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If you or a member of your travelling party tests positive for COVID-19 during your cruise, we’ll take care of you
If you test positive for COVID-19 whilst on-board, you will need to isolate for your well-being and the well-being of other guests. We’ll make sure you’re well looked after with full room service, a menu choice of three meals a day, free access to TV channels and laundry service. Our dedicated medical experts will also be on hand to take care of you as you cope with the symptoms of COVID-19. This will be for either the duration of the required isolation, until the next port of call, or until the scheduled port of disembarkation.
Vaccinated close contacts of guests who test positive whilst on board are not required to go into isolation but additional testing and other protocols, such as in-cabin dining, may apply.
Any instances of positive tests on board will be managed by our on-board medical teams in conjunction with local port authority / Port Health requirements and protocols to determine the best course of action. The framework of protocols for cruise ships can differ slightly to those on land or to other forms of travel. Some ports may require guests and their close contacts who have tested positive to disembark their ship and continue their period of isolation ashore in that country.
If you’re required to disembark the ship, we’ll always work with the local authorities to secure the most appropriate accommodation for your period of isolation. In most instances, these will be pre-determined hotels which have been identified as ones able to accommodate positive cases of COVID-19. Our dedicated support team will help you to contact your travel insurance provider*.
All UK resident guests who test positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation on their return to Southampton will be able to travel home to isolate after disembarkation.
If you're required to isolate/quarantine, or in some cases disembark the ship, due to testing positive for COVID-19 during your holiday, you'll need to contact your travel insurance provider to claim for any associated loss.
*Per our booking conditions it is mandatory to have travel insurance with COVID-19 cover. If you unfortunately test positive during your holiday, you should let your insurance company know immediately and keep them updated throughout your period of isolation.
Answer
For information on the COVID-19 requirements for specific destinations that you are travelling to, please see our A-Z destination requirements guide here.
Please note this is an ever-changing situation and we will do all we can to keep you updated if or when any of this information changes. This guide is updated weekly.
Answer
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept guests who, within 10 days prior to the cruise, have been unwell with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
Answer
Please click here to view our vaccine policy.
Answer
It is mandatory for all UK guests to take out comprehensive travel insurance for their holiday with us and 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 and cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to COVID-19. You must also ensure your policy includes 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 need to provide proof of your policy. 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.
Answer
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.
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 guest’s equipment fails.
Dialysis – This requirement presents a time critical need for treatment. If we are not able to access replacement dialysis equipment/fluids 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.
Answer
Guests will be able to go ashore independently but must adhere to the specific COVID-19 protocols in each destination.
Answer
We recommend that guests wear masks on board, but they’re only required in the medical centre. Some destinations may also require you to wear masks when ashore and we recommend taking one with you whenever you disembark the ship.
Certain cruises may require guests to wear a face mask for the first few days of their holiday but this will be communicated to guests directly in advance.
Answer
Terminal/airport checklist
When you arrive at the terminal/airport, please have the following items with you:
- Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status and negative test certificate if travelling on a cruise with additional requirements.
(The record card that is given out at the time of vaccination will not be accepted)
- Evidence of travel insurance
- Passport
- Boarding pass or travel documents
Answer
There will be a P&O cruises representative on hand at the terminal to support any guests who are denied boarding, however for any costs incurred you will need to contact your travel insurance provider as these will be at your own expense.
Answer
To travel please ensure that the name detailed on your booking, passport and the one registered against your vaccination is the same. If this is not possible as you have perhaps recently got married or changed your name by deed poll, please bring your marriage certificate / deed poll document as evidence of your name change.
Answer
Currently approved vaccines are:
· Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine)
· Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, including formulations Vaxzevria or Covishield
· Moderna (Spikevax ) vaccine, including formulation Moderna Takeda
· Janssen vaccine
· Sinovac
· Sinopharm Beijing
· Covaxin
· Nuvaxovid (Novavax)
Answer
Rest assured we continue to have protocols in place to protect the health and well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit and these are reviewed on a regular basis.
Answer
Any instances of positive tests on board will be managed by our on-board medical teams in conjunction with local port authority / Port Health requirements and protocols to determine the best course of action. The framework of protocols for cruise ships can differ slightly to those on land or to other forms of travel. Some ports may require guests and their close contacts who have tested positive to disembark their ship and continue their period of isolation ashore in that country.
If you’re required to disembark the ship, we’ll always work with the local authorities to secure the most appropriate accommodation for your period of isolation. In most instances, these will be pre-determined hotels which have been identified as ones able to accommodate positive cases of COVID-19. Our dedicated support team will help you to contact your travel insurance provider*.
All UK resident guests who test positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation on their return to Southampton will be able to travel home to isolate after disembarkation.
If you're required to isolate/quarantine, or in some cases disembark the ship, due to testing positive for COVID-19 during your holiday, you'll need to contact your travel insurance provider to claim for any associated loss.
*Per our booking conditions it is mandatory to have travel insurance with COVID-19 cover. If you unfortunately test positive during your holiday, you should let your insurance company know immediately and keep them updated throughout your period of isolation.
Answer
All UK resident guests who test positive for COVID-19 and are in isolation on their return to Southampton will be able to travel home to isolate after disembarkation.
For international cruises which end in Barbados or Malta for example guests would be required to isolate in an approved hotel until they have completed the specified quarantine period and are certified fit to fly home.
Answer
All of our crew are fully vaccinated.
In addition crew undergo regular testing during their time on board.
Answer
This would not be accepted. Evidence of previous infection is not currently accepted in lieu of full course of vaccination.
Answer
Please remember to do the following before you travel:
- Print boarding passes and luggage labels
- Check your details are up to date in My P&O Cruises
- Link your booking with your travelling group (if relevant)
- Arrange evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination status including booster where applicable (up-to-date NHS COVID Pass or valid vaccination certificates issued by your local health authority)
- Organise appropriate travel insurance and have proof of your policy
- Arrange any COVID-19 pre-cruise tests required for your holiday.
- Complete the Health Declaration in My P&O Cruises between one and three days before your holiday
- Check the entry requirements for your itinerary (including any passenger locator forms to complete) here
Packing
- Pack face masks and hand sanitiser
- Pack black tie evening wear for Celebration Night. Please visit My P&O Cruises to find out more about dress codes for your holiday.
We’d suggest printing out all necessary documentation. Failure to have the above items with you may result in denial of boarding.
Answer
For guests aged 18 years and over, if more than 270 days (calculated from the last day of the cruise) have passed since the full completion of a vaccination course, a booster vaccine will also be needed and must be administered a minimum of seven days prior to travel. Guests who have had one booster vaccine, regardless of the date, are considered fully vaccinated. At this time, a second booster vaccination is not required, however, we strongly recommend all guests to have booster vaccinations at the earliest opportunity, should they be available to them, in order to comply with evolving vaccine policies from the countries we visit. We will continue to review our vaccination policy on a regular basis as the global situation continues to evolve.
Answer
Guests may be required to take a complimentary lateral flow/antigen test whilst on board at the end of their first cruise. Guests will be informed during their first cruise if a test is required. Guests who test positive for COVID-19 may be denied boarding on the next cruise. However, if guests wish to remain on board and have been permitted to do so by our medical experts, guests must complete their period of isolation.
Answer
Yes - A negative PCR test will be accepted in lieu of an antigen test.
Answer
Testing requirements on the majority of holidays
While testing is no longer mandatory, we highly recommend that all fully vaccinated guests aged five years and over, take a COVID‑19 lateral flow/antigen test in the three days before, or on the day of departure.
Guests aged 5-17 years who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a COVID‑19 lateral flow/antigen test in the three days before, or on the day of departure.
Testing requirements on holidays with additional requirements
All guests aged five years and over must organise and pay for an observed or in-person COVID-19 lateral flow/antigen test to be taken in the two days before, or on the day of your ship’s departure. This test must be medically observed via a mobile device or conducted in-person by a government approved testing provider.
Guests aged four years and under remain exempt from testing requirements.
Answer
If you, or anyone in your household, develops symptoms, tests positive or are asked to self-isolate following close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply) and do not travel to the terminal. As travel insurance, including cover for COVID-19, is a requirement of sailing please contact your travel insurance provider at your earliest convenience to claim for any associated loss if you’re unable to travel. The booking confirmation issued at the time of booking serves as proof of the holiday cost. We encourage you to keep hold of all booking documentation to assist you with your claim. If you need any further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us or your travel agent.
Answer
There is no need to disembark if you are doing back to back cruises. Simply visit Reception to re-register and activate your on board account for the second cruise.
You can of course, disembark in Southampton should you wish, to take in the sights or do a little shopping before returning to the ship and setting sail on your second cruise.
You should collect your new cruise card from Reception on board the ship first, and ensure you show this at the cruise terminal once you return. You will still be required to go through a security check every time you board.
In the interests of safety on board, you will be asked to attend both muster drills at the beginning of each cruise.
International Ports
If the embark/debark port is overseas, some ports require a face to face Immigration Inspection. These will either be conducted on board the ship or ashore, details of this will be provided once you are on board and are subject to operational requirements.
US Ports
All guests must disembark regardless of Nationality and whether they are In-transit or not, to pass through the Immigration and Customs Inspection with CBP (Customs and Border Protection). CBP relates to US cruises only.
The zero count, requiring everyone to disembark is a CBP requirement.
Answer
Any luggage that has been left on board will be landed in Southampton at the end of the cruise and then transferred to the Baggage Handling Company in Southampton, where it will be safely stored in their warehouse until further notice.
To arrange delivery or collection please contact 02380 873111 between 9:00am- 12:00pm Monday-Thursday or alternatively, you can email: info@thebaggagehandlingcompany.com.
Please note, delivery charges are the responsibility of the passenger.
Answer
As soon as you are aware of the problem, please report it to a member of staff, either on board or at the cruise terminal so that you may obtain a damage report. This should then be submitted to your travel insurance company.
Answer
If your car is parked at Cruise and Passenger Services, please contact them directly to arrange a convenient time for collection.
CPS - 0345 071 3939
info@cruiseparking.co.uk
If you are unable to collect your car on your original disembarkation date, please be reassured that your car will be safely stored in the car park until you are able to make further arrangements.
Answer
We do not arrange transfers between the different terminals in Southampton. If you have arranged car parking with Cruise & Passenger Services, they will deliver your car to the terminal you are returning to.
Answer In the Cruise Terminal
On-Board
On your final night on board you will be asked to pack your luggage and leave it outside your cabin.
We recommend that you do not pack valuables, fragile items and medication. Your luggage will be taken from outside your cabin and will be waiting for you to identify and reclaim in the cruise terminal.
In the Cruise Terminal
Arriving into Southampton:
Your luggage will then be transferred ashore and will be placed in deck order making it easy to locate. There will be porters available to assist you and there will also be trolleys for you to use.
When travelling on a back to back cruise:
The Deck Manager will co-ordinate with you and provide assistance to move your luggage from one cabin to another. Your clothes from the wardrobe are transferred on a clothes rail so that there is no hassle of packing and unpacking.
Fly-Cruises
If you are travelling on one of our fly-cruises, please visit the question - On a fly-cruise how do I get my luggage between the aircraft and the ship?
Answer
We do not offer this service however, you can contact a courier and make your arrangements directly through them.
If you are doing part of a World Cruise please see question: Can I pre board my luggage? or Can I leave my luggage on board if I am doing part of a world voyage?
Answer
Yes, by logging into 'Your Account' you can regularly check on your points or total nights spent on board.
It is not possible to register an email address more than once on the site, for example if a husband and wife share an email address they will only be able to register online using one of their Unique Reference Numbers.
Once signed in by clicking on 'Your Cruises' you will see a list of P&O Cruises taken, your points total and tier level.
Answer
The loyalty scheme for P&O Cruises is the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.
Membership of the Peninsular Club is automatically granted once you have accumulated the entry requirement of 150 points.
Guests are able to check their loyalty level by logging into "My Account" you can regularly check on your points or total nights spent on board.
It is not possible to register an email address more than once on the site, for example if a husband and wife share an email address they will only be able to register online using one of their Unique Reference Numbers.
Once signed in by clicking on "Your Cruises" you will see a list of P&O Cruises taken, your points total and tier level.
Your membership number (also known as your URN or Unique Reference Number) consists of two letters, five numbers and one letter at the end eg, FA00000A. Your membership number will be quoted at the top of any mailings that we send. When logging in online (https://www.pocruises.com/myaccount/) membership number will be displayed under "manage your details".
If you are unable to locate this number please contact us on 0345 355 5111 (local call charges apply) with your full name (as per passport) and your full address.
Duplicate membership numbers can occur when your membership number has not been applied when making future bookings and the system will automatically generate a new membership number.
This could result in your benefits not being received on board and your cruise history will be incomplete. Please ensure you always quote your membership number at the time of booking, if booking with a Travel Agent ensure you ask for your membership number to be applied to your booking. If you do notice that you have two membership numbers please call our Contact Centre who will be more then happy to assist you.
| Tier Name | Points Threshold | Benefits of Tier |
| Pacific | 150 - 500 points | Peninsular Club Magazine Dedicated hotline - 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 5% on-board spend discount Dedicated Loyalty Manager Gifts for guests under 17 |
| Atlantic | 501 - 1000 points | Peninsular Club Magazine Dedicated hotline - 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 7.5% on-board spend discount Dedicated Loyalty Manager Gifts for guests under 17 Glass of Champagne Lapel pin |
| Mediterranean | 1001 - 2000 points | Peninsular Club Magazine / Dedicated hotline 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 8.5% on-board spend discount Dedicated Loyalty Manager Gifts for guests under 17 Glass of Champagne Cocktail party (on cruises of 8 nights or more) P&O Cruises slippers Lapel pin |
| Caribbean | 2001+ points | Peninsular Club Magazine Dedicated hotline - 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance Priority booking during launch Annual gift Priority arrival time allocation Priority check-in Welcome on board reception 10% on-board spend discount Dedicated Loyalty Manager Gifts for guests under 17 Glass of Champagne A complimentary half bottle of Champagne (per cabin) Officer-hosted fine dining event (on cruises of 8 nights or more) Cocktail party (on cruises of 8 nights or more) P&O Cruises slippers Lapel pin |
| Baltic | 2501+ points plus 80-200 nights spent on board in the three years preceding the start of their next cruise |
Peninsular Club Magazine Dedicated hotline - 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance Priority booking during launch Priority disembarkation Priority to book preferred seats on Caribbean fly-cruise flights Annual gift 10% on-board spend discount Dedicated Loyalty Manager Gifts for guests under 17 Glass of Champagne A complimentary half bottle of Champagne (per cabin) Officer-hosted fine dining event (on cruises of 8 nights or more) 50% discount on machine washable laundry Cocktail party (on cruises of 8 nights or more) P&O Cruises slippers Lapel pin |
| Ligurian | 2501+ points plus 201 or more nights spent on board in the three years preceding the start of their next cruise |
Peninsular Club Magazine Dedicated hotline - 0345 3 576 969 (local call charges apply) Exclusive cruise discounts of 5% (on selected Peninsular Club cruises) 10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance Priority booking Priority to book preferred seats on Caribbean fly-cruise flights Invitations to events Annual gift Priority arrival time allocation Priority check-in/ Hospitality lounge Welcome on board reception Priority disembarkation 10% on-board spend discount Dedicated loyalty manager Gifts for guests under 17 Glass of Champagne A complimentary half bottle of Champagne (per cabin) Officer-hosted fine dining event (on cruises of 8 nights or more) 50% discount on machine washable laundry Complimentary formal attire pressing Cocktail party (on cruises of 8 nights or more) P&O Cruises slippers Lapel pin |
Benefits
The P&O Cruises Peninsular Club benefits can be found on our dedicated Loyalty page.
Please note that gift credit is deducted from on board account totals, prior to any applicable Peninsular Club discount.
For example: If you on board account total is £150 and you have £50 gift credit available, the Peninsular Club discount will be deducted from the remaining £100.
World Cruise
On a World Cruise members will receive one of each of their entitled benefits for the total duration of their time on the cruise and not per sector.
At the end of each financial sector, your loyalty tier will be recalculated and your benefits updated if applicable.
Loyalty/Peninsular Club Discount Queries
If the guest is entitled to a loyalty discount, please advise the guest the refund will be credited back to the card they settled their on board account with within 4-6 weeks. To request a refund please contact Loyalty with as much information as possible (including booking references, names and Peninsular Club numbers).
The guest must be a member of the Peninsular Club in order to receive on board spend discount and have their membership number entered at the time of booking. This would ensure any on board spend discount is applied to all applicable purchases.
The Peninsular Club on board spend discount is applied to purchases after any non-refundable on board spending money allocated to the on board account and/or to all linked on board accounts, where relevant, has been used.
Children
Children aged 16-18 years olds are entitled to the same benefits as adults, with the exception of alcohol being substituted by a non- alcoholic alternative.
Children aged 15 and under will receive a gift designed specifically for their age group. They will also receive the on board spend discount appropriate to their tier level.
A child’s on board discount cannot be transferred to their parent or guardian.
Contacting the Loyalty Club
You can contact the P&O Cruises Peninsular Club via telephone: 0345 357 6969 (Local call charges apply) or by email - loyalty@pocruises.com. Please include your landline or mobile number, name of last ship or cruise date , full name and name of person you last travelled with.
Answer
If you would like to keep a regular check on your points and total nights spent on board then simply visit 'Your Account' where you can obtain and update information.
When travelling on board you can visit your Loyalty Manager.
Answer
Peninsular Club points will be awarded as standard, except in cases where passengers are travelling as a guest of P&O Cruises, are working on board or where the cruise is booked under a special concessionary rate.
Answer
If you have a future booking then please visit 'My P&O Cruises' where you can make the amendments.
However, if you do not have a future booking please visit the 'Your acount' page and once signed in you can amend your address under the 'manage your details' tab. Please note you will need to register for an account the first time you use the online members area.
Alternatively please call the Customer Contact Centre (please see our website for contact details) who will be able to make the amendments to your records.
Answer
For each night you spend on board, we award you 10 loyalty points which are applied at the end of your cruise. Once you have 150 points (by spending at least 15 nights on board), you automatically become a Pacific Tier member of the Peninsular Club.
As the number of nights you spend on board with us increases over subsequent holidays so, too, does your tier status.
Please see our Peninsular Club page for full information about the tiers and each of their benefits.
Answer
Yes. You can register a different credit card for each passenger, or just use one card for all members in your party. The value of your on board account(s) will be automatically charged to the registered credit card(s) at the end of your cruise.
Answer
Will I be charged VAT and TAX?
Passengers are advised that during intra EU cruises (when all of the ports you visit are inside the EU) government regulations prohibit the sale of duty free items. This means that EU VAT at the appropriate rate will be added to goods purchased in the shops and boutiques. Prices displayed in the gift shop are exclusive of VAT. The VAT charged will be identified on your receipt. For example, if you are on a Round Britain cruise that only visits England, Ireland Scotland and Wales, duty free items will not be available. If your cruise takes in another port (such as St Peter Port or Gibraltar) then duty free items will be available and VAT will not be applied.
Can I claim VAT on duty free shopping?
You can speak to the gift shop operator on board as they may operate the retail export scheme for goods purchased on board by International residents during Intra-EU cruises. On an international cruise, tax will not be added on board and there is no tax to claim back. For goods purchased in intermediate EU ports where local tax is charged passengers will need to discuss the scheme with local retailers to understand that countries claim procedures before they leave the country. You cannot claim in the UK for tax paid in another country.
Can I claim back VAT?
Each Terminal in Southampton has a TAX refund post-box where guests can drop in their claims.
All receipts need to be fully completed with all details and then dropped in the box in an unsealed envelope. Customs clear the box several times a week, stamp all receipts and they then get sent on for reimbursements to the credit card details provided on the claim.
Here is a picture of the box in the Ocean Cruise Terminal where guest will embark.
The boxes are located between security screening and the air bridge. Therefore you must have the envelope ready when going through check-in and security.
P&O have no involvement in this process. You should ensure that all parts of the form are correctly completed (it’s always best to check with retailers when purchasing goods to confirm they participate in the scheme) as corrections cannot be made afterwards. Any issues arising must be taken up directly with HMRC. We cannot help with enquiries on completed forms that have been posted.
Our on board retailers have their own arrangements in place for purchases made on taxable cruises and they can assist guests with these specific queries.
Answer
David Dingle is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Carnival UK.
All correspondence should be directed to either Guest Relations or directed to David Dingle's PA.
Answer
A P&O Cruises holiday is a truly bespoke experience. And, on top of the enchanting destinations, sumptuous food, dazzling entertainment and attentive service that’s all included, there are lots of ways to further personalise your holiday for a little extra.
Join a shore experience and discover your perfect adventure. From wine tasting in idyllic vineyards and sightseeing in art-drenched cities to hands-on cooking classes and adrenaline-fuelled action sports – there’s an unforgettable experience with your name on it.
Fancy an extra special meal to celebrate a certain occasion? Reserve a table in one of our Speciality Dining restaurants. Or if you’d simply like to spoil yourself, you could indulge in a soothing treatment at the Oasis Spa or do a little duty-free shopping in the on-board shops. And don’t forget, when on board you can treat yourself to all this, and more, using on-board spending money.
On-board spending money may be used against:
- Items purchased from any of the shops
- Spa, & salon treatments and services (when booked on-board and not prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises)
- Photography prints, products, workshops and services
- Laundry & dry cleaning
- Internet and telephone charges
- Shore Experiences (when booked on-board and not prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises)
- Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)
- Drinks packages (when booked on-board and not prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises)
- Restaurant cover charges (when booked on-board and not prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises)
- Artwork from the Gallery
- Gift items such as Celebration Packages, flowers and cakes (when booked on-board and not prior to embarkation)
On-board spending money may not be used against:
- Purchasing Shore Experiences prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
- Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
- Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
- Visas that require payment
- Medical charges (including services, prescriptions and supplies)
- Cash back
- As full or part payment against a future cruise or charter flight seat reservations and upgrades.
- Ad hoc gratuities
- Foreign currency
- on-board gaming (including the casino)*
- Charitable donations
- Shore Experience cancellation charges
*With the addition of the Arcade on board Ventura, this falls under the jurisdiction of the casino, therefore the use on on board credit is not permitted.
Please note on-board spending money is non refundable and no cash alternative available. It may not be spent prior to embarkation.
Gift credit is deducted from on-board account totals, prior to any applicable Peninsular Club discount.
For example: If you on-board account total is £150 and you have £50 gift credit available, the Peninsular Club discount will be deducted from the remaining £100.
Answer
Pre-booking a Speciality Restaurant Dining table
Currently, guests can pre-book dining from D-14 via My Cruise.
There are some Select Dining venues which can only be booked once on board via My Holiday - Ocean Grill (Afternoon Tea / Dinner), Sindhu, Beach House, Cookery Club (All masterclasses and dinner).
Please be aware, the reservation will only show in the 'My Orders' section for the guest who made the order, even if a guest made a reservation for multiple guests on the booking.
Epicurean is closed as a Select Dining venue until further notice. Suite guests can still enjoy their breakfast in the Epicurean.
Prices and Menus
The cost of the Speciality Restaurants can vary. Please see How much are the cover charges in the speciality restaurants? for details.
Examples of menus can be found under the question Can I see an example of a menu?
For details on all speciality restaurant venues on each ship, please see What are the alternative dining venues on-board?
Answer The Olive Grove - on board Arvia and Iona
Select dining venues offer alternative dining locations during your time on board.
The Beach House (Evening only) – on board Aurora, Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona & Ventura
The Beach House offers great ocean views to go along with a casual menu of grills and seafood. Fun, informal and great value, The Beach House brings you regional speciality dishes and ingredients from around the globe in addition to an exclusive range of milkshakes and cocktails.
The Epicurean - on board Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona & Ventura (Currently closed with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Epicurean gets straight to the heart of fine dining. With an emphasis on grand style and flawless service, classic dishes inspired by British ingredients are given a modern makeover. With time to thoroughly appreciate each course, you can relax and revel in the restaurant’s special atmosphere.
The Glass House – on board Aurora, Arvia, Azura, Britannia Iona and Ventura
If you enjoy a glass of wine with your meal you'll want to visit The Glass House.
Take you pick from a wide variety of global wines, handpicked by award-winning wine expert, and passionate foodie Olly Smith, and complimented by an exciting menu of small bites, hearty mains and sharing plates.
On the venue's signature menu, every course will come with the option of a different glass of wine, expertly matched by our expert, Olly Smith. With a handsomely stocked wine cellar and mouth-watering daytime and evening menus, The Glass House will be a relaxed, informal haven of good food and fine wine. What's more, selected bottles will be available by the glass, so there's no need to order the whole bottle to sample a particular vintage.
The Market Cafe - on board Britannia
Settle into a cosy world of temptation at Market Café. With a fresh menu full of delectable treats, this luxurious haven in the heart of Britannia’s atrium offers something sweet for every palate. Market Café is home to its very own flavours of Jude’s ice cream from the award-winning, family-run dairy in Hampshire. Why not try Cherries & Clotted Cream in a decadent sundae? Tuck into tasty handmade biscuits and exquisite cakes, including gluten-free options. Fancy something a little finer? Eat like royalty with an indulgent dish from our Fine Pâtisserie range. Unwind with a Costa coffee and treat yourself to wow-factor food as you enjoy glorious views out to sea.
Sindhu – on board Azura, Arvia, Aurora, Arcadia, Britannia, Iona and Ventura
Visit Sindhu and you’ll be treated to authentic Indian cuisine with a British twist. Showcasing a menu which is a triumph of perfectly balanced spices, delicate flavours and wonderful aromas, this restaurant has become a firm favourite with many. So why not take a seat amidst its sumptuous fabrics and opulent décor to experience a treat for your senses? Dishes such as pan-roasted beef tenderloin, spiced mash, garlic spinach purée and masala sauce vie for your attention alongside ginger and mint tiger prawns and the signature dish - a trio of fragrant curries. All meticulously crafted with high quality produce and served with a flourish.
Ocean Grill – on board Arcadia
Sumptuous steak and seafood restaurant, brought to you in the spirit of a relaxed, yet sophisticated London grill restaurant, and given the Marco Pierre White twist; skillfully prepared and presented with his trademark flare.
Ocean Grill continues his exceptional standard – expect dishes like baked Portobello mushroom with spinach leaf and pecan salad and salt marsh lamb rack with dauphinoise potatoes, crushed minted peas and a romarin scented jus. And of course no self-respecting grill would be complete without succulent steaks – ours come from Casterbridge Grass-fed English beef, dry aged for a minimum of 28 days.
The Keel and Cow - on board Arvia and Iona
The Keel and Cow is an unpretentious gastropub. It’s perfect for a quick and easy breakfast, top-quality lunch and hearty dinners with steaks straight from the dry-ageing fridge. Guests can watch the chefs at work in the open galley or enjoy gorgeous sea-views or the action in the Grand Atrium. It’s a fabulous place for a relaxed meal and a craft ale (or two).
The Olive Grove - on board Arvia and Iona
With a strong focus on food provenance, it’s time to taste your way around the southern and eastern Mediterranean with authentic dishes and sharing platters at The Olive Grove. Mouthwatering aperitifs and a well-chosen list of regional wines complete the menu and add to the relaxed experience. The Olive Grove is the ideal venue for intimate dinners or a celebratory meal – with options to eat in the restaurant or in the conservatory area.
The Limelight Club (adult only) - on board Arvia, Britannia and Iona
The Limelight Club brings you a dining experience that has more than great food on the menu. A feast for the senses in every respect, we're reigniting the tradition of the supper club, bringing you the finest food to tantalise your taste buds and entertainment worthy of the world stage. Prepare for and evening of great conversation, convivial company and delicious dining.
Pre Booking Select Dining Venues
Some Select Dining venues can be pre-booked through My P&O Cruises 14 days prior to embarkation and for any duration of cruise. Simply log on using your first name, surname, booking reference and date of birth. Once you have logged in, you should visit the 'Dining' heading on the menu ribbon and click on 'Select Dining'. Not all Select Dining can be pre-booked, which is indicated by 'Please enquire on board' - in this case, the reservation can be made via My Holiday.
To view sample menus, please see Can I see an example of a menu?
You may find 'Where can I enjoy afternoon tea on board?' useful.
Answer
Restaurant opening times are detailed below. Please note all times may vary, particularly on port days information will be provided in your Horizon newsletter which is delivered to your cabin each evening.
Please refer to your copy of ‘Horizon’.
It is possible to pre book some Select Dining restaurants for dinner via My P&O Cruises around three months prior to embarkation. For some Select Dining venues, they may only be booked once on board via My Holiday.
Examples of typical menus can be viewed via Can I see an example of a menu? question. Please note that charges apply for Select Dining and Room Service.
Arcadia
Room Service
Available 24 hours
Breakfast: from 07:00 - 11:00
Meridian Restaurant
Breakfast: 08:00 - 09:30
Lunch: 12:00 - 13:30
Afternoon tea: 16:00 - 16:45
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18:30. 2nd sitting from 20:30. Freedom dinning (Upper tier) 18:00 - 21:30
Belvedere - Buffet
Continental breakfast: from 06:30 - 7:00am
Full English breakfast 07:00 - 10:00
Brunch: 10:30 - 11:30
Lunch: 12:00 - 14.30
Afternoon snacks: 15:00 - 16:30
Theme dinner: 18:30 - 21:00
Late night snacks: 22:00 - 01:30
Ocean Grill
Afternoon snacks: 15:00 - 16:30
Afternoon Tea at Ocean Grill (Arcadia) - pre book - Sea days only 15:00-16:00
Sindhu
Dinner: 18:30 - 21:00
Caffè Vivo
Costa Coffee / Breakfast: 08:00 - 11:00
Day time snacks / Costa coffee: 11:30 - 17:30
Spinnaker Bar
Costa Coffee: 08:00 - 23:00
Neptune Grill
Grill snacks: 11:00 - 18:00
Aurora
Room Service
Available 24 hrs
Breakfast: 07:00 - 11:00
Alexandria Restaurant
Breakfast: 08:00 - 09:30
Lunch: 12:15 -13:30
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18:30. 2nd sitting from 20:30
Medina Restaurant
Breakfast: 08:00 - 09:30
Lunch: 12:15 - 13:30
Afternoon Tea: 16:00 -16:45
Dinner: Freedom dining 18:00 - 21:30
The Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
Continental breakfast: from 06:30. Full English breakfast: 07:00 - 11:00
Lunch: 12:00 - 14:30
Afternoon snacks: 15:30 - 16:30
Children's tea: from 17:30 - 18:30
Themed dinner: 19:00 - 21:00
Late night snacks: 22:30 - 06:30
The Glass House
Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:30
Daytime: 11:00 - 17:00
Dinner: 18:00 - 22:00
The Beach House
Dinner: 19:00 - 21:00
Raffles
Costa Coffee: 08:00 - 23:30
Sidewalk Cafe
Grill snacks: 11:00 - 18:00
Costa Coffee Grab and Go
Sindhu
Lunch 11:00 - 16:30 (sea days only)
Dinner: 18:00 - 21:00
Azura
Room Service
Available 24 hours
Breakfast: 06:00 - 11:00
Meridian Restaurant
Afternoon tea: 15:00 - 16:00
Dinner: Freedom dining 18:00 - 21:30
Peninsular Restaurant
Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00
Lunch: 12:00 - 14:00
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18:30. 2nd sitting from 20:30
Oriental Restaurant
Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18:30. 2nd sitting from 20:30.
Venezia - Buffet
Breakfast: 06:00 - 11:00
Lunch: 12:00 - 17:00
Children's tea: 17:00 - 18:00
Dinner: 18:00 - 21:30
Late night snacks: 23:00 - 01:00
Verona - Buffet
Breakfast: 06:00 – 11.00
Lunch: 12:00 - 17:00
The Beach House
Dinner: 18:30 - 21:30
The Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Breakfast (Suites only): 08:00 - 09:30 (Sea Day) 7:30 - 09:00 (Port Day)
Afternoon at The Epicurean: 15.00 (Sea days only
Dinner: 18:00 – 21.30
Sindhu
Lunch: 11:00 - 16:30 (sea days only)
Dinner: 18:00 - 21:30
The Glass House
All day dining: 11:00 to 2300
Java
Costa Coffee: 07:00 - 2200
Pool Side Grill
Grill snacks, ice cream & pizzeria 11.00 to 18.00
Britannia
Room Service
Available 24 hours
Breakfast: 07.00 - 11:00
Meridian Restaurant
Afternoon tea: 15.00
Dinner: Freedom dining 18.00 - 21.30
Peninsular Restaurant
Breakfast: 08.00 - 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 - 09.00 (Port Day)
Lunch: 12.15 - 13.45
Dinner: 18.00 - 21.30
Oriental Restaurant
Breakfast: 08.00 09.30 (Sea Day) 07.30 - 09.00 (Port Day)
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18.30. 2nd sitting from 20.30.
The Horizon Restaurant - Buffet
Breakfast: 06:30 to 11:00
Lunch: 12:00 – 17.00
Afternoon snacks: 15:00 - 17:00
Children's tea: 17:00 – 17.45
Theme dinner: 18:00 - 21:30
Late night snacks: 23.00-01.00
The Beach House
Dinner: 18:30 - 21:30
The Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Breakfast (Suites only): 08:00 - 09:30 (Sea Day) 7:30 - 09:00 (Port Day)
Afternoon at The Epicurean: 15.00 (Sea days only
Dinner: 18:00 – 21.30
The Glass House
All day dining: 11:00 to 23:00
The Limelight Club (adult only)
Dinner Show: 19:00 (Doors open)
Market Cafe
11:00 19.00 (Handmade biscuits, exquisite cakes and Fine Pâtisserie)
Iona
Pearl Restaurant
Breakfast: 07:30-09:30
Lunch: 12:00-14:00
Dinner: Freedom dining 17:30-21:30
Coral Restaurant
Breakfast: 07:00-09:00
Lunch: 12:00-14:00 (sea days only, closed on port days)
Dinner: Freedom dining 17:30-21:30
Aqua Restaurant
Breakfast: 07:00-09:00
Afternoon Tea: 15:15-16:00
Dinner: Freedom dining 17:30-21:30
Opal Restaurant
Dinner: Freedom dining 17:30-21:30
Sindhu
Dinner: 18:00-21:30
The Beach House
Dinner (Closed on Celebration Nights): 18:00-21:30
The Glass House
All day dining: 11:00-21:30
Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Breakfast (suites only): 07:30 - 10:00 (Sea Day) 7:00 - 09:00 (Port Day)
Afternoon Tea at Epicurean: 15.00 (Sea days only)
Dinner: 18:00 – 21.30
The Limelight Club (adult only)
Dinner Show: 19:00-22:30
The Keel & Cow
All day dining: 11:00-21:30
The Olive Grove
All day dining: 12:00-21:30
The Chef's Table (you can learn more about this here)
2 Sittings: 18:00 & 20:30
Local Food Hero – Kjarten (Epicurean) in Norway only (Closed until further notice)
Dinner: 18:00-21:30
Ventura
Room Service
Available 24 hours
Breakfast 06.00 - 11:00; Day 11:00 – 23:00; Night 23:00 – 06:00
Bay Tree Restaurant
Dinner: 1st sitting from 18.30. 2nd sitting 20.30
Cinnamon Restaurant
Dinner: Freedom dinning 18.00 - 21.30
Saffron Restaurant
Breakfast: 07.30 - 09.30
Lunch: 12.00 - 14.00
Afternoon tea: 15.30 -16.15
Dinner: Freedom dinning 18.00 - 21.30
Waterside - Buffet
Breakfast Continental: 06.30 - 7.00
Full English Breakfast 7:00 - 11:00
Lunch 12.00 - 17.00
Afternoon snacks: 15.00 - 17.00
Children's tea: 17.00 - 18.00
Theme dinner: 18.00 - 21.30
Late night snacks: 23.00 - 01.00
Beach House - Buffet
Full English breakfast: from 08.00 - 11.00
Lunch: 12.00 - 15.00
Beach House
Dinner: 18.00 - 21.30
The Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Breakfast (Suites only): 08:00 - 09:30 (Sea Day) 7:30 - 09:00 (Port Day)
Afternoon at The Epicurean: 15.00 (Sea days only
Dinner: 18:00 – 21.30
Sindhu
Dinner: 18:00 - 21:30
The Glass House
All day dining: 11.00 - 23.00
Afternoon Tea (Usually Epicurean but the venue is closed until further notice. An enhanced afternoon tea will be offered in the buffet)
15:00-16:00
Tazzine
Day time snacks & Costa Coffee: 07.30 - 00.00
Frankies Grill & Pizzeria
Grill snacks: 11.00 - 18.00
Answer
Tables for two people in any of the freedom and club dining rooms are on a request only basis.
Tables in speciality dining venues are allocated on a first come, first served basis and we will always try to accommodate a table suitable for your requirements. In buffet restaurants, you are free to sit at any table with suitable availability.
Pre booking Speciality Dining venues
You can pre purchase a table, selecting the date and time, at one of the on board Speciality Dining venues. Bookings can be made through My P&O Cruises at around three months prior to departure. Simply log on using your first name, surname, booking reference and date of birth. Once you have logged in you should visit the Dining heading on the menu ribbon and click on Speciality Dining.
Answer
There are a number of different restaurants guests can enjoy on board our ships.
All restaurants on board are wheelchair accessible (table and chairs can be moved if additional space is required once inside the restaurant). Please note there may be some areas within the restaurants that cannot be accessed i.e due to a step.
There are 6 restaurants on Arcadia
The main restaurant is the Meridian Restaurant. The Upper Meridian Restaurant on Prom Deck offers Club dining and the Lower Meridian Restaurant on F Deck offers Freedom dining.
The buffet restaurant is Belvedere which can be found on Lido Deck. You can also enjoy light snacks from two restaurants; Neptune Grill on Lido Deck and Cafe Vivo located on Prom Deck.
Select dining venues, offering a more intimate dining experience include; The Ocean Grill which is on F Deck and Sindhu located on Sky Deck; please note there are cover charges at these select dining restaurants.
There are 7 restaurants on Aurora
The main restaurants on Aurora are both located on E Deck. The Alexandria Restaurant offers Club dining and The Medina Restaurant offers Freedom dining.
The restaurant for buffet dining is The Horizon Restaurant, which can be found on Lido Deck.
Select dining includes three restaurants. These are the Beach House on Lido Deck and Sindhu and The Glass House found on D Deck. Please note there are cover charges at these select dining restaurants.
If you are looking for a light snack, you can visit the Sidewalk Cafe which also features a Costa and a 'Grab and Go' counter on Lido Deck.
There are 10 restaurants on Azura
The main restaurants include The Peninsular Restaurant and The Oriental Restaurant which are located on F Deck. The Meridian Restaurant can be found on P Deck. The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurants offer Freedom dining. The Oriental Restaurant offers Club dining.
There are also buffet restaurants, Verona and Venezia which are on Lido Deck.
Alternate dining areas available, include; The Beach House (evening only) Sindhu and the Glass House which are located on Prom deck and Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests) is found on Sun Deck. Please note there are cover charges at these select dining restaurants.
For lighter options, there is also a Pizzeria and Grill located on Lido Deck.
There are 10 restaurants on Britannia
The main restaurants are The Meridian and Peninsular which offer Freedom dining and The Oriental which offers Club dining. Located on decks 5 and 6.
You can enjoy buffet dining in The Horizon or opt for light snacks at the Grab and Go outlets on deck 16.
The Market Cafe on deck 5.
For select dining, you can visit The Beach House on Lido deck, Sindhu and The Glass house on deck 7, The Limelight Club on deck 5 or our fine dining restaurant The Epicurean deck 16 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests) Lido deck. Please note there are cover charges at these select dining restaurants.
