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<h4>Check your passport and visa requirements before you travel to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly.</h4>

<h2>Countries with documentation requirements</h2>
Please refer to local government websites for detailed visa requirements.
<h3>Barbados 
</h3>
All guests flying into Barbados must provide evidence of completing the&nbsp;<a href="https://travelform.gov.bb/" target="_blank">Barbados Immigration and Customs form here</a>.&nbsp;The form will be available within 72 hours prior to travel. This will be checked at the airport before boarding your flight. We’ve put together a handy guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/content/dam/po/pdfs/Barbados-Immigration-Form-how-to-guide2024.pdf">how to fill this out here.</a>
<h3>Indonesia</h3>
For all guests travelling to Bali, the Indonesian government have advised it is compulsory to submit a customs declaration online.
We’ve put together a guide on&nbsp;<a></a><a href="https://msgfocus.com/files/amf_blueberry_wave/project_1013/Indonesia_Forms_Guide.pdf">how to submit the above information here</a>.
<a href="https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/" target="_blank">Check</a>&nbsp;whether you require an approved an electronic visa on arrival (e-voa) for entry into Indonesia. If so,&nbsp;<a href="https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/" target="_blank">visit here</a>&nbsp;to create an application, and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
<h3>Chile</h3>
An affidavit must be&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ingresoachile.cl/" target="_blank">completed here</a>&nbsp;within 48 hours prior to arrival in Chile.
<h3>Philippines</h3>
All guests are required to fill in the passenger locator form for the Philippines within 3 days prior to arrival. This can be&nbsp;<a href="https://etravel.gov.ph/" target="_blank">completed here.</a>
<h3>Singapore</h3>
All guests travelling to Singapore will need to complete an SG (Singapore) Arrival Card within 3 days prior to arrival in Singapore.&nbsp;<a href="https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/" target="_blank">This can be completed here.</a>
We’ve put together a guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://msgfocus.com/files/amf_blueberry_wave/workspace_56/Singapore_Forms_Guide.pdf">how to submit the above information here.</a>
<h3>USA</h3>
You will require an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for entry to the USA.&nbsp;<a href="https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/" target="_blank">Visit here</a>&nbsp;to create an application, and print your ESTA approval for embarkation.
<h3>Australia</h3>
<a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/" target="_blank">Check</a>&nbsp;whether you require an approved e-Visitor or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for entry into Australia. If so,&nbsp;<a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/">visit here</a>&nbsp;to create an application and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
<h3>New Zealand&nbsp;</h3>
<a href="https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/nzeta">Check</a>&nbsp;whether you require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization for entry into New Zealand. If so,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/visas/visa/nzeta" target="_blank">visit here</a>&nbsp;to create an application and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
Check your passport and visa requirements before you travel to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/help/passports-and-visas" target="_blank">Visit here</a>&nbsp;for more information.&nbsp;

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Passports

<h2>Passports</h2>
P&amp;O Cruises guests can only board and travel to EU or Schengen area countries* if their passport was issued less than 10 years from the cruise embarkation date.
The passport must have at least three months left before the date of expiry when you disembark (regardless of whether or not the passport has an extension period).
For cruises that travel outside the EU or Schengen area, in line with the requirements of many of these countries, guests are required to have six months validity left on their passports from the date of final disembarkation.
All passports should have sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps (applicable to the length and ports of call in your itinerary).
*EU countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Additional countries in the Schengen area include: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
This applies to British Citizen passports however, if you hold a different passport then you should contact the relevant embassies or consulates to confirm your entry requirements.&nbsp;
If you do not possess the correct documentation you will be denied boarding, without any refund of the cruise fare and subject to any fine or other costs incurred by P&amp;O Cruises.
Please be aware that guests applying for their first British Citizen passport may now be required to attend interviews prior to their passport being issued. For this reason, we would advise all guests in this situation to allow a minimum of six weeks to obtain their passports.
For further information, please contact the Identity and Passport Service Advice line on 0300 222 0000 or visit the website at&nbsp;&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" aria-label="www.direct.gov.uk/passports" target="_blank" href="http://www.direct.gov.uk/passports" title="www.direct.gov.uk/passports">www.direct.gov.uk/passports</a>.
Our recommended passport and visa service provider CIBT, can assist with the renewal of your British passport, please visit&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://cibtvisas.co.uk/passports-new">www.cibtvisas.co.uk</a>
Your passport will be scanned upon embarkation and may be held collectively in the Reception Office in order to comply with various Immigration requirements. We recommend you take photocopies of your personal details page of your passport (page with photograph) or an alternative form of official photographic I.D in case this is required by the local immigration authorities.
Any guest with dual nationality and travelling with multiple passports must declare this at check-in. Please note that immigration information is sent to each port of call in advance.

