabbing five-year-olds.
Professor Jeremy Brown, a member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation(JCVI), argued for doses being given to infants at high risk due to medical conditions.
He stated that Britain’s medical regulator had yet to examine data from the US to determine whether the jab should go ahead for any under-12s.
Last night, US health officials approved controversial plans to vaccine children aged 5-11 years old. This puts pressure on the UK.
Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England’s deputy chief physician officer, said that a move to mimic America’s policy was “someway down the track”.
After months of debate over the finely balanced benefit/risk ratio, Britain has limited its vaccine program to healthy over-12s.