There are 14 restaurants on Iona
The main dining restaurants are the Aqua, Opal, Coral (located on Deck 6) and Pearl (located on Deck 7).
The Horizon buffet restaurant is located on Deck 16. On selected Celebration Nights, there will be a dedicated area of the Horizon for The Chef's Table. More information can be found here.
The Quays is a foodie piazza offering a great range of self service and takeaway venues with a lively atmosphere of street-food dining located on Deck 8.
The Keel and Cow (Gastro pub located on Deck 8), The Olive Grove (Mediterranean theme also on Deck 8), The Skydome on Deck 16 offers Pizzeria and Grill style food.
Sindhu (Deck 8), Epicurean (Deck 17) (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests), The Beach House (Deck 16) The Glass House (Deck 7), The Limelight Club (Deck 6), are also on board.
Ripples - P&O Cruises exciting collaboration with Snowflake Luxury Gelato. Ripples will provide the perfect setting for a well-earned treat, day or night. A relaxed and family-friendly venue, it’s perfectly located at the top of the atrium with access to Promenade Deck if you’d like to savour the view as well as your gelato.
Al fresco dining:
The Olive Grove and Sindhu will have conservatory eating spaces but these will not be outside, There is an outside area at the aft of the ship next to the Horizion Restaurant (buffet).
There are 12 restaurants on Ventura
On Ventura, there are three main dining restaurants. These are The Cinnamon Restaurant found on P Deck, The Saffron Restaurant and The Bay Tree Restaurant both located on F Deck. The Cinnamon and Saffron Restaurants offer Freedom dining and the Bay Tree Restaurant offers Club dining.
There are two buffet restaurants on Ventura, these are The Beach house and The Waterside. These are both located on Lido Deck.
Select restaurants include Epicurean (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests) on Sports Deck, Sindhu and The Glass House both found on Prom Deck and the Beach House on Lido Deck. Please note there are cover charges at each of these restaurants.
For light snacks, Tazzine located on P Deck, Frankie's Grill and Frankie's Pizzeria both found on Lido Deck.
How to book Select Dining venues
Some Select Dining venues can be pre-booked through My P&O Cruises 14 days prior to embarkation and for any duration of cruise. Simply log on using your first name, surname, booking reference and date of birth. Once you have logged in, you should visit the 'Dining' heading on the menu ribbon and click on 'Select Dining'. Not all Select Dining can be pre-booked, which is indicated by 'Please enquire on board' - in this case, the reservation can be made via My Holiday.
Answer
You can book our speciality dining venues from 14 days before your holiday right up to midnight before you sail. You can book and pay for your meal at most of our venues before your holiday, while some restaurants are priced by dish and charged at the end of your meal. By booking early you can take advantage of our exclusive pre-cruise savings. If you have booked a cruise with us, you can make dining reservations by logging into My P&O Cruises here.
Answer
Important information: In light of current restrictions, we have currently stopped sending pre-cruise booklets. Please visit My P&O Cruises for information on shore experiences or to download e-tickets and luggage labels. Please note, only the lead guest on a booking with receive pre cruise information.
Pre-cruise information is only sent to the lead guest of a booking made under the P&O Cruises Select Fare and should be received approximately 8/9 weeks prior to departure.
If there are two guests who live at different addresses against one booking reference, an additional copy can be posted to guest two, to request this please contact the Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details).
Please note guests travelling on an Early Saver Fare, Late Saver Fare or other promotional fares will not receive the pre cruise information via post, all of the relevant information can be found in this website.
Answer
Once you have made your booking you can only cancel your order through this website. If you want to make any amendments to any products you must cancel and re-book.
Answer
CCO, please refer to 'Will I need a visa (Internal Spreadsheet)?' for visa requirements.
Together with our preferred visa provider CIBT, we are pleased to provide you a simple online solution to all your World Cruise visa requirements at www.cibtvisas.co.uk/pocruises.
The online portal will provide you with:
Detailed visa information specific to your cruise
Details of required documentation needed to support your applications
Application forms available for you to print out and send to CIBT
Please note this information applies to British passport holders who reside in the UK at the time of the application. Your visa requirements may differ if you do not hold a British Citizen passport, should this be the case, you can contact the relevant embassy or consulate for advice. Alternatively you can contact our recommended visa service CIBT on 0207 620 6487. Be sure to advise that you are travelling by sea, as your visa requirements may be different to the standard advice supplied for air travel.
Fines may be imposed if you travel without the correct documentation and it is important we point out that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documents prior to travel or when in transit to the countries included in your itinerary. Failure to have the correct documents will result in denial of boarding or repatriation, in line with government regulations. Please be sure to check your itinerary and obtain the visas required for the specific countries you will be visiting during your cruise. Visas are required when embarking/ disembarking or staying on board.
Visa requirements for British Citizens in possession of a full British Citizen Passport
The below is correct at time of publishing and pertains to UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) passport holders and should be used for guidance only. Please note, some "British Isles" passports issued in the Isle of Man or the Bailiwicks of Jersey or Guernsey, do not have the same visa exceptions as a full UK passport and guests holding either of these passports should check this with CIBT specifically for the countries they are visiting on their itinerary.
CIBT are experts in visa and passport arrangements and can provide visas online at www.uk.cibt.com/pocruises or by phone 0207 620 6487.
Any visa that is obtained on board are charged in dollars, this will be converted to Pounds Sterling (and charged at the conversion rate of the day) to your on board account.
Visa Information - Your Responsibilities
Please note that there may be a visa requirement for your cruise and it is the responsibility of each guest to ensure that they are in possession of all travel documents required for their itinerary. Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country. In some cases this may lead to large fines which you will be required to pay and/or immediate repatriation to your home country at your own expense. Please ensure you check your requirements carefully before you travel to avoid unnecessary expense and inconvenience. Please also ensure you read the Important Information below:
Important Information
When applying for your visa you must ensure that all guests' full names are exactly the same as they appear as in their passport. If there is any difference, you may be refused entry onto your flight/cruise.
Passport and visa requirements may change and vary by destination. We regret we cannot accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any flight, cruise or into any country, or otherwise suffer any difficulties or incur any costs as a result of not having the correct passport and/or any required visa(s).
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents before departure. You must pay all costs incurred in obtaining such documentation. Certain Port Authorities may require photo identification when you depart the ship during the cruise. We strongly suggest that you take photocopies of your passport information page with you in addition to but separately from your passport itself and that you carry the photocopy with you each time you depart the ship in order to minimise any inconvenience this may cause and to provide an official means of identification whilst ashore in case it is required or due to loss/theft of your passport.
The information is correct at time of publishing and is subject to change at any time. UK passport information applies to British Citizens, holders of another UK passport must check with the relevant authority. There is often a stipulation on having a minimum amount of validity left on your passport and a number of clear pages in order to gain entry, which can be up to a 6 month requirement. Again, please check with the relevant authority.
With the exception of Russia (St Petersburg), please note that if there is requirement to obtain a visa prior to travel for a particular country, and a guest chooses to not disembark the ship, then the guest is still required to obtain the necessary visa.
Schengen Visa - 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.
British Passport Holders
Visas for short trips: you do not need one if you’re a tourist
If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Please note, the number of days is calculated by the number of days spent in port within a cruise itinerary. In certain circumstances a sea day in between 2 ports within a single country is also counted as a day.
If you visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, check that you do not spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries you visit. That’s because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group.
There are different rules for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania. They each have their own separate 90-day limits. The time you spend in other countries does not affect how long you can spend in each of these countries without a visa.
You may need a visa or permit to stay for longer, or to study, work or travel for business. Check the travel advice for each country you’re visiting for more information.
* Schengen State members are: are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
For all other countries, please contact the relevant embassy for details.
Visas obtained on arrival:
| Country | Approximate cost (where applicable) |
| Egypt | No charge |
| UAE | No charge |
Visa application time scales
Visa time scales may be longer during periods such as Christmas and/or when embassies are closed. In addition, your own personal circumstances may affect timescales quoted. We recommend that you obtain your visa as early as possible.
Disclaimer
Visa and passport information can change so it is important that you recheck your passport and visa requirements no later than 3 weeks prior to your holiday departure. The information provided on this site was correct at the time of publishing and is subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to travel with the correct travel documentation.
Country |
Content |
Australia |
If your itinerary includes Australia, you will be required to obtain an e Visitor or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Whether you are staying on board, going ashore, in transit, embarking or disembarking. You must ensure your Australian visa is valid for your entry into Australia. Please note - the Australian Government require the majority of guests over the age of 75 years to partake in a medical before issuing any visa. Our recommended visa service, CIBT are unable to assist you in your application if you fall into this age group and you will therefore need to send your passport and medical reports directly to the Embassy. |
Canada |
British citizen passport holders who travel to Canada by AIR will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Entry requirements for other methods of travel (land, sea) have not changed. If you are travelling by land or sea, you won’t need an eTA when you enter Canada, therefore this will not apply to our guests calling at Canada on one of our cruises. However, if you are joining in Canada and arriving by air you should visit the dedicated website (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp) to check if an eTA will be required.
|
Cape Verde |
If arriving by sea no visa is required for the visit to Cape Verde as the ship is classed as 'in transit'. If you are embarking/disembarking in Cape Verde you must obtain a visa prior to travel. |
China |
A 15 day free visa stay is available to all in transit guests (guests who sail in and out of Shanghai on the same vessel). Please note that restrictions apply: Guests have to participate in a tour (at least 2 people) organised by travel agencies that are legally registered in China. These can be ship organised tours or independent tour agencies. The ship will apply for the 15 day free visa stay for tours booked on-board. If you have booked an independent tour please ensure your travel agency applies on your behalf. Please note: guests are not allowed to leave the tour group (even to join another vehicle) and special approval will have to be obtained in case of an emergency. The visa free stay is valid for the duration of the tour(s) and you will have to leave Shanghai on the same day with the vessel.
Hong Kong Land Tours - Guests embarking or disembarking in Hong Kong after (or before proceeding with) an overland tour into China must apply for a Chinese tourist visa prior to arrival. Coastal guests who travel from Hong Kong to Shanghai only (starting their holiday in Hong Kong and finally disembarking in Shanghai) are required to obtain a Chinese visa and are not able to make use of any visa waivers. All guests must bring a photocopy of the photograph/personal details page of your passport. Please note: China has introduced the collection of fingerprints for those guests wishing to obtain a Chinese visa, therefore a visit to the Chinese Embassy is required when obtaining a Chinese visa. Those guests (of 51 different nationalities) starting their cruise or ending their cruise in Shanghai are entitled to make use of the 144 hour Chinese visa exemption but only if the following conditions are met: Your stay in China is within Shanghai city, Jiangsu province or Zhejiang province, and not exceeding 144 hours (6 Days). You either have an onward flight confirmation to a 3rd country (outside China) or a cruise ticket confirming that the next port of call is outside China Your arrival/departure is via one of the below mentioned entry/exit points and you are able to hand-over a copy of your onward travel arrangements to the Chinese Officials on arrival or the Ship staff when finally disembarking (Ship staff are required to present documentation 48 hours in advance to our Shanghai agents) Shanghai Pudong international airport Remember that the 144 hours is from the moment you arrive in China to the moment you leave Chinese Territories. If you have any pre or post cruise hotel stays booked in China or your onward itinerary includes additional Chinese ports, you will need to make sure that your time shoreside, and on board does not take you over the 144 hour limit, if it does you will require a visa. Please note: If you are not staying in one of the above mentioned areas or not arriving/leaving from the mentioned exit/entry points you will need to obtain a Chinese visa. Also this exemption does not apply to guests travelling in and out of Shanghai on the same vessel. (In transit guests) as those guests will be able to make use of a 15 day free visa stay, but only when booked on an organised tour. |
Dominican Republic |
If entering Amber Cove by sea there are no visa requirements. If entering the Dominican Republic via air, a tourist card must be obtained. |
Egypt |
A Quick Stamp visa for Egypt will be issued upon the ship’s arrival in Egypt. Therefore you are not required to obtain an Egyptian visa in advance of your cruise. There is currently no charge for the Quick Stamp Egyptian visa. |
India |
Guests visiting India by ship are required to have a valid Indian visa, whether you intend to go ashore or remain on board the ship. India has introduced electronic visas (E-visas) which are now accepted at the ports visited by P&O Cruises. To obtain your E-visa, please visit https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Please bring a print out of your E-visa confirmation showing ‘GRANTED’ at check-in for immigration purposes. You will also be required to show the print out when attending immigration checks on arrival into India. Please ensure the information on your E-visa confirmation matches your passport information. Guests who arrive without a valid Indian visa will be denied boarding. Please note: P&O Cruises require all guests visiting India to obtain a visa in advance whether they intend to go ashore or remain on board the ship. This position has been taken to protect guests from any restrictions that are imposed by the Indian authorities, in the unlikely event of having to disembark the ship in India due to an emergency or for any other reason. An Indian tourist visa (sticker in passport) is also acceptable should you wish to obtain this instead, however the E-visa is easier to obtain and less expensive. Please be aware that visas will be processed by Indian Immigration officials on arrival into your first Indian port which may delay going ashore. Please allow time for this when planning your day. |
New Zealand |
International travellers, who are Visa Waiver nationals, may enter New Zealand without a visa after obtaining an approved New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). Please note that all guests travelling with an NZeTA must present a print out of a successful NZeTA application at check in Obtaining NZeTA approval, for most travellers, will be simple and easy. To apply for your NZeTA, please follow this link to the NZeTA application website https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/.The cost of obtaining an NZeTA is currently NZ$12.00 (however this is subject to change at any time) and payable during the application using a credit or debit card. Approved NZeTA applications are valid for a period of two years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and multiple trips to New Zealand without the traveller having to reapply for another NZeTA. When applying for you NZeTA, a tourism levy of NZ$35 must also be paid which is valid for the same length of time as the NZeTA. Should you require assistance applying for your NZeTA, our preferred Visa provider, CIBT are available on 0207 620 6998. |
Oman |
Visa stamps for Oman are compulsory and will be issued upon the ship’s arrival by the local Port Authorities, whether you are staying on board or going ashore. There is currently no charge for the visa stamp. |
South Africa |
Although visas are not required please note that your passport should contain two blank passport pages for the South African entry and exit stamps. Prior to applying for visas for other countries, please ensure you have adequate blank pages to allow for these stamps. Should you have limited blank pages, P&O Cruises strongly suggest you obtain a replacement passport before applying for your visas.
Please see the question - What are the regulations for travelling to South Africa with children |
Sri Lanka |
If you are starting or ending your holiday in Sri Lanka, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) must be obtained online (www.eta.gov.lk) prior to arrival/departure. A fee will apply if obtaining a Tourist ETA. If you are visiting Sri Lanka as part of your cruise itinerary (arriving and leaving Sri Lanka with the ship), you are required to obtain a Transit ETA online (www.eta.gov.lk). A Transit ETA is free of charge. Please note, the Transit ETA confirmation states that you may only transit and are not permitted to enter Sri Lanka. This is acceptable for cruise lines as you are classed as 'in transit' providing you enter and leave Sri Lanka with the ship. This will not restrict you in going ashore during the call. When completing your application, please note the following: "Port of Departure" is the previous port you are scheduled to visit prior to arrival in Sri Lanka "Final Destination" is the port where you will be ending your cruise "Vessel Number" is the cruise number "Address in Sri Lanka" is the ship name (if applying for a Transit ETA)
|
Turkey |
Cruise ship guests who are joining the ship in Turkey or are leaving the ship in Turkey to travel home are required to obtain an e-visa prior to travel. If you are visiting Turkey as part of your cruise itinerary but are not joining the ship in Turkey or disembarking to travel home, a visa is not required. To obtain an e-visa for Turkey please visit https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ for further information and the official channel for applying for the e-visa Guests of all nationalities are required to have at least 60 days validity on their passport from the day they enter Turkey.Guests who are either embarking or disembarking (beginning or ending) their cruise in Turkey and therefore require a visa, need to ensure their passports have at least 180 days validity otherwise the visa will not be issued. |
United Arab Emirates |
Transit Visa stamps for Dubai are compulsory and will be issued upon the ship’s arrival, whether you are staying on board or going ashore. You do not need to obtain these visas in advance of the cruise. If you are joining your cruise in the United Arab Emirates you may need to purchase a visa on arrival at the airport. |
United States of America (and territories) |
International travellers, who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, may enter the USA without a visa after completing an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) – please see the instructions for how to apply at the end of this section. You may check to see if you are eligible for this programme by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/. Some of the conditions for entry into the VWP are listed below, however if you do not hold a full British Citizen passport or a passport from another country eligible for the VWP, your situation may be different and you should check to ensure you have the correct documentation for your holiday. Obtaining ESTA approval, for most travellers, will be simple and easy. To apply for your ESTA, please follow the link to the ESTA application website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta. A third party, such as a relative or Travel Agent, is permitted to submit an ESTA application on behalf of a VWP traveller. The cost of obtaining an ESTA is currently USD$21.00, this is subject to change at any time. All payments must be made directly to the official Department of Homeland Security ESTA website above using a credit card or debit card. Please do not use any other website as they may charge you a higher fee for the same service. Please note a biometric passport is required when applying for an ESTA. Kindly present at check-in a copy of your ESTA confirmation as evidence for Immigration purposes. Please ensure the information on your ESTA confirmation matches your passport information. British Subject* passport holders are required to obtain a full US visa prior to travel. * These are mostly people who were born in British India before 01/01/49 and did not become citizens of India, or who were citizens of Eire and British subjects before 01/01/49 and have made a claim to retain British Subject |
Answer
Change booking:
Please see Can I transfer my booking?
Cancel Booking:
Yes, you may cancel your booking at any time. If you have booked with a Travel Agent you must call them to discuss changes and cancellations. Please visit our booking conditions page on our website.
If you have made your booking directly with P&O Cruises please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 355 5111 (calls charged at local rate). Please note that this is for direct bookings only, and any booking that has been made through a travel agent you will be asked to contact them to discuss any changes or cancellations.
As per our Booking Conditions, P&O Cruises shall be entitled to levy a cancellation charge as a percentage of the price paid in accordance with the following scales.
P&O Select Fare and Early Saver:
| Period before departure within which notice of cancellation is received by P&O Cruises | Cancellation Charges (% of price) |
| From date of booking until 91 days before departure | Loss of Deposit |
| 90 to 57 days | 50% |
| 56 to 42 days | 60% |
| 41 to 16 days | 75% |
| 15 to 6 days | 90% |
| Less than 6 days before departure or failure to embark. For fly cruises, departure day is the date of the flight departure. | 100% |
Late Saver:
| Period before departure within which notice of cancellation is received by P&O Cruises | Cancellation Charges (% of price) |
| From the date of booking until departure, including failure to embark. | 100% |
You may wish to transfer your booking to another cruise, please see Can I transfer my booking? for details.
Flights
Any amendment or cancellation made more than 61 days prior to departure will incur a charge of £20 per person.
Changes made within 61 days of departure will incur both a £20 charge per person and the full cost of the amended ticket.
Should you incur cancellation charges, you may be able to claim these back from your travel insurance company depending on your circumstances and your level of cover. Please check with your insurer for full details. You should always ensure that you have adequate travel insurance when you have made your booking so that you are covered for such eventualities.
Answer
Yes, military benefits are applicable to UK citizens only.
We are pleased to offer on board spending money to:
Current serving personnel
Veterans
Reservists
MOD Civil servants
NATO personnel in the UK
for the following service divisions:
British Army
Royal Navy
Royal Air Force
Reserves
Royal Marines
Merchant Navy
Home Guard
Military Promotions are not combinable with certain promotional fares including, Early Savers, Savers, On board booking, Thank You For Cruising promotions, Ship Visit, Tesco voucher bookings and partnership benefits, if you have any queries on combinability, please call our Customer Contact Centre.
Military Benefits can only be applied to a booking if you are registered with Defence Discount Service and have a Defence Privilege Card - this number will be taken at time of booking
This offer is available to Military guests who are members of the Defence Discount Service (the official MOD discount scheme) and have a Defence Privilege Card. This is a paid for membership, the cost for which is £4.99 for 5 years membership. The offer is available to those that are currently serving in the HM Armed Forces and those that have previously served within the HM Armed Forces. Guests will need to quote their Defence Privilege Card membership number for the Military On Board Credit to be added to their booking.
In order to apply the Military Benefits you would need to supply your Defence Privilege Card Number to our Customer Contact Centre either directly or via your travel agent, either at the time of booking, or no later than 7 days before departure, along with the promotion code MLT. This will then be noted on your booking. You may also be asked to present your card at the check-in desk on the day of embarkation, so please make sure you have this with you when travelling.
Guests can register through www.defencediscountservice.co.uk . You will be asked for service details and then to get the Defence Privilege Card will need to upload a copy of documentation such as a certificate of discharge or Armed Forces Pension document.
The amount of on board spending money is applicable for the 1st and 2nd passengers in a cabin only and depends on the grade of cabin booked and the duration of the cruise:
| Nights | Sea View / Inside | Balcony | Suite |
2-6 |
£10 | £15 | £20 |
| 7-13 | £20 | £30 | £40 |
| 14-21 | £50 | £65 | £75 |
| 22+ | £75 | £90 | £100 |
Please note the latest this benefit can be applied is 7 days before departure and it is not possible to apply the Military benefit once you are on board.
Answer
No. Loyalty Points are only awarded for nights spent on board ships within the P&O UK fleet.
Points were previously awarded for the time spent travelling on board our nominated sister brand ships at a rate of 5 points per night spent on board, but only if the guests concerned was already an active member of P&O’s loyalty scheme at the time they travelled.
The awarding of sister brand points was phased out in April 2012.
Answer
The legislation related to the charging of credit card fees changed on 13 January 2018.
As a result, guests will not be charged a credit card fee on payment transactions made from 11 January 2018.
Answer
Yes, you are able to make a partial payment. You can make payments online here where you can choose whether you want to pay the full balance or a different amount of your choosing.
Answer
If your booking has been made through one of our travel agent partners please contact them to settle the outstanding balance of your holiday.
Answer
Yes, you can use a different card to the one you used to pay your deposit.
Please see the question What method of payment is accepted?
Answer
You will be asked to pay a deposit at time of booking. For some of our fares, full balance may be requested at time of booking.
We accept Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club International cards. We do not accept Solo, Maestro, JCB, or pre paid cards.
We must receive the balance of your fare no later than 90 days before departure*. If you are booking through a travel agent they may request payment of the balance in advance of this date in order to ensure that your monies reach us by the balance due date. If we do not receive the balance by the due date, we reserve the right to end the contract between us and re-sell the accommodation held for you, which will also result in the forfeiture of your deposit.
*Please note, for cruises departing on or before 30 June 2020 the balance due date is reduced to 30 days. This policy modifies the cancellation policy in our Booking Conditions and may be changed or withdrawn at any time without notice.
Deposit:
A deposit of 15% is required on all bookings.
For bookings made within 90 days of departure and some other fare types, the full balance will be requested at time of booking.
For our direct guests, you can visit our website (https://www.pocruises.com/balance), where you can log in and pay your balance via our secure, online, payment facility. This facility is available 24/7, offering a quick and convenient way to pay your balance.
If you are unable to pay your balance online please call us. Please visit our website for contact details.
If your booking has been made through one of our travel agent partners please contact them to settle the outstanding balance of your holiday.
Answer
P&O Cruises recently launched a pilot for you to have the facility to check in for your cruise online.
After a successful pilot and in order to enhance the efficiency of the check in process, P&O Cruises will be rolling out the enhanced online check in facility which you can complete prior to departure.
You will be able to log in and fill out their passport details and also register a payment card for their cruise. You will have the flexibility to register one card for all guests travelling, or a different card for each guest in the booking.
We are constantly looking at ways to enhance the guest experience and believe that by enabling guests to check in online prior to departure; this will reduce the time spent in the terminal, allowing you to start enjoying your holiday on board with us even quicker!
You will be asked to visit checkin.pocruises.com and enteryour log in details. These are first name, surname, date of birth and booking reference to log in.
Once logged in you will need to:
- Enter Passport information for the guests you wish to check in
- Enter payment card information
- Select which guests the payment card will be applied to. All children must also have a card added.
- Guests with passport information completed and a payment card applied to them are now checked in.
- Download Boarding Pass for completed guests.
Answer
Yes. All our ships feature accessible cabins which are suitable for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, guests can navigate the ships via the accessible routes to public venues and the majority of deck areas.
Our accessible cabins feature wide doorways, sufficient floor space for wheelchair manoeuvrability and accessible balcony cabins feature ramped access to the balcony. The bathroom is a wet room style shower room with a flush threshold, grab rails for the shower and toilet and pull down shower chair.
Arcadia offers a number of partially accessible cabins, these cabins have a wet room with the above features) however the cabins are smaller and have less floor space than an accessible cabin so would not suitable for someone confined to their mobility aid.
Assisted listening is available within a number of our show lounges and theatres, and we can supply an in cabin visual alert systems with textphones. In addition, key on board literature is available in Braille and we welcome certified assistance dogs on board.
When sailing from Southampton, we can offer wheelchair assistance for embarkation and disembarkation. Assistance will start once inside the terminal building where members of the mobility assistance team will escort you on board either in a ships wheelchair or using your own mobility aid.
Help with disembarkation can be arranged on board the ship. If you have any questions please contact Reception.
If you require assistance with daily living, such as washing, toileting, eating, movement around the ship or disembarking in ports of call etc, you will need to travel with a companion/personal assistant who can provide this for you; the ship’s crew are unable to assist with these tasks.
Please let us know at the time of booking, or by calling our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details) if you have a medical or mobility request or requirement to ensure we can meet your needs.
Answer
Yes, Azura, Arcadia, Aurora, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura have single cabins for solo cruisers.
Single cabins are graded as:
Single Inside Cabin (Arcadia, Azura, Britannia, Iona & Ventura)
SC grade (Arcadia, Azura & Ventura)
SF (Britannia)
SZ (Iona)
Single Sea View Cabin (Aurora, Azura & Ventura)
RE grade (Aurora)
RC grade (Azura & Ventura)
Single Balcony Cabin (Arcadia, Aurora*, Britannia and Iona)
QF grade
QZ (Iona)
* Aurora will have single balcony cabins after her move to adult only post refit April 2019
Arcadia - There are four single inside, and two single balcony cabins, these are located on Sun Deck
Aurora - There are four single sea view cabins, two are located on A deck, and two on C deck. Six single balcony cabins will be added post refit in April 2019.
Azura - There are six single inside cabins, and 12 single sea view cabins, all located on F deck
Britannia - There are 12 inside single cabins, and 15 single balcony cabins, all located on Lido deck
Iona - There are 10 inside single cabins, located on decks 12, 9 and 5 and 12 balcony single cabins, located on decks 14, 11 and 9.
Ventura - There are six single inside cabins, and 12 single sea view cabins, all located on F deck
For further details please see our deck plans or to make a booking please visit our Find and Book page, call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, or contact your preferred travel agent.
Answer
If you are travelling with children or teenagers, our family prices on Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura offer generous reductions, utilising the extra beds that are contained in a number of cabins. Infants aged 1 and under will also pay a reduced rate, which will remain the same no matter what cabin grade is booked, from Inside cabin, all the way up to a Suite.
Please note, if a child is booked into a lower berth, (i.e. the first two beds in the cabin) there isn’t a reduced rate and the standard double rate will be charged.
Family reduction can vary by cruise. Please check our Find & Book page, call our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details) or speak with your preferred ABTA bonded travel agent for the reduction amount of a specific cruise.
For further information regarding cruising with children, please visit our dedicated family page and question What facilities are available for children on board?
Answer
Terminal/airport checklist
When you arrive at the terminal/airport, please have the following items with you:
- Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status and negative test certificate if travelling on a cruise with additional requirements.
(The record card that is given out at the time of vaccination will not be accepted)
- Evidence of travel insurance
- Passport
- Boarding pass or travel documents
Answer
When you book speciality dining in advance you can take advantage of our exclusive pre-cruise savings. Make sure you plan ahead and secure the venue, date and time that you’re after so that your holiday can start the minute you step on board. You can make reservations by logging into My P&O Cruises here.
Answer
As the leading UK cruise operator, Carnival UK is at the forefront of shipbuilding technology, delivering unique vessels for the enjoyment of our guests. Our brands are committed to a pathway to decarbonisation, which involves significant investment in carbon efficient technologies, energy efficiency activity and emission reduction initiatives. The use of LNG fuel as an alternative fuel source for the cruise industry is one of these innovations along with a number of other energy efficient technologies and initiatives that support our sustainability goals and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Both Arvia and Iona are powered by Liquefied Natural Gas.
Answer
Please note that guests under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or companion aged 18 or over.
We are unable to carry infants under the age of six months on any of our holidays.
Certain cruises and our Exotic fly-cruises have a minimum age requirement of 12 months. This is due to the remote itineraries and number of consecutive days at sea. This applies to cruise numbers B225/A, B306/A, B326/A, B406/A, K301/A/B, K305D, K306/A, K321/A/B, K405D, K406/A, N233, N302, N306, N401, N403.
Children under the age of 16 years old are not permitted to travel in a cabin without a guest who is 16 or over. Additionally, they must travel with a parent or companion aged 18 or over.
Children using the designated pools must be under the supervision of their parent/guardian. All parents/guardians are responsible for the behaviour of their children. We also ask parents and guardians to note that children under 16 must not be left unaccompanied on the ship whilst at a port of call.
Adult only ships (Arcadia & Aurora*) have a minimum age of 18 years. All guests must be aged at least 18 years of age prior to travel to embark a ship which is exclusively for adults.
Children aged six months (or 12 months as detailed above) to 23 months are classed as infants.
Children aged two years to 17 years are classed as children.
Those aged 18 years or over at time of travel are classed as adults.
There is no maximum age to travel.
Answer
During the current Pandemic we will not be accepting guests onboard who require supplementary oxygen (including via oxygen concentrator).
Flights
If you require additional oxygen on a flight please see Can I fly if I have a pre-existing medical condition, reduced mobility or any disability that requires assistance?
Answer
Vaccination requirements vary by destination and may change from time to time.
We recommend that you seek advice from your medical practitioner or travel health clinic, at least six weeks before your cruise, to discuss your personal travel plans and obtain appropriate advice and vaccinations prior to travel. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all guests.
You will find further travel health advice on the UK government funded website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk and for guidance on seasonal influenza: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/51/seasonal-influenza.
You can also find vaccination information (correct at the time of print) in our brochure.
For our current COVID-19 vaccination requirements, please visit the dedicated page on our website https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/booking-with-confidence
Mandatory Vaccinations
Yellow Fever
On 11 July 2016, changes to International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) regarding the validity of the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) for yellow fever vaccine came into force.
The period of validity of the ICVP has changed from 10 years to the duration of the life of the person vaccinated. This applies to all ICVP for yellow fever vaccination, including certificates already issued, and new or duplicate certificates. A valid ICVP, presented by arriving travellers, cannot be rejected on the grounds that more than ten years have passed since the date vaccination became effective as stated on the certificate and that boosters or re-vaccination cannot be required.
Although a vaccination is not always a mandatory requirement, it is highly recommended due to visiting high risk areas. We recommend you seek advice from your GP as to whether you require the vaccination.
January (Vaccination Mandatory) - R3011 sailing to Brazil and Uruguay
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. Local Port Health Officials will then decide if a vaccination waiver can be issued
A letter of exemption requires the following information:
> Name of passenger
> Date of Travel
> Statement advising the following or similar : I advise that the Yellow Fever Vaccination should not be given on medical grounds to the above named person.
> Medical Practitioners signature
> Medical Practice Stamp
> Letter written on medical practice headed paper
We are unable to confirm whether exemption letters will be accepted and passengers allowed too disembark ports that have a yellow fever certificate requirement as it is a port health requirement and not a CUK requirements.
Guests without the correct documentation will be denied boarding.
Proof of Vaccination
You will not be asked for proof that you have had any other vaccinations other than yellow fever if this is a mandatory requirement for your cruise.
Zika virus
From 2016, travel health notices were issued by public health authorities for people travelling to areas where Zika virus is known to occur. Zika virus is primarily transmitted by mosquitoes, although sexual transmission can also occur, and symptoms include fever, headache, red eyes, rash, and joint pains. The illness is usually mild, lasts between 2-7 days and affects only one in five people infected. Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider prior to booking travel to areas with active Zika transmission. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis for a few weeks to several months. In a small proportion of infections it can be triggered by Zika, much as it can after a variety of other infections. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have long term damage. As the list of affected countries changes rapidly over time, we recommend you regularly review Public Health England’s website for updated information and a list of countries with active transmission: www.gov.uk/guidance/zika-virus. Please seek medical advice prior to travelling if this travel alert affects you. Guests are reminded to take enhanced precautions against biting insects by covering exposed skin, and using insect repellent.
Answer
P&O Cruises accepts registered assistance dogs on board that have been specifically trained to assist a person with a disability and has been certified by an organisation that is a full member of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) or International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF), the accrediting bodies for assistance dog organisations worldwide.
Assistance dogs are allowed on board all P&O ships on Southampton to Southampton cruises. We are unable to accept an assistance dog on any Fly-Cruise or sector of the World cruise.
Emotional support dogs are not recognised as an assistance dog by the above organisations and are not permitted on-board.
Assistance dogs may not be permitted ashore in certain ports of call, in line with current DEFRA regulations which apply in the UK.
There are some changes to Pet Travel following Brexit, pets will need an Animal Health Certificate to travel. Your pet will need a new animal health certificate for each trip to an EU country or Northern Ireland from Great Britain. Pet Passports issued in EU Countries and Northern Ireland are still valid.
If you would like to travel with your assistance dog, please complete the relevant section of the mobility questionnaire.
To requests a questionnaire please call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, or email accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com
Answer
We offer a wide range of gifts, treats, experiences and services to make those moments all the more memorable.
Find out more through our gifts page here: https://www.pocruises.com/onboard-activities/Gifts
Answer
Shine Rewards programme rewards front line Travel Agents for select price cruise bookings, training and brand engagement. Travel Agents can build their points pot which can then be spent on E-Vouchers, brand related merchandise and cruise holidays via the reward portal/catalogue on the Shine site.
To book a cruise of their choice with their points. agents will call the Shine Rewards Club helpdesk on 01908 303554
They can redeem their points against 25%, 50% or 100% of the value of the cruise. The amount used with points will be deducted from the booking within 48 hours of the booking being made, and the remaining balance on the booking is to be paid by the agent/passenger.
Agents will book through the Shine Rewards Club Helpdesk on the above phone number (not us) and the supplier is called Sodexo. Sodexo will book with ABTA Number 00SODEXO.
Agents/passengers WILL NOT know the ABTA number it has been booked under, so ABTA will not be part of the DPA process, however 4 pieces of information will still need to be taken.
If a guest calls and the booking was made by Sodexo, please service the booking as normal. If an agent would like to pay their balance over the phone, this is fine as long as they are paying in pounds.
Agents can not use their Shine Rewards points towards Regional Flights, Flight Upgrades, Hotel Stays & Land packages.
If an agent would like to make any changes to the booking using Shine points, they will need to call the Shine Rewards Club on 01908 303 554.
If the guest would like to purchase any drinks packages, gift options. These can be done over the phone with the contact centre or on My Cunard/ My P&O.
If you get any questions regarding this, Eleanor Penk and Audrey Hobby are in the Partnership Trade Engagement Team so please do not hesitate to contact them.
Answer
UK Guests
Yes, it is mandatory for all UK guests to take out comprehensive cruise-specific travel insurance for their holiday with us. While we hope you never have to use it, the policy will ensure you’re able to relax and enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind that you’re protected, should you need it.
When travelling with us, your insurance must include medical and repatriation 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 travel, cancellation and curtailment and full cover for any and all existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.
Your travel insurance documents will be checked at the terminal and must cover the entire duration of your holiday. Unfortunately you will be denied boarding, at your own expense, if you don’t have appropriate cover.
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 -
Non UK Guests
Yes, we strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive cruise-specific holiday insurance including medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to COVID-19 when you sail with us. We would also recommend that your policy includes cover for travel, cancellation and curtailment, and full cover for any and all existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries you are due to visit.
While we hope you never have to use it, having appropriate travel insurance will ensure you’re able to relax and enjoy your holiday with the peace of mind that you’re protected, should you need it.
For more information on our travel insurance requirements, click here.
Holiday Extras offer cruise-specific travel insurance policies – perfect for your next holiday. One of the key benefits is that this cruise-specific cover includes things most travel insurance policies don’t cover as standard, such as missed ports, missed shore experiences and cabin confinement.
Holiday Extras offer three levels of cover to choose from: bronze, silver and gold. Should you wish to purchase travel insurance through our insurance partner, Holiday Extras, COVID-19 cover is included as standard with all policies, full details can be found here.
Tailored options are also available from Holiday Extras should you have pre-existing medical conditions.
To find out more, visit www.holidayextras.com/pocruises or phone 0800 093 3070 and quote PAOHX. Current opening hours are Mon - Fri - 09:00-20:00 / Sat - 09:00-17:00 / Sun - Closed
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance Claims
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance Claims, Davies Building, PO Box 1392, Preston, PR2 0XE.
Email: Holidayextrasclaims@davies-group.com
Tel: +44 (0)1403 788 717
You can download a claim form from https://holidayextras.davies-group.com
For medical emergency, medical related expenses, repatriation and evacuation claims
Please call the assistance company at any time of the day or night:
Tel: +44 (0) 1403 788 718 (if you are anywhere except the USA, Canada or Mexico)
Tel: +1-844-780-0494 (toll free if you are in the USA or Canada)
Tel: 00 1 819 780 0494 (if you are in Mexico)
See a breakdown of the different levels of Holiday Extras COVID cover here
You must obtain authorisation from the assistance company before incurring any costs in excess of £500 or making any repatriation or evacuation arrangements. If you are too ill to do this yourself, someone else can do it for you.
If you choose a different insurer you will need to ensure the policy covers you for all medical costs you may incur due to existing conditions or otherwise, as set out above.
You can access further information via the 'Preparing to Go' section of your My P&O Cruises.
P&O Cruises Discount
Holiday Extras offer an exclusive 10% discount for guests in the Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian tiers of the Peninsular Club. This discount on travel insurance is only applicable to the bespoke cruise insurance policy arranged by Holiday Extras Insurance for P&O Cruises. Please note, the discount cannot be extended to friends or family who do not qualify. The discount may be withdrawn or altered at any time, without notice. The discount is offered subject to any conditions that Holiday Extras Insurance may impose and subject to availability. For a copy of the policy wording or for more information, please call 0800 316 3061, quoting reference WC668 along with your membership number.
Link to booklet for reference: https://www.pocruises.com/content/dam/po/pdfs/Peninsular-Club.pdf
Holiday Extras insurance (for UK Residents only) meets our requirements set out in the terms and conditions of the booking. You'll find further details in our brochure and you can obtain a quote and full terms and conditions via our dedicated Holiday Extras page or by calling 0800 093 3070, quoting reference PAOHX.
What happens if I do not have travel insurance?
You will not be able to travel without travel insurance. Please ensure you can obtain travel insurance before you book your holiday. It is a condition of the contract that you obtain travel insurance to cover the risk of you needing medical care on board or in a foreign country.
Please also see: Is there a charge to cancel my booking?
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Our new brochure covering September 2022 - October 2024 cruise departures, is now available to view online, please visit https://brochure.pocruises.com/welcome-sep-22-oct-24/
If guests would like to receive a copy of the brochure by post, they can request this via the website by registering on 'My Account' (please note, guests WILL need to register for a My Account to receive a postal brochure, but they will not require one to browse the Digital Brochure) - this can be actioned here https://www.pocruises.com/request-a-brochure
Please also see the deck plans for each ship below.