Visas

<h2>Visas</h2>
All information is based on British Citizen passport holders and is subject to change at any time.
Electronic Travel Authorisation -&nbsp;For guidance for non-British and non-Irish passport holders travelling to the UK. For more information please click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/travel-information/electronic-travel-authorisation">here</a>.
Australia and India&nbsp;– A visa will need to be purchased prior to travel. Visas can be obtained directly through the Embassy, online or alternatively you can apply through P&amp;O Cruises recommended agent, CIBT, for an additional charge.
Guests visiting India by ship will be required to have a valid visa.
India has recently opened up the possibility to obtain an E-visa online for entry into Chennai, Cochin, Goa (Mormugao), Mangalore and Mumbai.
For assistance in obtaining your visas, please contact our preferred visa provider CIBT on 0207 620 6487.
China&nbsp;– Chinese visa requirements have recently been relaxed: 
1. Guests (of all nationalities) whilst in Shanghai, arriving and leaving with the same ship, may be able to make use of a visa free stay for the duration of booked shore experiences only. Visa free stay is applicable only when entering China via Shanghai (restrictions apply for consecutive Chinese ports). 
2. A Chinese visa is required when the entry port into China is not Shanghai.
Guests on Overland Tours are required to obtain a Chinese visa.
New Zealand&nbsp;- Guests are required to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before travelling to New Zealand, which can be obtained via&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/">www.etanewzealand.com</a>&nbsp;for an additional charge. (Australian citizens are exempt).
Russia&nbsp;– Group visas are automatically arranged for all guests who have booked a P&amp;O Cruises shore experience. A photocopy of the photograph/ personal details page of your passport is required in order to pass through Russian Immigration.
To go ashore independently in Russia, a visa is required which can be obtained from the Russian Embassy or CIBT. A visa support letter must accompany your application for a visa and this can be arranged along with your visa through CIBT on 0207 620 6487.
Schengen&nbsp;Visa requirements – Non-European passport holders may require a Schengen Visa for entry into Continental Europe. The United Kingdom is not a Schengen State member*. British Citizen passport holders do not require a Schengen Visa. Please ensure you check your entry requirements for Europe prior to embarkation.
USA&nbsp;– British Citizen passport holders and other nationals of the VWP (Visa Waiver program) may enter the United States of America (USA) without a visa after completing an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is an automated online system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the USA under the VWP and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Please note, you will be unable to enter the USA under the VWP unless you have obtained an ESTA prior to travel. This is required for travel to all USA ports. Important – you must be in possession of your ESTA prior to boarding the ship. Kindly present at check-in, a copy of your ESTA confirmation as evidence for Immigration purposes. Please PRINT A COPY of your ESTA despite advice on the website that this is not necessary. Please ensure the information on your ESTA confirmation matches your passport information. In addition there is a requirement to be in possession of a biometric passport (or E-Passport) when travelling to the USA under the VWP.
If you do not have a full British Citizen passport or a passport from another country eligible for the VWP please check to ensure you have the correct documentation for your holiday.
Vietnam, Jordan and Oman&nbsp;– A visa may be required for visits to these countries. If they are required, the ship will make the necessary arrangements and the applicable cost of the visa charged to your on-board account.
*Schengen State members are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Please note it is the responsibility of the guest to ensure they have all of the correct documentation for their holiday.

On-board safety

<h2>On-board safety</h2>
Your safety is important to us. Please pack suitable shoes for outside deck areas which may be wet. Please be careful when moving around the cabin especially at night, as most cabins have raised bathroom thresholds. Further safety information can be found in your cabin literature.
For the safety of all guests on board, please read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/safety-and-security#Allowed" title="What am I allowed to take on board?" aria-label="What am I allowed to take on board?">list of prohibited items</a>

