Before you cruise with P&O Cruises

P&O's online check-in opens 21 days before your cruise departure and closes at 10 PM GMT the day before your cruise. It is recommended you complete this as early as possible. Once complete, you'll be able to get and print your boarding passes and luggage tags.

If you've booked a fly-cruise package, you'll need to separately check-in with the airline.

Passports are required for all cruises. Please check that your passport has at least 6 months validity from the return date of your trip. If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, you must check passport and visa requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of the country(ies) to or through which you are intending to travel. Please always refer to the Foreign Travel Advice by Gov.uk here.

It is a condition of booking that all guests hold fully comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers cruise holidays, is valid for the entire duration of your chosen itinerary, provides full health coverage for all pre-existing conditions and the costs of medical repatriations, plus specific cover for covid-19 related issues. It should also include Personal Luggage insurance since there is limited liability for loss or damage. Please refer to our trusted partner Just Travel Cover who offer comprehensive cover options from multiple insurers, have no upper age limit, and cover for hundreds of pre-existing medical conditions. Failure to confirm or provide proof of insurance may result in denial of boarding at the Guest's own expense.

Standard UK three pin plug sockets are used on all ships across the fleet. Shaver points are also located in the bathrooms.

Arvia and Iona also have USB ports by each lower bed, usually under the light.

The supply on board is:

Arcadia - 220V / 110V / 60HZ

Arvia 230V / 60HZ

Aurora - 220V / 60HZ

Azura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ

Britannia - 230V / 120V / 60HZ

Iona - 230V / 60HZ

Ventura - 230V / 115V / 60HZ

The above voltage is sufficient to charge electrical equipment such as laptops and cameras.

Shaver points are in the cabins' bathrooms on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura and Britannia. On Britannia, the shaver socket is the US two-pin version, and an adaptor is required to use a UK three-pin plug.

Shaving sockets on Arvia and Iona are only available in Suites.  You can request a shaving adapter from your cabin steward.

P&O Cruises generally has a relaxed daytime dress code, but evenings have two main dress codes: Evening Casual and Black Tie. Evening Casual is a smart-casual dress code, while Black Tie is formal and encourages dressing to impress.

P&O Cruises generally allows passengers to bring as much luggage as they can comfortably fit in their cabin, as long as each piece does not exceed 23kg. There are no specific luggage restrictions for cruises departing from and returning to Southampton, but bags should be manageable for your cabin. For fly-cruises, baggage allowances vary depending on the flight class, typically allowing one or two checked bags up to 23kg or 28kg each, plus hand luggage.

If you book a cruise with the Select Fare, you can, subject to availability, choose complimentary car parking as your additional benefit.

If you are eligible for complimentary car parking and this has been confirmed by P&O at the time of booking, you must reserve your parking space a minimum of 35 days prior to departure with Cruise and Passenger Services (CPS) directly by providing your P&O cruise booking reference. Car parking bookings can be made 72 hours after making your cruise booking. We advise that you book early, otherwise availability cannot be guaranteed and you may not be able to secure a booking.

Please note that Cruise and Passenger Services do not offer complimentary parking for blue badge holders and there are no such facilities offered at any of the terminals in Southampton.

Once booked, you will be sent a confirmation pack with all the details and a parking sticker for your car.

Please note, all complimentary parking is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.

If your Select Fare booking includes complimentary return coach transfers from selected UK departure points to and from the Southampton cruise terminal, in order to book your seats please contact Cruise Connect on 0344 338 8690. Coach bookings can be made 48 hours after your cruise booking, and must be made a minimum of 35 days prior to your departure date.

All seats and departure points are subject to availability and apply to all passengers within a cabin. Please visit Cruise Connect's website for more information.

P&O Cruises accommodates a wide range of dietary needs and allergies. You should inform of any requirements, including allergies, at the time of booking or as soon as possible. This ensures they can properly prepare for your cruise and make necessary arrangements for your dining experience. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as standard across the fleet in all restaurants, however, if you've booked a fly-cruise package you will need to inform us so that P&O can arrange with the airline accordingly. If you’ve booked a flight yourself, you will need to let the airline know of any dietary requirements.