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Guests must inform us of any hearing requirements at the time of booking so that we are able to identify any extra services that may need to be considered, such as providing important information in an alternative format.
For guests who use their own devices and software for translation or conversion of information for deaf or hard of hearing, please contact Reception once on board to discuss your requirements.
All of our ships are equipped with the following enhancements for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing:
Visual alert systems and textphones
All ships have visual alert systems (Ameriphones) on board. They feature a wireless doorbell, vibrating pillow shaker and a pager with charger. This equipment allows guests to communicate with Reception and should also be used to alert the passenger in the event of an emergency. This equipment is requested via the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire and is available on a first-come first-serve basis.
The kits are inventory controlled and allocated by Guest Support on receipt of the questionnaire. If CUK can’t provide a visual alert system for the guest, they will be notified prior to travel. If all visual alert systems have been loaned out, guests can be offered a ships pager as an alternative (if available).
Please be aware, the visual alert system will reduce surface space in your cabin.
Hearing loop
We are able to offer a hearing loop facility (which requires you to move your hearing aid to the “T” position) at Southampton cruise terminals and at the Reception desks on board. In addition, we also provide an ‘infra-red’ hearing support system within a large number of our theatres and show lounges - compatible headsets are available from Reception. This system is available in the following venues:
Arcadia – The Palladium (all decks) and The Globe
Arvia – TBA
Aurora – Playhouse Theatre and Curzon Theatre
Azura – Playhouse Theatre, Seascreen (via radio transmission), Malabar and Manhattan
Ventura – Arena Theatre, Tamarind Club and Havana
Britannia – Headliners Theatre, Live Lounge, Crystal Room, Studio
Iona - Headliners Theatre, Grand Atrium, The Clubhouse, Ocean Studios, The Limelight Club and Aft terrace, Arena sports Deck 17&18, (the Listen Technology equipment that guests can borrow to use in the Entertainment venues is kept at Reception).
Should you require the use of the Infra-red system, please speak to the Production staff within the venue who can direct you to the best location in order to utilise the equipment correctly.
Subtitles
Our in-cabin emergency video offers closed captioning. The televisions within the cabins don’t have closed captioning due to the way that the satellite signal is received.
Should you wish to watch a DVD in your cabin, we can provide access to a DVD player and a DVD library which contains closed captioning, please note that these are subject to availability. Please speak to the Reception for further information.
Theatre shows
We are able to provide a transcript of the songs during the theatre shows for guests who are deaf and guests who are hard of hearing. Please request this at Reception or with a member of the production staff.
Shore experiences
Should you wish to book a P&O Cruises organised shore experience, we will endeavour to work with our local agents in advance of your cruise to obtain written commentary, but this may not be possible in all instances.
You may find the following questions useful: What assistance is offered to guests with a disability or reduced mobility? and What is the Medical/Mobility Questionnaire and Fact Sheet?
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The content covered here will give you all the information you need to know about checking in for your cruise. From priority embarkation, online check in, and registering a payment card.
We want your holiday to get off to a great start with quick and easy check-in and embarkation.
Embarkation at the terminal
Due to the large number of guests embarking our ships, we operate a staggered check-in and embarkation process in our home port of Southampton. You will be allocated an Arrival Time which can be found on your e-ticket.
To ensure you spend less time in the terminal and more time on board, we kindly ask that you adhere as closely as possible to your allotted Arrival Time.
For more information about e-tickets please see What is an E-Ticket?
Priority
Please note Ligurian, Baltic and Caribbean Tier members receive priority check in once they arrive at the terminal at their designated time.
The earliest Arrival Time is at 12.30, which is reserved for:
> Guests who have booked a wedding at sea (this is applicable to the bride and groom only).
> Suite, mini-suite and conservatory mini-suite guests
After the above, priority will be given to those who arrive at their allotted time.
You are welcome to arrive earlier of course, but if you do we will ask you to make yourself comfortable in the terminal until we are able to check you in. This may well be before your allotted time, we promise we won’t make you wait around unnecessarily.
The latest time you can check in is one hour before the ship departs.
Fly Cruise
If you are flying out to meet your ship, then you will find no Arrival Time on your e-ticket. On arrival at the airport in the destination, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to the ship.
Arriving by coach
Guests arriving on our preferred partner, Intercruises coaches will be issued with a separate colour card before leaving the coach.
This group letter will be called forward to check-in usually within 20mins of entering the terminal.
Any guest arriving on Eavesway or any other coach service, will be viewed as "independent" and they will be called forward as soon as we are able to slot them in.
Late arrivals
On the day of departure, if you are running late and likely to arrive at 3.45pm or later, please call the Enquiries Desk at your cruise terminal:
Mayflower Cruise Terminal 023 8065 6429/31
Ocean Cruise Terminal – 023 8071 7994/97
City Cruise – 07917 520099
QE2 Terminal – 07917 520099
Please note that these numbers will only work when there is a ship in the terminal.
Online Check In
P&O Cruises has rolled out the enhanced online check in facility which guests complete prior to arrival at the terminal.
Guests will be able to log in and fill out their passport details, register a payment card for their cruise, upload a photo(s) and download boarding pass(es). Guests will have the flexibility to register one card for all guests travelling, or a different card for each guest in the booking.
We are constantly looking at ways to enhance the guest experience and believe this will reduce the time spent in the terminal, allowing you to start enjoying your holiday on board with us even quicker!
Guests will receive an email advising that online check-in is open for their cruise and will be asked to visit checkin.pocruises.com and enter their log in details. These are first name, surname, date of birth and booking reference to log in.
Once logged in guests will need to:
Enter Passport information for the guests they wish to check in
Enter payment card information
Select which guests the payment card will be applied to. All children must also have a payment card added
Upload a photo. Doing this will reduce time in the terminal. However it is not mandatory and if the Guest is unable to upload a photo, one will be taken at the terminal at the check-in desk.
Guests with passport information completed and a payment card successfully registered (mandatory) are now checked in. Uploading a photo is not mandatory to complete check-in.
Download Boarding Pass for completed guests
Guests under 18
What is the check-in process for a guest traveling on a booking if they are under the age of 18?
Online check-in for minors (guests under 18 years old) must be completed by an accompanying adult on the booking.
What is the process for a guest completing the Health Declaration if they are under 18?
The parent/guardian must complete a Health Declaration for all under 18s traveling with them and they’ll be asked to complete it again at the terminal/airport.
Registering a payment card
Registering a payment card for use on board can be done via the online check in portal or at the terminal at the time of embarkation.
You can register a different credit card for each passenger, or just use one card for all members in your party. The value of your on board account(s) will be automatically charged to the registered credit card(s) at the end of your cruise.
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For health and safety, guests who are bringing a wheelchair and are not booked in an accessible cabin, must ensure their wheelchair meets the following criteria:
Must collapse to a width no more than 20 inches (51cm)
No component piece to weigh more than 20kg when disassembled
Battery Gel, Dry Cell, sealed lead acid or lithium-Ion
The Mobility Aid must not be classed as a Mobility Scooter. For advice on travelling with a Mobility Scooter, please see our Mobility Scooter Policy or Which cabins are suitable for a full time wheelchair user or a mobility scooter user?
Guests bringing manual wheelchairs need to ensure they are collapsible to allow them to pass through the cabin door. If you require the use of a non-standard mobility aid, please discuss this with us as some devices are not suitable for on board use.
If you have booked an accessible cabin your wheelchair must meet the following criteria:
Width: No more than 32 inches (79cm)
No component piece to weigh more than 20kg when disassembled
Battery Gel, Dry Cell, sealed lead acid or lithium-Ion
Definition of the difference between a power chair and a mobility scooter is - Electric wheelchairs are operated using a joystick mounted on the armrest, requiring less upper body mobility to control. Mobility scooters are operated using a tiller handle and will require both hands to steer and control. Electric wheelchairs have a smaller turning circle than mobility scooters.
Examples are as follows:
If you require any further information please call our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details).
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Although our ships are registered in Bermuda we have written permission from Bermuda Maritime Administration to fly the Red Ensign as we do on all our ships.
By having our ships being registered in Bermuda (excluding Britannia and Iona) this allows us to carry out weddings at sea.
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This registry has been chosen so that we can offer our passengers a "Weddings at Sea package", a service that is not possible on ships registered in the UK.
Please note that as Britannia and Iona are registered in the UK we will not be conducting weddings on board.
The demands of the Bermudan registry are as strict as those of the UK. The British Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the UK regulatory body, provides day to day advice and guidance to the Bermudan registry and monitors its performance in common with the registries of all United Kingdom Overseas Territories.
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The following information is dependent on any potential restrictions that may be in place on board at the time of sailing.
Yes, for events such as:
Parties e.g. birthday celebrations and wedding anniversary
Meetings eg. masonic and cruise community
There is no charge to book a room, however any food and beverage requests will be charged to the on-board account of the person arranging the cocktail party.
If you wish to arrange an event, please speak to a member of our contact our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details).
Please do not contact the ship directly.
Enquiries for day usage will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Please be aware, we are unable to accommodate functions on our 2, 3, 4 or 5-night cruises.
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For our most up to date information on our Weddings at sea package, please visit our website - www.pocruises.com/ceremonies-at-sea
Getting married on board is a wonderfully unique experience. We’ll make every moment feel special so that you can enjoy a day of love, laughter, and celebration. Should you choose to hold your wedding celebrations with us, Weddings at Sea are available across all our ships with the exception of Arvia, Britannia & Iona, where non-legal weddings (commitment ceremonies) are available.
Cruises must be a minimum of seven nights in duration and the ceremony will take place on a selected Sea Day. A minimum of 90 days notice is required to arrange a Wedding on board.
Once you’ve booked, the cost of your Weddings at Sea Package will not change. We have two to choose from:
Wedding at Sea – From £2,200
Pre-cruise wedding planner
On-board wedding planner
Priority check-in for whole wedding party**
Up to 10 guests in attendance
Complimentary Bridal hair and make up
Complimentary pressing of couples attire
Bridal bouquet and groom’s buttonhole
Private venue
Ceremony conducted by the Captain
Pre-recorded ceremony music
Two tier cake
Tattinger for toasting
Dinner for couple at a speciality restaurant
Keepsake certificate
Breakfast in bed the morning after
Please note, in addition to your P&O wedding package, a Marriage Licence fee of £650 is required for couples wishing to get married on board (Azura, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora only). If you would like to bring more than 10 guests, there will be an additional charge of £100 per group of 10.
‘Just the Two of Us’ - From £1,800
Pre-cruise wedding planner
On-board wedding planner
Priority check-in**
Personal introduction and consultation with the ship’s photographer
Complimentary Bridal hair and make up
Complimentary pressing of couples attire
Bridal bouquet and grooms buttonhole
Pre-recorded ceremony music
Private venue
Ceremony conducted by the Captain
One tier cake
Tattinger for toasting
Dinner for couple at a speciality restaurant
Keepsake Certificate
Breakfast in bed the morning after
**For Southampton only cruises
Please note, in addition to your P&O wedding package, a Marriage Licence fee of £650 is required for couples wishing to get married on board (Azura, Ventura, Arcadia and Aurora only).
If you need further information please contact our Ceremonies at Sea department on 0344 33 88 595 (calls cost 3p per minute plus your telephone company's network access charge open Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00) or email ceremonies@carnivalukgroup.com. Ceremony availability should always be checked with the ceremonies team before booking your cruise.
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In some ports it is necessary to anchor offshore rather than alongside. When this is the case, we use a tender to take you ashore. A tender is a small vessel with a capacity of around 100 people. The tenders are usually our own, manned by our crew, but sometimes they are chartered through a trusted external provider.
Embarking and disembarking the tender safely
In some ports it is necessary to anchor off shore rather than alongside the dock or quay . When this is the case, we use a tender to take you ashore. A tender is a small vessel that carries around 100 guests. In order to board the tender, please note that you will be required to use steps (up to 20cm/8 inches high) and navigate the gap between the platform and the tender (of up to 45cm/18 inches).
In the interests of safety, we require all guests wishing to use the tenders to have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and traverse a gap of up to 45 cm/18 inches. Anyone wishing to board the tender will need to demonstrate this ability via a mobility test prior to tender embarkation by stepping unaided over a distance of 45 cm/18 inches. Children who are unable to step across a gap of this size will be permitted to use the tender service provided their parent/guardian is able to demonstrate that they can carry or pass them safely across the mobility test gap.
There will be crew members there to guide and steady you as you embark, but they cannot support, carry or lift guests on board the tender for safety reasons. Please wear appropriate, flat, and securely attached footwear, when embarking and disembarking the tender.
If you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, please note that you or your travelling companion are responsible for assembling and disassembling your wheelchair/mobility scooter. The crew will endeavour to assist where practical and safe to do so, providing that no individual part weighs more than 20kg/40 lb.
If you have notified us that you have reduced mobility you will be invited to a tender briefing on board and given the opportunity to take part in the mobility assessment (described above) in advance. This must be completed independently, (deletion), without any assistance. If an officer decides it is not safe for you to board a tender, please respect their decision as this decision is taken to ensure your safety, in accordance with health and safety law.
Safety while on board the tender
Once you have embarked the tender, please follow the instructions given by crew members and find a seat as soon as possible. Do not get in or out of the tenders until told to do so.
Shore excursions
Priority will be given to you if you are on a shore excursion. Please see the mustering details in the Horizon newspaper for more details.
How do the tenders run?
Tenders are run on a continuous loop, please see the Horizon paper for times and frequency. As mentioned above, we will embark shore excursion guests first, then all other guests.
Naturally, most guests will want to disembark as early as possible, so we do expect a very busy period in the morning. Therefore, we will stagger disembarkation and ask you to collect a ticket at a particular venue and then wait for your group to be called before making your way down to the tender platform. Public announcements will be made throughout the morning, so please listen carefully.
Once the busy period is over we will make an announcement and you will be free to use the tender without a ticket.
Cost
The tender is free of charge all day.
Accessibility
For all ships, you walk straight out to the boarding platform and therewill be a couple of steps into the launches. If you are unable to negotiate these steps you will be unable to access the launch area.
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If you book a fly-cruise with P&O Cruises economy class flights from/to the UK are included. The inclusive airport varies by cruise and departure date, you can find the latest fares and availability online, via your travel agent or by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). If you are flying on the day of embarkation/disembarkation, transfers to and from the ship will also be provided. Please note that unless otherwise stated infants are required to pay for flights. Full details will be provided at time of booking.
Upgrading and tailoring your flights
Whichever fly-cruise holiday you book, we can tailor your flights to meet your needs. Many guests choose to upgrade to premium, business or first class on their preferred airline.
Our charter flights on our Caribbean fly-cruises are especially popular, and usually go on sale at the same time as our cruises.
On selected Dubai & Arabian Gulf fly-cruises departing between January and March 2019, we can offer flight upgrades from Manchester on our Virgin Atlantic charter flight.
We can provide a quote for upgrades with other airlines or for our other fly-cruises from 11 months before departure, once airlines release their flight schedules.
We can also offer flights from a range of UK departure points. Just let us know your preferred departure point when making your booking. Please note that additional supplements may apply. If you would like more information you may find the following question useful: Where do you fly from?
If you would like to extend your holiday we can also help. Whether you choose one of our City Stays, one of our Land Tours or just want some extra time to explore independently, we can help with arranging flights to fit in with your plans.
For a tailored quotation please contact your travel agent or call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
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It is the discretion of the Restaurant Manager to allow passengers to enter the Freedom and Club restaurants after their allocated early dining time. The waiters may wait for 15 minutes to allow for late diners, however, after this time they will continue to take the other table companions orders. If you are not back to the ship at your allocated dining time, you will be able to dine in the self service buffet restaurant or make a reservation in advance to dine in one of the Speciality Dining Restaurants. Alternatively, if most passengers are going to be late back to the ship because of shore excursion timing's, then the Restaurant Manager may change the early sitting to start later to accommodate this. If this is this case, you will be notified on board via the daily newspaper.
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If a shore excursion is fully booked, you will have the option of registering interest for your chosen excursion. You may also opt to book an alternative excursion in the event that you are unsuccessful.
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If you have a hotel stay booked the day before you join the ship, but the ship is in port, it is not possible to take an organised excursion from the ship.
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We certainly recommend that you leave 45 minutes to 1 hour between two excursions. However if for any reason, the morning excursion is delayed and returns to the ship late and subsequently you are too late to take the afternoon excursion, you will still be charged for the tour (this is because the tour agent will be expecting certain numbers of passengers as the ship provide them with these details 48 hours prior to arrival).
Excursions can be late back for many reasons - traffic congestion being the main one and large cities can be very busy so your tour could run over the scheduled time. At some ports of call, immigration may also ask to see your passport or tour tickets and potentially this can delay the excursion departure time.
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Should you be able to board a coach the most suitable shore excursions will be those labelled with the symbol of 'low' activity. These are likely to be titled 'Panoramic'.
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When pre booking shore excursions pre-cruise, you will now be required to pay for these by card at time of booking.
Alternatively, you may book shore excursions once on board, subject to availability, which will then be charged to your on-board account.
If you wish to book an accessible shore excursion, this will be charged to your on-board account as it is not possible to book these online.
Your on-board account is settled at the end of the cruise. If you do not have a credit card that is recognised on board, you may pay your on-board account in cash by putting money up front.
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Shore excursions give you the opportunity to see places you have always dreamt of and try things you have never done before. Tours vary in length so you can opt for a brief introductory tour or an in-depth full days exploration.
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Approximately 12 weeks prior to the cruise departure date.
Shore excursions are available to pre-book and pay for online up to 3 days prior to sailing. Within 3 days of sailing, you will be able to join a waitlist for your chosen excursions. Alternatively you may book on-board. Waitlist requests will be processed prior to on-board bookings being taken.
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Yes we do, some shore excursions have a minimum age to participate, which is either set out in the tour description or will be made known to you when booking.
Child prices are for those aged 3 to 12 inclusively.
Passengers over the age of 12 will require an adult ticket.
Infants aged 2 and under (on the date of sailing) can travel on the excursion free of charge, as long as they are seated on your lap. Please note there may be occasions when this is not possible and this will be detailed on the Shore Excursion description.
Please ensure that you book a tour ticket for your infant.
Note that all minors (those under 18) must be accompanied by an adult on shore excursions.
We ask parents and guardians to note that children under 16 must not be left unaccompanied on the ship whilst the ship is in port. There is no facility offered on-board to look after your children if you go ashore.
You are welcome to bring your own safety seat since these are not provided due to different laws being applicable in other countries.
If you are bringing a car seat for an infant (aged 2 or under) you cannot purchase a seat when booking your excursions. This is because infants are not charged.
You will need to speak to the Shore Excursion Team once you are on-board to advise you are bringing an infant and a car seat. Please be aware that the size and safety fittings of coach seats may vary between excursions and we cannot guarantee that safety seats will fit in all coaches. In some instances we are unaware what coach is provided until on the day of the shore excursion.
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Overlands are tours that generally operate during an active cruise, typically World Cruises. Guests will depart the ship in one port and return in another. The tours typically take place during sea days to ensure you get the most out of your tour and port days*.
Overlands are a great way to allow you the chance to see big "bucket list" sights not possible on regular tour itineraries.
Benefits:
Well planned, end to end itineraries
Expert guides to give the best local experience
Venture further afield with confidence
Carefully selected local operators, airlines and accommodations
See once in a lifetime sights while missing sea days, not ports **
Fully inclusive of flights, hotels, meals and refreshments **
How to Book
To view and book the overland tours available for your cruise, please visit My P&O Cruises.
Please note that when booking an overland tour with double accommodation, both guests will need to purchase a ticket on My P&O Cruises, as the cost is per person, not per room. As some of these tours have deadlines, make sure the guests book early to avoid disappointment. Some need to be booked 30 days before they take place, for example, so it’s ideal to book well in advance of the month before you sail on these experience types.
Important Visa Information
Please check the visa requirements for any overland tour you book, as these may not be the same as the visa requirements for your World Cruise. Guests can find visa and all other information in the “important information” section of the shore experience on My P&O Cruises.
P&O Cruises are pleased to reccomend CIBT as our preferred visa service provider. CIBT are experts in visa and passport arrangements and can provide visas online www.uk.cibt.com/pocruises or by phone 0207 620 6487
Overlands are different to our Land Tours and Shore Experiences.
* Please note this is not always possible, depending on itinerary of the overland, it may take place during a port day.
** Unless otherwise stated.
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How you pre-purchase flight seats varies depending on whether you are travelling on a chartered or scheduled flight.
Flight Seat Booker on selected charter flights
If you are booked on one of our TUI chartered flights, you will be able to pre-purchase your seats through My P&O Cruises. Flight Seat Booker will open approximately 14 weeks prior to departure and close approximately one week prior to departure.
To access Flight Seat Booker log on to My P&O Cruises using your cruise booking reference. At the top of the page you’ll find an option called "Flights", from there you need to go to the bottom of the page and select "TO BOOK YOUR SEATS, PLEASE CLICK HERE". You will now need to log into the flight seat booking tool using your cruise booking reference. If flight seat booker is not available to book when you click on the login button it will tell you. This will show your flight details and the "Book Seats" button will be displayed. You will then be able to select and purchase your seats.
Flight Seat Booker prices
The costs for pre-purchasing seats on our chartered flights are shown below. All seats are subject to availability.
Prices are per person and per one way flight. At the bottom of this page is a table showing the Flight Seat Booker On Sale dates.
Season |
Start Date |
End date |
Standard seats |
Emergency Exit Seats |
Caribbean (TUI Airways)* |
22 Oct 21 |
28 Mar 22 |
£35 per person, per way |
£75 per person, per way |
Mediterranean (TUI Airways) |
31 Mar 22 |
13 Oct 22 |
£17.50 per person, per way |
£25 per person, per way |
* Flight Seat Booker Fee also applies for guests travelling in Premium Economy
Refunds
No refunds are available on seats purchased via Flight Seat Booker.
Chartered Flights - Infants 0-2 years
An infant on a charter flight who is under the age of 2 years will always be assigned a seat next to an adult under the same booking reference and will receive the full baggage allowance.
Emergency Exit seats
These are subject to availability and are only available to those guests who are fully mobile and over 16 years of age. You will be asked to confirm that you comply with the relevant terms and conditions prior to booking your seats. The airline reserves the right to move guests from Emergency Exit seats if they feel that the safety of guests and crew may be compromised.
Changes to your booked seat
You can amend seats booked through Flight Seat Booker up until 8 days prior to departure. If your new seats are of greater value than your original seats selection, you will be required to pay the difference. No refunds will be given for seat selection of a lesser value.
If you have pre-booked seats on a scheduled flight and wish to amend your selection, please contact the airline directly for assistance.
Reduced Mobility Seating
Our chartered flights have a limited number of seats which are designated for those guests with reduced mobility. These seats are assigned one week prior to departure. Once we have received all Medicla and Accessibility questionnaires they will be reviewed and priority will be given to those with the greatest need.
Should you require a questionnaire please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply), or contact your travel agent. Mobility questionnaires must be returned no later than 14 days prior to departure.
Seating Information below for other airlines
Scheduled flights
Your flight seats can only be reserved via the airline’s website.
For scheduled flights this is only possible once flight tickets have been issued, which usually happens between 6 weeks and 10 days prior to departure. Ticket issue dates vary by airline and route.
Your flight details can be found on your E-Ticket or call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
For Jet 2 seats can be booked 60 days prior to dearture and this can be done though Jet 2 website- www.jet2.com/pocruises
British Airways (BA) - All programmes
Pre-purchasing seats depends on the ticket type which can be identified on your E-Ticket. If your flight information includes an “airline locator” (airline booking reference), you will be able to pre-purchase seats from approximately 30 days prior to travel. To pre-book your seats, visit ‘Manage My Booking’ on the British Airways website and follow the instructions. Please note that additional charges may apply.
If your flight details do not include an airline locator, then you will be booked on a British Airways “group seat”, in which case we can reserve your flight seats approximately four days prior to departure. If you have any specific requests, please call our Customer Contact Centre who will be able to assist you, otherwise seats will be allocated when you check-in at the airport.
Answer
UK
SOU - Southampton
LHR – London Heathrow
LGW – London Gatwick
STN – London Stanstead
MAN – Manchester
BHX – Birmingham
EMA – East Midlands
BRS – Bristol
BOH – Bournemouth
LBA – Leeds Bradford
CWL - Cardiff
GLA – Glasgow
EDI – Edinburgh
ABZ – Aberdeen
BHD – Belfast City
BFS – Belfast International
Europe & Africa
MLA- Valletta (Malta)
BCN- Barcelona
MAD - Madrid
CDG- Charles de Gaulle (Paris)
VCE – Venice (Marco Polo)
FCO – Rome (Leonardo da Vinci)
AMS - Amsterdam
HAM – Hamburg
MUC – Munich
FRA - Frankfurt
ATH – Athens
TFS – Tenerife
CPT – Cape Town (South Africa)
The Americas & Caribbean
BGI – Bridgetown (Barbados)
UVF – St Lucia
ANU- Antigua
JFK- John F Kennedy (New York)
EWR – Newark (New Jersey)
MIA- Miami
LAX – Los Angeles
SFO- San Francisco
BOS- Boston
YQB – Quebec
YVR – Vancouver
YYZ –Toronto
YUL – Montréal
GIG – Rio de Janeiro
SCL – Santiago (Chile)
Middle East, Asia and Australia
DXB – Dubai (UAE)
DOH – Doha (Qatar)
AUH – Abu Dhabi
SIN – Singapore
HKG – Hong Kong
PVG – Shanghai
HND – Haneda (Tokyo)
NRT – Narita (Tokyo)
KIX – Osaka
SYD – Sydney
MEL – Melbourne
BNE – Brisbane
PER- Perth
AKL – Auckland
Answer
If you book a fly-cruise with P&O Cruises economy class flights from/to the UK are included. The inclusive airport varies by cruise and departure date, you can find the latest fares and availability online, via your travel agent or by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). If you are flying on the day of embarkation/disembarkation, transfers to and from the ship will also be provided. Please note that unless otherwise stated infants are required to pay for flights. Full details will be provided at time of booking.
Upgrading and tailoring your flights
Whichever fly-cruise holiday you book, we can tailor your flights to meet your needs. Many guests choose to upgrade to premium, business or first class on their preferred airline.
Our charter flights on our Caribbean fly-cruises are especially popular, and usually go on sale at the same time as our cruises.
On selected Dubai & Arabian Gulf fly-cruises departing between January and March 2019, we can offer flight upgrades from Manchester on our Virgin Atlantic charter flight.
We can provide a quote for upgrades with other airlines or for our other fly-cruises from 11 months before departure, once airlines release their flight schedules.
We can also offer flights from a range of UK departure points. Just let us know your preferred departure point when making your booking. Please note that additional supplements may apply. If you would like more information you may find the following question useful: Where do you fly from?
If you would like to extend your holiday we can also help. Whether you choose one of our City Stays, one of our Land Tours or just want some extra time to explore independently, we can help with arranging flights to fit in with your plans.
For a tailored quotation please contact your travel agent or call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
Answer
You can find information about your flight:
On your flight confirmation
On your E-Ticket
By calling our Customer Contact Centre please visit our website for contact details, or by contacting your booking agent
Flight Confirmations
A flight confirmation should be sent to you if booked direct or your travel agent via email when your flights are confirmed. If you are travelling on one of our dedicated charter flights you should receive this from 180 days prior to your departure, and if you are travelling on a scheduled flight you should receive this from 300 days prior. If you do not receive a flight confirmation, please contact our Customer Contact Centre who will be able to assist you.
If you make any changes, such as upgrading your flight, a new confirmation will be issued straight away and you should receive this via email the following day. At this stage information will also be available via My P&O Cruises on the itinerary pages.
For further information you may find the following question useful: How do I know if I am travelling on a charter or scheduled flight?
E-Tickets
Your E-Ticket will be available via My P&O Cruises, from approximately 45 days before departure. It contains both your flight and cruise ticket information and can be accessed by selecting E-Tickets from the "Travel Documents" menu. Your E-ticket contains:
Your airline and flight number
Class of travel
Departure and arrival times
Departure terminal information
Baggage information
E-Tickets can be downloaded from My P&O Cruises and printed by you up to two days prior to departure. We advise that you print your E-Tickets as close to departure as possible as this will ensure they contain the most up to date information about your journey. It is important that you carry these with you as proof of onward travel is required to enter some countries.
Secure Guest Data
We are required to provide airlines with Secure Flight Guest Data for guests with air travel as part of their booking. This is applicable for flights into, out of, within and over the United States of America and all information is collected by the TSA (Transport Security Administration). The information required is full names of all guests as they appear on their passport (including middle names), date of birth and gender.
Secure Flight is a behind-the-scenes program that enhances the security of domestic and international commercial air travel through the use of improved watch list matching. By collecting additional guest data it improves the travel experience for all airline guests, including those who have been misidentified in the past.
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We can add your airline frequent flyer numbers to your airline booking but you will need to contact Avios directly to advise them of your flight details.
While most of our airline agreements allow you to collect frequent flyer points, they do restrict you from using any additional incentives, vouchers or discounts towards your flight, including seat upgrades. To find out if your flight qualifies for frequent flyer points please contact your airline.
Some airlines allow you to upgrade your flight booked with us using frequent flyer points. To find out if your flight qualifies for an upgrade using frequent flyer points please contact your airline.
Should you wish to provide us with your airline specific frequent flyer numbers, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply) or contact your travel agent.
Answer
Airlines have different travel policies for adults, children and infants. Those under the age of 2 years at date of travel are classed as an infant. Passengers aged between 2 and 11 years are classed as children, and anyone who is aged 12 years and over are classed as an adult.
Are flights for children and infants included in the cost of the cruise?
Economy class flights from/to the UK are included for the whole party, including children and infants. Please be advised that all children and infants will need to pay any additional air supplements for regional airports.
Aircraft Seating
Airlines will aim to seat children and infants close to their parents or guardians. It is recommended that seats are pre-booked for your full whole party to avoid disappointment.
Charter Flights - TUI Airways
Children and infants will be sat with at least one adult on your booking
If you wish to guarantee your whole party to sit together, seats will need to purchased via MyCruise from 14 weeks prior to departure.
Pre-purchasing seats will be at an additional charge for all guests, regardless of age.
Sky cots and basinets are unavailable on our Charter flights and all infants will be allocated their own seat (infants must be sat on their parents lap for take off and landing)
Infant Car Seats – TUI Airways
As all infants are allocated a seat on the aircraft, you may take a car seat onboard providing it meets the following criteria:
Must be less than 16 inches wide
Must have label certified for use on board an aircraft (most common reference is ECER44-03)
Good working order and fitted with a single release type harness
Only aft facing car seats are permitted on board TUI Airways aircraft
Scheduled Flights
Seating for infants varies by airline, route and ticket type.
Scheduled airlines will allow infants to travel on an adults lap for the duration of the flight (adults must be over 15 years or age)
Adults can only hold one infant, any additional infants will need a seat.
To enquire regarding infant seats on Scheduled flights, please advise at the time of booking or call our Customer Contact Centre if you already have an existing booking.
For Scheduled flights, please refer to the airline’s individual website for information on car seats, sky cots and bassinets.
Luggage Advice for Charter and Scheduled Flights
You can find your baggage allowance on your Flight Confirmation or on your E-Ticket.
For more information you may find the following question useful: What is the baggage allowance on my flight?
Baggage Allowance for infants on Charter Flights with TUI Airways
Infants are entitled to full luggage allowance on our TUI Airways Charter flights. 23kg for Economy and 28kg for Premium Economy
Infants are also entitled to full hand luggage allowance of 10kg.
The full luggage allowance of your party can be found on your Flight Confirmation or E-Ticket.
Hand Luggage
Hand baggage restrictions vary by flight. Please ensure that you adhere to your airline’s guidelines which can be found on their website
We would recommend you visit https://www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions for the latest and up to date advise regarding hand luggage and any restrictions.
Pushchairs
Pushchairs are permitted to take on your flight. They are classed as ‘free baggage’ and you will not be charged to take this on board.
Your pushchair will be labelled at check in and you will then be allowed to take your pushchair through security and through to departures.
Upon boarding, your pushchair will be taken from you and be placed in the aircraft hold and returned to you when you land (this is usually as soon as you disembark)
If you are travelling on our TUI Airways Charter Flight, then you will either be able to collect the pushchair from the tarmac, or it will be taken to the ship with your hold luggage. For clarification we recommend you discuss this with check-in staff when you check-in for your flight.
Answer
We use a range of airlines to operate our fly-cruise holidays.
Mediterranean fly-cruises:
Whether you're on a charter or scheduled flight, you will need to collect your luggage from the carousel in arrivals before joining the coach transfer to the ship.
Caribbean fly-cruises:
The majority of our flights are on chartered aircraft. For this reason the services offered may differ slightly from the airline’s standard service or from your own experience if you’ve previously flown with them.
We supplement our chartered flights with seats on existing scheduled flights during peak periods and as and when required.
We are pleased to be able to offer upgrades to premium economy on our charter flights. These upgrades are available to book when you book your cruise (on scheduled flights you would need to wait until 11 months prior to departure before flight schedules are confirmed and before you can upgrade).
Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys and Exotic fly-cruises:
All seats will be booked on scheduled flights. The carrier will vary depending on the route, date of departure and availability. Should you wish to travel with your preferred airline, upgrade your flight or amend your flight dates, we will be able to provide a tailored quote from 11 months prior to departure.
For more information you may find the following question useful: Which airlines do you use?
If you have a specific flight requirement, please ask at time of booking.
More information, by airline:
TUI Airways – all flights are operated on a chartered aircraft
Jet2 – we purchase seats on existing scheduled flights:
EasyJet – we purchase seats on existing scheduled flights:
For our Mediterranean fly-cruises, we also book scheduled seats on a range of airlines, including, but not limited to:
British Airways
Air Malta
KLM, Lufthansa and Air France (regional, indirect flights from around the UK)
Additional Information
You might find that some services you are looking for are dependent on the flight type. For example if you are travelling on a charter flight you can pre-purchase your flight seat via My Cruise, and if you’re booked on a scheduled flight, you may be able to book seats through the airline’s own website.
Please note that all charter flights operate on the day of embarkation/disembarkation . If you have decided to extend your holiday you will be travelling on a scheduled flight.
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We offer a complimentary coach service between selected UK airports and the port of Southampton on selected one way fly-cruises.
Whether you are departing the UK from the port by ship or flying from the airport, you can leave your car at the airport at the start of your holiday. Car parking is at your own expense.
On one way fly-cruises sailing from Southampton, a coach will take you directly from the airport to board your ship in Southampton and you’ll fly home following your cruise to find your car waiting. The details of when and where the coach transfer will depart from will be viewable on your My P&O Cruises in the 'Full Itinerary View' tab approximately 30-35 days prior to departure as this is when the details are confirmed with the coach company.
On one way fly-cruises starting in the Caribbean, you’ll fly from the airport to board your ship and sail back to Southampton at the end of your holiday, transferring to a coach that takes you to the airport to collect your car.
Please inform us or your travel agent at the time of booking if you wish to book this service – places are limited and must be booked in advance. You will be given instructions on how to join your coach prior to departure. If you are booking your cruise through our website and wish to add the coach transfer, please contact our Customer Contact Centre once you have made your booking on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply). Coach times are usually available three months prior to departure.
Coach transfers are only available on embarkation day for cruises departing from Southampton or on disembarkation day for cruises arriving into Southampton. If you are extending your holiday and flying out early (or home later), then this service is not available.
These coach transfers are not available on our Exotic fly-cruises.
2022 / 2023 Caribbean fly-cruises
Autumn 2022 |
Airport to Southampton coach transfer |
B225: start of cruise – 21-Oct-22 B225A: start of cruise – 21-Oct-22 |
Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester |
Spring 2023 |
Southampton to airport coach transfer |
K305D: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 K306: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 K306A: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 |
London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester |
Spring 2023 |
Airport to Southampton coach transfer |
K301: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 K301A: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 K301B: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 |
Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester London Gatwick, Manchester |
Answer
If you have any mobility or medical requirements, we kindly ask that you complete our Accessibility & Medical questionnaire so that we can ensure that your travel arrangements run smoothly.
It is important that you complete the questionnaire fully and accurately, as we will need to liaise with the airlines on your behalf to ensure your needs can be met.
In some situations, the airline will request that you contact them directly to go through your needs in more detail; especially when travelling with battery operated mobility equipment as some carriers have limited storage capacity on board the aircraft.
To request a questionnaire please call either our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply) or contact your travel agent.
Completed questionnaires should be sent to accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com or Guest Support, Carnival House, 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton SO15 1ST.
We ask that the forms are returned to us as soon as possible, but no later than 14 days prior to departure.
Below are some of the most common medical and mobility questions we get asked:
Can I fly if I am pregnant?
Airlines may be less restrictive than our ships, so we suggest that you review the following question: Can I travel when I am pregnant?
Do you suffer from any life threatening allergies?
Please provide details on the questionnaire so that we can pass the information to the airline. We cannot guarantee a nut-free environment or prevent other guests from bringing their own food on their flights or on the ship.
If you have any special meal requests, you should be aware that airlines have limited options and therefore it may be necessary for you to supply your own food.
We also recommend that you speak to your airline’s welfare/special assistance team (details can usually be found on their website).
Guests with Reduced Mobility
If you need any mobility assistance at the airport or on your flight, please make this clear on your Accessibility & Medical questionnaire.
Three types of airport mobility assistance are available (summarised below) - please select one option ONLY.
Assistance type available |
Description |
Can ascend and descend aircraft steps |
Can make own way to your seat |
Can walk long distances |
Check-in to gate |
Guests who can manage steps and seat themselves, but cannot walk long distances |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Check-in onto aircraft |
Guests who can seat themselves but cannot manage steps or walk long distances |
No |
Yes |
No |
Check-in to seat |
Guests who are completely immobile and may require lifting into their seat |
No |
No |
No |
Guests travelling with a wheelchair, mobility aid or medical equipment
If you intend to bring your own wheelchair, mobility aid or medical equipment, please make this clear on your Accessibility & Medical questionnaire and ensure you provide all relevant information, including dimensions and weight where necessary.
In order to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations, you must advise us at time of booking if you plan to carry an electrical mobility aid on board your flight(s). These include, but may not be limited to, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters. Assessments will then be made as to the safety of carrying an electric mobility aid on-board the aircraft.
Electrical equipment must be battery operated, as airlines cannot provide a power supply.
When travelling with electric wheelchairs or scooters, airlines will require that you contact them directly so to run through their screening process to ensure the equipment meets their own regulations and can be carried on the flight(s).
All mobility scooters must be checked in with your baggage and will be transported to and securely stored in the aircraft hold.
Wheelchairs may either be checked in with your baggage or taken from you at the aircraft gate, this varies by airline and departure airport – you will be advised by the airline.
At those airports where it is not possible to take your wheelchair/mobility aid to the departure gate, the airline may have to secure the item at check-in and return it to you when you land at your destination. In these circumstances another wheelchair will be provided to transport you from check-in to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the baggage hall upon arrival.
Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions or have been hospitalised within the last 6 months?
For some medical conditions, you will need to get medical clearance before you can fly; examples include, but are not limited to:
recent illness, hospitalisation, injury or surgery
existing unstable medical condition
need for additional oxygen or use of medical equipment on board
If you have recently experienced any of the above or are about to undergo treatment, then we recommend that you contact our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply) as soon as possible. Please note that airlines may request a Fit To Fly Certificate and may also wish to speak with you directly to confirm that you are able to travel.
If you are required to wear a plaster cast, you are permitted to travel providing it is a split plaster cast and is not been fitted or changed within 48 hours of departure. Casts fitted within 48 hours will need to be split by your doctor or hospital. For further advice we recommend that you liaise directly with your GP.