Vaccinations

<h2>Vaccinations</h2>
For information about medicines and healthcare products, including safety alerts, licensing guidance, and how they’re regulated in the UK, please visit the&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/medicines-and-healthcare-products-regulatory-agency" target="_blank">Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)</a>.
Unfortunately, due to changing national and international rules we are unable to provide confirmation of our future cruise COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please ensure that you follow any guidance provided to you by P&amp;O Cruises with regards to the most up-to-date vaccination requirements prior to embarking on your cruise. We would strongly suggest that you discuss whether you should have the vaccination with your medical provider or your travel health clinic. Vaccination requirements vary by destination and change from time to time. We recommend that you seek advice from your medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic at least six weeks before your cruise.&nbsp;&nbsp;You should discuss your personal travel plans in order to obtain appropriate advice and any recommended prophylactic medication and vaccinations prior to travel. It is your responsibility to have with you any necessary health certificates. Please check below for mandatory requirements. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all guests; you should speak to your GP about receiving the flu vaccine before you travel.&nbsp;
To find out more information&nbsp;about vaccinations for babies, children and adults, including why they're important and how to get them, visit&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/" target="_blank">www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/&nbsp;</a>
You can also find further information on the government funded website at&nbsp;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.travelhealthpro.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.travelhealthpro.org.uk</a>
<h3>Yellow Fever</h3>
There are currently Yellow Fever Vaccination Certification requirements for the following cruises:
&nbsp;
R701 Aurora 
 3 January - 19 March 2027
A valid International Certificate of Vaccination is required for the above cruises and evidence of vaccination must be taken on board the ship.&nbsp; This needs to be the original certificate which must be fully completed, signed and stamped by a Medical Practitioner.&nbsp;
The vaccination must be given 10 days before entering a yellow fever area in order for it to be effective and valid.&nbsp;
If yellow fever vaccination is contraindicated for medical reasons an exemption can be issued by your Medical Practitioner and this must be brought with you to the ship.&nbsp; Local Port Health Officials will then decide if a vaccination waiver can be issued.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
The exemption should be either detailed in a headed letter or recorded in the International Certificate of Vaccination.&nbsp; It should be signed by the clinician and include the Practice stamp.&nbsp;
Guests without the correct documentation will be denied boarding.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
<h3>Polio</h3>
For certain nationalities there is a requirement to provide evidence of having had a Polio vaccination in the four weeks to twelve months prior to visiting the following countries: Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. This requirement is in place for nationals of Polio exporting countries including, but not limited to, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Philippines. This list is subject to change so please discuss with your medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic at least 6 weeks prior to your planned cruise.
<h3>Malaria</h3>
Guests are strongly recommended to visit their medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic to discuss their personal travel plans. Please take a copy of your itinerary including pre/post cruise travel with you so a full risk assessment can be made and the appropriate malaria prevention advice given.

Information security

<h2>Information security 
</h2>
All guests are reminded that travel information is personal, and guests should always protect their personal information – including their booking number.
Whether booking a new cruise, making booking changes or simply asking questions, guests should only call P&amp;O Cruises Customer Contact Centre on&nbsp; 0344 338 8003*, or your travel agent for any questions or booking changes.
For more details on how we store and use your personal information before, during and after your voyage, view our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/privacy/privacy-notice">privacy policy.</a>

United Arab Emirates

<h2>United Arab Emirates / Japan prescription drug warning</h2>
Please be aware that some prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, complementary therapies and other medicines that are purchased in the UK may be illegal in the United Arab Emirates and are therefore banned in the country. Japan also has rules regarding such medication. Penalties can be severe if banned substances are found when entering these countries. 
Codeine, for example, is banned and no products containing codeine, which may include paracetamol, may be imported or sold in the United Arab Emirates. An import Certificate from the Japanese or UAE Authorities would be required in order to take such products into the countries and this does not guarantee the products will be permitted. 
If you are taking medication and are in any doubt, please contact the relevant embassy before your arrival:
<ul>
<li>United Arab Emirates London Embassy Medical Department: 020 7486 6281</li>
<li>Japanese Embassy: 0207 465 6500</li>
<li>You may also check for further information at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/">www.fco.gov.uk</a>.</li>
</ul>
Anyone travelling with medications and/or syringes should carry a prescription with them. All medications should be kept in their labelled dispensing bottles or packages. If the medications are “controlled” or injectable drugs, it is also advisable to carry a doctor’s letter. 
For the United Arab Emirates, it is essential to carry a prescription for any medication, as well as a medical report if you are travelling with syringes or other medical equipment. We strongly advise you to seek advice if any of the above affects you.

Covid-19 testing

<h2>COVID-19 testing</h2>
There are currently no COVID-19 vaccination or pre-cruise testing requirements for any P&amp;O Cruises sailings. If testing is required to go ashore in certain destinations on your itinerary, we will organise this for you. These tests will be available to purchase on board at a cost of £18 per antigen test per person and £25 per PCR test per person.

Destination entry requirements

<h2>Destination entry requirements</h2>
Whether you embark the ship in Southampton or at a port outside of the UK, it’s your responsibility to meet all entry requirements for that country at the time of sailing. We can’t accept responsibility if you’re denied entry to a country because you don’t meet its entry requirements.&nbsp;

Destination safety

For the most up-to-date, country-specific and city-specific information on your destinations, including entry requirements, safety advice and security warnings, we recommend visiting the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice" aria-label="Government Foreign Travel Advice" title="Government Foreign Travel Advice">www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice</a>&nbsp;or by calling 020 7008 1500.

