Before you book
Are any P&O ships adult only?
Yes, Arcadia and Aurora are exclusively adult only ships.
When is the best time to book a P&O cruise?
2-3 years in advance can offer some great early savings or if you can wait till the last minute there can be some huge savings 7-90 days pre-cruise. If you do wait till the last minute you will need to pay the full balance at time of booking.
Before you sail
How do i check in online?
You can check-in online ahead of your cruise via my.pocruises.com. Online check-in opens 21 days before your holiday begins and closes 10pm GMT the day before your holiday. Here’s how to check-in online:
Log in to my.pocruises.com using your name, date of birth and booking reference.
Once logged in, you will need passport information, payment card details and passport-style photos for each person travelling to complete online check-in.
If you have trouble uploading photos, your photo can be taken at the terminal. However, by uploading yours online, it will speed up your check-in process and avoid any delays at the terminal.
Once you have completed online check-in and printed your boarding pass(es), you will need to print your luggage label(s).
If you have flights booked for your holiday, you are still advised to follow the check-in process as detailed by your air carrier. Your boarding pass will show your embarkation time, so you know when to arrive at the terminal.
What documents are required at the cruise terminal?
Passport
Boarding pass (available on My P&O Cruises)
Evidence of valid travel insurance
Luggage labels attached to luggage
Documents required for countries you are visiting. Check here for more info: https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/destination-requirements
How do i pre-book activities/restaurants?
Log into My P&O Cruises: https://my.pocruises.com/mycruise/login
Shore Excursions, Spa & Drinks should all be available from the time of booking.
Dining & Entertainment - will become available 14 days before departure.
When will my cabin be allocated?
Most cabins will be allocated 2 weeks before sailing however sometimes this can be as late as the day of departure.
Can i prebook the Chef's Table?
This can only be booked once onboard on the My Holiday page.
Can i take alcohol/soft drinks onboard a P&O cruise ship?
See our blog post here: https://www.georgeanddan.com/post/can-i-take-alcohol-soft-drinks-on-a-p-o-cruise-ship
How much luggage can i take onboard?
For sailings to/from Southampton you can take as much luggage as you can comfortably fit into your cabin. Each item of luggage should weigh no more than 23kg for safety and handling purposes.
For fly cruises visit the flight page in your booking online for luggage allowances.
When can i board?
You will be advised a time for embarkation once you have checked in online. This normally starts from 12noon but can be earlier.
I have booked the 'Select' fare and have not indicated that i do not want an upgrade. If one is offered do i have to take it?
'Select' fare upgrades are completed after the customer has opted in. If upgraded you will have to move to the new cabin.
Can i pre-order gifts/celebration packages before i board?
Yes, check out our post here: https://www.cruiseescapes.co.uk/post/p-o-cruises-gift-packages
Onboard
What's included on a P&O cruise?
Main dining room restaurants (MDR)
Buffet restaurant
Gratuities
In-room breakfast (some ships may charge a delivery fee)
Essential drinks - water, fruit juice (breakfast only), tea & coffee.
Celebration Night dinner
Cabin - see next question for more detail.
Cinema
Live entertainment
Swimming pools
Sauna & steam room (Arcadia, Aurora, Azura & Ventura)
Sports deck & gym
Silent disco
Quizzes, talks & classes
Library
Kids Club
For fly-cruises - flights & airport transfers
What's included in a P&O cabin?
Daily cabin steward service
A hairdryer
TV with some offering free on demand movies & shows, cruise radio, naivgation information and a ship webcam.
Air-conditioning
A kettle with coffee & tea
A small safe
A fridge
The White Company shower gel, shampoo & hand wash.
Towels
UK plug sockets
What costs extra?
Drinks packages
Specialty dining such as the Epicurean, Glass House and more
Room service (exc. breakfast)
Ice cream
Excursions
Spa treatments
Beauty treatments
Fitness classes
The Cookery Club
Onboard shops
Art Gallery
Wi-Fi
Is there a doctor onboard?
There is a medical centre onboard each ship with trained professionals.
Expect to pay upwards of £90 for an appointment with additional costs for prescriptions etc.
Do P&O cabins have hairdryers?
Yes, a hairdryer is provided in all cabins.
What toiletries are provided in cabins?
The White Company - Flowers hand wash, body wash and shampoo is provided.
Can i call another cabin?