Guests who require additional oxygen during their flight
Should you require additional in-flight oxygen, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply) as soon as you have a confirmed booking, then we will send you an Accessibility & Medical questionnaire for completion.
Some airlines are not able to provide in-flight oxygen on all their flights. If you have already confirmed your booking with flights prior to notifying us that you require oxygen, we may have to amend your flights to an alternative airline.
Please refer to your airline’s website for their most up-to-date information.
Answer
You can book airport hotels through Holiday Extras via https://www.holidayextras.com/pocruises.
Once you have made a booking, Holiday Extras will email a booking confirmation confirming the hotel details, directions, dates and times booked.
Answer
Please ensure the names on your travel documents are as per your passport. If you need to make any changes, Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). Incorrect name details could result in you being denied boarding by the airline, as security checks are usually carried out 24-48 hours in advance of flight departure.
You should also ensure that your passport details are entered into My Cruise to avoid any delays at check-in.
Charter flight check-in
Check-in for our charter flights is available at the airport on the day of departure only.
It is not possible to check your baggage in the night before you travel on any of our charter flights, even if it is a service usually offered by the airline.
In the UK check-in opens approximately three hours prior to flight departure and closes approximately one hour before departure.
Please be aware that even if you have pre-booked your seats using Flight Seat Booker, you are still required to check in at the airport.
For further information you may find the following question useful: How do I know if I am travelling on a charter or scheduled flight?
Scheduled flight check-in
Check-in times vary by airline; we recommend that you check on the airline's website before you travel. Your flight details can be found either on your Flight Confirmation or on My P&O Cruises. Please see below how to check-in for the various airlines we often use
British Airways (BA): visit ‘Manage My Booking’ to check-in, alternatively you can check-in at the airport. If you are travelling with British Airways and have received your flight booking reference, you can check-in online prior to travel. You can obtain this from our Customer Contact Centre, please call 03453 555 111 (local call charged apply).
Air Malta (KM): Check-in online will open 24 Hours prior. Guest will need to use their Airline locator via ‘Manage My Booking’. To receive your airline locator please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). Alternatively, you can check-in at the airport (in this case seats will be allocated by airline).
EasyJet (U2): all guests must check-in online or risk being charged at the airport; visit easyJet.com and enter your flight booking reference (airline locator). To receive your airline locator, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). Please ensure that you check in for both your outbound flight and your inbound flight (if applicable) as there may be different airline booking references for each flight. We would recommend you book your seats before checking in as once check-in has been completed no changes are permitted.
Jet2 (LS): all guests must check-in online or risk being charged at the airport. You will either be travelling on a Jet2 group allocation, or you have been booked under an individual reservation. To establish your booking type (if not already advised at time of booking), please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). If you are travelling on a Jet2 group allocation, you can check-in online via https://www.jet2.com/pocruises from 60 days prior to departure; you will need your P&O Cruises booking reference to access the website. If travelling under an individual Jet2 reservation, check-in online via https://www.jet2.com/en/login from 28 days prior to departure using your Jet2 reference provided for you by our Customer Contact Centre. Please ensure that you check-in online in advance of your flight to avoid charges at the airport. If you are travelling on a return flight with Jet2, remember to check-in for your inbound journey as well as your outbound flight. We would recommend you book your seats before checking in as once check-in has been completed no changes are permitted.
TUI: All guests must check-in at the airport. There is no online check-in option available.
For further information you may find the following question useful: Can I pre-purchase specific seats on my flight?
Answer
Charter flights with TUI
Caribbean
Economy - a main meal will be given after which tea and coffee will be served.
A snack will also be served on your outward flight and breakfast on your inbound.
Any additional beverages will be available at an additional charge.
Premium - an enhanced main meal will be given after which tea and coffee will be served.
A snack will also be served on your outward flight and breakfast on your inbound.
A complimentary in flight bar is available throughout your flight with the exception of champagne.
Mediterranean
A buy onboard service for food & drink will be available for your flight.
Dietary requirements for charter flights
The following inflight meal types may be requested
Vegetarian
Vegan (lactose/dairy free)
Diabetic
Gluten free
Child meal
Please note only one request per person may be made and it is not possible to request any other meal types.
Jet2
The purchasing of meals will be available pre-cruise via Jet2’s manage my booking section of their website.
Individual flight booking where guest has a Jet2 Locator - Please visit www.jet2.com and log into the manage my booking section. Please telephone the customer contact centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply), where we will be able to provide you with the flight reference needed to log in.
Group booking with Jet2 – Guest will be able to manage their booking online approximately 60 days prior to departure, this will allow the purchase of meals.
Please visit www.jet2.com/pocruises, using your surname and P&O booking reference to log in.
If the booking has been made within the 60 days prior to departure, please allow 7 days post booking before logging into the Jet2 website.
World Cruises – Scheduled flights
A hot meal and complimentary drinks will be available followed by a lighter snack or breakfast just before landing.
Please note further snacks may be available at an additional charge.
The onboard service offered will vary depending on airline, class of service and route. Please visit your airline website for further information.
Dietary Requirements –
Most airlines are able to cater for specific dietary needs and special meals for children and infants.
If you have any such requirements, we recommend that you liaise directly with the airline to ensure that your needs are adequately catered for.
Please note that not all requests can be guaranteed.
Any request must be made no later than 48 hours prior to your flight departing.
You will need your airline booking locator to make a request, this can be obtained by telephoning our customer contact centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply)
Answer
The baggage allowance varies by airline, destination, class of travel and ticket type (in some instances your baggage allowance may differ from the airline’s standard amount due to agreements we may have with the airline).
Please be aware that your baggage allowance may not always be the same for all flights in your itinerary and that allowances on UK domestic routes may be less than on international routes.
Your baggage allowance can be found on My P&O Cruises.
In most cases, any person (including infants and children) who occupies a seat on a flight is entitled to a baggage allowance. Below we’ve listed the most frequently used airlines and their baggage allowances (please note that this information is subject to change without notice, and we have no control over the changes that airlines may make).
British Airways (BA)
Economy hold baggage: 23kg per person
Hand baggage: 1 item per person only with a maximum weight of 23kg, plus 1 additional handbag/laptop bag. The maximum weight per bag is 23kg and you must be able to lift your bag unaided into the overhead locker. Please refer to the British Airways website for dimension guidelines or if you are travelling with infants.
Air Malta (KM)
Economy Hold Baggage – 23kg per person
Hand Baggage - 10kg per person, 1 item only. Maximum dimensions are 40cm x 55cm x 25cm
EasyJet (U2)
Economy hold baggage: 23kg per person
Hand baggage: No weight restriction, 1 item per person only. Please refer to the easyJet website for the latest dimension guidelines. You must be able to lift your bag unaided into the overhead locker.
Jet2 (LS)
Economy hold baggage: 22kg per person
Hand baggage: 10kg per person, 1 item only. For the latest dimensions please visit the Jet2 website.
TUI Airways (short-haul flights to Malta)
Economy hold baggage: 23kg per person
Economy hand baggage: 10kg per person, 1 item only. Maximum dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
TUI Airways (long-haul flights to the Caribbean)
Economy hold baggage: 23kg per person. TUI Airways will accept multiple bags, but the combined weight must not exceed 23kgs per person.
Economy hand baggage: 10kg per person, 1 item only. Maximum dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
Premium economy hold baggage: 28kgs per person. Please note that individual bags should not weigh more than 23kgs for safety and handling purposes. TUI Airways will accept multiple bags, but the combined weight must not exceed 28kgs per person.
Luggage allowance may be spread over a number of bags as long as combined weight does not exceed allowance.
Premium economy hand baggage: 10kg per person, 1 item only. Maximum dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.
TUI Airways – Sports Equipment
Golf Clubs: please arrange with the airline at least 7 days prior to departure
Scuba equipment: you may be able to carry 5kg of scuba equipment in your hold luggage, providing you have a valid scuba qualification or PADI certificate. Please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
TUI Airways – Weddings
If you are getting married on board one of our ships and are travelling on one of our TUI Airways, then you are entitled to an additional hold luggage allowance of 5kg per person. This allowance applies to the wedding couple only and wedding dresses cannot be carried as hand luggage. Please call our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 355 5111 so we are able to notify the airline of this request.
Travel Agents please call 0344 338 8005.
If you are travelling on a flight other than TUI Airways, an additional wedding baggage allowance cannot be guaranteed by P&O Cruises. Please check with the airline directly for their policy on taking wedding items on a flight.
TUI Airways – Excess Baggage
To arrange excess baggage, contact TUI Airways directly on 0203 636 1309, 3-5 days prior to departure. You will need to provide your flight details and your P&O Cruises booking reference. Please be aware that any additional charges are set by the airline and are subject to change.
Excess Baggage
If your baggage exceeds the maximum allowance you may be liable for an excess baggage fee.
Excess baggage rules vary considerably, therefore we recommend you call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply) for clarification on your individual booking.
Hand Baggage Advice
Please visit the Gov.UK website: gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions for the most up to date information and advice, to ensure that you don’t carry any restricted items through airport security.
Below is a summary of hand baggage restrictions, please note that all information is subject to change and P&O Cruises has no control over such restrictions:
Liquids - Wherever possible you should pack liquids in your hold luggage as containers taken in hand luggage must not hold more than 100ml. Liquids include (and are not limited to) all drinks, some foods, pastes, make-up, medicines and a variety of other solutions.
Baby Food - You are permitted to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water in your hand luggage required for your trip. Specific allowances vary by airline and we recommend you check with them before you travel.
Insulin, Pen Injection Device or Needles and Medication - If you need to carry insulin, needles or a pen injection device on board the aircraft, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply).
Please note:
Insulin should be carried as hand luggage and not in the aircraft hold where it may become frozen
Insulin and all other medicines should be identifiable, preferably in its original packing
You should carry a prescription or a supporting written statement from your doctor to avoid problems with security or customs.
Most airlines are able to provide a sharps box on board for disposal of needles, lancets, syringes or empty insulin cartridges. Should you require a sharps box, please ask the cabin crew and they will provide one for you.
There are no conventional fridges on board the aircraft. Should you need to take medication which needs to be stored in a cool place, we would recommend you bring a cool bag with you. Airlines may be able to provide additional ice on board.
You may also find the following question helpful, Can I take medications on board or into foreign countries?
Electronic devices - The UK government has advised that guests must ensure that any electronic devices taken on board a flight in hand luggage are fully charged before embarking the aircraft. If you are unable to demonstrate that your phone or other electronic device can be switched on, you risk having the device confiscated at the airport which could also result in you missing your flight. You are also advised to switch on your electronic devices before you reach the security check areas to cut down on potential delays.
Pushchairs - You are permitted to take a pushchair on your flight. They are classed as "free baggage" and can be taken in addition to your baggage allowance. The pushchair will be taken from you at the gate and stored in the aircraft hold. After you land, the pushchair will be either be returned with your luggage or taken out of the hold and returned to you on the tarmac. If you are travelling on one of our charter flights where your baggage is taken directly from the aircraft to the ship (bonded baggage), then you will either be able to collect the pushchair from the tarmac, or it will be taken to the ship with your hold luggage. For clarification we recommend you discuss this with check-in staff when you check-in for your flight.
Answer
We offer a complimentary coach service between selected UK airports and the port of Southampton on selected one way fly-cruises.
Whether you are departing the UK from the port by ship or flying from the airport, you can leave your car at the airport at the start of your holiday. Car parking is at your own expense.
On one way fly-cruises sailing from Southampton, a coach will take you directly from the airport to board your ship in Southampton and you’ll fly home following your cruise to find your car waiting. The details of when and where the coach transfer will depart from will be viewable on your My P&O Cruises in the 'Full Itinerary View' tab approximately 30-35 days prior to departure as this is when the details are confirmed with the coach company.
On one way fly-cruises starting in the Caribbean, you’ll fly from the airport to board your ship and sail back to Southampton at the end of your holiday, transferring to a coach that takes you to the airport to collect your car.
Please inform us or your travel agent at the time of booking if you wish to book this service – places are limited and must be booked in advance. You will be given instructions on how to join your coach prior to departure. If you are booking your cruise through our website and wish to add the coach transfer, please contact our Customer Contact Centre once you have made your booking on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply). Coach times are usually available three months prior to departure.
Coach transfers are only available on embarkation day for cruises departing from Southampton or on disembarkation day for cruises arriving into Southampton. If you are extending your holiday and flying out early (or home later), then this service is not available.
These coach transfers are not available on our Exotic fly-cruises.
2022 / 2023 Caribbean fly-cruises
Autumn 2022 |
Airport to Southampton coach transfer |
B225: start of cruise – 21-Oct-22 B225A: start of cruise – 21-Oct-22 |
Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester |
Spring 2023 |
Southampton to airport coach transfer |
K305D: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 K306: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 K306A: end of cruise – 02 Apr 23 |
London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester |
Spring 2023 |
Airport to Southampton coach transfer |
K301: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 K301A: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 K301B: start of cruise – 6 Jan 23 |
Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester Birmingham, London Gatwick, Manchester London Gatwick, Manchester |
Answer
This depends on whether you are travelling on a chartered or scheduled flight. You may find the following question useful: How do I know if I am travelling on a chartered or scheduled flight?
Charter flights
We’re pleased to be able to offer a seamless service known as ‘Luggage Valet’ on selected chartered flights.
You should ensure that all your baggage has a P&O Cruises luggage label attached before you check-in at the airport, because once you check-in, the next time you see your bags will be in your cabin on board your ship!
Caribbean fly-cruises
When you arrive in the Caribbean on a charter flight, there is no need to pass through immigration, nor collect your checked bags; coaches will be waiting to transfer you directly to the cruise terminal and all checked baggage will be unloaded from the aircraft and taken directly to the ship, where it will be screened and delivered to your cabin.
Available on the following charter flights:
TUI Airways: Barbados and Antigua
Your baggage transportation details for disembarkation will be communicated onboard.
Summer 2022 (Mediterranean fly-cruises)
Bonded baggage is no longer available on our TUI charter flights following BREXIT. All guests must collect their luggage from the carousel once landed in Malta.
When you arrive in Malta, you should pass through immigration then go directly to collect your luggage, once through arrivals you will be met by P&O Cruises representatives who will guide you to waiting coaches for the transfer to the cruise terminal.
If you are travelling to Malta with Easyjet, Jet2 or any other airline, please see the scheduled flight section below.
Scheduled flights
If you’re travelling on a scheduled flight, when you arrive at your destination you will need to pass through immigration, collect your luggage from Baggage Reclaim then proceed through to Arrivals. If you booked your flight through P&O Cruises and are arriving on the day of sailing, or have booked a hotel stay through us, there will be a P&O Cruises representative to meet you who will give you instructions for joining your coach transfer to the cruise terminal.
If you have arranged your own flights or have arranged to fly out to your destination early, then you will need to make your own way to the cruise terminal.
The baggage arrangements for your inbound flight will be confirmed during your cruise. Baggage is usually collected from outside your cabin the night before you disembark.
Answer
All fly-cruise holiday prices include economy class flights from/to London and transfers between the overseas airport and your ship on the day of embarkation/disembarkation.
Mediterranean fly-cruises
We are pleased to be able to offer return flights from eight UK air cities on all cruises: Belfast*, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle.
*Please note that Belfast flights are only available on cruises which start and end in Valletta.
We use a range of charter and scheduled carriers, including TUI Airways, easyJet, Jet2 and Air Malta.
Caribbean fly-cruises
Flights are available from a range of UK airports, which vary by ship and cruise itinerary. You'll find further details of available departure airports when you select the 'See available airports' option, after selecting your desired cruise on our website.
We use reputable charter and scheduled carriers, such as TUI Airways, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways.
Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys and Exotic fly-cruises
As you are travelling further afield, we want to be as flexible as possible so you can make the most of your holiday.
Where flight schedules permit, we can offer flights from any UK airport. Additional supplements may apply.
When you make your booking, simply advise your booking agent which airport you would like to fly from and whether you would like one-way or return flights, and your preferred departure airport.
Should you wish to extend your holiday or explore further we'll arrange flights to fit around a Land Tour or City Stay or, should you wish to explore independently, we can book flights so you arrive early (or fly home later), you can book a stopover on selected routes, or if you prefer, you can fly to/from an alternative air city.
Flights are offered subject to availability and airline schedules available at the time of booking.
Domestic Flights to/from Southampton
We can book domestic flights with Flybe to/from Southampton from a range of UK departure points. The fare includes a transfer between the airport and the cruise terminal and vice versa. Domestic flight availability varies by departure date and all flights are subject to the latest airline schedules.
Airline schedules are usually released between four and six months prior to departure; at this time you can check availability by calling our Customer Contact Centre on 03453 555 111 (local call charges apply). We will be happy to answer any questions you have.
If you would like more information, you may find the following question useful: Can I book flights to and from Southampton?
Guaranteed Flight Option
When you or your travel agent books one of our fly-cruise holidays, you may be offered the 'Guaranteed Flight' option, which is also referred to as air city 'QQQ'. This means that you will have a confirmed booking, including flights, but the specific UK airport will be allocated at a later date. Flights will be allocated to your booking at least 7 days prior to departure and the price you have been quoted will not increase. It is recommended you waitlist your preferred UK airport at time of booking. We will do our best to allocate flights from your preferred UK airport, but we cannot guarantee this.
All people booked under the same booking will be allocated the same flights; however we may not be able to allocate the same flights to groups who have booked multiple cabins.
Answer
Guests disembarking the ship in Malta are welcome to stay onboard, however their cabin must be vacated at 08:00 am. The majority of guests vacate their cabins at 8:00 am and are off the ship by 11:00 am to travel to the airport.
Guests who have registered a credit/debit card to their on board account can make purchases on board (drinks) until they disembark. The Spa facilities are available for freshening up.
Answer
If you find you are missing your luggage, you should firstly seek assistance from staff in the baggage hall who will try to locate your luggage. If your luggage has not been located then proceed to the baggage enquiries office (within the baggage hall) and complete a missing baggage form.
After disembarkation is completed we will then look at the luggage that is leftover and the reports of missing baggage and try to work out who has taken the wrong luggage. The guests concerned will be contacted to advise them they may have taken the wrong luggage home.
If you take an item of luggage that is not yours, please contact The Baggage Handling Company who will arrange for the item to be returned to the correct guest. If you have left your luggage at the terminal, The Baggage Handling Company will return your item at a cost at the same time.
Should you have any further queries regarding missing luggage in Southampton please contact the The Baggage Handling Company or email: info@thebaggagehandlingcompany.com.
If you have lost / left luggage at an overseas cruise terminal please contact our Customer Contact Centre (please see our website for contact details).
Answer
When it's time to return to your cabin you will want it to be a stylish, comfortable home from home.
Standard cabin facilities in all accommodation
Daily steward service
TV, radio and telephone
Hairdryer (type of hairdryer may vary dependent on cabin)
Refrigerator
Safe*
Tea/coffee making facilities
Air conditioning
Vanity/writing desk and chair
Wardrobe and drawer space
Toiletries pack
A number of coat hangers are provided in the wardrobes - the amount of which can vary, however you are welcome to bring your own should you wish.
* Safe sizes vary from ship to ship but as a guide they are approximately:
Height : 13.5 cm / 5.25 inches
Width: 24 cm / 9.5 inches
Depth : 20cm / 7.75 inches
You’ll find a multipurpose desk with chair for writing a postcard home or getting ready for the black tie evening along with wardrobe and drawer space for all your clothes.
Included in your toiletries pack in a standard cabin will be:
100ml Shampoo
100ml Conditioner
100ml Hand and body moisturising lotion
40g P&O Cruises soap
Fixed 300ml bottle of bath and shower gel
Shower cap (on request only)
Iona specific:
300ml Shampoo (in dispenser)
300ml Bath & Shower Gel (in dispenser)
300ml Hand wash (in dispenser)
100ml Conditioner (on request only)
100ml Hand and body moisturising lotion (on request only)
Shower Cap (on request only)
In Penthouse Suites and Mini Suites:
150ml Shampoo
150ml Conditioner
150ml Hand and body moisturising lotion
150ml Bath & Shower Gel
2 x 50g White company soap
Vanity kit
Shower cap
Mending kit
Shoe mitt
Bathroom Amenities
Towels
Face cloths (on request only)
Pool towels
A rubberised, non slip bath mat (on request only once on board or can be added pre-cruise by a Team Leader or the Accessibility team)
Towel bath mat
Fixed 300ml bottle of bath and shower gel.
There is a retractable drying line in the shower of each cabin.
Please note that if travelling on consecutive (back to back) cruises some elements of your initial cabin set up will only be provided when you embark on your first of the consecutive cruises.
Arcadia
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit and WC
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Coffee machine
Radio player
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Mini-suites (Approx between 368-384 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit✝ and WC
Sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Coffee machine
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Deluxe Balcony Cabin (Approx between 246-254 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Separate sitting area with two-seater sofa, chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairsΔ
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
ΔOn Arcadia the deluxe balcony doors do not slide, they open outwards
Sea View & Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Single (inside and balcony approx 130 square feet)
Choice of either inside or balcony
One lower single bed
Bathroom with shower and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Aurora
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit and WC
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Coffee machine
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Mini-suites (Approx between 368-384 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, with shower over bath, dual sink vanity unit✝ and WC
Sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Coffee machine
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Deluxe Balcony Cabin (Approx between 246-254 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Separate sitting area with two-seater sofa, chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Balcony (approx between 178 - 237 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Sea View & Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Single outside (approx 130 square feet)
One lower single bed
Bathroom with shower and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Family Cabin (approx 137 - 317 square feet)
Our cabins are well equipped for the needs of the whole family and are not grade specific. Any 3/4 berth is suited for a family.
Two lower beds✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Azura
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit and WC
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Coffee machine
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Family Suite (BE grade)
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Dressing area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Mini Stereo and coffee machine
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Superior Deluxe (Approx 317 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with full-size bath, shower, sink vanity unit and WC
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and coffee table
Two flat screen TVs (some exceptions may apply)
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with coffee table and recliner chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Balcony (approx between 178 - 237 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Sea View & Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Single (inside and sea view approx 130 square feet)
One lower single bed
Bathroom with shower and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Family Cabin (approx 137 - 317 square feet)
Our cabins are well equipped for the needs of the whole family and are not grade specific. Any 3/4 berth is suited for a family.
Two lower beds✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Britannia
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, vanity unit and WC (The vanity mirror is fixed, but can rotate forward & backwards)
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers*
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Senseo coffee machine (pods replaced daily)
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Superior Deluxe (Approx 317 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with full-size bath, shower, sink vanity unit and WC
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and coffee table
Two flat screen TVs (some exceptions may apply)
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with coffee table and recliner chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Canapés once a week - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Balcony (approx between 178 - 237 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Family Cabin (approx 137 - 317 square feet)
Our cabins are well equipped for the needs of the whole family and are not grade specific. Any 3/4 berth is suited for a family.
Two lower beds✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Single (inside and balcony approx 130 square feet)
Choice of either inside or balcony cabin
One lower single bed
Bathroom with shower and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Iona
Suites
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, vanity unit and WC (The vanity mirror is fixed, but can rotate forward & backwards)
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers*
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Senseo coffee machine (pods replaced daily)
Bose radio system with Bluetooth functionality
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival
Fruit bowl and daily canapés
Luxurious White Company toiletries
Mineral water on arrival
Conservatory Mini Suites
Two lower beds convertible to king-size bed
Bathroom (shower only) and WC
A hairdryer
A sofa, chair and table
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs
Magazine Selection
Atlas and binoculars
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Special Touches
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés
Fruit Basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival
Mineral water on arrival
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Separate sitting area with two-seater sofa, chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Balcony
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Sea View & Inside
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit and WC
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Coffee machine
Bose Wave CD cum Radio player (the Radio will only work when in port)
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Mini-suites (Approx between 368-384 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit✝ and WC
Sofa, chairs and table
DVD player
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Coffee machine
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Balcony (approx between 178 - 237 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Sea View & Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Sea view cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Family Cabin (approx 137 - 317 square feet)
Our cabins are well equipped for the needs of the whole family and are not grade specific. Any 3/4 berth is suited for a family.
Two lower beds✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Ventura
Suites (approx between 449-753 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with full-size whirlpool bath✝, separate shower✝, dual sink vanity unit and WC
Dressing Area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Mini stereo
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Coffee machine
Bose Wave CD cum Radio player (the radio will only work when in port)
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Family Suite (BE grade)
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Dressing area✝
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and table
Floor to ceiling glass doors leading to balcony with table and chairs and steamers✝
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine and newspaper selection
Mini Stereo and coffee machine
Special Touches
Butler service (inclusive but optional)
Mineral water on arrival
Luxurious premier toiletries pack
Daily canapés - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Superior Deluxe (Approx 317 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed
Bathroom with full-size bath, shower, sink vanity unit and WC
Lounge area with sofa, chairs and coffee table
Two flat screen TVs (some exceptions may apply)
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with coffee table and recliner chairs
Atlas and binoculars for use during your cruise
Bathrobe and slippers for use during your cruise
Magazine selection
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Canapés once a week - typical canapés include Chicken and Mango barquettes and Duck pâté on toast (may vary depending on ship)
Fruit basket
Flowers, Champagne and chocolates on arrival - typically 10 chocolates in a box (subject to change)
Balcony (approx between 178 - 237 square feet including balcony)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed**✝
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Chair and table
Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors leading to balcony with table and reclining chairs
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Sea View & Inside (approx between 137-181 Square feet)
Two lower beds convertible to a king size bed✝**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Outside cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Single (inside and sea view approx 130 square feet)
Choice of either inside and balcony cabin
One lower single bed
Bathroom with shower and WC
Outside cabins have a window or portholes, inside cabins have a mirror
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
Family Cabin (approx 137 - 317 square feet)
Our cabins are well equipped for the needs of the whole family and are not grade specific. Any 3/4 berth is suited for a family.
Two lower beds**
Bathroom with shower over bath or shower only and WC
Special Touches
Mineral water on arrival
Toiletries pack
✝ - please see the cabin notes on the deck plans for exceptions
** when 3/4 guests share a cabin with upper berths, for safety reasons the two lower berths cannot be pushed together.
Answer
There are a number of pools on our ships please see details below:
Arcadia
- Neptune pool - (Indoor / outdoor pool with retractable roof) - 8.6 metres x 4 metres, 1.8 metres deep. Located on Lido Deck. Has 2 steel ladders with 4 wooden steps for each ladder
- Aquarius pool - (Outdoor pool) - 7.2 metres x 4.2 metres, 2.2 metres deep. Located on Lido Deck. Has 2 steel ladders with 5 wooden steps for each ladder.
- Hydro Pool - (Indoor pool, part of the spa). Located on Lido Deck. Has 8 steps leading down into the pool.
Aurora
- Riviera pool - (Outdoor pool, adults only) - 8.45 metres x 5.7 metres, 1 metre deep. Located on A Deck. Has 2 ladders with 5 steps for each ladder.
- Crystal pool - (Indoor / outdoor pool with retractable roof) - 8.2 metres x 5.7 metres, 1 metre deep. Located on Lido Deck. Has 2 ladders with 4 steps for each ladder and 10 steps into the water.
- Terrace pool - (Outdoor pool- reserved for families) - 7.7 metres x 4 metres, 1.2 metres deep. Located on D Deck. Has 2 ladders with 4 steps for each ladder
Azura
- Oasis pool - (Outdoor pool, adults only) - 1 metre to 1.8 metres deep. 9.5 metres long x 6 metres wide. Located on Aqua Deck. Has 2 sets of 8 steps into the water.
- Aqua pool - (outdoor pool) - 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres deep. 11 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 2 ladders, 1 with 7 steps and 1 with 5 steps
- Coralpool - (Outdoor pool) - 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres deep. 10.5 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 1 ladder with 7 steps
- Terrace pool - (Outdoor pool, adults only) - 1.7 metres deep. 6 metres long x 6 metres wide. Located on Riviera Deck. Has 7 steps into the water.
- Children's splash pool - 0.38 metres deep. Located on Aqua Deck. Has 1 ladder with 3 steps up and 3 steps down into the pool.
- Paddling pool - 0.25 metres deep. Located on Aqua Deck. Has 2 ladders with 4 steps up and 4 steps down on each.
Britannia
- Riviera pool - (Outdoor pool). 1.65 metres to 2.25 metres deep. Located on Lido Deck. Has two ladders, one with 5 steps and another one with 7 steps.
- Lido pool - (Outdoor pool). 1.65 metres to 2.25 metres deep. Located on Lido Deck. Has 10 downwards steps and a ladder with 7 steps.
- Serenity pool - (Outdoor pool). 1.65 to 2.25 meters deep. Located on Sun Deck - adult only. Has 7 steps.
- Terrace pool - (Outdoor pool). 1.1 meters deep. Located on Sun Deck aft. You have 7 steps to climb to reach the pool then has ladder with 5 steps to get in.
- Hydro therapy pool (Charges apply) - (Indoor pool part of the spa). 1.15 metres deep. Located on Deck 5. You have 2 steps to get up to the pool and then 9 steps to get into the pool.
Iona
There will be four swimming pools on Iona, excluding the spa. In general the deep end of the pool will be 94cm when at sea/140cm when in port. The shallow end will be 84cm when at sea/130cm when in port.
- Beachcomber pool - (Outdoor pool) - 6.95 metres x 3.4 metres.
- Panorama pool - (Outdoor pool) - 6.9 metres x 3 metres
- Skydome pool - (Indoor pool) - 11.5 metres x 3.8 metres
- Infinity pool - (Outdoor pool) - 8 metres x 3.8 metres
With the exception of the thalassotherapy pool, all pools are accessed via ladders (all pools are fitted with pool hoist sockets).
The Skydome pool will be covered for special staged events.
Ventura
- Oasis (Endless) pool -(Outdoor pool, exclusively for adults which has a current which you can swim against. There is no need to book as the pool can be accessed from the Sun deck) - 1 metre to 1.8 metres depth. 9.5 metres long x 6 metres wide. Located on Sun Deck. Has 8 steps into the water.
- Laguna pool - (Outdoor pool) - 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres depth. 11 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 1 ladder with 7 steps.
- Beechcomber pool - (Indoor / outdoor pool with retractable roof)- 1.6 metres to 2.2 metres deep. 10.5 metres long x 4.6 metres wide. Located on Lido Deck. Has 1 ladder with 7 steps.
- Terrace pool - (Outdoor pool)- 1.7 metres deep. Located on Riviera Deck. Has 7 steps into the water.
- Plunge pool - (Children's pool) - 1.1 metres deep. Located on Sun Deck. Has 1 ladder with 4 steps.
- Splash pool -(Children's pool) - 0.25 metres deep. Located on Sun Deck. Has 1 ladder with 1 step.
Adult Pools
The minimum age to use adult only pools is 18.
Children
Children are welcome to use the friendly family pools. Due to public health regulations, children in nappies, swim nappies, pull ups, or who are not completely toilet trained are only permitted to use designated pools, which are:
- Azura - Children’s pools (Aft) and the Coral Pool
- Britannia -The Reef Adventure Zone and the Lido Pool
- Ventura -Children’s pool (Aft) and the Beach comber Pool
Temperature
The temperature of the swimming pools are monitored and we maintain the pool temperatures at an average of 24°C. As with swimming pools ashore we use fresh water, although there is generally less chlorine in the pools found on board.
Opening Hours
Pools and Jacuzzis opening hours will be confirmed on-board.
Please note during maintenance and heavy seas pools and Jacuzzis will beclosed.
General
Whilst we do allow the use of pool inflatable's such as lilos, we do ask that these are not used if the pool is busy to allow room for other passengers.
Paddling pools are not permitted on board.
You may find the following question useful - Is there a hoist available for pool use?
Answer
Arcadia
- Deck 2 - Forward | Midship
- Deck 3 - Midship
- Deck 9 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 10 - Forward | Midship
Aurora
- Deck 6 - Midship | Aft
- Deck 7 - Forward | Midship | Aft
- Deck 8 - Midship | Aft
- Deck 12 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 13 - Forward
Azura
- Deck 5 - Midship
- Deck 6 - Forward | Midship | Aft
- Deck 7 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 15 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 16 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 17 - Aft
- Deck 18 - Aft
Britannia
- Deck 5 - Midship
- Deck 6 - Forward | Midships | Aft
- Deck 7 - Forward | Midships | Aft
- Deck 16 - Forward | Midships | Aft
- Deck 17 - Forward | Midships | Aft
Ventura
- Deck 5 - Midship
- Deck 6 - Forward | Midship | Aft
- Deck 7 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 15 - Forward | Midship | Aft
- Deck 16 - Forward | Aft
- Deck 17 - Aft
- Deck 18 - Aft
Answer
Yes, there are a number of sun loungers available for you to relax on out on deck.
- Arcadia has approximately 920
- Aurora has approximately 740
- Azura has approximately 1546
- Britannia has approximately 1520
- Ventura has approximately 1546
All sun loungers are available on a first come first served basis and are complimentary with the exception of the loungers in the Retreat and spas. You may find the following question helpful - What facilities and services does the spa and salon offer?
Answer
Use of the main pools are complimentary.
On Azura and Ventura the Oasis pool and Endless pool respectively are in The Retreat. Whilst use of these pools are complimentary, the other facilities in The Retreat are chargeable. Full details are available on board from the Spa Reception.
On Arcadia the hydropool is part of the Thermal Suite and is therefore, not complimentary. The cost of this will be confirmed once you are on board.
On Britannia the hydropool is part of the Thermal Suite and is therefore, not complimentary. The two jacuzzis within The Retreat will incur a charge. Full details are available on board from the Spa Reception.
The following question may be of interest: What facilities and services does the spa and salon offer?
Answer
Yes. Butlers are available in all Suites, including family suites.
Answer
There is an air conditioning control panel in each cabin which allows you to control the temperature in your own cabin between approximately 18 and 28ºC with slight variances between ships.
The average temperature of the interior areas of the ship is around 19ºC (66ºF).
The conservatory part of the Conservatory Mini-Suite is not temperature controlled, however it is ventilated.
Answer
Due to safety regulations we can not allow passengers to bring microwaves on-board and the microwaves we have are not suitable for domestic use. We can provide hot water and you may ask a crew member if they are able to assist you in heating something.
Answer
Yes, a number of coat hangers are provided in the wardrobes - the amount of which can vary, however you are welcome to bring your own should you wish.
Answer
There is a retractable drying line in the shower of each cabin.
Answer
Yes, you will find a small refrigerator in all grades of cabin on board and are normally below four degrees Celsius.
The dimensions of the fridges are approximately: Width 34cm Height 45cm Depth 25cm
Please note, some exceptions may apply on dimensions.
Answer
There are no weight restrictions on the upper pullmans, however there is a weight restriction on the bunk ladder of 130 kg which is approximately 20 Stone.
The upper pullmans are "shock tested" to approximately 300 kg.
Any passenger can sleep in a upper pullman, please bear in mind the bed is elevated therefore a lower berth/cot may be suitable for children/babies.
You will be unable to have a queen bed configuration in the cabin if any of the upper pullmans are in use.*
*The exception to this is will be Iona inside cabins where there are no safety issues when pullmans are in use.
Answer
We supply the type of mattress protector that fit over the top of the mattress. These are on all beds as standard when they are made. We can't supply the type that provides a seal against liquid and air.
Answer
All bath linen is supplied by Calderon.
Bathrobes are supplied by Richard Haworth and can be bought directly from Housekeeping on-board.
Answer
Aurora is the only ship to feature automatic doors on accessible cabins, (the doors open into the cabin). All other ships are fitted with manual doors on all cabins.
You may find the following question useful: What does a wheelchair adapted cabin look like?
Answer
Bathrobes are offered in a large or small size for adults and are not supplied for children.
The same applies for slippers.
Answer
Family suites are available for a minimum of 4 guests and up to a maximum of 6 guests.
The Family Sea View Suites on Iona, can accommodate a maximum of 4 guests.
Answer
All of our 3/4 berths are in the form of a sofa bed or an upper pullman. Please see below for which cabins have sofa beds:
Arcadia
Suites - B1 | B2 | B4 grades
Mini Suites * - CA | CB | CE grades
Deluxe Balcony * - EA | EB | EC | EE | EF grades
Sea View* - LB | LC | LE | LF grades
Larger Inside * - OA | OB** | OC | PA | PE grades
**OB Grade cabins on G-Deck only. C-Deck cabins are now 3 berths with an upper pullman.
Aurora
Suites- B1 | B2 | B5 grades
Mini Suites* - CB | CD grades
Deluxe Balcony* - EA | EB | ED | EE grades
Balcony* - GA | GB | GD grades
Outside* - KB | KD grades
Inside* - OA | OE grades
Azura
Suites - A1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony* - DA | DB | DD | DE grades
Britannia
Suites - B1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony * - DA | DB | DC grades
Balcony * - GB | GC | GD | GE | GF | IC | IE | IB grades
Iona
All 3 berth cabins in all cabin grades are in the form of a single sofa bed.
All 4 berth cabins in all cabin grades are in the form of a single sofa bed and an upper pullman.
Ventura
Suites - A1 | B2 | B4 | B5 grades
Superior Deluxe Balcony * - DA | DD | DB | DE grade
*Selected cabins on these grades do not have sofa beds, please check the deck plan notes for further information.
Answer
Children bed rails/guards are available on all ships apart from Arcadia and Aurora.
Bed rails/guards can be requested on board, via your travel agent, or by calling our Customer Contact Centre.
We do not offer bed rails/guards for adults.
Answer
The cots are supplied with a fitted sheet covering the mattress and also one small cellular blanket.
Answer
The beds in most cabins on each ship can be converted from two twins to a double (queen) bed or vice versa. There are however, some exceptions as detailed below:
Arcadia
There are no cabins with fixed beds on Arcadia.
Aurora
C124 & C127 on Aurora have fixed double beds.
Azura
D101, D102, P211, P214, P217, P218, P221, P222, P225, P226, P229, P230, P233, P234, P323, P324, P325, P328 all have fixed twin beds.
Britannia
All inside 4 berth cabins on grades PA | PB | PC | PD | PE | PF have fixed twin beds.
A120, A121, A124, A125, A244, A249, A528, A541, B244, B249, B526, B531, B611, B612, B616, B617, B618, B619, B707, B708, C118, C119, C248, C249, C316, C317, C322, C323, C539, C545, C615, C619, C623, C627, C714, C715, D122, D123, D248, D249, D438, D439, D442, D443, D539, D545, D724, D725, D730, D731, E130, E131, E248, E249, E344, E345, E348, E349, E438, E439, E442, E443, E531, E537, E716, E717, E722, E723, F426, F427, G434, G435, G533
Iona
There are no fixed berths on Iona.
Ventura
The following cabins have fixed twin berths:
D101, D102, P201, P202, P203, P204, P205, P206, P207, P208, P209, P210, P211, P214, P217, P218, P221, P222, P225, P226, P229, P230, P233, P234, P323, P324, P325, P328
Please note that in some cases where additional berths can be used in cabins, it may not be possible to configure the lower berths as a double where available.
Answer
Bathrobes and Slippers are available in Suites (all ships), Mini-Suites (Arcadia and Aurora) Conservatory Mini-Suites (Iona and Arvia) and Superior Deluxe Balcony cabins (Azura, Britannia and Ventura
These should not be taken off the ship and are not supplied in any other cabin.
Bathrobes and slippers are "one size fit's all" adult sizes and are supplied for each adult in the Suite / Mini-Suite / Superior Deluxe Cabin.
Bathrobes are available to purchase from our Gift Collection.
All bath linen is supplied by Calderon.
Bathrobes are supplied by Richard Haworth and can be bought directly from Housekeeping on board.
