Your questions answered

How do I pay for purchases on board?

For your convenience, P&O Cruises operates a cash-free system on board with Sterling as the currency. This is an automatic process; all you have to do is register your credit card during check-in at the beginning of your cruise. No further action is then necessary. You sign for all purchases and simply settle your account by credit card or debit card at the end of your cruise. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Visa Delta and Visa Debit. We regret we are unable to accept Switch/Maestro, Solo cards, American Express Prepaid Travellers Cheque Credit cards or Visa Electron. We are also unable to accept payment via cheque or by cash.

If you are travelling on a consecutive cruise, you must settle your on board account at the end of each individual cruise and payment will be taken from your registered credit or Visa debit card. If you are planning to use your credit card ashore, we strongly recommend that you advise your bank or credit card company that you will be visiting several different countries during your P&O Cruises holiday. As a continuing effort to combat credit card fraud, unusual activity, such as transactions in a number of different countries, can often be questioned.

What about tipping?

First of all, please do not worry about it. Who, when and how much you tip is at your discretion. Tips are usually given in cash at the end of your holiday to your stateroom Steward, Restaurant Stewards in the Club Dining restaurants, and to any other staff who you feel you wish to reward. The amount you tip is entirely up to you although, as a guide, we recommend a total amount per person (aged 12 and over) of £3.10 per day, which covers all staff who have looked after you during your holiday. The only exception to this is for passengers travelling on Oceana and Ventura who have opted to enjoy the flexibility of Freedom Dining as, with this style of dining, you may be seated at a different table and served by a different waiter on each occasion. We will therefore add an automatic service charge of £1.60 per passenger, per day to your shipboard account for the Restaurant Stewards. You will, of course, be able to increase or decrease this charge at your discretion by visiting Reception at any point during your cruise. You can also tip any other staff, including your stateroom Steward, as you feel appropriate. Further details of who and when you should tip can be found in your stateroom.

How do I obtain foreign currency?

Passengers will be able to obtain suitable foreign currency for most ports of call on board. This can be purchased using travellers cheques or with cash. As Sterling is the only currency used on board, we recommend you take Sterling travellers cheques with you. We regret we are unable to accept cheques or American Express Prepaid Travellers Cheque Credit cards as payment for foreign currency. Passengers are able to purchase foreign currency using their on board account. Passengers can re-exchange their foreign currency, but only in the denominations sold on board (subject to on board exchange rates). We are unable to accept foreign coins. All foreign currency transactions are converted using Sterling.

Please note that, as part of the fight against terrorism, international crime and money laundering, EU regulations require all passengers entering or leaving the European Union with €10,000 or more in cash (or its equivalent in other currencies or easily convertible assets - e.g. bonds, shares, travellers cheques etc.) to declare the sum to the customs authorities of the Member State which he/she is entering or leaving. If you are likely to need to make a declaration under this regulation please contact the HM Revenue & Customs National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for further information on how to comply.