Still your incredible P&O Cruises holiday; a few reassuring changes
We cannot wait to sail again and when the time is right, you can have the confidence to cruise, knowing we’ve been working hard to make sure every element of your holiday experience is covered. Our new protocols ensure you’ll still be able to enjoy the holiday you dreamed of, even though some aspects may initially feel a little different.
The changes are designed to protect the health of everyone on board as well as the destinations we visit, and we hope you’ll find these both comforting and easy to adjust to when we finally take to the sea again.
At this time, we have outlined the necessary measures for when we return to sailing in line with current guidance but as the world evolves, so may our policies and procedures. We will continue to work with the highest levels of government and scientific advisors to continually review our health protocols. Rest assured we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure you still enjoy an incredible P&O Cruises holiday.
The changes are designed to protect the health of everyone on board as well as the destinations we visit, and we hope you’ll find these both comforting and easy to adjust to when we finally take to the sea again.
At this time, we have outlined the necessary measures for when we return to sailing in line with current guidance but as the world evolves, so may our policies and procedures. We will continue to work with the highest levels of government and scientific advisors to continually review our health protocols. Rest assured we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure you still enjoy an incredible P&O Cruises holiday.
As of 17 March 2021 |
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Frequently asked questions
These have been developed with guidance from our global medical and public health experts and scientists and in close coordination with UK government agencies.
It is mandatory for all UK guests to take out comprehensive travel insurance for their holiday with us. It is essential that you let your insurer know you are taking a cruise holiday. Your policy must include medical cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to COVID-19. You must also ensure your policy includes cover for repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and full cover for any and all pre-existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.
You will be asked to confirm you have travel insurance at the terminal and you may be asked to evidence this. Unfortunately you will be denied boarding, at your own expense, if you have not arranged insurance. P&O Cruises has partnered with Holiday Extras to offer appropriate, comprehensive travel insurance cover for our holidays. To find out more, visit www.holidayextras.com/pocruises or phone 0800 093 3070 and quote PAOHX. Holiday Extras offer three levels of cover to choose from: bronze, silver and gold. All of these available options meet our minimum requirements for travel insurance.
Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailing's on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.
All other P&O Cruises holidays on sale do not currently require guests to be vaccinated.
When we first return to sailing, we will be offering a series of UK getaways on board Britannia and Iona. Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailing's on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding at your own expense. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the COVID-19 vaccination policy.
All other P&O Cruises holidays on sale do not currently require guests to be vaccinated.
As the vaccine roll out progresses and the Government has announced its intended roadmap for the future, the guidance is continually evolving.
Pre-embakation covid tests may be required as part of our framework of protocols and will be complimentary in the price of the holiday. We will update this website page as necessary and update all guests prior to their holiday departure date.
Please do ensure that your preferences and details are up to date in My Account.
It is understood that those with certain pre-existing medical conditions or of a certain age may experience more severe symptoms should they contract Covid-19 (coronavirus). We strongly recommend that you review the UK Government guidance prior to making travel arrangements; this can be found at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk/whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/
Unfortunately we will be unable to accept guests who require supplementary oxygen, medical ventilatory support or Dialysis:
We are so sorry to have to make this change, but we need to follow new industry procedures for the protection of everyone on board. If you are unsure or have concerns, we’ve produced a medical advisory note for you to discuss with your GP.
Supplementary oxygen (including via oxygen concentrator) – To comply with health and safety regulations there is a limit on board for how much Oxygen we can store. Unfortunately as we will be increasing our own supply of Oxygen on board we will be unable to carry additional supplies for individual guests.
Mechanical ventilatory support (except for overnight CPAP for sleep apnoea, guests who only require overnight CPAP for sleep apnoea can travel) – The mechanical ventilators that we hold in the medical centres on board need to be retained for medical centre use, therefore we would not be able to support if the guests equipment fails.
Dialysis – This requirement presents a time critical need for treatment, if we are not able to access replacement dialysis equipment/fluids if needed this brings about a significant risk to the guest.
If you have any existing medical conditions, we advise you to discuss your travel plans with your doctor.
These protocols will be in place until government guidance changes and we will adapt and evolve accordingly. We'll keep this page up to date with the latest guidance.
In line with the approved health protocols all shore experiences will be on organised excursions only using vetted operators who will be subject to regular testing and ongoing guidance.
Our shore experience operators will be subject to new screening and guidance/ temperature checks/and or health screening may be carried out prior to boarding the ship after time on shore.
We are currently working on a new programme that will be available including options at a lower price and available to purchase via My P&O Cruises eight weeks prior to departure. The new programme and additional options will ensure that we have options available for all guests to travel ashore.
It will be mandatory for all guests and crew to wear face masks in certain areas of the ship. All guests will need to comply with this face mask policy in order to travel.
Your cancellation would be subject to the standard cancellation policy. Guests will still have a wonderful holiday with us, albeit with a few changes. These new measures, which may evolve as guidance changes, are designed specifically to protect the health and wellbeing of guests, crew and the communities we visit. Our flexible booking policy allows guests to transfer their holiday as many times as they like prior to the balance due date.
Our comprehensive new protocols are designed to protect the health and wellbeing of all our guests and crew. We have plans in place, tailored for each ship, to manage medical needs, including dedicated cabin capacity for isolation should this be required.
The protocols on board will be clearly set out, easy to follow and are for the protection of all guests and crew. Everyone on board will be required to adhere to the protocols, which cover several aspects including the wearing of face masks, testing and social distancing. Any guest failing to comply with these new procedures will be asked to disembark the ship, with the costs for their journey home at their own expense.