Answer
There are radios* in some of the suite cabins on board:
Arcadia
Available in all Suites.
Aurora
Does not have radios in Suites.
Azura
Does not have radios in Suites.
Britannia
Available in the Roberts Suite only.
Iona
A Bose radio system with bluetooth functionality available in all Suites.
Ventura
A Bose Wave CD Radio player available in all Suites. The radio will only work in port.
*Please note the signal may be weak whilst at sea.
Answer
Your cabin will have air conditioning in your cabin which you can adjust, therefore a fan is not necessary.
If you still want to bring your own you must make this known when boarding the ship so that we can carry out essential electric testing on the appliance.
Answer
All suites (excluding Arcadia, Britannia and Iona) have a curtain/partition which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated from the sleeping area.
Britannia's Superior Deluxe Balcony has a curtain/partition which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated. Arcadia's Balcony Cabins have small curtains which can be drawn that will allow the living area to be separated.
Iona has been designed with furniture dividers for privacy. Aft Suites will have separate bedrooms and living spaces.
In addition, these are also available in Mini Suites on Aurora and Deluxe Balcony cabins on Aurora and Arcadia.
Dividing curtains/partitions are not available in any other cabin type.
Answer
The majority of balconies are interconnecting and can be opened by your cabin steward upon request.
There may be some instances where this may not be possible. Your cabin steward will be able to confirm this for you.
All balcony cabins on Deck 5 of Iona are unable to be connected.
| Arcadia | Aurora | Iona | Arvia |
| A60 & A62 | B106 & B112 | 16228 & 16230 | 16228 & 16230 |
| A66 & A68 | B114 & B120 | 16225 & 16227 | 16225 & 16227 |
| A67 & A69 | B122 & B128 | 16308 & 16310 | 16308 & 16310 |
| A71 & A73 | B178 & B184 | 16307 & 16309 | 16307 & 16309 |
| A98 & A100 | B186 & B192 | 15220 & 15222 | 15220 & 15222 |
| A103 & A105 | B194 & B200 | 15217 & 15219 | 15217 & 15219 |
| A110 & A112 | C170 & C172 | 15312 & 15314 | 15312 & 15314 |
| A115 & A117 | C178 & C180 | 15311 & 13315 | 15311 & 15315 |
| B66 & B68 | C197 & C199 | 15432 & 15434 | 15432 & 15434 |
| B73 & B79 | C205 & C207 | 15433 & 15435 | 15433 & 15435 |
| B90 & B92 | C286 & C290 | 15524 & 15526 | 15528 & 15530 |
| B103 & B105 | C294 & C296 | 15525 & 15527 | 15529 & 15531 |
| C80 & C82 | C305 & C307 | 15616 & 15618 | 15616 & 15618 |
| C81 & C85 | C311 & C313 | 15617 & 15619 | 15617 & 15619 |
| C84 & C86 | 15708 & 15710 | 15708 & 15710 | |
| C89 & C93 | 15707 & 15709 | 15707 & 15709 | |
| C116 & C118 | 14112 & 14114 | 14112 & 14114 | |
| C123 & C125 | 14109 & 14111 | 14109 & 14111 | |
| C128 & C130 | 14228 & 14230 | 14228 & 14230 | |
| C135 & C137 | 14227 & 14229 | 14227 & 14229 | |
| C156 & C160 | 14308 & 14310 | 14308 & 14310 | |
| C163 & C167 | 14307 & 14309 | 14307 & 14309 | |
| C164 & C168 | 14434 & 14436 | 14434 & 14436 | |
| C171 & C175 | 14433 & 14435 | 14433 & 14435 | |
| C172 & C176 | 14518 & 14520 | 14526 & 14528 | |
| C179 & C183 | 14521 & 14523 | 14529 & 14531 | |
| D79 & D81 | 14616 & 14618 | 14616 & 14618 | |
| D82 & D84 | 14617 & 14619 | 14617 & 14619 | |
| D83 & D85 | 14704 & 14706 | 14704 & 14706 | |
| D86 & D88 | 14703 & 14705 | 14703 & 14705 | |
| D87 & D89 | 12228 & 12230 | 12228 & 12230 | |
| D90 & D92 | 12227 & 12229 | 12227 & 12229 | |
| D91 & D93 | 12308 & 12310 | 12308 & 12310 | |
| D94 & D96 | 12307 & 12309 | 12307 & 12309 | |
| D115 & D117 | 12434 & 12436 | 12434 & 12436 | |
| D118 & D120 | 12435 & 12437 | 12435 & 12437 | |
| D123 & D125 | 12524 & 12526 | 12518 & 12520 | |
| D126 & D128 | 12529 & 12531 | 12533 & 12535 | |
| D127 & D129 | 12616 & 12618 | 12616 & 12618 | |
| D130 & D132 | 12617 & 12619 | 12617 & 12619 | |
| D131 & D133 | 11110 & 11112 | 11110 & 11112 | |
| D134 & D136 | 11109 & 11111 | 11109 & 11111 | |
| E31 & E33 | 11228 & 11230 | 11228 & 11230 | |
| E32 & E34 | 11227 & 11229 | 11227 & 11229 | |
| E35 & E37 | 11312 & 11314 | 11312 & 11314 | |
| E36 & E38 | 11311 & 11315 | 11311 & 11315 | |
| E43 & E45 | 11434 & 11436 | 11434 & 11436 | |
| E44 & E46 | 11435 & 11437 | 11435 & 11437 | |
| E47 & E49 | 11506 & 11508 | 11506 & 11508 | |
| E48 & E50 | 11505 & 11507 | 11505 & 11507 | |
| E139 & E141 | 11616 & 11618 | 11616 & 11618 | |
| E140 & E142 | 11617 & 11619 | 11617 & 11619 | |
| E151 & E155 | 111704 & 11706 | 11704 & 11706 | |
| E152 & E156 | 11703 & 11705 | 11703 & 11705 | |
| E157 & E161 | 10212 & 10214 | 10212 & 10214 | |
| E158 & E162 | 10211 & 10215 | 10211 & 10215 | |
| E164 & E168 | 10312 & 10314 | 10312 & 10314 | |
| G19 & G23 | 10311 & 10315 | 10311 & 10315 | |
| G20 & G22 | 10434 & 10436 | 10434 & 10436 | |
| G32 & G36 | 10455 & 10457 | 10455 & 10457 | |
| G33 & G35 | 10524 & 10526 | 10528 & 10530 | |
| G45 & G47 | 10521 & 10523 | 10527 & 10529 | |
| G46 & G50 | 10620 & 10622 | 10620 & 10622 | |
| G57 & G61 | 10621 & 10623 | 10621 & 10623 | |
| G59 & G63 | 10704 & 10706 | 10704 & 10706 | |
| G60 & G62 | 10707 & 10709 | 10621 & 10623 | |
| G65 & G67 | 9110 & 9112 | 10704 & 10706 | |
| G66 & G70 | 9111 & 9115 | 10707 & 10709 | |
| G77 & G79 | 9224 & 9226 | 9110 & 9112 | |
| G78 & G80 | 9225 & 9227 | 9111 & 9115 | |
| G69 & G73 | 9332 & 9334 | 9224 & 9226 | |
| 9333 & 9335 | 9225 & 9227 | ||
| 9432 & 9434 | 9334 & 9336 | ||
| 9435 & 9437 | 9335 & 9337 | ||
| 9524 & 9526 | 9432 & 9434 | ||
| 9525 & 9527 | 9435 & 9437 | ||
| 9616 & 9618 | 9530 & 9532 | ||
| 9617 & 9619 | 9529 & 9531 | ||
| 9704 & 9706 | 9616 & 9618 | ||
| 9705 & 9707 | 9617 & 9619 | ||
| 8236 & 8238 | 9704 & 9706 | ||
| 8235 & 8239 | 9705 & 9707 | ||
| 8312 & 8314 | 8236 & 8238 | ||
| 8307 & 8309 | 8237 & 8239 | ||
| 5310 & 5312 | 8312 & 8314 | ||
| 5311 & 5315 | 8307 & 8309 | ||
| 5363 & 5365 | 5310 & 5312 | ||
| 5465 & 5467 | 5311 & 5315 | ||
| 5523 & 5525 | 5363 & 5365 | ||
| 5544 & 5546 | 5465 & 5467 | ||
| 5608 & 5610 | 5523 & 5525 | ||
| 5625 & 5627 | 5544 & 5546 | ||
| 4332 & 4334 | 5608 & 5610 | ||
| 4331 & 4333 | 5625 & 5627 | ||
| 4420 & 4422 | 4332 & 4334 | ||
| 4485 & 4486 | 4331 & 4333 | ||
| 4529 & 4531 | 4420 & 4422 | ||
| 4533 & 4535 | 4485 & 4486 | ||
| 4630 & 4632 | 4529 & 4531 | ||
| 4635 & 4637 | 4533 & 4535 | ||
| 4630 & 4632 | |||
| 4635 & 4637 |
Answer
There are various places within your cabin to store your luggage.
Many cases will fit underneath the bed or alternatively there are storage areas in the wardrobe or by the closet area.
Answer
The height of the balcony railings are approximately 110cm high.
Answer
Yes, this is available for all suite guests.
If you are travelling in a alternative cabin and would like an ice bucket and additional glasses, these can be requested from your cabin steward once on-board.
Answer
Hand Rails
Some cabins with a shower or a bath feature a small grab rail to assist with getting in and out. To check if this applies to a specific cabin please call our Customer Contact Centre, contact details can be found on our website. All wheelchair accessible cabins feature a roll in shower with a hand rail by the toilet and shower with a fixed shower seat.
Shower / Bath Mats
Each bath and shower has a non-slip floor. Shower/bath mats are available to request once on-board via your cabin steward. These are available on a first come first serve basis.
Answer
Yes. You will find a Bible in your bedside table drawer.
Answer
On Britannia, Azura, Iona and Ventura there are locks on the balcony doors, the rest of the fleet do not have locks, but can be securely closed by puling the handle up.
Answer
Ventura
Bath and shower dimensions are approximate and may vary on each ship.
Arcadia
In cabins A62A | B60A | B107A | E129A - there is a step up into the bathroom of 26cm. When exiting the bathroom there is a step up of 7.5cm before a drop down of 26cm.
Shower dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Inside single | 199cm | 86cm | 70cm |
| Inside | 199cm | 90cm | 67cm |
| Inside large | 199cm | 90cm | 67cm |
| Mini Suite | 199cm | 71cm | 70cm |
| Suite | 199cm | 71cm | 70cm |
Bath dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Seaview Partly/Fully obstructed | 37cm | 116cm | 55cm |
| Seaview | 37cm | 116cm | 55cm |
| Balcony single | 37cm | 116cm | 55cm |
| Balcony Deluxe | 37cm | 116cm | 55cm |
| Mini Suite | 37cm | 143cm | 61cm |
| Suite | 37cm | 143cm | 61cm |
Aurora
Shower dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Inside | 200cm | 70cm | 77cm |
| Inside large | 200cm | 69cm | 76cm |
| Seaview | 200cm | 69cm | 76cm |
| Balcony | 200cm | 69cm | 76cm |
| Suite | 200cm | 68cm | 84cm |
| Penthouse Suite | 200cm | 69cm | 78cm |
Bath dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Seaview | 37.5cm | 122.5cm | 56.25cm |
| Balcony | 37.5cm | 122.5cm | 56.25cm |
| Suite | 37.5cm | 144cm | 57.5cm |
Azura
Shower dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Inside single | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Inside | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Inside large | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Seaview full/part obstructed view | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Seaview | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Balcony | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 199cm | 76cm | 68cm |
| Suite | 199cm | 89cm | 73cm |
Bath dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
| Suite | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
| Penthouse Suite | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
Britannia
Shower dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Suite | 198cm | 108cm | 71cm |
| Balcony | 199cm | 92cm | 64cm |
| Inside | 199cm | 92cm | 64cm |
Bath dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Suite | 47cm | 162cm | 67cm |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 40cm | 143cm | 63cm |
Iona
Complete dimensions are yet to be confirmed. In standard cabins there will be a step of approximately 5cm into the shower. Showers in accessible cabins are wet rooms, so there will be no step.
There is a step of approximately 15-17cm into the bathroom of standard cabins and no step in accessible cabins.
Ventura
Shower dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Inside single | 203cm | 75cm | 63cm |
| Inside | 203cm | 75cm | 63cm |
| Inside large | 203cm | 75cm | 68cm |
| Seaview full/part obstructed view | 203cm | 75cm | 68cm |
| Seaview | 203cm | 75cm | 68cm |
| Balcony | 203cm | 75cm | 68cm |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 203cm | 75cm | 68cm |
| Suite | 201cm | 89cm | 73cm |
Bath dimensions
| Cabin | Height | Length | Width |
| Superior Deluxe Balcony | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
| Suite | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
| Penthouse Suite | 42cm | 110cm | 40cm |
Answer
Sheltered Balconies
Aurora
Typical for most cabins in the GA & GF graded balconies
Arcadia
Partially Shaded
Azura
The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.
Lido Deck - cabins L218 to L312 and L219 to L311
Riviera Deck - all cabins on port and starboard sides
A Deck - A101, A102, A103 & A104 have shaded balconies
E Deck - E101, E102, E105, E106, E109, E110, E114, E115, E118 & E119 are partially shaded from the deck above
Arvia
The following cabins have balconies which benfit from partial shade created by the deck above.
Deck 15- 15526, 15527, 15528, 15529, 15530, 15531, 15532, 15533, 15534, 15535, 15536, 15537, 15538, 15539, 15540, 15542, 15601, 15602. 15603. 15604, 15605, 15606, 15607, 15608, 15609, 15610, 15611, 15612, 15614, 15615, 15616, 15617, 15618, 15619, 15619, 15620, 15621, 15622, 15623, 15624, 15625, 15626, 15627, 15628, 15629, 15630, 15631, 15632, 15633, 15701, 15702, 15703, 15704, 15705, 15706, 15708, 15711, 15712, 15734, 15735
Deck 5- 5320, 5323, 5326, 5328, 5329, 5331, 5334, 5336, 5337, 5339, 5342, 5344, 5345, 5347, 5350, 5352, 5353, 5355, 5358, 5359, 5401, 5402, 5403, 5404, 5405, 5406, 5411, 5412, 5414, 5415, 5420, 5421, 5422, 5423, 5428, 5429, 5430, 5431, 5436, 5437, 5438, 5439, 5444, 5445, 5446, 5447, 5452, 5453, 5454, 5455, 5459, 5460, 5462, 5468, 5470, 5472, 5479, 5485, 5487, 5493, 5501, 5502, 5506, 5508, 5509, 5514, 5517, 5530, 5533, 5536, 5538, 5539, 5541, 5544, 5546, 5547, 5549, 5552, 5554, 5555, 5557, 5558, 5561, 5601, 5602, 5607, 5608, 5609, 5616, 5617, 5632, 5633, 5637, 5638. 5640, 5641, 5644, 5646, 5647, 5649, 5650, 5652, 5655, 5656, 5657, 5661
Iona
The following cabins have balconies which are shaded:
Deck 5 - balcony cabins 5320 to 5661 (excluding 5516, 5519, 5520, 5522, 5523, 5525, 5528 & 5531)
Deck 15 - balcony cabins 15514 to 15733
Ventura
The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.
Lido Deck - cabins L218 to L312 and L219 to L311
Riviera Deck - All cabins on port and starboard sides have shaded balconies
A Deck - Cabins A201, A202, A205 and A206 have shaded balconies
This example is taken from Ventura and is typical for most cabins on Lido and Rivera deck on Azura and Ventura.
Britannia
The following cabins have balconies which benefit from partial shade created by the deck above.
Lido Deck - Cabins L201 to L255
A Deck - Cabins A302 to A722 and cabins A301 to A723 have shaded balconies.
B deck - Cabins B726, B724, B723 and B725
Following Britannia's refit in October 2019 all aft balcony cabins on deck A & B now have a glass canopy above. (Image below)
Answer
The following grades of cabin have a bath as well as a shower. All other grades of cabin have a shower only.
Arcadia - B1, B2, B4, CA, CB CE, EA, EB, EC, ED, EF, LB, LC, LF, NB or NC grades
Aurora - A1, B1, B2, B5, CB, CD, EA, EB, ED, EE, GA, GB, GC, GD, GE, GF, KB, KD, LB, LC, LD, LE or LF grades
Azura - A1, B2, B4, B5**, BE, DA, DB, DD or DE grades
Britannia - B1, B2, B4, B5, DA, DB & DC grades
Iona - B4, B5 & B6 grades
Ventura - A1, B2, B4, B5**, BE, DA, DB, DD or DE grades
Separate Shower & Bath
In the below grades, you will find a separate bath and shower.
Arcadia - B & C grades
Aurora - A & B grades
Azura - A & B grades
Britannia - A & B grades
Iona - B grades
Ventura - A & B grades
Exceptions
**B5 grades on Azura & Ventura - Cabins L106 & L107 have a shower over the bath.
Further Information
If you require more information regarding your bath or shower, please see the cabin notes on the deck plan.
For more information on cabin grades, please see "What do the letters mean when referring to a grade of accommodation?"
To make a booking on any cruise for any of these or any other grade of cabin, please visit our Find & Book page, call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, or speak with your preferred ABTA bonded travel agent.
Answer
Adapted/accessible cabins are available on all ships across the fleet, allowing full-time wheelchair users easy access to all the facilities within the cabin.
Arcadia, Iona and Arvia feature several partially adapted cabins, which have wider door widths and a wheelchair accessible wet room (roll in bathroom). Partially adapted cabins may not have sufficient manoeuvring space within the cabin and bathroom. Partially adapted cabins are not suitable for passengers who are fully confined to a wheelchair.
All adapted cabins and partially adapted cabins are shower only. Please note that on Iona PB, PC and PF adapted grades are partially adapted cabins. On Arvia PB, PC, PD, PE and PF adapted grades are partially adapted cabins. These are standard cabins that have accessible elements and are suitable to guests bringing non-motorised upright assistive mobility device and who do not require the use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices.
Arcadia
Arcadia features a number of partially adapted cabins which have wider door widths and a wheelchair accessible wet room (roll in bathroom). Partially adapted cabins may not have sufficient manoeuvring space, within the cabin and bathroom. Therefore, partially adapted cabins are not suitable for passengers who are fully confined to a wheelchair.
Partially adapted cabins on Arcadia are:
C1, C2, C194, C203, E95, E96, G11, G12, G74, G81, G82 and G100. C2 has a support pillar near the doorways - this may prove to be difficult to navigate around if you are confined to a wheelchair.
Arvia and Iona
All PB, PC and PF grade 'accessible cabins' are partially accessible. This means that they are standard cabins that have accessible elements, e.g. adapted bathroom with flush threshold and grab rails, and are suitable to guests bringing non-motorised upright assistive mobility device (rollators, walking stick or frames as examples) and who do not require the use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices whilst inside the cabin.
Partially adapted cabins on Iona are:
10327, 10331, 15322, 15323, 15326, 15327, 16326, 16327, 16330, 16331, 8327,8331,9326, 9327, 9330, 9331, 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229
Partially adapted cabins on Arvia are:
10327, 10331, 15322, 15323, 15326, 15327, 16326, 16327, 16330, 16331, 8327, 8331, 11743, 11744, 12742, 9743, 9748, 9222, 9223, 9228 and 9229
Guests can bring a small device into these cabins (See below), as the inside ADA cabins are long and narrow in shape, this means the available floor space within these cabins is limited, making it difficult to manoeuvre, turn and store larger mobility aids.
|
Door Width |
Gap b/w end of bed – desk/ chair |
Gap b/w bed and wet room wall |
Gap b/w bed and other wall |
PB Grade |
79cm |
105 cm |
74cm |
Queen bed 74cm, Twin Beds 28cm |
PC Grade |
79cm |
102 – 105cm |
72 – 74cm |
Queen bed 74cm, Twin Beds 28cm |
PF Grade |
79cm |
105cm |
72cm |
Queen bed 72cm, Twin Beds 26cm |
A guide to smaller mobility aids:
We would advise that a smaller device is less than 100cm in length and less than 60/65cm in width (see cabin door width and gap at end and side of bed) when in use and can fold down as one piece (no removable parts) to less than 50cm so that it can be stored safely within the cabin, away from cabin door for emergency exit reasons, these are maximum dimensions. If guests are intending to use the device in the cabin, again the turning circle needs to be considered as the available floor space is limited. If in any doubt please reach out to the Guest Support, Accessibility Team to discuss further.
Walking frames (providing width is within 50cm), walking sticks, rollators are also all examples of smaller mobility aids as well as some makes and models of electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters (these will need to be checked).
Please note for any motorised equipment the batteries should be dry, gel or lithium cell.
Answer
All of our accessible cabins feature wide doorways into the cabin and bathroom, (minimum 80cm) as well as sufficient floor space for wheelchair manoeuvrability. All accessible balcony cabins feature ramped access to the balcony. The bathroom in all accessible cabins are a wet room style shower room with a flush threshold into the cabin and grab rails for shower and toilet, as well as a pull down or fixed shower seat.
For further information on a specific cabin number i.e location of grab rails please call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details.
On Arcadia, please note the accessible balcony cabins have limited manoeuvring space within the cabin and wet room, particularly when passing by the foot of the bed. The balcony doors in Arcadia's accessible cabins are heavy and opened manually, they require the help from a travelling companion, especially in adverse weather conditions.
Answer
Standard UK three pin plug sockets are used on all ships across the fleet. Shaver points are also located in the bathrooms.
Britannia shaver sockets have US 2 pin sockets (which require an adaptor) to be able to use a UK 3 pin plug.
The standard electrical supply in the United Kingdom is 50HZ (cycles) and 240V.
The supply on board is:
Arcadia - 220V / 110V / 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.
Arcadia
Please find pictures taken from a balcony cabin on-board Arcadia:
the picture below is of the plug socket in the bathroom on Arcadia, which can be switched over to be either 240v or 115v:
Location of plug sockets
Typical location of plug sockets on all ships are:
Bathroom Shaver 1 x socket (Multiple - 110 & 220v)
By the dresser table and near the telephone X 2 sockets (220v / 240v)
By the TV near the bed x 3 sockets (110v)
By the TV near the sofa x 2 sockets (110v)
By the tea tray set-up and near the fridge x 1 socket (220v)
Iona will have sockets on dressing table (number varies on cabin type) and one adjacent to the bed (not in single cabins). There will also be USB ports by each lower bed. Shaving sockets on Iona are only available in Suites.
Britannia
Around the cabin 4/5 sockets - 230V
Dresser table 1 socket - 125V
Bathroom shaver socket - 120V / 230V
There are some variations on this depending on the ship and type of cabin.
Answer
Yes, you will find a kettle, cups, saucers and teaspoons as well as teabags, various coffee sachets, sugar and milk in your cabin. This will be stocked up when necessary by your cabin steward. Complimentary tea and coffee is also available from the buffet area.
A full description of facilities in your cabin can be viewed in the question What facilities are in my cabin?
Answer
Please find below the approximate cot sizes used on board:
When assembled, the dimensions are: (L) 103cm , (W) 72cm , (D) 79.5cm
When folded away, the dimensions are: (L) 25cm , (W) 25cm , (D) 79.5cm
They weigh approximately 8kgs.
Answer
This is an upper berth taken from Azura and is typical of upper berths throughout the fleet.
Arcadia & Aurora: The upper berths fold up in to a recess in the ceiling.
Azura, Ventura & Britannia: There are both types of upper berths - some will fold up against the wall and some rise into a ceiling recess.
Britannia: All the balcony cabins have upper pullmans which pull down from the ceiling. All inside cabins have hinged pullmans which fold up against the wall.
Iona: The pullmans come down from the ceiling in the Sea View cabins, and from the wall in the Inside cabins. All 4 berth cabins on Iona can be made up as either a twin bed or a double bed.
Please note that where berths rise into a recess, they still extend approximately 9cms from the deck head (ceiling) when not in use.
Cabin shown above is an inside cabin, size approximately between 137-181 square feet.
Family Suites
These images are taken from Ventura's BE grade family suite and are similar to the family suites on Azura.
The first four people occupying this type of cabin will pay adult fares unless promotional fares are in place which would be discussed with you at time of booking.
Restrictions
There are no weight restrictions on the upper pullmans, however there is a weight restriction on the bunk ladder of 130 kg which is approximately 20 Stone.
The upper pullmans are "shock tested" to approximately 300 kg.
Any passenger can sleep in a upper pullman, please bear in mind the bed is elevated therefore a lower berth/cot may be suitable for children/babies.
You will be unable to have a queen bed configuration in the cabin if any of the upper pullmans are in use.*
*The exception to this will be Iona inside cabins where there are no safety issues when pullmans are in use.
Answer
Yes you have the ability to order from the main restaurant menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner*. Outside of these hours you may order from the room service menu**.
Arcadia
- In the Suite you can seat four people, they have a conversion top that turns a coffee table into a dining table.
Aurora
- In the Penthouse suite you can seat six people
- In Suites you can seat four people
- In the Mini-Suite you can seat two people
Azura
- Penthouse suite can seat four people
- Suites on Riviera deck have a balcony dining table with two recliners
- All other suites on B4 B5 grades have balcony dining table with four chairs
Britannia
- You are able to dine in all suites. Suites have a Tea / Coffee table
Oceana
- All six suites have a coffee table which can be raised and lowered, this is also the default dining table. We have 'table top extensions' for each of these tables which can extend the table to seat four.
Oriana
- All 8 of the suites have a dining table. These are actually coffee tables that convert to dining tables, the tables seatfour using a combination of the sofa, two armchairs and either the writing desk or dresser table chair
Ventura
- Have 26 dining tables which are conversion tops that turn a coffee table into a dining table in their regular suite cabins. These have a capacity of seating four and are only within Suites.
- They also have two permanent dining table in both penthouse suites which can seat six has seating capacity of six.
*In conjunction with the dining times as advertised in the Daily Horizon newspaper. You will not be charged on standard food items, however there will be an extra charge for drinks.
**Charges apply. Prices will be indicated on the menu available in your in-cabin directory.
Answer
No. Your on-board account is charged in sterling and this will be the amount placed against your credit card.
If you are settling your account with a non UK account, e.g. in Dollars or Euros, then your credit card company will charge a conversion rate. Please contact your card issuer for how much this would be.
Answer
Should you have a problem with a purchase, please contact Ocean Books in Romsey on 01794 830 663.
Answer
Our Medical teams on each ship closely monitor levels of illness. As soon as we see any evidence of raised levels of illness on-board, we immediately take appropriate steps depending on the nature of the illness involved. For example where Norovirus is suspected we initiate an extensive and thorough environmental sanitation programme and provide help and advice to everyone on-board. In order to prevent the spread of any such outbreaks we ask affected people to remain in their cabins while infectious and emphasise the importance of regular and thorough hand washing especially before eating. In addition you will notice that before embarking the ship or entering dining venues on-board, we ask everyone to use the hand sanitising gels provided. In some instances we also serve food in order to reduce the risk of transmission from person to person.
Answer
The exchange rate is set once a week on-board.
Further information is available in the ship's daily news paper, a copy of which will be delivered to your stateroom daily during your time on-board.
Answer
Whilst we are unable to put a limit on any on-board account prior to boarding, you are able to set a limit on any account by visiting Reception once on board.
You may set a daily or total limit and once the limit has reached, no further spending will be allowed on the card until the limit amount is changed or cleared.
Answer
Yes, we carry life jackets for all ages.
Answer
Cabins that can be viewed from the main passenger areas do have a mirrored finish applied to them to restrict visibility from outside.
However this does depend on light levels, for instance at night it may still be possible to see into the cabin from outside if the cabin lights are on.
Answer
Britannia/Azura: These are supplied by Harding Retail who stock and operate our shops on board.
Arcadia/Ventura/Aurora: These are supplied by Dufry who stock and operate the shops
Official scale models of the ships are only available to purchase on board each particular ship, so for example, should you wish to purchase a scale model of Azura, you will need to sail on Azura where you are able to purchase one. (subject to availability)
Answer
A traveller crossing the International Date Line eastbound subtracts one day or 24 hours, so that the calendar date to the west of the line is repeated after the following midnight.
Crossing the International Date Line westbound results in 24 hours being added, advancing the calendar date by one day.
The International Date Line is necessary to have a fixed, albeit arbitrary, boundary on the globe where the calendar date advances in the westbound direction.
Please see your cruise itinerary to see if and how you are affected by the International Date Line.
Answer
There is a small range of over the counter medications available from the Emporiumon-board each ship suchas Paracetamol and Sea sickness tablets. Should you require more specific medication there is a medical centre located on board.
Answer
No. We are unable to accept travellers cheques on-board.
Answer
The make-up* you can purchase in our shops on-board are:
Estee Lauder
Clinque
L'Oreal
Dior
Chanel
Touche Eclat
Revlon
Benefit
*varies by ship.
Mirbella is used in our salons for makeovers only.
Answer
Yes, this popular tour lasts approximately three hours and costs £75.00 per person (subject to change) and can be booked at reception desk on-board.
The tour is hosted by a Senior Staff member and gives guests the chance to get 'up close and personal' with departments and staff they would not normally get a chance to meet. There are various displays, information and fun events, including going down to the Engine Control Room, through the galley and theatre and up to the Bridge with many places in between (due to numbers allowed into the Engine Control Room at one time, groups may be split)
You will be required to sign a waiver form. Please note you must wear sensible footwear, cannot take photos/video and are advised to wear something warm if the weather is cold on the Mooring Deck.
The tour is completed on the bridge where, hosted by the Captain, champagne and small snacks are served.
If you are interested in joining the Behind The Scenes tour, please visit Reception to book. A confirmation letter will be sent to your cabin, inviting you to meet at a certain time and location, usually on a sea day in either a morning or afternoon slot.
The Ship's Photographer will join the group during the tour to take photos of the event. You will receive a complimentary gift including a photograph and ‘Back Of House’ tour pin badge with the opportunity to purchase additional photos from the photo gallery.
A Minimum of approximately eight people is required to run the tour, with a maximum of 16 people being accommodated. The tour is run once per cruise or twice for longer cruises or if there is popular demand. The tour may not be run on cruises shorter than 7 nights in duration.
Please note, there may be some differences between ships. Prices and gifts are subject to change.
Answer
At the onset of an emergency all cabins are checked by the Cabin Stewards. Any passenger requiring assistance will be taken to their Muster Station by a trained Crew Member from the Passenger Assistance party via utilisation of an evacuation chair.
Answer
If you are joining the ship on a Fly Cruise and would like to have time to see the port of call on your embarkation day this is possible however, the length of time you get to look around the port of call will depend on what time your flight arrives, transfers and how long embarkation takes.
Once you have checked in on-board you are welcome to disembark to look around the port.
Please be aware that if your flight were to be delayed or the ship brought the muster drill forward this would need to be taken into account and will affect how much time you will have to look around the port.
Disembarkation
Guests who have their flights booked with us, have the privilege of staying on-board until nearer to their flight departure time.
You will still have access to all outlets on-board like the restaurants and bars however the shops will be closed.
You will then be picked up by organised coaches and taken to the airport.
Guests who have made independent flight arrangements will be required to disembark the ship in accordance with your disembarkation time which will be provided a few days prior to the end of your cruise.
Answer
If you wish to settle your account using cash then please note that there are limits on the amount of cash that can be deposited on your account, which vary by cruise length. Please note that you will not be permitted to deposit cash as payment for any goods totalling €9,000 or more (equivalent in the ship’s currency) and these transactions must be settled using your registered card.
You still need to register a credit or debit card at check-in, even if you intend to settle your on board account in cash. Please note you will be asked to enter your 4 digit pin number for verification.
Your on board account must be kept in credit at all times.
Should your account no longer be in credit, any outstanding balance will be charged to your card unless further cash is provided.
We are unable to accept:
- money transfers to the ship (other than gift credits, however these are non refundable and cannot be taken out as cash) either prior to embarkation or whilst on-board.
- personal cheques, traveller’s cheques or prepaid credit cards
Any unused cash on your account can be refunded back to you at the end of the cruise by you visiting the reception desk prior to disembarking. Any credit due to be returned to you will be clearly shown on you final statement which will be delivered to your cabin on the last night of the cruise.
Answer
Electronic cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke, can be used in designated smoking areas only.
Although we recognise that electronic cigarettes are not covered by the UK legislation we have taken the decision to prohibit their use in all public areas and cabins in the same way as real cigarettes for the benefit of all of our guests.
Travelling to the United Arab Emirates
Please note that the use and possession of electronic cigarettes is illegal in the United Arab Emirates. If you are arriving and/or leaving the country by plane, please be advised that any electronic cigarettes will be confiscated at the airport and you may face a penalty. If you are visiting any UAE ports as part of your cruise, please do not take electronic cigarettes ashore.
Answer
For the safety, comfort and enjoyment of all of our guests, and in view of the UK legislation banning smoking in public spaces, our policy on smoking on-board our ships is as follows:
General
Smoking is not permitted in cabins, on cabin balconies or in public rooms, but will be permitted in designated areas of the open deck. E-cigarettes, including those which do not emit smoke/vapour, are permitted in designated smoking areas only.
E-cigarettes are illegal or banned in some countries and governments are changing their laws as new research is revealed so always check where you can use them before you sail.
You may find the following question useful: Do you allow the use of electronic cigarettes in non smoking areas on your ships?
Travelling to the United Arab Emirates
Please note that the use and possession of electronic cigarettes is illegal in the United Arab Emirates. If you are arriving and/or leaving the country by plane, please be advised that any electronic cigarettes will be confiscated at the airport and you may face a penalty. If you are visiting any UAE ports as part of your cruise, please do not take electronic cigarettes ashore.
Answer
Security will mean the protection, guarding or defence of persons, property from threats posed by crime, terrorism, or business malpractice. It is the business of dealing with the risks presented by such threats and the creation of a response and/or defence to them.
It will encompass everything that works towards the provision of protection, guarding or defence, including intelligence gathering, research and information technology.
Cruising is a safe holiday and the company, the Captain and crew take comprehensive precautions and measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers.
Cruise ship security standards are strictly guided by Flag state requirements, internationally approved standards, and all individual cruise lines also have well established security policies and procedures.
Cruising is therefore recognised as a very safe form of travel and the safety and security of our ships is paramount. Our fleets are equipped with a comprehensive series of protective measures and devices which are activated in accordance with the ship’s security plan.
We are guided by government travel advisories, one of which is the United Kingdom, Foreign & Commonwealth Office. We take all necessary precautions, maintain close contact with all other relevant authorities and closely monitor all aspects of security risk throughout the world.
Answer
A selection of items such as sunglasses, hats, bags, snorkels and masks (not flippers) are usually available in the on board shops.
Other essential items such as sun cream are also available.
Answer
The tap water on our ships is drinkable however, should you prefer, there is also a variety of bottled water available to buy on board.
Answer
All ships within the fleet have enough safety equipment to support all guests and crew sailing at full capacity, should the need ever arise.
On Arcadia there are:
18 life boats which can carry up to 150 people each - located on Deck 4
46 life rafts which can carry up to 35 people each - located on Decks 3
2 fast rescue craft
There is usually no more than 2016 guests and 820 crew members on board.
On Aurora, there are:
14 life boats which can carry up to 150 people each - located on Deck 8
Two MES (Maritime Evacuation System) chutes which can carry up to 430 people each located on Deck 7
16 life rafts which can carry 37 people each. - located on Deck 7
There is usually no more than 1870 guests and 820 crew members on board.
On Azura and Ventura there are:
24 life boats which can carry 150 people each - located on Deck 8
Four MES (Maritime Evacuation System) chutes which can carry up to 430 people each located on Deck 8
Seven life rafts which can carry up to 109 people each. - located on Deck 7
There is usually no more than 3100 guests and 1170 crew members on board Azura, usually no more than 3078 guests and 1160 crew members on board Ventura.
On Britannia there are:
Eleven life boats which can carry up to 305 people each - located on Main deck 7
Five tender life boats which can carry up to 242 people each - located on Main deck 7
Two MES stations which can carry up to 632 people each- located on Main deck 7
Nine life rafts which can carry up to 158 people each- located on Main deck 7
2 fast rescue craft
There is usually no more than 3600 guests and 1360 crew on board.
On Iona, there are:
16 life boats which can carry up to 462 people each - located on Deck 7
Two MES (Maritime Evacuation System) systems which can carry up to 612 people each located on Deck 7
An additional 8 life rafts which can carry 153 people each - located on Deck 7
There is usually no more than 6685 guests and 1691 crew members on board.
In addition, there are enough life jackets for each guest in each cabin when operating at full capacity with additional life jackets located at or near the muster stations, plus enough life jackets for every crew member on board each ship.
In the event of an emergency, please go to your dedicated station on board. Details of how to locate your muster station are found on the back of your cabin door.
Answer
If on-board spending money is only on one booking and not the other it can not be transferred to the next cruise. It must be used on the cruise that the credit has been applied to.
Answer
For queries regarding incorrect charges, overcharges, pre authorisation holds andrequests for copies of on board account please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply), or please visit our website for contact details.
For P&O Cruises Peninsular Club discount queries please visit our website for contact details.
Answer
You will able to see where your cabin is located by viewing the appropriate deck plan.
For example, if your cabin number is A106, the 'A' relates to the deck, therefore, select the view of the deck plan on A deck.
Please see the deck plans below:
Arvia: https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arvia/overview#deck-plans
Answer
You can exchange your money on-board into local currency for most ports of call. There are however certain ports when the ship is unable to carry local currency. In such cases, the ship will advise which currency is best to take ashore.
We can only accept back the currencies the we sell on-board and only in the denominations that we sell. Foreign currency can be charged to your account if you have a credit or debit card registered or if your account has sufficient cash credit to cover the transaction.
There is a daily limit on all currency transactions of £250, a weekly limit of £1250, and a limit of £5000 per 30 consecutive days respectively. A total exchange limit per cruises will apply at £10,000 regardless of cruise length. All transactions must be made against a registered credit or debit card. We are unable to accept either personal cheques or traveller’s cheques. We are unable to accept €500 notes at any time for currency exchange transactions.
Please note that, as part of the fight against terrorism, international crime and money laundering, EU regulations require all guests 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, traveller’s 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 (Calls cost 3.19p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge) or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for further information on how to comply.
Answer
There are many different words used to describe sight loss and people with sight loss including: blind, sight impaired, partially sighted and visually impaired. If someone registers their sight loss with the local authority, there are two groups of terms used to refer to their sight loss:
Severely Sight Impaired (SSI) or blind
Sight Impaired (SI) or partially sighted
What can blind people see?
Just because someone is blind, doesn't mean they can't see anything. In fact, 93 per cent of people who are registered blind or partially sighted can see something.
Guests are able to notify us that they are blind or visually impaired using the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire. Guests can request large print documents via the questionnaire, however an option to request Braille is not on the questionnaire.
Should the guest require Braille please email accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com where this will be arranged.
Braille
Safety information and tender safety information is supplied in Braille.
The ‘Horizon/Daily Programme’ is written and produced onboard and subject to constant change, so regrettably it is not available in Braille.
Braille menu’s are also available in the main dining room and some bars. These can be requested onboard.
Large print documents
Large print documents can be requested by the guest via the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire. As a minimum they should receive the following documents in large print, font size 18:
Safety and Emergency Drill Information
Horizon daily newspaper
Main Dining Room and Bar Menus
Other literature that can be produced in large print should be provided at the guests request if it is possible.
Orientation tour
Guests can receive a brief orientation tour once they board the ship. A crew member will be able to take the guest around the ship to give the guest the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the location of key areas in relation to the position of their cabin. This can be arranged by emailing accessibility@carnivalukgroup.com prior to the cruise.