For general travel safety advice, please visit the FCDO Travel Aware website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.gov.uk/travelaware" aria-label="Government Travel Aware website" title="Government Travel Aware website">www.gov.uk/travelaware</a>
Your holiday is ABTA protected and you can find further expert travel guidance and support through the ABTA website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.abta.com" aria-label="ABTA website" title="ABTA website">www.abta.com</a>

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Yes, guests can take alcohol on a mini cruise from southampton.
What drinks can you take on P&amp;O Cruises short breaks?
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to one litre of wine or Champagne on board when they embark the ship for the first time only. Wine or Champagne over the one-litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise. If this alcohol is consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants or lounge areas, it will be subject to a corkage fee of £20* per bottle, per occasion, which will be charged to the guest’s on-board account.&nbsp;
Other alcohol types such as spirits are considered restricted items and guests are prohibited from bringing them on board when they first embark the ship.
*prices subject to change

Can I take alcohol on a Short Break cruise holiday?

Amsterdam is famous for its art galleries and museums (from the Van Gogh Museum to the Anne Frank house), beautiful canals, interesting architecture and lively nightlife. You’ll also find a deliciously innovative food scene and, in the spring, thousands upon thousands of tulips covering the city in a kaleidoscope of colours.

What is Amsterdam known for?

It’s always worth checking the local weather before you head off on a Short Break, but in the summer you’ll generally need to dress for the heat (think dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals – and don’t forget your swimming costume) while the winter usually calls for layers and thick coats.
During your days on board, you can dress in whatever you like. However, on all our ships, we have two dress codes that apply in the evenings: Evening Casual and Black Tie. For nights when the dress code is Evening Casual, you can bring out your best shirt, dress and smart, dark denim. For nights where the dress code is Black Tie, make sure you pack your best tux, suit or cocktail dress.
There are some venues on each ship where dress codes don’t apply, so make sure you check your Horizon paper that’s delivered to your cabin each day to check where these are, as they vary ship by ship. For those travelling on family-friendly ships, dress codes also don’t apply to children aged 17 and under.

What should I pack for a Short Break cruise holiday? 

The best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam depends on what you’d like out of your holiday. Do you prefer the sun or a winter chill? Do you want to see the Light Festival and wander Christmas markets? Or would you rather see the world’s largest flower garden (think miles of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths) in bloom in the spring? How about cruising the canals in the heat of the summer sun, cocktail in hand? We visit Amsterdam almost year-round so that no matter your holiday style, you’ll find a Short Break cruise holiday to suit you.

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Amsterdam?

The best time of year to go on a mini cruise to Bruges is up to you – what do you want from the weather? What activities do you fancy doing? We’ve got Short Break cruise holidays that visit Bruges (from Zeebrugge) almost year-round. If you’re dreaming of walking around a chilly Christmas market with a hot chocolate (or mulled wine) in hand, December is the month for you. Or, if you’d rather be a bit warmer as you cycle through the countryside or wander medieval streets, April or May might be a better choice. A visit in October will add autumnal magic to a stroll along the canals as the leaves fall around you.&nbsp;

What’s the best time of year to cruise to Bruges (from Zeebrugge)?

Summer brings warmth and sunshine to Amsterdam (with an average temperature of around 23°C) while winters are cold and bring a likely chance of snow. Amsterdam’s spring is fairly mild, heating up and drying out as it gets closer to summer, while autumn brings a good chance of rain as it cools down towards the end of the year.

What's the weather like in Amsterdam?

We tend to visit Hamburg in December on our Short Break holidays when it’s fairly frosty. Hamburg usually has highs of 5˚C and lows of 1˚C in December, with an average of 12 days of rain – but you might be lucky enough to be there when it snows.

What’s the weather like in Hamburg?

On our Short Break holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam in the Netherlands
Bruges (from Zeebrugge) in Belgium
Cherbourg in France
Hamburg in Germany
Le Havre in France
Rotterdam in the Netherlands
St Peter Port, Guernsey, in the Channel Islands

Which countries does P&O Cruises visit on Short Break cruise holidays?

On our mini cruise holidays, you might visit:
Amsterdam
Bruges (from Zeebrugge)
Cherbourg
Hamburg
Le Havre
Rotterdam
St Peter Port, Guernsey

Which ports does P&O Cruises visit on mini cruise holidays?

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Travel information

Please note:

Check your passport and visa requirements before you travel to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly.

Destination safety: travel updates