Yes, as long as you have the cabin number you want to call just type this into the phone in your cabin or one located in the public areas.
Can i post a postcard/letter?
Yes, just drop it off to reception at least 2 hours before departure (3 hours if the ship is at anchor) and a charge will be added to your onboard account (depending on destination this can be from £1.60 to £3.25).
Are there fridges in the cabin?
Yes, all cabins have a fridge.
Typical dimensions: width 34cm height 45cm depth 25cm.
Is there a laundrette onboard?
All P&O ships have a laundrette onboard and are free to use with washer, dryers and ironing stations. There is normally one on each cabin deck. Make sure to take detergent and conditioner as this is sometimes not available to buy.
Can i change currency onboard?
Yes, at reception onboard you can exchange currency with either cash or your onboard account. Usually only currencies relevant to your itinerary will be available.
Is there a charge to use the pool?
The majority of pools are complimentary however there are some located within the spas or the Retreat which may incur a charge.
What is 'Celebration Night'?
Celebration Night is the Captain's welcome. There is an enhanced five course menu in the MDR (Main Dining Room) and a dress code of black tie. You will also receive a free glass of fizz and the Captain will address the ship from the bridge.
For dining use the My Holiday page to join a virtual queue or visit the restaurant to request a table.
Black tie is usually required in all MDRs, Epicurean, Crows Nest and some bars.
Is there a microwave for use?
There are no microwaves for passenger use nor can you bring one onboard.
Are there any free drinks onboard?
Yes.
Buffet - water and hot drinks are available during opening hours. Juices are also available at breakfast.
MDR - water, tea and coffee are available. Juices are also available at breakfast.
Is there duty free onboard?
Duty free is available on board and is normally open when the ship is at sea or shortly after leaving a port.
Beauty products, alcohol, cigarettes and tobacco are available.
If alcohol is purchased it is stored for you to collect on the last day of the cruise.
For allowances see: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-goods-into-uk-personal-use/arriving-in-Great-Britain
Do you have to tip?
No, tipping/gratuities are included in the cruise fare.
When disembarking do you receive an itemised final bill?
Yes, you should receive a final paper account statement to your cabin during the night before disembarkation. It will provide purchases by location by day but will not be itemised down to specific drinks etc.
The statement will show onboard credit redeemed against purchases as well as any loyalty saving discount.
For a real-time statement use your TV to view your bill. If you need to dispute a transaction make sure you visit reception as soon as possible as it can get very busy on disembarkation day.
Wi-Fi
What internet packages do we offer on board and how can I purchase them?
The Essential package is £12 per day with a cruise plan or £18 per day. This is the straightforward option that offers you all your satellite internet essentials. This is ideal if you want to stay in touch via email and social media. And you'll also be able to share your holiday highlights via text and images.
The Ultimate package is £18 per day with cruise plan or £24 per day. This is your ultimate way to stay in touch. Select the cruise plan option, paying just once for quality satellite access for email, video chat, browsing, social media and streaming of your favourite movies or music, every day of your holiday from the moment you purchase. Or pay per day for the same access options, on the days that suit you best.
Full cruise plans can be purchased in advance of your departure or once on board. 24-hour plans can be purchased once on board; these have higher price per day than a full cruise plan.
The easiest way to purchase a full cruise plan is to book online via the My P&O Cruises portal in advance of your sailing. Cruise plans can also be pre-booked over the phone via our Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply).
To purchase an internet plan on board, connect your device to the Guest Wi-Fi, then open internet.pocruises.com in the browser and follow the easy on-screen instructions. Once registered, you can select your preferred internet plan. Purchases will be charged to your on board account.
Alternatively, connect your device My Holiday and select the 'Internet packages’ option.
Can I purchase the cruise plan option during the cruise?
Yes. You can purchase the cruise package at any point during the cruise, meaning you will purchase internet for all remaining days of your holiday at the reduced rate. There are also discounts available if you are travelling on a cruise of 16 nights or more. For more information visit internet.pocruises.com when on board.
How do I connect to the Wi-Fi on board?
You can connect to the Wi-Fi with almost any internet-enabled device.
1. Make sure the Wi-Fi on your device is switched on, then select 'Guest Wi-Fi' from the list of available networks.
2. Once you're connected, open your internet browser and visit " internet.pocruises.com", which is the P&O Cruises Guest Wi-Fi login page.