Safety
On embarkation, when the Cabin Steward is introducing themselves to a guest who is blind or visually impaired, they must verbally advise the guest of their allocated Muster Station and asked if they require assistance to locate this Muster Station. Guests must also be verbally advised of their restaurant name, table number and table size at this time.
In the event of an emergency on board, specially trained crew members from the Passenger Assistance Party will be sent to assist the guests in their cabin should it be required. This can be requested via the Accessibility and Medical questionnaire.
Answer
The following balconies are obstructed:
IB Grade
G330 | G331 | G332 | G333 | G334 | G335 | G401 | G402 | G403 | G404 | G405 | G406 | G407 | G408 | G409 | G410 | G411 | G412
IC Grade
G324 | G325 | G326 | G327 | G328 | G329 | G507 | G508 | G509 | G510 | G511 | G512 | G514 | G515 | G516 | G517 | G518 | G519 | G520 | G521 | G522 | G523 | G611 | G612 | G614 | G615
IE Grade
G616 | G617 | G618 | G619 | G620 | G621 | G622 | G623
JB Grade
G414 | G415 | G416 | G417 | G420 | G421 | G424 | G425 | G428 | G429 | G432 | G433 | G436 | G437 | G438 | G439 | G440 | G441 | G442 | G443 | G444 | G445 | G501 | G502 | G503 | G504 | G505 | G506
JC Grade
G226 | G227 | G228 | G229 | G230 | G231 | G301 | G302 | G303 | G304 | G305 | G306 | G307 | G308 | G309 | G310 | G311 | G312 | G314 | G315 | G318 | G319 | G322 | G323 | G524 | G525 | G526 | G528 | G529 | G530 | G531 | G5353 | G601 | G602 | G603 | G604 | G605 | G606 | G607 | G608 | G609 | G610
JE Grade
Answer
The links below are typical menus offered on board our ships and the below listed restaurants can be pre-booked via My P&O Cruises or by calling our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details).
Please note, these are examples only and the menus can change regularly. We cannot guarantee that any particular menu or dish would be available on any given cruise. Where there are two example menus listed below, these menus are alternated throughout the cruise.
Applicable to all ships:
Celebration Dinner Menu - designed and developed by Marco Pierre White
In addition, a range of "Always Available" will also feature on every menu each day. These options include the following dishes:
| Atlantic Prawn Cocktail with Marie Rose Sauce and Brown Bread |
| Cream of Tomato Soup with Basil Oil and Croûtons (v) |
| Grilled Salmon Fillet with Potato Wedges, Seasonal Vegetables and a Lemon Hollandaise Sauce |
| Pan-fried Chicken Breast with Potato Wedges, Roasted Root Vegetables and a Garlic and Thyme Butter |
| Sirloin Steak with Thick Cut Chips, Seasonal Vegetables and Béarnaise Sauce |
| Fresh Seasonal Fruit Salad with Cream |
Room service menus
Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura Room service menu
Arcadia
Aurora
The Glasshouse example 1*
Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*
Azura
Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*
The Epicurean Restaurant example 1 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Epicurean Restaurant example 2 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Beach House - NEW MENU FROM 5 OCT 2019
Britannia
The Epicurean Restaurant example 1 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Epicurean Restaurant example 2 (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu
The Beach House example 2*
*If you see multiple shows in the Limelight Club. there will be a different menu applicable to each act.
Iona
The Epicurean and Kjartan Skjelde Taster Menu (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Limelight Club Menu example
Ventura
The Beach House example 2*
Sindhu example 1*
Glasshouse Vegetarian Tasting menu*
The Epicurean Restaurant example 1* (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
The Epicurean Restaurant example 2* (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
* Charges apply, please see How much are the cover charges in the speciality restaurants? for details.
** Pre booking of some Select Dining venues on My P&O Cruises can be made around three months prior to embarkation. If the Select Dining venue is not available on My P&O Cruises, please book on board using My Holiday.
Late night buffet choices
On all ships, late night snacks are available from buffet restaurants between 10pm to 6am (these times may vary). The menu for these late night buffet options changes each day however, examples of options available may include:
Self Service Sandwich Bar with a tempting range of breads, fillings, spreads or ready made paninis, a selection of homemade cakes, biscuits and pastries.
Children's menu
A typical children's menu would consist of the following: The Restaurant staff can also provide small portions and amend the main adult menu items to suit as well. Please note, all details are subject to change.
| Beef Burger in Buns | Pizza Margherita (V) | Mini Minced Beef And Onion Pasty |
| Spaghetti Bolognese | French Fries | Fried Egg, Cheese and Tomato Omelette/Plain Omelette |
| Chicken Nuggets | Fresh Vegetables of the Day | Selection of Ice Creams with Sweet Sauces |
| Grilled Chicken Breast Grilled | Stir Fried Vegetables | Sorbet of the Day |
| Poached Salmon | Mashed Potato | Fruit Jellies |
| Pork Sausages | Potato Smiley Faces | Cupcake |
| Fish Fingers | French Fries | Creamed Corn |
| Pasta with Tomato Sauce | Spaghetti Hoops | Chocolate Cookies |
| Beef Burger | Garden Peas | Chocolate Brownies |
| Hot Dog | Carrots | |
Answer
Via Mobile Phone
A mobile phone service is available on-board our ships while we’re out at sea (subject to connectivity). When the ship approaches port the land based mobile phone service will become available and the ship’s service will be switched off. Most mobile phone providers have agreements with the ship’s service provider (Telenor). Costs are usually higher than making an international call to or from a mobile phone.
Further details are available via "Can I use my mobile phone whilst on board?".
Via Email
Guests on board can access their own personal email account by connecting to the Guest WiFi network whilst on board, using their own mobile device/tablet/laptop, or by using a computer in the ship’s Internet Centre in the Library*.
Accessing the internet on board incurs charges whether using the WiFi or using the ships Computer Centres ( the costs are the same however you access it).
*Currently our Ships Internet Centre is not in use whilst our Sailing with Confidence procedures are in place.
If you do not have a personal email address and want friends and family back home to be able to contact you, you can give them the below email addresses and we will pass the message on to you. A small charge (approximately £1) will be applied to the on board account. The email needs to include your name and cabin number within the subject line of the email.
Contacting Crew Via Email
Please note these email addresses cannot be used to contact any crew members. If you are a friend or relative of a crew member, please contact them via their personal email account.
Via Ship's Satellite Telephone
It is very easy to call all of our ships at sea from the UK. Calls may be received any time by our reception team whether the ship is in port or at sea, as long as there is a satellite connection. Please be aware that it may take some time to locate the passenger and bring them to a phone. If the passenger is not in their cabin, a message can be taken and delivered to their cabin.
Please call:
0800 917 1584 If calling from the UK
+1732 335 3264 If calling from outside of the UK
+1877 266 1019 If calling from the US
Callers will be asked for their credit card number and the card's expiry date, along with the name of the family member or friend and their cabin number will need to be provided in order for the call to be connected. Charges will commence once the phone starts ringing. If the family member or friend is not available, a message will be taken and delivered to their cabin.
*All prices listed below are subject to change. Please check with your service provider for accurate costs.
Calls will be charged at £5* per minute no matter where the ship is in the world (when calling from the UK). Due to the demands placed upon our satellite network, calls will be limited to a maximum duration of 10 minutes.
An American Call Charge is applied in addition to the £5* per minute call charge.
You will also be required to "press the pound sign on your keypad" when entering details. For those based in the UK, the pound sign is equivalent to the hash (#) key.
In an emergency they can also contact our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details), who will contact the ship on their behalf.
If you don't have access to a credit card, then you can use the Inmarsat numbers as detailed below. These lines are charged at approximately *£7.20 per minute, however this may vary between providers so please check with your telephone provider first. The ocean code should be dialled first followed by the number(s) below:
Connection to the ship is via satellite and is therefore dependant on an available signal.
Generic Ocean Code: 00870
Arcadia |
773238012 / 783254634 |
Aurora |
764906755 / 764906754 |
Azura |
765050836 / 765050839 |
Britannia |
773929606 / 773929608 |
Iona |
773258564 |
Ventura |
764843559 764843562 |
There may be times where the ship is not receiving a satellite signal which may result in you being unable to contact the ship for a short period.
If you experience difficulties contacting the ship, in case of emergencies, you may call our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details), where a message can be passed on.
Via Fax
To fax the ship, please dial:
Arcadia - 02380 657558
Aurora - 02380 657563
Ventura - 02380 657547
Azura, Britania & Iona do not have a fax facility.
You may also find the following question helpful: How much does it cost to call ashore from the ship? & Can I access the internet on board?
Answer
Dress Codes By Cruise
We have two evening Dress Codes on-board all our ships; Evening Casual and Black Tie. Details of these, by cruise, can be viewed via the links below.
We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun, but fancy dress and novelty items or clothing are not permitted on our ships; the only exceptions to this are clothing for official P&O Cruises theme nights and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas.
Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This policy does not apply to children aged 17 or under.
Please note:
Details of dress codes can be obtained via My P&O Cruises.
Please note, that this information is subject to change and final details will be confirmed on-board.
Suggested Attire for Black Tie and Evening Casual nights
Details of suggested attire for Black Tie and Evening Casual nights can be found under the question "Is there a dress code on board?"
Further Information
Further information can also be obtained via the following questions: Does the dress code apply to all areas of the ship?
Answer
Our cruises are all full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, meals and snacks, poolside grills, deck barbecues and 24 hour buffets. Room service breakfast and afternoon tea are also included in the price of your holiday.
Every evening we’ll set a place for you in our main dining room and when booking – depending on your ship and fare - you can chose to dine at a set time or one that will fit around your day to day plans. We call these two options club and freedom dining.
Select Dining is our wonderfully flexible alternative dining where for a small charge you can enjoy restaurants by chef Marco Pierre White and TV’s wine expert Olly Smith. We’ve also developed a few of our own speciality experiences to whet your appetite.
Club dining
Club dining is a fixed seating plan operating on 2 sittings, either 1st sitting at 6.30pm or 2nd sitting at 8.30pm. We will reserve a table for you at the same time each evening with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise.
This option will not be available on board Iona.
Freedom dining
Freedom dining is a flexible style of cruise dining, where you can arrive at the restaurant at any time between 18.00 and 21.30 and ask to be seated.
There are tables sizes ranging from two to eight, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis dependant on the type of booking you have made. If the table size you require is not available, you will be given a pager that will notify you once a table becomes available. Freedom dining offers you the opportunity to be seated with different people every night on different sized tables and with different waiters serving you.
Freedom dining is available on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura. Iona operates as solely freedom dining in the Main Dining Restaurants.
Freedom Dining will be held in the following restaurants:
Arcadia - Upper tier of Meridian Restaurant
Arvia - TBC
Aurora – The Medina Restaurant
Azura - The Meridian Restaurant and The Peninsular Restaurant
Britannia - The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurants
Ventura - The Cinnamon Restaurant and The Saffron Restaurants
Iona - Guests on board Iona will have the opportunity to experience all of the Main Dining Restaurants during their holiday giving them the chance to enjoy Coral, Pearl, Opal and Aqua Restaurants from evening to evening.
Select Dining
Select Dining in a speciality restaurant gives you even more choice, many of which are inspired by Michelin-starred chefs such as Marco Pierre White. A Select Dining Cover charge applies in these restaurants. You may also find the question How much are the cover charges in the alternative restaurants? useful.
Other Dining Options
There are also other dining areas which provide 24 hour service ranging from buffet food courts, pizzerias and daytime grills. In all instances, the cost of your meal is included in your fare.
You can also take advantage of room service for light bites and/or full meals. Room service is available 24 hours a day and most items incur a charge. A room service menu will be available to you in your cabin.
Regardless of which option you choose, you are still welcome to use the Select Dining or buffet restaurants at any point during your cruise.
Fare type
Guests who book on the Select Fare may choose their dining time (except Iona, where only freedom dining is offered).
Guests on the Early Saver Fare/Late Saver will be allocated a dining time. This will be confirmed to them by a note in their cabin upon embarkation.
Answer
National and Religious dress including headdress' are allowed on-board. Depending on the amount of the face covered by the headdress, guests may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check in and passing through security check points ashore and on-board during the cruise.
Some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades or swords are not permitted and guests should check our list of prohibited items.
Answer
We encourage all children to use our fantastic children's facilities however we don't provide one-on-one support or care. If the child needs this, a parent or carer needs to be present at all times.
If your child has a disability and would like to take part in our activity programme, please ensure you provide a full account of child’s needs when registering your child as well as speaking with our Youth team to arrange a chat with our Youth manager when on board. We can then do our best to make sure they have a fun and safe holiday.
Answer
If your child has a birthday whilst on-board, please inform the Youth Manager who can be found at The Reef so they can help celebrate your child’s special day.
Answer
When it comes to dining, we lay on a special early tea (time and location will be confirmed once on board) with children’s favourites to suit younger tastes. To see the children's menu, please visit 'Can I see an example of a menu?'
If you prefer, the relaxed and informal buffet is available from early morning to late evening and has a wide selection of dishes. If you’d rather all dine together in the main restaurant, that’s great fun for families too.
Children are welcome to dine in any of the dining areas on board. Meals are not provided in the children's facilities however, snacks are provided in the playrooms.
Children’s tea
A designated children's tea will be provided in one of the restaurants on board, with parental supervision required. Full details and menus will be available on board.
Children's tea parties take place at the following locations at the approximate times:
Azura - 17:00 - 18:30 - Venezia (Starboard side)
Arvia - TBC
Britannia -17:00 - 18:00 - The Horizon Buffet
Iona - TBC
Ventura - 17:00 - 18:30 – Waterside
The above timings/locations may change due to operational reasons.
Select Dining
Children are more than welcome to dine in our Select Dining Restaurants. Although children are welcome to dine in these restaurants, there are no child menus and no child prices. Please speak to the Restaurant Manager should your child have any special requirements.
Babies
Breast Feeding
As a family friendly organisation, we recognise the benefits of breast feeding to mothers and infants therefore breast feeding is welcome on board.
Baby / Infant Food
Please see question: Can you provide food for babies and infants?
Baby/Infant Equipment
For items such as bottle warmers, sterilisers and bed rails please see question: Can you provide baby/infant equipment?
Answer
Our family-friendly ships Azura, Britannia, Iona, Arvia and Ventura are perfect for our younger travellers. Each ship offers a dedicated children’s club, The Reef, for all ages. In addition to The Reef, a children’s tea and countless activities are all included in your holiday. Activities for Children (over the age of 2 years)*
A full programme of age-appropriate activities will be provided for 2-17 year olds in our children’s club (The Reef). It’s split into five distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers to keep children of all ages entertained safely and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age.
All activities are age-appropriate for our separate clubs and include arts and crafts, quizzes, challenges, sports and much more. There‘s also plenty of time for children to simply relax and meet people of a similar age.
In normal service we operate the Night Nursery and activities for under 2 year olds but we are currently unable to offer these services as we respond to the latest guidance. These services will resume as soon as possible.
Games Consoles:
Relevant age-appropriate games consoles such as PlayStations and fixed tablets, are located in each of the clubs.
Things to note:
Opening times for The Reef are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board.
Parents/carers are required to register their children here. This link will be e-mailed to them 15 days before embarkation. Parents/carers then need to attend the registration session held on the embarkation day.
To protect the health of everyone on board, the following protocols are in place:
We are currently limiting numbers in the facility at any one time
Children will be allocated cohorts with fixed sessions they can attend throughout the cruise, therefore we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Children aged 2-4 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when using the children clubs.
In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to attend if assistance is required.
To make use of the youth facilities on board, you must complete a registration form for your child/ren. This can be completed prior to your voyage by going on-line and using My P&O Cruises.
NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION
Nursery for 0-2 years
With age-appropriate toys and games, plus bespoke themed Turtle Tot activities, the Nursery offers a safe environment where your children can have great fun and meet new friends. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION
Night Nursery 2-4 years
The Night Nursery can help you can enjoy your evenings safe in the knowledge that your little ones are in good hands. Operating each night, your children can dream sweet dreams in the quiet area, and we’ll page you if they wake up.
'Splashers' for 2-4 year olds
Soft play area, outdoor play areas and fun activities such as glove puppet shows and creative play combine to make Splashers a great place for children who are at that age when they are constantly on the go.
'Surfers' for 5-8 year olds
From imaginative play to fun and games and sports challenges, our 5-8 year old guests can be kept endlessly entertained. They can enjoy outdoor play, exciting theme days, tabletop games, game consoles and active games such as parachute games.
'Scubas' for 9-12 year olds
With music, consoles and fun game shows there’s something for everyone in Scubas. The fun continues with games, quizzes and karaoke. We also organise a whole host of arts and crafts and competitions so our younger guests will never be short of something to do.
'h2o' for 13-17 year olds (This is called The Scene on Iona)
We are confident that the mix of music, game shows and quizzes will keep our teenage guests occupied for the whole holiday. For the more active, we also have table tennis and much more.
The exact age groupings for older children will depend on the number of children travelling on any particular cruise.
Please note that at least one parent or guardian must remain on board with your child at all times.
Children's clubs will be open regardless of the number of children on board except during staff training or if the occasion should arise that there are no children on board.
Children may only participate in the club designated for their age group; it is not possible to join a club for a different age group.
There is no additional charge for the children's clubs, however booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility.
Infants
We do not operate a babysitting or in-cabin listening service. We also recommend that children 12 years and under must not be left alone in the cabin.
Children under the age of two cannot be signed into the supervised daytime activities.
It is important to note that we will not be providing the Night Nursery or any facilities for the under 2s at the moment due to the latest guidance.
Who looks after the children?
Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers, have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.
Security Features
Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by their parent or guardian or authorised adult. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.
Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.
Answer
In Azura's Planet Bar the following themes are shown on the video wall:
Australia
Europe
Africa
India
Orient
America
Wonders Of The World
Elements
There are themed cocktails in the Planet Bar to match these themes. In Ventura's Metropolis bar, the following themes are shown on the video wall and themed cocktails are alsoavailable below: London - Pimms Cup (Pimms No 1 mixed with a refreshing ginger ale and a splash of lime)
Sydney - Australian Evenings (Baileys & Kahlua shaken with Creme de Cacao & a dash of lime)
Las Vegas - Rat Pack (A perfect Manhattan - Jim Beam, Martini dry & Rosso with a Grand Mariner twist)
Hong Kong - Sloe Boat to China (Gin, Vodka mixed with Cointreau & topped up with Orange Juice)
New York - Bronx (Gin, Martini Dry & Martini Rosso Shaken & Strained with Orange Juice)
Paris - Grand Mimosa (Champagne & Orange with a Grand Mariner Float)
Shanghai - Asian Daisy (Gin shaken with Kiwi Liqueur) The themes displayed in these bars are changed on a daily basis. Information as to which theme will be played on which night will be provided to you in the Horizon daily newspaper supplied to you on board.
Answer Restaurants on-board all ourships are wheelchair accessible.
Table and chairs can be moved if additional space is required once inside the restaurant. Please note there may be some areas within the restaurants that can not be accessed i.e due to a step.
Answer
Yes, on all P&O Cruises Ships there will be a Liquor and Tobacco shop that will offer a far more comprehensive range of spirits, cigarettes and tobacco than we have ever offered on a P&O Cruises ship. Not only will you be offered significant savings over UK high street pricing, but the shop will guarantee to be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops you many encounter ashore during your cruise. Internet pricing is not included in the guarantee.
Duty Free Liquor products sold via the shops will only be available to take home. You may order via the shops (detailed below) at any time throughout the cruise and orders will be available for collection at the end of your cruise (you will be given details where and when you can collect your orders). The shops are shut when the ship is in port.
Tobacco and Cigarette products can be bought via the shops at any time and taken away immediately.
Duty free shops are located in the below locations by ship:
Azura - Emporium - Deck 6
Arcadia - Emporium - Deck 3
Aurora - Piccadilly Court - Deck 6
Britannia - Deck 6
Oceana - Bond Street Shops - Deck 6
Oriana - Liquor and Tobacco Booth - Deck 7
Ventura - Emporium - Deck 6
If you would like to purchase a bottle of spirits for in cabin consumption during your cruise you may do so by ordering via room service (also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu).
Intra EU Cruises (Cruises visiting only Countries within the European Union)
On intra EU voyage we are unable to sell any duty free liquor or tobacco for on board consumption or to take ashore from the shops on board.
Price Guarantee
The shops will offer a price guarantee on liquor and tobacco purchases for take ashore purposes. We guarantee the shop will be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops ashore during the voyage. You will need to be able to provide proof of the cheaper price from recognised retailers. Online price comparisons are not included. If you have already purchased on board the shop will refund you the difference back onto your on board account. If you have not yet purchased and have proof of the cheaper price ashore the shop will price match for you.
Answer
Arcadia's buffet restaurant is The Belvedere, located on Lido deck.
Aurora's buffet restaurant is The Horizon restaurant, located on Lido deck.
Azura's buffet restaurants are the Verona and the Venezia restaurants, located midships and on Lido deck.
Britannia's buffet restaurant will be called The Horizon, located on Lido deck
Ventura's buffet restaurant is the Waterside, located on Lido deck.
Answer
Yes, you can order beverages and food to your cabin 24 hours a day from Room Service. Prices and availability are subject to change.
Answer
Yes, cigarettes, cigars and tobacco are available to purchase from most bar areas. We stock the following range of tobacco brands across all ships, prices available on-board*: Golden Virginia (250gm) Drum (250gm) Amber Leaf (5x50gm) Additionally, tobacco products are available from the Duty Free shop. There are some areas of the ship where smoking is prohibited.
Answer
If you are in the mood for a continental, a full cooked British breakfast or just a cup of coffee and a pastry, you will find this and more in one of our restaurants for breakfast.
Breakfast can be enjoyed in any of our buffet or main dining restaurants* or in your cabin. Please see What are the restaurant opening hours? for opening times and What restaurants are on each ship? for restaurant details.
See the breakfast menu for the main dining restaurants.
Suite Passengers (excluding Conservatory / Mini Suites)
In addition to the main or buffet restaurants, passengers travelling in a Suite (excluding Conservatory / Mini Suites ) may also take advantage of enjoying breakfast in the restaurants on-board the below ships only, at no extra charge. This is available on every cruise, regardless of the duration.
Arcadia - Sindhu
Aurora - Glasshouse
Azura - The Epicurean
Britannia - The Epicurean
Ventura - The Epicurean
Iona - Epicurean
Please note, the Epicurean is closed as a Select Dining venue but remains open for Suite guests to enjoy their breakfast.
Family Suite Passengers
Ventura - The Epicurean
Azura - The Epicurean
See the suite guests' breakfast menu.
Please see What are the restaurant opening hours? for individual restaurant opening time.
Please book your suite breakfast to avoid disappointment.
*If you have chosen Traditional Club Dining you have the opportunity to sit at a different table to the one you dine at in the evening, with other guests or on your own. This applies to breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.
Answer
We would recommend you make alternative dining arrangements for that evening to ensure you do not need to rush to dinner.
Answer Due to the Captain's responsibilities he may not always be available to dine in one of the main restaurants, therefore we can no longer request a seat at the Captain's table.
Answer
Duty-free Liquor products sold via the shops will only be available to take home.
You may order via the shops (detailed below) at any time throughout the cruise and orders will be available for collection at the end of your cruise (you will be given details where and when you can collect your orders).
Tobacco and Cigarette products can be bought via the shops at any time and taken away immediately.
The Liquor and Tobacco shops on all P&O Cruises Ships offer a comprehensive range of spirits, cigarettes and tobacco. Not only will you be offered significant savings over UK high street pricing, but the shop will guarantee to be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops you may encounter ashore during your cruise. Internet pricing is not included in the guarantee. The shops are shut when the ship is in port.
Duty-free shops are located in the below locations by ship:
Azura - Emporium - Deck 6
Arcadia - Emporium - Deck 3
Aurora - Piccadilly Court - Deck 6
Britannia - Deck 6
Iona - The Avenue - Deck 7
Ventura - Emporium - Deck 6
If you would like to purchase a bottle of spirits for in-cabin consumption during your cruise you may do so by ordering via room service.
Intra EU Cruises (Cruises visiting only Countries within the European Union)
On an intra EU voyage we are unable to sell any duty free liquor or tobacco for on board consumption or to take ashore from the shops on board.
Please Note: The Channel Islands is not part of the EU for VAT and Excise duty purposes. Cruises calling at St Peter Port are therefore NOT Intra-EU cruises.
Price Guarantee
The shops will offer a price guarantee on liquor and tobacco purchases for take ashore purposes. We guarantee the shop will be cheaper than any comparable outlets - including any shops ashore during the cruise. You will need to be able to provide proof of the cheaper price from recognised retailers. Online price comparisons are not included. If you have already purchased on board the shop will refund you the difference back onto your on-board account. If you have not yet purchased and have proof of the cheaper price ashore, the shop will price match for you.
Answer
Guests under the age of 18 (under 21 when in United States of America waters and in the United Arab Emirates) will not be permitted to purchase duty-free alcohol or cigarettes.
Guests may be asked to verify their age. It is prohibited to attempt to purchase alcohol for those under 18 in the shops on-board.
Please Note: The Channel Islands is not part of the EU for VAT and Excise duty purposes. Cruises calling at St Peter Port are therefore NOT Intra-EU cruises.
Please see "Can I purchase Duty Free Liquor and Tobacco on board?" for further information.
Answer
Freedom Dining is perfect if you'd rather go with the flow and be flexible as you can dine anytime from 6.00-9.30pm. Table sizes range from two to eight people, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis. At peak times, we'll give you a pager to let you know when your table is ready, so you can sit back and relax with a drink in the bar.
Freedom dining is available in the following restaurants:
- Arcadia - The Meridian Restaurant (Upper tier)
- Aurora – The Medina Restaurant
- Azura - The Meridian and The Peninsular Restaurant
- Ventura - The Cinnamon and The Saffron Restaurant
- Britannia -The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurant
- Iona - Aqua, Coral, Pearl and Opal Restaurants
- Arvia - Zenith and Meridian Restaurants
Answer
Afternoon tea at sea is a daily treat on-board our ships. Partake in the quintessentially British tradition in the main restaurants and savour a classic selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and delectable cakes, all served at your table with a choice of thirst-quenching hot drinks. For a more relaxed affair, help yourself to a casual afternoon tea at the buffet restaurants.
The Market Café (Britannia)
Settle into a cosy world of temptation at Market Café. With a fresh menu full of delectable treats, this luxurious haven in the heart of Britannia’s atrium offers something sweet for every palate. Market Café is home to its very own flavours of Jude’s ice cream from the award-winning, family-run dairy in Hampshire. Why not try Cherries & Clotted Cream in a decadent sundae? Tuck into tasty handmade biscuits and exquisite cakes, including gluten-free options. Fancy something a little finer? Eat like royalty with an indulgent dish from our Fine Pâtisserie range. Unwind with a Costa coffee and treat yourself to wow-factor food as you enjoy glorious views out to sea.
Afternoon Tea in our buffets (Azura, Iona, Ventura, Britannia)
For these ships, Afternoon Tea is usually held in the Epicurean, but this venue is closed until further notice.
Afternoon Tea at Ocean Grill (Arcadia)
Head to The Epicurean to feast on playfully decadent delights and treat yourself to an afternoon of delicious indulgence. We’ve taken classic afternoon tea to unexpected new heights with sweet and savoury surprises, served with a wide array of speciality teas.
Answer
There are cinemas on all the P&O Cruises ships.
On Arvia, films are shown in Ocean Studios (Deck 6) - there are three separate movie cinema screens within this area. There is also a Sea Screen under the dome on the pool deck. This will show movies sometimes as well, such as movies under the stars or sing-along films.
On Ventura, films will be played in the theatres (Prom and F deck)
On Britannia, films are shown in The Studio (Deck 7)
Azura has an outdoor cinema Sea Screen (Aqua deck). Films are also shown on a screen in Malabar (Prom deck)
Arcadia has a boutique cinema, The Screening Room (Prom deck)
Ocean Studios (Deck 6) on board Iona has four screens showing the latest films and old classics.
On Aurora the cinema is called The Playhouse (D deck)
Details of which films will be shown in the cinemas can be viewed under the question "What films are shown on board?"
Show times will be detailed in the Horizon newspaper on-board.
A selection of movies can be watched in all cabins on board via the in cabin televisions with an additional wide range of movies available on demand on the Britannia, Ventura and Azura. A small charge may be applicable for some of these movies though many are free. Details of all in cabin movies will be made available to you once on board.
Answer
You’ll be able to view any bookable events via My P&O Cruises before your holiday and book Signature performances in our theatres from 14 days prior to departure. You may also book once you’re on board using the My Holiday app or booking hotline. While we will accept walk-ins if space allows, we strongly recommend pre-booking your theatre shows to guarantee a space to enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Please refer to your daily Horizon paper when you get on board for the booking details of each event.
Answer
If a guest has Casino Credit that needs to be used but they have had cancellations due to COVID-19, they should contact Ocean Players Club via https://oceanplayersclub.com/contact/ for a new voucher to be generated.
On-board gaming
You’ll find a casino on board all our ships and all offer numerous ways to chance your hand with lady luck.
*With the addition of the Arcade on board Ventura, this falls under the jurisdiction of the casino, therefore the use on on board credit is not permitted.
Table games
From Roulette to Three Card Poker and Blackjack, join our dealers at a hosted table and try your luck. Casino Chips can be purchased from your dealer. If you’re new to gaming, pop along during the day for a fun and complimentary lesson.
Slot machines
You’ll find a large assortment of the most popular reel and video slot machines. Simply insert your cruise card or cash into the machine to begin. If you need assistance, casino staff are on hand to help. On all ships, receive a £5 free play slot bonus for your first £20 played. You will also earn free house beverages while you play (speak to a member of the casino team for more information).
Bingo
For some light-hearted fun, seek out the jackpot in an exciting game of bingo. You can win one of five cash prizes at every sea day session whilst the Mega Jackpot is in play. Bingo cards can be purchased from the Casino Cashier or at the venue.
Scratch cards
Our range of scratch cards offer the opportunity to win up to £20,000. Scratch cards can be purchased from the Casino Desk.
Virtual horse racing
Cheer your favourite filly across the line as you watch all the action unfold on the big screen. Bets can be placed with cash or charged to your on board account.
Payment options
Casino Chips can be purchased in cash from the Casino Dealers at any table or charged to your on-board account.
Slot machines can be played with cash or by inserting your cruise card directly into the machine.
Note: All winnings must be cashed out onto your cruise card. On-board spending money cannot be used in the casino.
Location and facilities
Arcadia - F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Roulette table and 1 x Blackjack tables
Arvia - Deck 7 (Parade deck), 2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table. More information TBC
Aurora – Prom deck 7. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table and 2 x Roulette tables
Azura – F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table, 1 x Fun 21 table and 2 x Roulette tables
Britannia - Tween deck, deck 6. 2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table
Iona - Parade deck (Deck 7). 2 x Three Card Poker table, 2 x Blackjack table, and 2 x Roulette table
Ventura - F deck. 1 x Three Card Poker table, 1 x Blackjack table, 1 x Fun 21 table and 2 x Roulette tables
Age limits
Only those over the age of 18 may use the casino facilities.
Opening times
Sea day: Slot machines; 10am until late. Tables; 12pm until late
Port day: Approximately 30 minutes after sailaway until late.
Note: The gaming facilities within the casino are only available when the ship is in international water, opening times may vary by jurisdiction.
Unused casino chips
Casino Chips must be cashed in on board. If you take chips home at the end of your cruise they will be valid next time you sail.
If you accidentally forget to do this and take them home then please send them recorded delivery to:
Guest Support
P&O Cruises
Carnival House
100 Harbour Parade
Southampton
SO15 1ST
Please note, once received, we will carry out investigations to ensure legitimacy with a view to refunding the value to you. This may take some time, therefore it is preferable to cash in any unused chips before disembarking.
Player balance refunds
Outstanding Player Balances of £10 or greater may be refunded by cheque by contacting Guest Support.
Answer
During days at sea, there is wide range of activities available on-board such as guest speakers, quizzes, dance lessons, fitness classes, sports tournaments, galley walk-throughs, cinema screenings, spa seminars and craft classes. Of course, you may just prefer to relax on deck with a cocktail and a book; you can do as little or as much as you choose. On port days, should you wish to stay on-board, you can still take advantage of a reduced range of activities. We cannot confirm exactly which activities will be available on your particular cruise, but there willalwaysbe plenty to do. Please refer to your daily Horizon paper when you get on-board for details.
Answer
There is a dedicated sports channel - Sport 24, which offers coverage of major sporting events. Unfortunately, due to International law we are not able to purchase the rights to show the Sky Sports channel on our ships.
Answer
Yes, there is a theatre on board each of our ships.
Arcadia – The Palladium, located on the promenade, F & G decks with 736 seats.
Arvia - Headliners Theatre, located on decks 6 & 7.
Aurora – The Curzon Theatre, located on the promenade deck with 668 seats.
Azura – The Playhouse, located on the promenade and F deck with 788 seats.
Britannia – Headliners Theatre, located on deck 6 & 7 with 980 seats.
Iona – Headliners Theatre, located on deck 6 & 7 with 950 seats.
Ventura – Arena Theatre, located on the promenade and F deck with 788 seats.
General information:
Headliners Theatre Company perform incredible original shows regularly throughout each cruise. Further details of show times and how to book these performances and more can be found on My P&O Cruises and once on board, the guest portal My Holiday or Horizon newspaper.
Wheelchair spaces
Arcadia: There is wheelchair access on all of our decks to the Palladium Theatre where you can enjoy the evening entertainment. The designated area for wheelchairs is on Deck 2 along with signs for wheelchair companions. There are also signs down on the starboard and port side of Deck 1 if you feel more comfortable entering the Palladium Theatre that way.
Aurora: There is one ramp that allows access to the port and starboard side of Deck 7 with parking access for four wheelchairs and three seats on each side. These seats are labelled as reserved. Deck 6 has direct access from the port and starboard side and has 12 seats with space to fit a wheelchair next to each seat. These seats are also labelled as reserved.
Azura: There is one ramp that allows access to the port and starboard side of deck 7 with parking access for four wheelchairs and three seats on each side. Deck 6 has direct access from the port and starboard side and has 12 seats with space to fit a wheelchair next to each seat.
Britannia: Deck 7 port side and starboard there is one ramp each for parking wheelchairs and watching the show, it’s labelled as reserved for wheelchair. Deck 6 forward has 16 seats which are reserved for wheelchair users.
Iona: All entrances to the theatre have wheelchair access and there are designated wheelchair places on the front row, accessed from Deck 6 and next to the entrances on Deck 7.
Ventura: On Deck 7 there’s a centre ramp to access port side and starboard side with three wheelchair spaces either side along with three accompanying seats either side (6 wheelchairs in total). The back row has two steps to negotiate on starboard and port side - seats here are reserved for passengers with limited mobility. Deck 6 has no stairs. The end seat of each row is reserved for passengers with wheelchair companions.
Answer
Yes, you may purchase a camera from our Ship's Photographer on-board. We stock a number of Nikon cameras, the full range and costs can be obtained from the photography desk on-board.
Answer
The nightclubs will be open with brand-new live music nights for you to sit back, close your eyes and lose yourself to the beat. You will need to pre-book and can enjoy sets from our party band, PULSE, long into the evening.
Arcadia – The Glove, situated on F deck.
Arvia - Details TBC.
Aurora – Masquerade, situated on the Promenade Deck.
Azura – Manhattan, situated on the Promenade Deck.
Britannia – The Live Lounge, situated on Deck 7.
Iona – The Club House, situated on Deck 7.
Ventura – Havana, situated on the Promenade Deck.
Answer
There is a sports channel on allships called 'Sport 24' whichoffers coverage of major sporting events including:
- FIFA World Cup Play Offs
- FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
- ATP Masters Tennis
- ATP World Tour Finals
- Augusta Masters
- Australian Open Tennis
- Bundesliga
- Euroleague Basketball
- European Rugby Champions Cup
- Motogp
- NBA
- NHL
- National Rugby League
- PGA Championship
- Premier League
- Roland Garros
- State Of Origin Series
- T20 Big Bash League
- The Open Championship
- UEFA Champions League
- UEFA Europa League
- US Open Golf
- US Open Tennis
- Wimbledon
- Winter Olympics
- Ryder Cup Golf
- 2018 FIFA World Cup
Full details of the sporting events shown on-board can be viewed via http://www.sport24-tv.com dedicated websitefor this channel which includes both a regularly updated news page and a full four week schedule so you will know exactly what sporting coverage you can expect whilst on-board. Please ensure you click on the "AT SEA" tab on the website to ensure you are seeing the correct schedule.
Please note inclusion on the list does not guarantee coverage on-board and we are not able to guarantee coverage of any specific match or event.
Sport 24 will be shown in selected bars and lounges around each ship.
Answer
There are coffee mornings for guests travelling by themselves. These are advertised in the daily Horizon newspaper. These coffee mornings are not available 2 or 3 night cruises.
Answer
There are provisions for card games to be organised on all the P& O Cruises ships.
On cruises with seven days or more at sea, games such as bridge feature on all cruises except Azura and Ventura. Britannia offer bridge without an instructor and can be played in the Marlow suite (subject to availability).
The Bridge classes are organised by instructors, in the morning there will be a beginner class followed by an Improverclass, both approximatelyone hour. In the afternoon a duplicate session is held. All cards and equipment are provided on board.
Tournaments will be advertised in the daily Horizonpaper, other card games can be arranged upon request.
The following games are available on each ship:
Arcadia
- Chess
- Scrabble
- Dominoes
- Cribbage
- Rumikub
- Various puzzles
Aurora
- Countdown
- Draughts
- Trivial Pursuit
- Monopoly
- Scrabble
- Mah-jong
- Chess
- Backgammon
- Various jigsaws
- Checkers
Azura
- Monopoly
- Rummikub
- Dart board (Brodie's pub, deck 6 F Deck)
Britannia
- Cribbage Set
- Game Backgammon
- Board Cludeo
- Boggle
- Catch Phrase
- Chequers
- Chess
- Connect 4
- Countdown Board Game
- Draughts
- Frustration
- Indoor Rummikub
- Jenga
- Ludo
- Mah-jong Set
- Monopoly
- Pass the Pigs
- Pictionary Party
- Playing cards
- Scrabble
- Soundtracks
- Tell Me
- Trivial Pursuit
- Uno card Game
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire
- Yahtzee Milton Bradley
- Yahtzee Score Pad
Ventura
- Scrabble
- Backgammon
- Pictionary
Answer
Full details on what treatments and services are available and costs can be viewed in the Oasis Spa brochure. In addition you may purchase spa/retreat day passes, details of which are available once on-board.
Answer
Prior to Cruise: Should you wish to amend or cancel a Spa Treatment or Services prior to your cruise you can do so by logging onto My P&O Cruises and visiting 'Your Spa Reservations' from the 'Spa' option on the menu ribbon. Cancellations can be made via My P&O Cruises up until 3 days prior to departure free of charge. If you are sailing on the Azura , Ventura or Britannia and have purchased a Spa package and wish to amend or cancel a Spa appointment prior to your cruise you can do so by contacting the Oasis Spa Package Reservation Desk via email or by telephone 0800 369 9901. If you wish to change your Spa Package (i.e from Spa Sampler to Refresh package) please call our Customer Contact Centre. Please note that refunds will be applied to the card originally used to purchase the treatment or service and you will receive confirmation of your amendment / cancellation.
On Board: Spa treatments and services can also be amended or cancelled on board, however for cancellations made at this late stage, a penalty charge may be applied. Cancellation made on board within 24 hours of your appointment will incur a 50% cancellation charge*. Please note this is subject to change.
