Booked one of our cruise holidays and wondering what’s next? Here’s what you need to do to get ready for your P&O Cruises holiday.

What do I need to do after I've booked?

Managing your booking online

<h2>Managing your booking online</h2><p>Everything you need to manage your holiday can be found in My P&amp;O Cruises. Please <a title="Log in to My P&amp;O Cruises" href="/login/manage-booking">visit My P&amp;O Cruises</a> to log in with your booking reference.</p><p>As well as being the easiest way to make a payment and check-in, logging in allows you to make changes and add-ons to your holiday such as booking on board entertainment, dining, shore experiences, gifts and spa treatments. Paying for these before your holiday is a great way to make savings and spread the cost. Plus, you’ll have some lovely plans to look forward to on board.</p><p><a title="Discover what you can do with My P&amp;O Cruises" href="/help-hub/centre/logging-in-and-registering/what-is-a-my-account">Learn more about My P&amp;O Cruises</a> and how to use it.</p><p>You can also create an account, where you’ll be able to manage all of your P&amp;O Cruises bookings together in one place.</p><p>Learn <a title="Discover hoe to set up your My P&amp;O Cruises account" href="/help-hub/centre/logging-in-and-registering/how-to-log-in-or-register-for-a-my-account">how to log in or register for an account</a>.</p>


<p>Make My P&amp;O Cruises your first stop to plan everything ahead.</p>


Paying your cruise balance

<h2>Paying your cruise balance</h2><p>Whether you’re paying for your P&amp;O Cruises holiday in instalments or one lump sum, we’ll need to take full payment for your holiday before you’re due to sail. For your full payment due date, please refer to the <a title="P&amp;O Cruises booking terms and conditions" href="/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions">booking T&amp;Cs</a>.</p><p>You can pay any outstanding balances for your holiday by logging into My P&amp;O Cruises and navigating to the balance payment page.</p><p>You can choose to:</p><ul><li>make a part payment (if your fare type allows) or,</li><li>pay the full remaining balance</li></ul><p>You can also contact us directly to make a payment and <a title="Paying for your P&amp;O Cruises holiday is effortless and secure." href="/help-hub/centre/prices-payments-and-discounts/prices-and-payment-help/make-a-payment">learn more about payment towards your holiday here</a>.</p><p>If you’ve booked your P&amp;O Cruises holiday with a travel agent, you’ll need to contact them to settle the outstanding balance of your holiday.&nbsp;</p><p>If you’re no longer able to travel for any reason, the lead guest on the booking will need to call us – or the travel agent you booked with - as it isn’t possible to cancel a cruise booking online.</p><p>Learn about the <a title="Discover how to cancel a booking" href="/help-hub/centre/amending-and-cancelling-a-booking/cancel-a-booking/how-to-cancel-a-booking">P&amp;O Cruises cancellation procedure</a>. </p>


Checking in online

<h2>Checking in online</h2><p>Checking in online for your cruise means you can board your ship sooner. To check in, just log in to My P&amp;O Cruises 21 days before you're due to depart and follow the instructions.</p><p>To help, <a title="See how to check in online with My P&amp;O Cruises" href="/help-hub/centre/getting-ready-to-sail/checking-in-online/how-do-i-check-in-online">learn how to check in online</a>.</p><p>Once you’ve checked in, you’ll be able to print your boarding passes. You’ll need to show these at the cruise terminal and again when you board your ship. Ask a friend or family member to print them if you don’t have access to a printer.</p><p>You can also <a title="See how to download and print your boarding pass in My P&amp;O Cruises" href="/help-hub/centre/getting-ready-to-sail/travel-requirements-and-documents/how-do-i-find-and-download-my-boarding-pass">learn how to find and download your cruise boarding pass</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Our travel (and packing) checklists

<h2>Our travel (and packing) checklists<br>&nbsp;</h2><h3>Travel checklist</h3><p>Please make sure you complete these steps before your holiday:</p><ol><li>Check that your details are up to date in My P&amp;O Cruises&nbsp;</li><li>Complete all guest information</li><li>Add a payment card</li><li>NB: All of our ships are cashless so you’ll need this to buy things on board&nbsp;</li><li>Upload a photo of each guest on your booking (this will be used to ID you as you get on and off the ship in your destinations)&nbsp;</li><li>Source travel insurance and add the details to My P&amp;O Cruises (we also recommend carrying a printed copy of this in your hand luggage as you might be asked for it at the cruise terminal)&nbsp;</li><li>Print your boarding passes and luggage labels&nbsp;</li><li>Check the entry requirements for your destinations (and complete any passenger locator forms needed)&nbsp;</li><li>If you’re travelling with friends or family in other cabins, link your bookings by calling our Customer Contact Centre or your travel agent (if you booked with them)</li></ol><p>You can also get ready to sail with our handy <a title="Discover what you need to do with our helpful checklist" href="/cruise-with-confidence/travel-checklist">travel checklist</a>.</p>


<h3>Packing checklist</h3><p>There's plenty you could pack with unlimited luggage allowances on sailings from Southampton, but do remember that each case must not weigh more than 23kg.</p><p>And there are ways to save space. For example, we provide towels and selected toiletries free of charge in your cabin. Our ships are also equipped with free washing machines and tumble driers, so you can do your laundry on board.</p><p>Our extensive cruise packing list article shows what <a title="Cruise packing list" href="/help-hub/centre/getting-ready-to-sail/luggage/things-to-bring-on-a-cruise-ship--cruise-packing-list">things to bring on a cruise ship</a>.</p><p>Also remember that, if you're on a fly-cruise holiday, to make sure you check your airline's luggage allowance.</p><p>You can learn more about <a title="Luggage information for Fly-cruise holidays" href="/help-hub/centre/flights/luggage-information">luggage allowances on fly-cruise holidays</a>.</p><p>Some things are also banned on our ships for health and safety reasons or the comfort of all guests. Please check our <a title="Prohibited items when travelling on P&amp;O Cruises ships" href="/essential-information/safety-and-security#Allowed">prohibited items list</a> before you travel.</p>


Arriving at the cruise terminal

<h2>Arriving at the cruise terminal</h2><p>To help your arrival run smoothly, please arrive at the time shown on your boarding pass.</p><p>When you arrive:</p><ul><li>Drop off your luggage at the luggage drop-off point</li><li>Go to the check-in desk with your boarding pass and passport&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Make sure these are easy to access in your hand luggage.</p><p>Once checked in, you’ll go through a security screening, similar to an airport.&nbsp;</p><p>After this, you can board the ship.</p><p>For complete details, learn more about <a title="Learn about embarkation for P&amp;O Cruises ships" href="/help-hub/centre/getting-ready-to-sail/embarkation-and-disembarkation/what-is-the-embarkation-process">the embarkation process</a>.</p>


<p>Our friendly Customer Contact Centre is here to help.</p>


OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

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<p>Booked one of our cruise holidays and wondering what’s next? Here’s what you need to do to get ready for your P&O Cruises holiday.</p>


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