3. If you’re connecting to the Wi-Fi for the first time, you’ll need to click Register, then enter some personal details, including a memorable username and a 4-digit PIN.
4. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be shown details of any internet plan you’ve pre-purchased, along with any upgrade options.
5. If you haven’t pre-purchased internet access, you can select your preferred plan on this page. Any purchases or upgrades will be charged to your on board account.
6. Confirm you wish to connect your device to your chosen internet plan, and you’ll be able to begin browsing.
Alternatively, you can browse our free P&O Cruises websites (and My Holiday) without logging in at all. Although you will need to login to access My Holiday
Can I connect multiple devices to the on board Wi-Fi?
You may use multiple devices on one package but can only use a single device at any one time. If you wish to use multiple devices simultaneously, you will need to buy additional packages that are available at a discounted rate.
Are there any limitations to browsing on the ESSENTIAL and ULTIMATE packages?
Yes, some websites and categories of websites are blocked either due to their content or due to their consumption of large amounts of bandwidth (such as video streaming). Examples of the kinds of websites that may be blocked are adult content, alcohol and tobacco, anonymisers, drug abuse, file sharing, malware, nudity, online gambling, streaming hacking, phishing, proxy avoidance and violent content.
In addition, some internet services such as Wi-Fi (VoIP) calling, remote desktop connections and VPNs may not be available. Some email applications will not work without significant alterations to providers account or device settings. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide support for those alterations. Most email providers offer web-based access, and these will work in most cases. Some websites may require authentication via a mobile phone if you’re using an unknown connection (e.g., Hotmail) or have set up two-factor authentication on your account.
Do I need to purchase an internet package to access My Holiday?
No, My Holiday is free to use and does not require you to purchase an internet package.
To avoid roaming charges while at sea, please either turn off mobile data or switch your device to flight mode, then connect your device to the ship's Wi-Fi network (P&O Cruises Guest Wi-Fi).
Once connected to the Wi-Fi, open your internet browser and visit myholiday.pocruises.com or scan the QR code that you'll find on The How to Guide in your cabin.
Will I be charged by my phone company if I connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi?
No, you will not be charged by your phone company for connecting to our Wi-Fi. However, it is your responsibility to make sure that you are not using the mobile signal or data from your service provider. Often, your mobile phone provider will text you if you are on ‘roaming’ to alert you of fees you may incur.
You can turn off the mobile data service by going into your device settings and turning on airplane mode. Depending on your device, airplane mode may initially shut down your Wi-Fi connection when turned on, but you should be able to turn Wi-Fi back on separately (look for the airplane and Wi-Fi signals showing together).
Is Wi-Fi free onboard P&O Cruises?
Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is not free and is chargeable by the day or for the cruise length.
There is however 1 hour free Wi-Fi available during the first 24 hours onboard to enable testing of the connection etc.
Drinks Packages
Who is eligible to purchase a drinks package?
Packages are available to purchase pre-cruise via My P&O Cruises.
Drinks packages are available on cruises of five nights or more and must be purchased for every day of your cruise.
You can buy packages at any bar on board until midnight on night two of your cruise and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board.
Each adult assigned to the same cabin must purchase the same drinks package. Sharing is not permitted.
Children can have the refresh package independently of their parents. There is no requirement for adults in the same cabin to also purchase a package.
When a Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package is purchased, a free Refresh package will be offered for all the children travelling in the same cabin only (aged 16 and under).
Do i have to purchase a drinks package for the entire duration of my cruise?
Yes, a guest must purchase the drinks package for the entire duration of their holiday. Packages can only be purchased on board during the first two days of their holiday.
Any guests doing back-to-back cruises or multiple sectors of a cruise can purchase a package for the entire duration of their time on board.
Can i purchase products outside of my package?
Yes, you can still purchase products that are outside of your drinks package. Plus, if you have a Classic or Deluxe drinks package, you'll receive a 20% discount on all drinks that are not included in the package offering.
Does everyone in my cabin need to buy a drinks package?
The sharing of packages isn’t permitted, so each adult sharing a cabin must buy the same drinks package individually. If you’re travelling with children 16 years and under and you choose either a Classic or Deluxe drinks package, we’ll include the Refresh drinks package at no extra cost.
Do i have to buy a drinks package?
No, you can pay for your drinks individually instead.
For most this will likely work out cheaper than a package.
Can adults purchase the Refresh drinks package?
Yes, the Refresh package can be purchased by anyone.
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