Answer
P&O Cruises do not currently offer this service.
Answer
As a general rule, there is approximately 2 Black Tie nights during a 7 night cruise and 4 during a 14 night cruise. This can vary from cruise to cruise. Full details will be provided to you before you travel.
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The Dress Code applies to a majority of public areas after 18:00. Suggested attire for Dress Codes can be found under the question - Is there a dress code on board.
The following venues will enforce the dress code of the evening:
Arcadia
Main Dining Restaurant, Intermezzo, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Sindhu and Ocean Grill restaurants.
Aurora
Main Dining Restaurant, Anderson’s, The Crow's Nest, Alexandria, Medina, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.
Azura
Main Dining Restaurant, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.
Britannia
Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow’s Nest, The Epicurean, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.
Iona
Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Gala Lite, The Epicurian and Sindhu restaurants.
Ventura
Main Dining Restaurant, Red Bar, Metropolis, Cinnamon, Saffron, Bay Tree, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.
Details of the Dress Codes for each cruise can be found under "What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?"
Travelling in the United Arab Emirates
Modesty in clothing is to be respected in this region, so make sure you pack plenty of light and loose clothing that covers the tops of your arms and legs. We advise ladies to avoid wearing any shorts or tight-fitting clothes and to take a head covering ashore. For further information, please visit the government Foreign travel advice website for advice regarding dress-codes.
Answer
All ships can cater for the following diets;
Vegetarian
Pescatarian fish
Low /no fat
Low salt /no salt
Lactose intolerant /dairy free
Gluten /wheat free /coeliac
Low cholesterol
Diabetic
Kosher
Vegan
Should you require any of the above diets please call our Customer Contact Centre, please visit our website for contact details, prior to sailing.
Once on board please make yourself known to either the Headwaiter or Restauarant Manager to ensure a smooth process.
You may find the following question useful: Can you provide a Kosher diet?
Nut Allergies
We do cater to guests with Nut Allergies. However these guests will need to call our Personal Cruise Experts to inform us before they embark. We would strongly advise letting us know when making your booking.
We will endeavour to meet requirements but are unable to guarantee specific branded items. Meals will also have to be pre ordered the day before in some circumstances.
We do have a limited selection of nuts offered at the buffet during some meals. Many of the food items also do contain traces of nuts.
Food containing traces of nuts would be available in all venues including Bars.
Please be aware some meals at the buffet restaurant will be made with nuts as the ingredients.
Milk Options
As well as cows milk we have a variety of options available on board.
Alpro/Provamel Soya Milk (sweetened or unsweetened Long Life), Oat Milk, Goat's Milk, Lacto Free Milk, Rice Milk and Unsweetened Almond Milk are all available upon request. These are available as standard on board however please speak to a crew member to ask for these as and when you require them.
If you require a high quantity of a particular milk, please send us an email to diets.reservations@carnivalukgroup.com at least 8 weeks* prior to departure to ensure your request can be ordered.
*Requests can still be made within 8 weeks, however this request cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability on board.
Wheat/Gluten Free Coeliac Diet
Our chefs can prepare a variety of Gluten Free meals and the Main Restaurants have Gluten Free meals denoted by the GF symbol to enable guests to make an informed choice without having to pre-order. However, guests can make a request via the Head Waiter if the guest does not find anything suitable for them from the choices highlighted
Gluten/wheat free bread, rolls, separate sauces, gravies, crackers, cereals, pasta, biscuits, wine and beer are also available and Gluten/wheat free choices are available for afternoon tea and room service on request. At the buffets, there is also a dedicated section for Dietary products including Gluten Free items, for guests to help themselves to at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Kosher meals
Please see the question 'Can you provide a Kosher diet?'.
Halal Diet
There is a limited range of Halal food available upon request, please note we cannot guarantee specific items.
Answer
There is a significant difference between an allergy and intolerance:
A food intolerance is difficulty digesting certain foods and having an unpleasant physical reaction to them.
A food allergy is when the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods. Although allergic reactions are often mild, they can be very serious:
Common symptoms of an allergic reaction:
Sore, red or itchy eyes
Runny or blocked nose
Swelling of the lips
Coughing, dry, itchy and swollen throat
Coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath
Nausea and feeling bloated, diarrhoea and or vomiting
Itchy or a rash on the skin
When a person has a severe reaction to an allergen, this could lead to fatal anaphylactic shock.
There are 14 allergens set out by the Food Standards Agency which are:
Celery – this includes celery stalks, leaves, seeds and the root called celeriac. You can find celery in celery salt, salads, some meat products, soups and stocks.
Cereals containing gluten – wheat (such as spelt and Khorasan wheat/kamut), rye, barley and oats is often found in foods containing flour, such as some types of baking powder, batter, breadcrumbs, bread, cakes, couscous, meat products, pasta, pastry, sauces, soups and fried foods which are dusted with flour.
Crustaceans – crabs, lobster, prawns and scampi are crustaceans. Shrimp paste, often used in Thai and south east Asian curries or salads, is an ingredient to look out for.
Eggs – eggs are often found in cakes, some meat products, mayonnaise, mousses, pasta, quiche, sauces and pastries or foods brushed/glazed with egg.
Fish – you will find this in some fish sauces, pizzas, relishes, salad dressings, stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce.
Lupin – Lupin is a flower but it’s also found in flour. Lupin flour and seeds can be used in some types of bread, pastries and even pasta.
Milk – milk is a common ingredient in butter, cheese, cream, milk powders and yoghurt. It can also be found in foods brushed or glazed with milk and in powdered soups and sauces.
Molluscs – these include mussels, and snails, squid and whelks but can also be commonly found in oyster sauce or as an ingredient in fish stews.
Mustard – liquid mustard, mustard powder and mustard seed fall into this category. This ingredient can also be found in breads, curries, marinades, meat products, salad dressings, sauces and soups.
Nuts – not to be mistaken with peanuts (which are a legume and grow underground), this ingredients refers to buts which grow on trees, like cashew nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. You can find nuts in breads, biscuits, crackers, desserts, nut powders (often used in Asian curries), stir-fried dishes, ice cream, marzipan (almond paste), nut oils and sauces.
Peanuts – peanuts are actually a legume and grow underground, which is why it’s sometimes called a groundnut. Peanuts are often used as an ingredient in biscuits, cakes, curries, desserts, sauces (such as satay sauce), as well as in groundnut oil and peanut flour.
Sesame seeds – these seeds can often be found in bread (sprinkled on a burger buns), breadsticks, houmous, sesame oil and tahini. They are sometimes toasted and used in salads.
Soya – often found in bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, textured soya protein, soya flour or tofu, soya is a staple ingredient in oriental food. It can also be found in desserts, ice cream, meat products, sauces and vegetable products.
Sulphur dioxide (sometimes know as sulphites) – this is an ingredient often used in dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. You might also find it in meat products, soft drinks, vegetables as well as in wine and beer. If you have asthma you have a higher risk of developing a reaction to sulphur dioxide.
N.B: Latex is also going to be added to the official list at some point this year.
There is a clear distinction between a Gluten Free Diet and Ceoliac Disease:
Someone who has a gluten intolerance will suffer from short-term bloating or stomach pain if gluten is consumed.
Ceoliac disease is much more serious – it’s a condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients. It can cause a range of symptoms including diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating and in severe cases can lead to hospitalisation.
What happens if we don’t get it right?
A business as large as ourselves could face fines of up to £3 million for food safety offences. We can demonstrate we are being better together through supporting our colleagues on board as much as possible by ensuring all information we receive at booking stage is recorded on Polar.
What we want you to do:
Ask the guest “are there any medical, mobility or dietary requirements such as any allergies to food that we need to be made aware of?”
If the answer is yes add the specific allergy to the SSV’s on Polar. You do not need to add this to the notes.
Polar has been updated to include all of the above allergens as well as a free type option if what the guest is advising you of is unavailable to select. It’s important to remember that when free typing you must also select ‘Contact guest, refer to Core’. This ensures the crew are aware they need to speak with the guest regarding their dietary requirement.
Please remember, that when using the free type option we are only adding information regarding intolerance and allergies not for food requests such as decafe coffee – this can be arranged through emailing the diets inbox.
There will also be a new option when selecting baby food. If a guest requires baby food for their cruise please select ‘Baby food request’ under SSV’s. This will trigger a menu to be sent to the guests where they can choose the food required. Once sent back we will ensure the information gets to the ship.
Answer
Yes, decaffeinated tea is available in the club and freedom restaurants, along with a wide selection of TeaPig decaffinated and herbal teas for purchase.
The bars serve decaffeinated coffee and decaffinated Costa coffee is available for purchase. If you require decaffeinated coffee in your cabin, this can be requested on board.
Suitable alternatives are supplied if the above is not available.
Answer
Wherever possible, fresh milk (full fat, semi skimmed and skimmed) is served. Long life milk is served when fresh milk is not available.
Answer
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Alcohol over the 1 litre limit will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise.
Wine brought on-board may be consumed in the dining rooms, bars, restaurants, or lounge areas, but will be subject to a corkage fee of £20 per bottle, per occasion which will be charged to your on board account. Spirits or liquor brought onboard can only be consumed in guests' cabins.
Any alcoholic beverages purchased mid-cruise in ports of call cannot be consumed on-board. You will need to declare and hand over any alcohol bought in port at the gangway. It will be stored and returned to you prior to the end of the cruise, at no charge.
If a bottle of wine/Champagne has been bought for you through P&O Cruises gifts, you will need to ensure you carry the gift card with you to avoid having the corkage charge applied to your on board account.
On eligible cruises, you are welcome to buy duty free alcohol to take home via the on-board shops. It will be stored until the end of your cruise.
Should you wish to enjoy a drink in your cabin, please refer to the in cabin directory which has a selection of spirits and wines which can be purchased by the bottle, as well as our extensively stocked mini bars in all cabins.
Guests are expected to drink responsibly. This applies at the terminal, on-board and on-shore excursions. We reserve the right to deny access to the ship to anyone who appears to be heavily under the influence of alcohol.
Answer
Complimentary Bewley's brand coffee is available in the buffet restaurants 24 hours a day.
In addition, tea and coffee facilities can be found in your cabin. You may find the following question useful - Can I make tea and coffee in my cabin?
In addition, each ship has at least one Costa coffee bar on board which sells the Costa coffee range.
Answer
Drinks prices are very similar to those on the high street with the added advantage that we’ll bring them to you, waiter service is standard on-board!
There’s a comprehensive cocktail list and a superb selection of wines from around the world, alongside popular spirits, beers and ciders.
You can also enjoy savings with one of our Drinks Packages. Something for all tastes.
Complimentary tea and coffee is supplied in your cabin and is refreshed regularly and is available from our buffet restaurants 24 hours a day. Complimentary drinking water and fruit juice (during breakfast hours) is also available from the buffet restaurants and room service.
Answer
Yes we do offer vegan and vegetarian wines on-board our ships, which are available to purchase on-board via your wine waiter. Unfortunately these are not available to pre-order. All wines listed are subject to change and availability.
Answer
Costa Coffee is sold in the various coffee shops and bars on-board. Costa Ice is also available to purchase - A range of iced coffees, creamy coolers and fruit coolers are on offer to help quench your thirst in the heat of the sun. Further details on these products are available on-board.
Answer
Yes, both male and female therapists are on-board some of our ships, although majority are female.
The male therapists that we have are either hairdressers, nail technicians, fitness instructors, acupuncturists, or Medi Docs - we do not have male massage or facial therapists.
Answer
Spa treatments and services are available to book from approximately 120 days prior departure.
If you have an enquiry regarding a service or treatment you have booked please speak to our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 355 5111
Post Cruise enquiries: (including home deliveries) Please write to our Customer Services department: Customer ServicesP&O CruisesCarnival House100 Harbour ParadeSouthamptonHampshireSO15 1ST
If you wish to purchase any products from the spa after your cruise please visit www.timetospa.com
Answer
Steam Room
The steam rooms are complimentary on board Aurora. Britannia has two steam rooms on board - the one steam room outside the gym changing rooms is complimentary.
On board Arcadia, Azura, Britannia and Ventura the steam room is part of the Thermal Suite / Hydropool* area and as such, charges apply. (*Hydropool on Arcadia & Britannia only. Endless Oasis pools on Ventura & Azura do not incur a charge).
Sauna
The sauna is complimentary on board Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, and Ventura.
Locations:
Arcadia - Steam room located in the Thermal Suite and the Sauna located next to the Hydropool. Both are unisex facilities.
Aurora - Steam room and sauna are in the spa and are unisex facilities.
Azura - There is a unisex steam room in the Thermal Suite and separate sauna facilities located in the male and female changing rooms.
Britannia - There is a complimentary unisex steam room outside of the gym changing rooms of the spa. The Thermal Suite (charges apply) has a sauna/steam room.
Iona -
Ventura - There are separate steam rooms and saunas in both of the male and female changing rooms. There is also a unisex steam room in the Thermal Suite.
You may also find the following question useful What facilities & services does the spa and salon offer?
Answer
Yes, though the card holder must be present at check-in. The alternative to this is to purchase on-board spending money prior to cruising.
Answer
To help you tailor your holiday just the way you like it, we’ve created three drinks packages that offer unbeatable choice and value on board. Each is available on any holiday of five nights or more and you can use your package in all the restaurants, bars and cafés on board. Packages can be pre-purchased via the 'Drinks' section of My P&O Cruises.
£39.95pp per day
Say ‘yes’ to a cocktail or simply sip your ‘usual’. Enjoy fantastic value with a wide range of drinks available in the package. A Children`s Package is included free with the purchase of an Ultimate Package. (Terms and Conditions)
Available to Adults.
The Non-alcoholic drinks package
£19.95pp per day
From a poolside Soft-tail to a primo Costa coffee, take your pick from a huge range of refreshing soft drinks. (Terms and Conditions)
Available to Adults and Children.
£7.95pp per day
We know how thirsty they get! Relax with unlimited selected soft drinks (also included with the Ultimate package). (Terms and Conditions)
Available to Children and Infants.
What's included
| Suitable for children | Alcoholic drinks (up to £6.95) | Draught soft drinks | Long life juices | Bottled water (500ml) | Primo Costa Coffee | Hot chocolate | Tea | Non-alcoholic cocktails | Squash/ cordial by the glass | |
The Ultimate drinks package £39.95pp per day |
No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Non-alcoholic drinks package £19.95pp per day |
Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The Hot drinks package £10.95pp per day |
Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
The Children's drinks package £7.95pp per day |
Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Important to know
Packages are available to purchase pre-cruise via My P&O Cruises by clicking 'Drinks', 'Discover more', 'Add to basket'.
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 Children's package independently of their parents. There is no requirement for adults in the same cabin to also purchase a package.
When an Ultimate Package is purchased, a free Children`s package will be offered for all the children travelling in the same cabin only (aged 17 and under*).
Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a drinks package.
The reservation will only show in the 'My Orders' section for the guest who made the order, even if a guest made a reservation for multiple guests on the booking.
Wine Packages
Various wine packages are available and can be redeemed in any venue on board. However, please note the following:
Redemption within the main dining restaurants can easily be accommodated. Simply ask your Waiter for your bottle of choice that evening.
If you are dining in one of our Select Dining venues and wish to have a bottle of wine from your package made available to you, please let a member of the restaurant staff know and they can arrange this for you.
Regrettably, due to limited storage in some of our bars, we may not have a specific wine available in every bar. If there is a particular bar you wish to have the wine available in, please ask to speak with the Bartender to request this and they will do what they can to accommodate your request.
Alternatively, you can arrange to have your wine package delivered to your cabin. Any loyalty discount will be applied when purchasing a wine package.
For more information about bringing you own wine onboard please see Will a corkage fee apply if I bring my own alcohol on board?
Please note that these packages are non-refundable and may not be exchanged for another item, or for on board credit.
Self and Room Service
'Self Serve Wine' (by the glass) is available in the buffet restaurants on Aurora, Azura, Britannia and Ventura. Please see How does the enomatic wine system work in Ventura's Waterside buffet restaurant? for details.
On Aurora, Azura and Britannia you can use your cruise card with the Enomatic wine systems for greater ease.
Single bottles of wine or Champagne can be pre ordered via our gift catalogue and spirits can be ordered via room service
For details of all drinks available from bars please see the question How much are drinks on board?
Answer
Drinks prices are very similar to those on the high street with the added advantage that we’ll bring them to you, waiter service is standard on-board!
There is a comprehensive cocktail list and a superb selection of wines from around the world, alongside popular spirits, beers and ciders.
You can also enjoy savings with one of our drinks packages which are available for wine, soft drinks and coffee. Something for all tastes.
Soft Drinks & Coffee
Soft drinks - You may also take advantage of a soft drinks package.
Coffee - A coffee card is available to purchase that allows 10 Primo (12oz) Costa coffees (Americano, Latte,Cappuccino or Iced Coffee's) once on-board. You can purchased prior to embarkation by calling our Customer Contact Centre (please visit our website for contact details) or once on-board.
A range of iced coffees, creamy coolers and iced teas to help quench your thirst in the heat of the sun from Costa Coffee. Further details will be available on-board.
Bottled Water
Bottled water can be purchased from the in cabin menu and from all bars around the ships.
In Cabin
In Cabin Spirits are available for you to purchase on-boardvia room service (also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu).
Complimentary tea and coffee is supplied in your cabin and is refreshed regularly or is available from our buffet restaurants 24 hours a day.
Non Alcoholic
We offera selection of non alcoholic beverages including:
Soft drinks
Mocktails
Becks non alcoholic larger
Nonalcoholic wines
General
Complimentary drinking water and fruit juice (during breakfast hours) is also available from the buffet restaurants and room service (Also, from May 2017 we are introducing an exciting new range of chargeable items to the menu).
Answer
All of our ships are Wi-Fi enabled so you can access the internet on your own devices or via our PC terminals in the Library. Satellite internet packages are available to purchase pre cruise or once on board. Pay per day is available to purchase once on board.
You can also use your roaming partner - when near shore - or the Telenor Maritime network - when at sea. Charges for these connections will be added to your mobile bill rather than your on-board account. Please contact your normal service provider for data allowance and costs.
New internet packages - My Wifi - More flexible. More focused. Always-on satellite internet
It’s great being able to stay in touch with loved ones back home while you’re away with us. This is why our satellite internet service is easy to access and tailored to how you like to use the internet. Please see the supporting documents below for further information on our new packages:
| Package | Included | Price per 24 hours | Price per 24 hours for full cruise |
| Essential | Web browsing Music streaming Social media text & images (no video) |
£15 | £10 |
| Ultimate | Everything from the Essential plan + Video streaming + 3 x faster connection |
£20 | £15 |
Things to note:
You can use your satellite internet package on any device, but not simultaneously on multiple devices. It is not possible to wire your device into an internet connection on-board.
If you are on a back to back cruise (two or more consecutive cruises) please note that the satellite internet service may be unavailable during turnaround days when the ships changes from one cruise to the next.
With our packages, you can upgrade any time you like. If you try to use a service from an alternative package, a prompt will appear to point you in the right direction. Then, it’s just a few clicks to upgrade, and you’re away.
You can purchase per 24 hours, for your full cruise or on a remainder of cruise basis. There is no activation fee.
How do I connect / purchase using my device on board?
1. Put your device in airplane mode (or similar)
2. Connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI
3. Visit internet.pocruises.com
4. Select your package
Free Internet for the Management of Medical Devices Onboard
Guests requesting free internet onboard to manage their diabetes with continuous glucose monitoring devices will be entitled to 1 x 120 minute Internet Voucher for each 7 days upon request from Reception onboard.
Access to email
Access to email services are available though both the Essential and Ultimate internet packages. Should your email service provider have enhanced security processes in place such as validation of your account via text, an alternative email account or a series of pre-determined questions, please familiarise yourself with these before you board to ensure ease of access once at sea.
Printing and scanning
Should you wish to print pages in the Library, this will be charged at 30 pence* per black and white page. If you require a document to be digitally scanned, please speak to reception. (*Prices are subject to change)
PC internet station opening hours and locations
The PC internet stations are open 24 hours a day. Assistance is available at various times throughout the day and evening.
PC internet stations are located in the following areas:
Arcadia - The Library, Midships on Prom Deck
Aurora - The Library, Forward on Sun Deck
Azura - The Library, Midships on P Deck
Britannia - The Library, Forward on Lido Deck
Ventura - The Library, Midships on P Deck
VAT on internet services on-board
The charges on-board our ships are currently treated as inclusive of any VAT that is payable to the UK or other European Tax Authority.
Calling home
Most people find their mobiles work well at sea. Signal strength can vary a bit, but you should be able to do all the usual things – make and receive calls, send text messages and photos.
You will see Telenor Maritime or 90112 on your mobile’s display. This means you are using International Marine Roaming and the cost of making and receiving calls and texts will be added to your mobile bill, not your ship account.
Your service provider should be able to give you a breakdown of all charges. Please note that charges for "pay as you go" can vary to those of contract phones on the same network.
Due to the ship’s location, there may be occasions where your phone is unable to find a signal.
We are happy to offer a full 3G service on board Britannia.
Skype and video calling connections
These services are available with the Ultimate package, however please be aware that unpredictable satellite connectivity can impact the quality of the service.
Answer
Great service comes as standard.
While tipping isn’t required or expected on board, rest assured good service and good times are all part and parcel of your P&O Cruises holiday.
On other holidays you’ll tip the waiter after a fabulous dinner, the bar staff for your tropical cocktails, housekeeping for your fresh towels and inviting beds… On a P&O Cruises holiday, you’ll enjoy the same levels of fantastic service but tipping isn’t required or expected. Instead, you can relax and soak it all up, knowing good service and good times are all simply part and parcel of your experience.
What does great service mean to you? We take thousands of guests away each year and know everyone wants something slightly different from their holiday. We take care of every little detail so you can enjoy an effortless time; free to relax, recharge and experience countless ‘this is the life’ moments. We’re proud that two out of three guests choose to holiday with us again and are committed to providing great service and exceptional holidays at no extra cost.
P&O Cruises do not charge a service charge when purchasing drinks onboard.
Answer
We have a few policies in place to ensure your time on board feels special. Here’s a useful guide to what to expect on board in terms of dress codes so you can step out in style.
Dressing up at night is one of the many highlights of your P&O Cruises holiday. We have two evening dress codes for guests aged 18 years and over from 6pm: ‘Evening Casual’ and ‘Black Tie’ for our celebration nights.
The only exception to these are the official P&O Cruises theme nights (get ready for 70s disco, 80s pop, colourful tropical or splendid black and white nights), and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas. And if you feel like keeping things casual, you’re free to wear more relaxed clothing in the buffet.
To help you with your packing My P&O Cruises will let you know how many nights of each dress code you can expect during your holiday. Please check in advance so you’re ready for each occasion.
For a list of what the dress code will be on a specific cruise number, you may also find the following question helpful: What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?
To see in which areas of the ship the dress code applies, please see Does the dress code apply to all areas of the ship?
If in doubt, please visit www.pocruises.com/what-to-wear
How many Black Tie nights will there be?
As a guide based on length of cruise:
IONA & ARVIA
2-6 nights = 1 black tie night
7 -13 nights = 1 black tie night
14 nights = 2 black tie nights
REST OF FLEET:
2-6 nights = 1 black tie night
7 -13 nights = 2 black tie nights
14 nights = 4 black tie nights
To view how many Black Tie evenings will take place on a specific cruise, and also what theme nights will be taking place, please see "What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?" for a full break down.
Full details will be provided to you before you travel.
Evening Casual
After a busy day of exploring (or lazing by the pool), there’s plenty to look forward to on board. For Evening Casual nights, dress as you would for dinner in a nice restaurant; smart dark denim or trousers and a nice top, open-neck shirts, skirts and dresses (but no tracksuits, football shirts, shorts or trainers please). Please see below examples/ideas.
For Caribbean holidays tailored shorts may be worn in the buffet areas and open deck bars – whether you choose to pair them with your loudest Hawaiian shirt is up to you!
Black Tie
Our Celebration Nights, or Black Tie nights, offer a chance to get dressed to the nines in glamorous evening wear. Don your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.
Daywear
The dress code during the day is just your typical holiday wardrobe. Think t-shirts, shorts and sundresses (unless you’re heading to the Baltic in winter!). Away from the pool, we ask for shoes to be worn and no pool wear in the ship’s lounges, inside bars, restaurants or reception. It may be chilly on deck and breezy in the evening (even in the tropics), so be sure to pack light layers. We’d also recommend flat shoes for strolling the decks.
Army/Camouflage Clothing
It is permissible to wear such items of clothing during the daytime, however please refer to the dress codes for evenings on board.
It should also be noted that some countries may have rules against this sort of attire such as Barbados where it is illegal due to this matching the uniforms worn by security services.
Restriction to wear Camouflage Clothing
Barbados
St Kitts
Dominica
Grenada
No Restrictions to wear Camouflage clothing
Curacao
St Maarten
National/Religious Dress
National and Religious dress including headdress' are allowed on board. Depending on the amount of the face covered by the headdress, guests may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check in and passing through security check points ashore and on board during the cruise.
Some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades or swords are not permitted and guests should check our list of prohibited items via What am I not allowed to take on board?
Children
For children aged 17 years and under, the dress code in the evening is Evening Casual, regardless of the adult dress code (but they are welcome to dress to impress too!). We do ask for no denim on Black Tie nights please.
Theme nights
Theme nights are great fun, though it’s up to you whether you’d like to dress up. As well as our Celebration Nights, we have 70s and 80s nights, where you can come and enjoy the music, or why not throw on some fab flares or parachute pants? Our tropical nights are all about Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and Hawaiian lei (flower necklaces). Black and white nights follow the same dress code as Black Tie nights (cocktail dresses, tuxedos, ball gowns and dinner jackets). You could even opt for an all-black or all-white ensemble.
If you decide not to dress in line with the theme, please follow the ship's general dress code for that evening (detailed on the front cover of your daily Horizon).
Fancy dress and novelty clothing
We don’t want to dampen anyone’s fun, but fancy dress and novelty items or clothing are not permitted on our ships; the only exceptions to this are clothing for official P&O Cruises theme nights and seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas.
Any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans, will not be allowed on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed. This policy does not apply to children aged 17 or under.
Travelling to the United Arab Emirates
Modesty in clothing is to be respected in this region, so make sure you pack plenty of light and loose clothing that covers the tops of your arms and legs. We advise ladies to avoid wearing any shorts or tight-fitting clothes and to take a head covering ashore.
For further information, please visit the government Foreign travel advice website for advice regarding dress-codes.
Answer
Alcohol policy
We believe that responsible drinking is a valued and enjoyable part of a cruise. However, we ask that our policy for the responsible consumption of alcohol is adhered to at all times. We reserve the right to deny access to the ship to anyone who appears to be heavily under the influence of alcohol. We may also confiscate alcohol in the terminal and at the gangway.
Each guest aged 18 years (21 years in United States of America ports) and older may bring up to 1 litre of wine, Champagne, beer, spirit, or liqueur on board as they embark the ship for the first time only. Alcohol over the 1 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.
Coming into effect on 1 February 2018, and for all cruises sailing after this date, any alcoholic beverages purchased mid-cruise in ports of call cannot be consumed on board. Guests will need to declare and hand over any alcohol bought in port at the gangway. It will be stored and returned to the guest prior to the end of the cruise, at no charge.
If a bottle of wine/Champagne has been bought for a guest through P&O Cruises gifts, guests will need to ensure they carry the gift card with them to avoid having the corkage charge applied to their on-board account.
On eligible cruises, guests are welcome to buy duty free alcohol to take home via the on-board shops. It will be stored until the end of their cruise.
Should guests wish to enjoy a drink in their cabin, they will be able to refer to the in-cabin directory which has a selection of spirits and wines which can be purchased by the bottle, as well as our extensively-stocked mini bars in all cabins.
The consumption and enjoyment of alcohol in a public area will always be subject to our responsible drinking policy. Bar staff may refuse service if a guest appears to be inebriated. Any offensive or unruly behaviour may result in individuals or the whole group being asked to leave the venue. Dangerous or violent behaviour is not acceptable and may result in individual guests or whole parties having their holiday terminated and having to make their way home at their own cost. Anyone under the age of 18 (under 21 when in United States of America waters) will not be served alcoholic beverages on board and must not be in possession of alcohol. Please don’t be offended if we ask you to verify your age.
It is prohibited to attempt to purchase alcohol for those under 18 in the bars and shops on board, although 16 and 17 year olds may be bought modest amounts of beer, cider or wine to drink with a meal in the restaurants when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
*Price subject to change.
Answer
We do not encourage food and drink to be brought on board, as we would like to think that all your culinary desires are more than adequately catered for on our ships.
We recognise that there may be particular favourites or special dietary requirements that you may need to enjoy a holiday.
In limited circumstances we would allow you to bring food and beverages on board but please note the following:
Perishables are not permitted: although there are fridges in cabins these are not temperature monitored and we cannot guarantee that they will keep foods at the correct temperature for safety.
All items must be strictly for personal consumption, kept wrapped or sealed and not allowed to create any risk to health or likelihood of pest infestation in cabins or any other areas.
Personal items may not be cooked for you on board, stored in the main stores or in any food room refrigerator or freezer.
There is a limit to the amount of alcohol you can bring on board. For further information on bringing and consuming alcohol on board, please also view the question - Can I bring alcohol on board to consume in my cabin or in restaurants? and Can I consume my duty free purchase in my cabin and around the ship?
Answer
Select Dining is wonderfully flexible, allowing you a change of scene and the opportunity to dine with different people. These are bookable either before you sail on My P&O Cruises, or once you arrive on board via My Holiday. If the Select Dining venue shows 'Please enquire on board', this means that it is not pre-bookable.
All prices are subject to change and are per person, per occasion dining in a Select Dining restaurant. Although children are welcome to dine in these restaurants, there are no child menus and no child prices.
Please note: Select Dining venues can be very popular restaurants with a high demand for bookings. If you feel you may be unable to meet your dinner reservation, please notify us at least 12 hours before the time of your booking, to avoid the cancellation charge. A cancellation charge will not be applied if transferring to a different time / date.
Arcadia
Ocean Grill - View example menus - additional supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £22.95
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £17.95
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £15.00
Sindhu at East- View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £17.50
Aurora
The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required.
*The Beach House - View example menus - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50
* there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu
Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £17.50
Azura
The Epicurean at Seventeen - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00
The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required
*The Beach House - View example menus No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50
* there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu
Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00
Britannia
The Epicurean Restaurant - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00
Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00
*The Beach House - View example menus No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50
* there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu
The Limelight Club (adult only) - View example menus
Dinner - if pre-booking, prices from £25.00 - £28 (price dependent on act) - up to £35 if booking on board (price dependent on act)
The Glass House - View example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required
Market Cafe
Day Menu - All items are individually priced. No booking required
Iona
Sindhu - View example menus
A La Carte - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £5.50
Mains from £9.00
Desserts from £3.50
The Beach House - View example menus
Cover charge from £7.50
The Glass House - View example menus
A La Carte all day dining - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £2.75
Mains from £8.00
Dessert from £4.50
The Epicurean - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
Cover charge from £28
The Limelight Club - View example menus
Dinner - if pre-booking, prices from £25 - £28 (price dependent on act) - up to £35 if booking on board (price dependent on act)
The Keel & Cow - View example menus
A La Care all day dining - All items are individually priced.
Starters from £4.00
Mains from £5.50
Desserts from £3.00
The Olive Grove - View example menus
Charges apply to selected dishes:
Middle Eastern Beef Kota Hanging Kebab - £4.50
Fritto Misto - £4.50
Seafood, Chicken and Chorizo Paella - £4.50
Slow-cooked Moroccan Lamb Tagine - £4.50
French Fries - £1.00 (Parmesan Cheese or Truffle Oil for an extra £0.50)
Handcrafted Turkish Baklava £2.00
Eric Lanlard's Afternoon Tea - View example menus
Cover charge from £17.50
Local Food Hero Taster Menu - Kjarten Skjelde
Cover charge from £30
Ventura
The Epicurean at The White Room - View example menus (Closed until further notice with the exception of breakfast for Suite guests)
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £30.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £28.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £28.00
*The Beach House - View example menus No booking required - Additional Supplements apply to selected dishes
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £10.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £7.50
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £7.50
* there may be additional supplement charges for some items on the menu
Sindhu - View example menus
(Cruise Length 1-2 Days) Dinner - £25.00
(Cruise Length 3-7 Days) Dinner - £20.00
(Cruise Length 8+ Days) Dinner - £20.00
The Glass House - example menus
All day dining – All items are individually priced on the menu. No booking required
You may find the following questions useful, What restaurants are on each ship? and What is included in the fare?
Answer
The safety and security of our ships is paramount and, as such, you are prohibited from carrying certain items onto our vessels. Security screening of you and your baggage will be conducted each time you board the ship, and if you are found in possession of any of these items, they may be permanently confiscated. This list is not exhaustive and any other items may be refused at the discretion of either the Port or Ship security staff.
The following items (this is not an exhaustive list) will not be permitted on-board:
Any illegal narcotics/drugs including synthetic and designer drugs
Medical marijuana (including CBD oil)
All firearms including replicas, imitations and their components
Air, BB or pellet pistols or rifles
Any other projectile-weapon (e.g., paint ball guns)
All ammunition
All explosives, including imitation explosives and devices
Fireworks, flares, pyrotechnics
Sharp pointed weapons including throwing stars
Knives with a blade longer than 2.75 inches / 7cm, any blade length that is prohibited by local laws/regulation and all concealed bladed weapons such as belt buckle knives, cane and umbrella knives/swords, pen knives, credit card knives, etc
Open razors or scissors with a blade longer than 2.75 inches / 7cm
Skean Dhus or Kirpans
Spears or spear guns
Crossbows, crossbow bolts and long bow arrows
Blunt weapons including knuckle dusters, brass knuckles, clubs, coshes, batons, flails or nunchaku
Items containing incapacitating substances (e.g. gas guns, tear gas sprays, mace, phosphorus, acid and other dangerous chemicals that could be used to maim or disable)
Flammable substances and hazardous chemicals
Any other item made, adapted or intended for use as an offensive weapon
Stun devices
Items not supplied by the Company containing any kind of heating element, such as but not limited to: immersion heaters, heating blankets, clothes irons, electric steamers, water heaters, coffee machines with heating / hot plates, etc.
Any remotely controlled or autonomously flying devices, toys or drones
Self-balancing hover boards, air wheels, electric bicycles/scooters, or Segways (except those provided by the Company for shore excursions and for use onshore by guests with a disability as a mobility device)
Compressed gas tanks, bottles, cylinders including dive tanks, propane tanks and aerosol cans
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), ham radios, communication scanners, hand-held radios, wide-band receivers, satellite phones, transformers, lasers and laser pointers
Inflatables – with the exception of children’s swimming aids
Fancy dress, novelty clothing and clothing personalised with images or slogans, effective from 1 January 2018. (This policy does not apply to children 16 years and under.) The only exception to this is official P&O Cruises theme nights, where guests are invited to dress up in line with the theme.
Medical gas bottles are allowed in connection with a certified medical condition but cannot be packed in baggage. Oxygen cylinders must be delivered to the pursers’ office and stored in a designated safe area
Any items or amounts of currency prohibited by customs regulations
Balloons - As part of our Ocean's Alive programme and our continued commitment to do everything we can to help protect our environment and wild/marine life, we no longer use or allow balloons of any kind on board Carnival UK ships
Answer
Loyalty points are awarded when you have completed a cruise.
Once you have spent at least 15 nights on board (150 points), you automatically become a member and enter at the Pacific Tier. When you join us for your next cruise, you will be entitled to Pacific Tier benefits.
As points are awarded at the end of a cruise, you cannot move up a tier mid-cruise. Instead, you will enjoy
the additional benefits when you join us for your next cruise.
Answer
To continue to enjoy Baltic or Ligurian privileges, in the 3 years prior to the departure date of your next cruise, you must have spent at least 80 nights on board for Baltic, and at least 201 for Ligurian.
Answer
See the Travel Insurance section of the P&O Cruises brochure. Or, for more information call 0800 316 3061, quoting reference WC668, along with your membership number.
Answer
Yes. Purchase shore excursions prior to the start of your cruise, and the applicable on-board spend discount will reflect the tier that you are predicted to be in on the date of embarkation, not on the date of purchase. The discount on shore excursions that are paid for pre-cruise is not dependent on your spending of allocated non-refundable on-board credit. For a World Cruise, purchase shore excursions prior to the start of your cruise, and the applicable on-board spend discount will reflect the tier that you are predicted to be in at the start of the segment in which the activity is taken, and not the date of embarkation.
Answer
P&O Cruises offers the very best in cruise entertainment. Days can be filled with as much or as little as you want, whilst evenings are no doubt the social highlight.
With a range of activities and entertainment taking place throughout the day, you’ll struggle to fit everything in. From dazzling West-End style performances in the ship's theatres to comedy and live music, piano recitals and tribute bands. Cinema and film screenings, dance classes, pub quizzes, sports tournaments, cookery demonstrations and even special interest seminars you’ll be spoilt for choice. You’ll also find traditional card and table games, along with the latest slot machines in our casinos and if you are in the mood for dancing, head for one of our themed nightclubs with where the bars are well stocked with your favourite refreshments.
Of course, some days you just want to relax with a good book and do nothing at all. On these days you’ll find plenty of comfortable sun lounges outside and soft chairs inside to simply relax and do nothing at all.
Families will love the flexibility of The Reef children’s clubs, which offer safe havens for teens and little ones alike.
Answer
Our family-friendly cruise ships, Azura, Britannia and Ventura, are packed with lots of exciting features that will definitely tick all your boxes. Each family friendly ship offers dedicated clubs for all ages from morning till late evening. In addition to the clubs a night nursery, children’s tea, discos and activities are all included in your fare!
The P&O Cruises exciting free on-board programme for 2 – 17 year olds is called The Reef. Split into four distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers, to keep children of all ages entertained safely throughout the day and evening and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age. In Addition to The Reef, we have a Night Nursery for children aged between 6 months and 4 years of age.
Answer
Our family-friendly ships Azura, Britannia, Iona, Arvia and Ventura are perfect for our younger travellers. Each ship offers a dedicated children’s club, The Reef, for all ages. In addition to The Reef, a children’s tea and countless activities are all included in your holiday. Activities for Children (over the age of 2 years)*
A full programme of age-appropriate activities will be provided for 2-17 year olds in our children’s club (The Reef). It’s split into five distinct age groups so that the needs and level of play in each group can be met. There are a whole host of exciting activities organised daily by our qualified and enthusiastic DBS-checked Reef Rangers to keep children of all ages entertained safely and to ensure that they have the chance to make friends of their own age.
All activities are age-appropriate for our separate clubs and include arts and crafts, quizzes, challenges, sports and much more. There‘s also plenty of time for children to simply relax and meet people of a similar age.
In normal service we operate the Night Nursery and activities for under 2 year olds but we are currently unable to offer these services as we respond to the latest guidance. These services will resume as soon as possible.
Games Consoles:
Relevant age-appropriate games consoles such as PlayStations and fixed tablets, are located in each of the clubs.
Things to note:
Opening times for The Reef are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board.
Parents/carers are required to register their children here. This link will be e-mailed to them 15 days before embarkation. Parents/carers then need to attend the registration session held on the embarkation day.
To protect the health of everyone on board, the following protocols are in place:
We are currently limiting numbers in the facility at any one time
Children will be allocated cohorts with fixed sessions they can attend throughout the cruise, therefore we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Children aged 2-4 years must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when using the children clubs.
In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to attend if assistance is required.
To make use of the youth facilities on board, you must complete a registration form for your child/ren. This can be completed prior to your voyage by going on-line and using My P&O Cruises.
NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION
Nursery for 0-2 years
With age-appropriate toys and games, plus bespoke themed Turtle Tot activities, the Nursery offers a safe environment where your children can have great fun and meet new friends. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
NORMAL SERVICE – CURRENTLY NOT IN OPERATION
Night Nursery 2-4 years
The Night Nursery can help you can enjoy your evenings safe in the knowledge that your little ones are in good hands. Operating each night, your children can dream sweet dreams in the quiet area, and we’ll page you if they wake up.
'Splashers' for 2-4 year olds
Soft play area, outdoor play areas and fun activities such as glove puppet shows and creative play combine to make Splashers a great place for children who are at that age when they are constantly on the go.
'Surfers' for 5-8 year olds
From imaginative play to fun and games and sports challenges, our 5-8 year old guests can be kept endlessly entertained. They can enjoy outdoor play, exciting theme days, tabletop games, game consoles and active games such as parachute games.
'Scubas' for 9-12 year olds
With music, consoles and fun game shows there’s something for everyone in Scubas. The fun continues with games, quizzes and karaoke. We also organise a whole host of arts and crafts and competitions so our younger guests will never be short of something to do.
'h2o' for 13-17 year olds (This is called The Scene on Iona)
We are confident that the mix of music, game shows and quizzes will keep our teenage guests occupied for the whole holiday. For the more active, we also have table tennis and much more.
The exact age groupings for older children will depend on the number of children travelling on any particular cruise.
Please note that at least one parent or guardian must remain on board with your child at all times.
Children's clubs will be open regardless of the number of children on board except during staff training or if the occasion should arise that there are no children on board.
Children may only participate in the club designated for their age group; it is not possible to join a club for a different age group.
There is no additional charge for the children's clubs, however booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility.
Infants
We do not operate a babysitting or in-cabin listening service. We also recommend that children 12 years and under must not be left alone in the cabin.
Children under the age of two cannot be signed into the supervised daytime activities.
It is important to note that we will not be providing the Night Nursery or any facilities for the under 2s at the moment due to the latest guidance.
Who looks after the children?
Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers, have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.
Security Features
Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by their parent or guardian or authorised adult. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.
Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.
Answer
We encourage all children to use our fantastic children's facilities however we don't provide one-on-one support or care. If your child needs this, a parent or carer needs to be present at all times.
If your child has a disability and would like to take part in our activity programme, speak with our Youth Team to arrange a chat with our Youth Manager. We can then do our best to make sure they have a fun and safe holiday.
Answer
Our Youth team, the Reef Rangers (this name applies specifically to P&O Cruises), have extensive experience of planning and facilitating activities for 2-17 year olds, as well as having an enhanced DBS check.
Answer
Opening hours are subject to change dependant on the itinerary of the cruise, ship and the seasonal period. They will be clearly advertised and made available on board, please see Horizon newspaper.
Booking in advance is essential, and walk-ins will not be permitted into the children’s facility.
Answer
When it comes to dining we lay on a special early tea (time and location will be confirmed once on board) with children’s favourites to suit younger tastes. If you prefer the relaxed, informal buffet is available from early morning to late evening and has a wide selection of dishes. Or if you’d rather all dine together in the Freedom and Club dining restaurant, that’s great fun for families too.
Answer
Our clubs feature secure entry systems to allow authorised entry only. Children 12 years and under are required to be checked in and out of their age-specific club by on of their registered carers. This means that only pre-authorised adults will be able to collect your child/ren from the club. Please make sure parents/guardians who are collecting the child have their ship ID available for inspection.
Children under the age of 18 may NOT sign out your younger children.
Answer
In line with our new health protocols, children who are not toilet trained can participate in the children’s clubs, however parents/guardians will be contacted to return if assistance is required. Children are welcome to use the family-friendly pools, however due to public health regulations, children in nappies, swim nappies, pull-ups and those who are not completely toilet-trained are only permitted to use designated pools.
Answer
Children under the age of 16 must not be left unaccompanied on the ship whilst the ship is in port. There is no facility offered on board to look after your children if you go ashore. All children under the age of 16 must have an adult, 18 or above, accompanying them whilst on board.
Answer
To make use of our children’s clubs, you must register your child/ren. You can do this before your holiday using My P&O Cruises.
Answer
If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you’re in for a treat. With round-the-clock entertainment, a vast range of mouth-watering menus, relaxing pools and wellness facilities to experience on one of our holidays… you’ll be spoilt for choice every single day. Here are just some of the many activities you can expect to enjoy:
- Spectacular entertainment
Show-stopping theatre performances, live bands, comedians, movies on the big screen, quizzes, casino nights, guest talks, optional activities and so much more is on offer.
· Pools and relaxation
Each ship has several pools of varying sizes and depths, plus a number of whirlpool spas. Some are even covered by a retractable glass roof.
- Outdoor sports
Have a game of football or table tennis, practice your swing in the golf nets and stretch your legs on the sports deck, promenade or – on selected ships – the jogging track.
- Sumptuous food throughout the day
From classic British recipes with a contemporary twist to a world of exotic flavours, there’s so much to choose from – and so much is included in the price of your holiday.
- Spa experiences
Unwind with a massage or rejuvenate in a hydrotherapy pool. With soothing spa facilities waiting for you on our ships, you can take restoration and relaxation to a whole new level.
- Gym
Get energised in your ship’s state-of-the-art gym, equipped with Technogym machines including bikes, treadmills, cross trainers and steppers, as well as free weights.
- Children’s clubs
With four separate clubs for different age groups on each of our family-friendly ships, there’s a whole range of activities for children, from arts and crafts to discos and games consoles.
And on top of all that, you get to sail past breathtaking scenery and explore a range of diverse places that you’d be hard-pressed to see with a land-based holiday. With so much variety on a P&O Cruises holiday, every moment brings something new. We believe you won’t find a holiday anywhere else that can offer you the breadth of destinations, the scale of adventure, the range of experiences and the calibre of dining and entertainment (did we forget to mention accommodation?) for the same price.
Answer
Casino - Entry into the Casino is limited to guests over the age of 18, regardless of whether or not they are accompanied by a parent/guardian. (21 years whilst in US waters).
Swimming pools - On some of the ships there will be designated pools for the use of adults only. All children using the pools must be toilet trained. There are certain pools where children who wear swimming nappies can use. The pools on board are unsupervised and children under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Whirlpools - The whirlpools on-board are not to be used by children aged 8 and under, and children aged 8-16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian
Gym, Saunas and Steam Rooms - Saunas and steam rooms have restrictions to those under the age of 16.
Children under 14 years are not permitted to use the gym, sauna and steam room.
Children aged 14-16 years must be accompanied by a guardian over the age of 18 when using these facilities and may only use the cardio equipment in the gym.
The Retreat - On-board Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura is reserved for adults only and therefore entry is only allowed for those aged 18 years and over.
Nightclubs - When in operation, children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the venues designated for the adult night club.
Other - Children may be required to have adult supervision whilst using certain rooms, further information on this can be provided when on-board.
There may be time restrictions when children are no longer allowed in certain areas such as bars after midnight. These times and locations will be notified to you once on-board.
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to use the lifts unless accompanied by an adult.
Restricted areas (ship specific):
Azura
The Planet bar is for guests over the age of 18 after 10pm.
All other venues are family friendly.
Britannia
Headliners Theatre - Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Live Lounge - Is strictly reserved for those over 16 years unless accompanied by a parent/ or adult guardian at family events and suitable entertainment.
All restaurants - Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
All Bars - Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The Limelight Club - Is strictly reserved for those over 16 years. Children aged 16 and 17 years must be accompanied by a parent/ or adult guardian
Iona
There is a section in the In Cabin TV called 'FAQ's - Travelling as a Family' which notifies guests of the venues which children are not permitted to use:
The 710 Club - reserved for adults only
The Limelight Club - reserved for adults only
There is a Late Night Comedy show once a cruise in The Club House at 11.30pm which is advertised as having adult material so wouldn't be suitable for our younger guests.
Under 16 years must be accompanied in all bars.
Under 13 years must be accompanied in all venues.
All swimming pools are family friendly and the Splash Zone and Panorama Pool (Deck 18) aft are for the use of children in swim nappies (this is despite the sign that says otherwise - the sign can’t be removed due to USPH requirements when sailing within American waters).
Ventura
Metropolis bar is for passengers over the age of 18 after 10pm.
All other venues are family friendly. However, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Answer
Look above you... there’s your data. Travelling 44,000 miles to space and back again. Given the distances, transmission will be slower than at home and can occasionally be impacted by weather or the ship’s position. We do our best to keep everyone moving by closely monitoring and managing the connections but, please remember, speed will vary and intensive activities like streaming content may not always work and are excluded from certain plans.
Here’s why: at home, internet signals travel through cables to transmit information. At sea, these same signals must travel thousands of miles to satellites that beam the information back to land. Given the distances involved, there will be some latency or delay between when information is requested and delivered. Additionally, satellite internet may intermittently experience blockage or an instance where the internet antenna on the ship may not have a direct view to a satellite due to a large object such as those beautiful mountains over there...
Answer
It’s easy! Almost any device that can connect to Wi-Fi can be used on board our ships. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide for you to follow:
1. Put your device in airplane mode (or similar)
2. Connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI
3. Visit internet.pocruises.com
4. Select your package
Answer
There could be several reasons why your device does not connect.
First, make sure your Wi-Fi is switched on; if not, please do so. Next, look for our Guest Wi-Fi network and connect to it. Although we try to ensure complete coverage throughout the ship, including cabins, there are some areas of low/no coverage due to the complexity of the ship’s internal architecture. We recommend that you test your connection in a public area like the atrium. If this does not help, try restarting your device and logging in again. If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.
If you are feeling technical, you can also double check your network and IP address settings. If correctly connected to our Guest Wi-Fi network, the device IP address should start with: 10.26.___.___. The following settings are typical for most devices:
1. DHCP setting is enabled (to automatically pick up an IP address from our system)
2. No static IP address, Netmask, Gateway or DNS is set
3. No proxy server is set in your browser.
The above is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a recommendation for alterations to your device. We cannot support you in any changes you may choose to make to your device. We would strongly recommend you make a note of all original settings prior to any changes you may decide to make.
Answer
Various reasons can contribute to login failures, but the main reason is credentials (surname, cabin number, cruise card, or date of birth) that do not match those in our system. Please ensure that the credential information used at login is correct; remember the Cruise Card field requires the last four numbers printed under the barcode.
If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.
Answer
Various reasons can contribute to login failures, but the main reason is credentials (surname, cabin number, cruise card, or date of birth) that do not match those in our system. Please ensure that the credential information used at login is correct; remember the Cruise Card field requires the last four numbers printed under the barcode.
If you continue to experience difficulties, please speak to Reception for assistance.
Answer
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. To switch to a different device, make sure it is connected to the Guest Wi-Fi network. Type internet.pocruises.com on the browser tab of the device you are trying to connect with and enter your username and password. A new page will appear. Click on the 'Disconnect other device' button and start surfing the internet using this new device.
An alternative method is to type ‘logout.com’ into the address bar of the browser of the connected device. A logout confirmation page will appear. At that point, connect the new device to the Guest Wi-Fi network and launch the browser.
If you are not logged in on any other device and you still can’t connect, please visit Reception and they will assist you.
Answer
For basic assistance using the service our team at Reception will be able to help.
Our team is available to assist with common issues concerning connecting to the on-board satellite-based internet service. We cannot troubleshoot or repair your device for advanced issues.
On some ships we have PCs that are available for general use in the Library. You may purchase an internet plan at these PCs or use a plan that you have already purchased.
Answer
On some ships we have a self-service internet café in the Library with PCs that you can use for no charge. We also offer limited printing facilities for boarding passes etc.
Answer
No; My Holiday is free to use and does not require you to purchase an internet package. Make sure your Wi-Fi is switched on and connect to the ship’s free Wi-Fi: P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI
Open your internet browser and visit myholiday.pocruises.com or scan the QR code found on advertisements in your cabin or at Reception.
Answer • Email
We offer two plans and two pricing options within each, so that you can choose to go online on your terms:
My Wi-Fi ULTIMATE
This is your ultimate way to stay in touch throughout your holiday or on
the days you choose. Select the cruise plan option, paying just once for quality satellite access to email, video chat, browsing, social media and streaming of your favourite movies and 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.
My Wi-Fi ULTIMATE - £20/day with cruise plan or £15/day
• Everything from the Essential plan
• + Full Streaming
• + Up to 3x faster connection
My Wi-Fi ESSENTIAL
This is the straightforward option that offers you all your satellite internet essentials. It’s ideal if you want to stay in touch via email and social media. And you’ll also be able to stream your favourite music playlists as well as share your holiday highlights via text and images. Select the cruise plan option to stay connected every day of your holiday from the moment you purchase or opt to pay per day... it’s entirely your choice.
My Wi-Fi ESSENTIAL - £15/day with cruise plan or £10/day
• Social media text and images (no video)
• Web browsing
• Music streaming
Answer
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 have been listed below for reference:
- Adult content
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Anonymisers
- Drug abuse
- File sharing
- Malware
- Nudity
- Online gambling
- Streaming hacking
- Phishing
- Proxy avoidance
- 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 provider 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.
Depending on your plan, there may also be certain additional limitations on what you can access; for more details see ‘What plan should I choose?’
Answer
When logging back into the internet, you will be given the choice to upgrade to a plan (where applicable, click the ‘Upgrade my plan’ button). The upgrade will take effect the moment you purchase it and will show as a separate item on your on-board account.
Please note: if you upgrade a daily plan, it does not extend the amount of time the plan lasts (you will still have 24 hours from when you first activated your original plan). If you desire additional assistance, please visit Reception.
Answer
Due to the nature of satellite internet connection on a moving ship, it is possible that interference, partial or full blockage, or bad weather will cause temporary interruptions to our service. If this happens, try to reload the page once as these time-outs can be brief; however, if the interruption is for a longer period you may wish to try again later.
In any event, if you are accessing the internet with a personal device, we recommend you switch off any background applications and disable any automatic updates on your device.
Should you feel that none of the pages you request are accessible, please contact Reception for assistance.
Answer
Yes. Internet access will be available right up until you leave the ship, but printing services will not be available on the morning of disembarkation, so please ensure you complete all your printing the day before.
Answer
Internet billing is integrated with your on-board account. Once you log in and pick a plan, the amount will be billed automatically through your account.
Answer
Yes; you can purchase the cruise package at any point during the cruise, meaning you will purchase internet for all remaining days at the reduced rate.
Answer
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 the 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). P&O Cruises is not responsible for charges incurred via your mobile phone service provider.
Answer
To use a voucher, log in to the system as normal. At the bottom of the plan selection page will be a field marked ‘Voucher’. Enter your six-character voucher code and click the ‘Activate’ button
Note: you only need to activate the voucher once. Once activated you only need to log in and then select your active plan.
If you have any trouble redeeming your voucher, please check the following:
• If you currently have an active purchased plan, it will have to expire before you may activate your voucher.
• You may have one active voucher at once per folio.
• If you have an active voucher you will not be able to purchase an additional plan until the voucher expires.
Answer
On Arcadia you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 3.
On Arvia there is a jogging track on the Panorama deck, deck 18.
On Aurora you can walk on "The Promenade" deck 7 and jog on deck 13.
On Azura you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 7.
On Britannia you can run or jog on "The Sports" deck 18.
On Iona there is a jogging track on the Panorama deck, deck 18.
On Ventura you can run or jog on "The Promenade" deck 7.
All of the above locations are available for running or walking between set times for consideration of other passengers. Further details will be published on board.
Alternatively you may use the gym on-board, information can be found under Is there a spa and gym on board?
On Arcadia the Promenade Deck is approximately 530 meters. To walk a mile you need to walk 3 laps. Jogging around this deck is acceptable, however please be mindful of other guests using this deck.
On Aurora the Promenade Deck is approximately 460 meters. To walk a mile you need to walk 3.5 laps.
On Azura the Promenade Deck is approximately 414 meters, however, does not have a complete wrap around the ship, to walk a mile you need to walk just little under 4 lengths of the deck.
On Britannia you would need to walk 7 laps of the deck to equal a mile.
On Iona you would need to walk 7 laps of the deck to equal a mile.
On Ventura one lap of the Promenade Deck is approximately 460 meters. To walk a mile you need to complete 3.5 laps.
Answer
Arcadia
The Crows Nest has a circular dance floor which measures approximately 136 square metres.
The dance floor in the Globe measures 81 square metres.
Dancing also takes place in an area of The Retreat (size to be confirmed).
Aurora
In Carmen's, the approximate size of the dance floor is 80 square metres.
Azura
The Atrium where dancing may take place measures 31 square metres.
In Manhattan, the dance floor measures 95 square metres.
In Malabar, the dance floor has an area of 76 square metres.
Britannia
The Crystal Rooms dance floor is 4m x 7m.
Ventura
The Atrium where dancing may take place measures 31 square metres.
Havana has a dance floor of approximately 95 square metres.
Tamarind has a dance floor measuring approximately 76 square metres
Details of dance lessons available can be found via "What activities are available on board?"
Answer
The film list is provided on a monthly basis.
Britannia (29th May-26th June)
- The Father (2020)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
- Falling for Figaro (2020)
- Nightmare Alley (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
- The Mitchells Vs The Machines (2021)
- A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
- The King's Man (2021)
- West Side Story (2021)
- Best Sellers (2021)
- Heart of Champions (2021)
- Bergman Island
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- 13 Minutes (2021)
- The Lost City (2022)
- Moonfall (2022)
- Fatherhood (2021)
- Encanto (2021)
- King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
- Belfast (2021)
- Marry Me (2022)
- Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
- Sing 2 (2021)
- Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
- Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
- Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
- Premier: The Batman (2022)
- Uncharted (2022)
- Turning Red (2022)
- The Duke (2020)
- The Last Bus (2021)
- The Desperate Hour (2021)
Iona (4th June- 2nd July)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- Fatherhood (2021)
- Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
- The King's Man (2021)
- West Side Story (2021)
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- Encanto (2021)
- Belfast (2021)
- Marry Me (2022)
- The Lost City (2022)
- Moonfall (2022)
- Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
- Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
- Wimbledon: King Richard
- Premier: The Batman (2022)
- Uncharted (2022)
- Turning Red (2022)
Ventura (4th June - 5th July)
- The Father (2020)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
- Nightmare Alley (2021)
- Falling for Figaro (2020)
- Heart of Champions (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
- A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
- Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
- Ron's Gone Wrong (2021)
- Best Sellers (2021)
- The King's Man (2021)
- West Side Story (2021)
- Bergman Island
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- 13 Minutes (2021)
- Encanto (2021)
- King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
- Belfast (2021)
- Marry Me (2022)
- Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
- Sing 2 (2021)
- The Lost City (2022)
- Moonfall (2022)
- Fatherhood (2021)
- Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
- Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
- Premier: The Batman (2022)
- The Outfit (2022)
- Uncharted (2022)
- Turning Red (2022)
- The Duke (2020)
- The Last Bus (2021)
- The Desperate Hour (2021)
Azura (2nd June - 30th June)
- The Father (2020)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
- Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
- The Last Duel (2021)
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
- Charming the Hearts of Men (2021)
- Nightmare Alley (2021)
- Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
- Eternals (2021)
- Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
- Encanto (2021)
- Belfast (2021)
- Sing 2 (2021)
- Marry Me (2022)
- Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
- King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
- The Lost City (2022)
- Moonfall (2022)
- Fatherhood (2021)
- Heart of Champions (2021)
- The King's Man (2021)
- Falling for Figaro (2020)
- West Side Story (2021)
- Bergman Island
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- 13 Minutes (2021)
- Queen's Jubilee: A Tale of two sisters: Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret
- Queen's Jubilee: The Kings Speech
- Fathers Day: Daddy's Home (2015)
- Premier: The Batman (2022)
- Uncharted (2022)
- Turning Red (2022)
- The Duke (2020)
- The Last Bus (2021)
- The Desperate Hour (2021)
Arcadia (1st June - 5th July)
- Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
- Cruella (2021)
- No Time to Die (2021)
- House of Gucci (2021)
- Nightmare Alley (2021)
- Heart of Champions (2021)
- The Father (2020)
- King Richard (2021) - Wimbledon
- Belfast (2021)
- Marry Me (2022)
- Spider-Man No Way Home (2021)
- The Lost City (2022)
- Moonfall (2022)
- A Cowgirl's Song (2021)
- Fatherhood (2021)
- The King's Man (2021)
- West Side Story (2021)
- Best Sellers (2021)
- Bergman Island
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- 13 Minutes (2021)
- The Batman (2022)
- The Outfit (2022)
- Uncharted (2022)
- The Duke (2020)
- The Last Bus (2021)
- The Desperate Hour (2021)
Answer
P&O Cruises' daily activity programme, The Horizon, keeps our guests on board up to date on what is happening during their cruise. This includes where and when shore experiences are departing from, opening times for the bars and restaurants, the entertainment for the day/night and much more.
The Horizon is issued in English and is delivered each evening to every guest's cabin.
Please note, guests are unable to place a personal message in The Horizon.
Answer
On-board Account
For your convenience all of our ships operate a ‘cash free’ environment with everything priced in pounds sterling. To make any purchases on-board you just need to present your cruise card. Our ships do not accept cash, except at the Reception desk for purchase of foreign currency and the settlement of your account. In order for charges to be posted on to your account you will need to register your credit card or Visa/MasterCard Debit card at check-in. All transactions will be charged to your account in pound sterling.
Registering a Payment Card
You may register your credit card as part of online check in. If you do not check in online, the check-in team will ask you for your credit or debit payment card and you will be asked to enter your 4 digit pin number to verify the card. At this point, a £50 pre-authorisation will be applied to ensure your account is live and has available funds. Only once your on-board account totals more than the pre-authorised amount, plus any on-board credit, will your card be authorised further on board.
We accept Mastercard (Credit, Debit), Visa (Credit, Debit and Electron), American Express, Discover and Diners Club cards. We do not accept Solo, Switch and Maestro, JCB or pre-paid cards. Even if you wish to settle your on-board account with cash at the end of your cruise, a payment card must still be registered at embarkation.
Children and On Board Accounts
All guests are issued with a cruise card, including children. Cruise cards provide access to your cabin and also operate as a card to charge purchases to your on board account.
It is the responsibility of the parents to ensure they are aware of what their children charge to their account. If a guest under the age of 18 years old tries to purchase age restricted products, the swiped card will flag up the age of the guest and the transaction will be not be processed.
Settling your on-board Account with Cash
You may choose to settle your account with cash however, a payment card must still be registered. If using cash your account must be kept in credit at all times.
If you wish to settle your account this way, you can deposit cash with the Reception Desk once on board (note you will not be able to use your account until a deposit is made).
Please also note that there are limits on the amount of cash that can be deposited on your account at any one time, which vary by cruise length. You will not be permitted to deposit cash as payment for any goods totalling €9,000 or more (equivalent in the ship’s currency) and these transactions must be settled using your registered card
Settling your on-board Account by Card
If you have a credit card or Visa/MasterCard Debit card registered all you need to do is to check your final statement on the morning of disembarkation. If you are happy with your account you need take no further action. The final amount will be settled to your registered credit or debit card. If you do have any queries you should raise these with the Reception prior to your departure from the ship. You have the ability to charge items to your account on the day of disembarkation until you finally leave the ship – these charges will show as a second settlement on your credit or debit card statement.
If you are doing a back to back cruise you will be charged your on-board spend at the end of each cruise separately.
Please note, If your cruise is longer than 28 days your account will be settled in the middle of your cruise and at the end. You need to ensure you have sufficient funds to settle your account.
Electronic Fund Transfer
We are unable to accept this payment type at this time.
Avoiding Issues with your Credit or Debit Card/Holding Charges
Your card provider, as part of their standard procedures, may retain these authorisations for up to 28 days and this is outside the control of P&O Cruises. Until these authorisations are released, the available funds in the account could be affected. Payment is not taken from your account until it is finally settled on the day of disembarkation. You may therefore wish to contact your card provider on your return to release these authorisations. Prior to leaving for your cruise it is recommended that you advise your credit or debit card provider of your trip away and that you will be on-board a ship and visiting different countries. This will help avoid raising a security alert and your card being declined
Answer
What dining options are available on board?
Our cruises are all full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, meals and snacks, poolside grills, deck barbecues and 24 hour buffets. Room service breakfast and afternoon tea are also included in the price of your holiday.
Every evening we’ll set a place for you in our main dining room and when booking – depending on your ship and fare - you can chose to dine at a set time or one that will fit around your day to day plans. We call these two options club and freedom dining.
Select Dining is our wonderfully flexible alternative dining where for a small charge you can enjoy restaurants by chef Marco Pierre White and TV’s wine expert Olly Smith. We’ve also developed a few of our own speciality experiences to whet your appetite.
Club dining
Club dining is a fixed seating plan operating on 2 sittings, either 1st sitting at 6.30pm or 2nd sitting at 8.30pm. We will reserve a table for you at the same time each evening with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise.
This option will not be available on board Iona.
Freedom dining
Freedom dining is a flexible style of cruise dining, where you can arrive at the restaurant at any time between 18.00 and 21.30 and ask to be seated.
There are tables sizes ranging from two to eight, which are provided on a first come, first serve basis dependant on the type of booking you have made. If the table size you require is not available, you will be given a pager that will notify you once a table becomes available. Freedom dining offers you the opportunity to be seated with different people every night on different sized tables and with different waiters serving you.
Freedom dining is available on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura. Iona operates as solely freedom dining in the Main Dining Restaurants.
Freedom Dining will be held in the following restaurants:
Arcadia - Upper tier of Meridian Restaurant
Arvia - TBC
Aurora – The Medina Restaurant
Azura - The Meridian Restaurant and The Peninsular Restaurant
Britannia - The Peninsular and Meridian Restaurants
Ventura - The Cinnamon Restaurant and The Saffron Restaurants
Iona - Guests on board Iona will have the opportunity to experience all of the Main Dining Restaurants during their holiday giving them the chance to enjoy Coral, Pearl, Opal and Aqua Restaurants from evening to evening.
Select Dining
Select Dining in a speciality restaurant gives you even more choice, many of which are inspired by Michelin-starred chefs such as Marco Pierre White. A Select Dining Cover charge applies in these restaurants. You may also find the question How much are the cover charges in the alternative restaurants? useful.
Other Dining Options
There are also other dining areas which provide 24 hour service ranging from buffet food courts, pizzerias and daytime grills. In all instances, the cost of your meal is included in your fare.
You can also take advantage of room service for light bites and/or full meals. Room service is available 24 hours a day and most items incur a charge. A room service menu will be available to you in your cabin.
Regardless of which option you choose, you are still welcome to use the Select Dining or buffet restaurants at any point during your cruise.
Fare type
Guests who book on the Select Fare may choose their dining time (except Iona, where only freedom dining is offered).
Guests on the Early Saver Fare/Late Saver will be allocated a dining time. This will be confirmed to them by a note in their cabin upon embarkation.
Answer
Club Dining
Dining requests, such as a request for a window table or table for two, can be added as part of the booking process via CompleteCruiseSolution.com. Dining request can be added on the 'Create Booking' screen from 'Table Request' drop down on the 'Dining and Bedding' section.
If you are adding a request after the booking has been made, select 'Manage Booking' enter the booking reference, then select 'Booking Information' you can then select a dining request from the 'Table Request' drop down box.
All requests should be added on Polar Online, no additional requests can be made outside of Polar Online.
Freedom Dining
Please note that dining requests cannot be added to bookings confirmed on Freedom dining, this is because the time of table number the guests will dine at each night will change. Guests should make any requests known to their Restaurant Manager whilst on board.
Early Saver, Late Saver & Other Promotional Fares
Dining requests for bookings made on Late Saver and other promotional fares cannot be made.
Dining as a Group
A TWID code can be added to all fare types for guests wishing to dine together, however, please advise guests we cannot guarantee these requests. In addition we cannot guarantee that linked bookings will be allocated the same dining choice and/or time or that cabins are in close proximity of each other.
Answer
Our Welcome on Board party has had to undergo a few temporary changes to keep you all safe as you soirée. So, whilst there’s not currently a party in the atrium, we’d be delighted if you’d raise a complimentary glass to the occasion as the Captain addresses the whole ship from The Bridge. This will signal the start of a night of spectacular dining and dazzling entertainment.
Please also see 'Who will the Captain be on my cruise?'
Answer
Whether you’re a whizz in the kitchen or a complete beginner, The Cookery Club has a whole menu of classes to tempt you. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get hands-on in our state-of-the-art kitchen, being guided by our talented team of friendly, professional chefs.
You could even learn from the godfather of British cooking himself, Marco Pierre White! Marco’s innovative five course Celebration Dinner menus are a treat for all and as the patron of The Cookery Club on Britannia, Marco hosts masterclasses and dinners when on board, bringing his spirit to the whole experience. Fancy a trip ashore with Marco? Look out for his selected shore excursions.
Marco has developed a whole range of new masterclasses and hosted dinners. Even when he’s not with us, you can still learn to cook and present Marco’s dishes, as our chefs host Unmistakably Marco Classes and Unmistakably Marco Dinners to give you the inside track on his recipes and techniques. Cooking done, it’s time to tuck in and enjoy the delicious food you’ve created.
Marco's Hosted Masterclass
Step into The Cookery Club for the ultimate culinary experience. After welcoming you to his two hour masterclass held exclusively on Britannia, Marco will be your guide as you learn to cook restaurant-quality food. What better way to master Marco's techniques than by trying them out first-hand, overseen by the man himself? Dishes cooked and served, it's time to tuck in and enjoy them together. You can book this once-in-a-lifetime experience once you are on board via My Holiday, but places are limited to an intimate 24 per class.
Marco's Hosted Dinner
What's better than having your dinner cooked by culinary legend Marco Pierre White? How about tucking into that dinner with Marco and, over a few glasses of good wine, enjoying tales from his glittering career? The godfather of British cooking will prepare three courses as you gather round to watch as he works. Once you're seated, you'll enjoy delicious dishes, lively conversation and a selection of wines chosen to compliment each course. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for foodies and fans of the world-famous chef. You can book this once-in-a-lifetime experience once you are on board via My Holiday, but places are limited.
Each Cookery Club class can cater for 24 guests and everyone works in pairs, so feel free to come on your own as you’ll always find a partner. The best bit – there’s no preparation or washing up to do. It’s all done for you. It’s an experience not to be missed – but book early as places are limited.
Classes in The Cookery Club start from £45 (*prices subject to change) and our Food Heroes' masterclasses start from £100 with hosted dinners starting at £150. You will be able to book this through My Holiday once on board. Currently, bookings cannot be made via My P&O Cruises.
There will be on average 19 classes per two week cruise, both on Sea days (09:30 – 12:00 and 15:30 – 17:00 classes) and Port days (15:30 – 17:00 class).
You may find the following question useful - When will the Food Heroes and Celebrity Chefs be on board?
Family classes
The Family class is specifically designed so that parents can cook along with their children (aged between 8 and 17). Each adult booked on the family class may bring one child at no extra cost. This class is available during the main school holidays. An age restriction applies to all other classes not entitled "the Family class", for details please see below.
Cookery classes
Classes will be taught by The Cookery Club Team
Classes are approximately 2 hours long and start with a brief background and history of food and cooking methods behind the class, a run through the dishes you will be making followed by a safety briefing
You will be cooking at a workstation designed for two** people and the classes have been designed to work in pairs so that it is a fun, sociable session and to make it less intimidating for those less confident in the kitchen
At the end of the classes passengers will be able to enjoy the delicious dishes around our Chefs' Table
All of the hassle is taken out of cooking, with all ingredients weighed out and all equipment to hand for fun, stress free cooking
Dishes will be demonstrated by the chef, step by step and then you will cook the dish in pairs, under the guidance of the Cookery Club Team
**if booking by yourself or as an uneven numbered group you will be paired up.
A selection of classes from the Cookery Club.
We have a whole menu of classes, led by our head of The Cookery Club. Inspired by the destinations we visit, you could tackle Thai street food, cook up A taste of the Caribbean or recreate Indian favourites from Sindhu. Perhaps you’d like to unravel the flavours of Morocco and the Middle East? Or maybe Great bakes or Breadmaking appeal more? Whatever gets your mouth watering, these hands-on classes are fun and inspiring, with our friendly, expert chefs to guide you. Pair up with a partner to do the cooking, then all sit down together to enjoy your delicious dishes. There’s no boring prep or washing up to do. Naturally, you’ll have a set of recipe cards to take away, so you can do it all again in your own kitchen. You can book via My Holiday once on board, but hurry – places are strictly limited.
Below are a few examples to show you the wide variety of 30+ classes available in the Cookery Club.
Thai street food
Learn how to cook authentic street food from Thailand and create divine dishes, full of subtle flavours.
A taste of the Caribbean
Discover how to create the distinctive flavours of the Caribbean as you rustle up these classic dishes.
l Jerk chicken, rice and peas
l Caramelised rum and coconut bananas
Indian favourites from Sindhu
Learn from the experts as they take you on a journey of perfectly balanced spices, delicate flavours and wonderful aromas.
Chocolate
The ultimate class for chocolate lovers – create three mouth-watering, cocoa-laden delights.
l Chocolate honeycomb bites
l Triple chocolate fudge brownies
l Dark chocolate liqueur truffles
Breadmaking
Discover the recipes and techniques for turning out bread baked to perfection, time after time.
l Olive, rosemary and sundried tomato focaccia
l Cheese and chilli cornbread
l Honey, hazelnut and raisin bread
Mexican and Brazilian street food
South American food at its finger-licking best! Get hands-on and learn to create tasty dishes perfect for sharing.
Family Classes
Holidays are all about sharing quality time with our loved ones, and never has this been so important than today, with our increasingly busy lifestyles. The Family class is designed for you and the children to enjoy some time together, and get hands on in the kitchen as you learn some ideal family dishes. The Cookery Club team will lead this interactive class, helping you and the children to make everything from scratch and have plenty of fun along the way! This is a great opportunity to ignite a passion for food in your little ones, and create some lovely holiday memories to boot.
Please note that each adult booked onto the Family class can bring along one child between the ages of 8 and 17 for no extra cost!
Sample menu
Mini blueberry and lemon loaf cakes with lemon drizzle icing
Handmade linguine with red pepper, tomato and pepperoni sauce
A masterclass with...
When our Food Heroes are on board they will be teaching classes These are suitable for all levels of cooking ability. All other classes on the cruise will be taught by the Cookery Club Team.
Dinner with..
Our Food Heroes will be hosting dinners in the Cookery Club when they are on board. Step into The Cookery Club with legendary chefs for the ultimate culinary experience. After welcoming you with a glass of bubbly to their two-hour masterclasses they will guide you through the preparation of some of their favourite dishes. Watch and learn as they cook right before your eyes while explaining techniques and sharing treasured tips. Then, tuck into the delicious dishes. You can book these once-in-a-lifetime experiences through My P&O Cruises, but hurry – places are strictly limited to an intimate 24 per class.
Age Restrictions: Classes are for adults 18 years and older. Children 16 and 17 years of age may book onto a class as long as they are accompanied by an adult who is also booked on that same class. Family classes are for children who are of 8 years and older.
Dietary needs: Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs and substitute ingredients where we can. However due to the nature of the hosted dinners we may not be able to have the celebrity chef cook and cater for all dietary needs.
If you have any dietary requirements please speak to the Booking Line once on board for any class or hosted dinner to make sure we can do everything in our capabilities for you. If after discussing your dietary requirements with us you feel the menu changes for the dinner will not meet your original expectations you will be refunded.
Cookery Class Dress Code (Daytime, masterclasses and evening classes): You are encouraged to wear enclosed flat shoes, long trousers and a long-sleeved top/shirt for all classes. Aprons and chef hats will be provided.
Accessible station
The Cookery Club features one low level work station specifically designed for wheelchair users, as well as one wheelchair accessible place at the main table.
Guests are welcome to attend by themselves, if a carer is required to assist during the class, the carer does not need to book a place.
Internal Information
Guest, Internal & Agent
The Cookery Club cannot currently be booked via My P&O Cruises and must be booked on board through My Holiday.
Marco Pierre White - New Patron of The Cookery Club on Britannia
To help you create compelling customer-facing communications new toolkit and set of assets have been created including new imagery and videos, and all-new on board collateral for The Cookery Club. Recipe packs are also available to download.
Please find a copy of the toolkit by clicking here.
All assets can be downloaded from Asset Bank: Browse -> Toolkits -> Food Heroes -> The Cookery Club
Available to book from 120 days before sailing
(Ligurian, Baltic & Caribbean tiers. Mediterranean, Atlantic, Pacific & non members on sale from 118 days.)
Do we cater for Vegans and Vegetarians
Many of our classes are already vegetarian (Bread, desserts can be altered to suit vegetarians).
The Pasta class is suitable for vegetarians without any alterations. However the pasta dough will not work without egg in the recipe so cannot be changed to accommodate vegans.
The Indian favourites class can be adapted for vegetarians.
Adapting our recipes to suit vegans is more tricky and will take time to look into as each recipe's ingredients closely. To help I've just created a spread sheet (this is internal information only) with a coding for vegetarian classes and those that can be adapted for vegetarians which should help the shoreside and on board teams.
Please see pictures below of accessible station:
The Cookery Club have three large 50 inch screens to view the Chef's demonstration bench from any station in the room.
There is no Medic in the room whilst cooking in the Cookery Club. We will have a first aid box for minor injuries. Anything that is more severe will either be sent to the Medical Centre or if needed a member of the medical team will be called and come to the Cookery Club immediately.
All food cooked in the Cookery Class will be eaten at the dining table in the Cookery Club.
Family Classes
Family classes are only on selected sailings.
DVD of the Cookery Club
There are no plans to film each of the classes onboard. We may include some general footage from classes during the cruise on the cruise dvd, this will be confirmed near the time.
Group Bookings
There is no group booking facility however one passenger can book as many spaces are they wish in any class
Accessibility
There is one workstation specifically built for a wheelchair / scooter user and 1 place at the main table for a wheelchair user.
If the wheelchair user is happy to attend by themselves they are welcome to come alone. If they need a carer to accompany them then the carer can assist them during the class and does not have to book a place to be there to help them.
Answer
All cabins have a handrail in the shower.
Answer
We have launched a new and exciting photo experience on Iona. Details will be revealed later in the year for the rest of P&O Cruises fleet. Our professional photographers onboard Iona offer a range of stunning photo opportunities to capture your P&O Cruises experience. Your images can be viewed and ordered in the Photo Gallery in a choice of print sizes and settings.
Answer
The ship provides a private medical service and staff include doctors and nurses. Our medical facility has basic medications and equipment. Whilst we are able to offer an immediate medical response, it is important to understand that this is not the same as would be available in a land based facility and there is no access to surgical or complex intensive care facilities, advanced imaging or medical specialists.
If an acute medical or surgical condition occurs, it could be life-threatening. Medical evacuations are not always possible and where arrangements can be made, they can be extremely expensive and may take hours or days to achieve.
COVID-19 PCR tests are not available to purchase via the Medical Centre.
Answer
Yes - all equipment will need to be carried on board as hand luggage and upon embarkation will be required to contact Reception so that an Electrical Officer can check the equipment is compatible with the ships electrical supply prior to sailing. All cabins are fitted with the British three pin sockets.
Additionally all rooms are fitted with 220V / 110V switchable razor sockets, except Britannia which are fitted with 230V / 120V that will require a UK adaptor.
Please note that the electrical supply on board P&O Cruises ships varies but may not be the same as the standard electrical supply in the UK.
Below is a picture of the shaver socket on board Britannia
P&O Cruises cannot supply an extension lead.
Please see 'What type of plug sockets / voltage are used on board and where are they located?' for further details.