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

Online check-in

Last updated: 22/04/2026

Managing your booking online

Everything you need to manage your holiday can be found in My P&O Cruises. Please visit My P&O Cruises to log in with your booking reference.

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.

Learn more about My P&O Cruises and how to use it.

You can also create an account, where you’ll be able to manage all of your P&O Cruises bookings together in one place.

Learn how to log in or register for an account.

Paying your cruise balance

Whether you’re paying for your P&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 booking T&Cs.

You can pay any outstanding balances for your holiday by logging into My P&O Cruises and navigating to the balance payment page.

You can choose to:

• make a part payment (if your fare type allows) or,
• pay the full remaining balance

You can also contact us directly to make a payment and learn more about payment towards your holiday here.

If you’ve booked your P&O Cruises holiday with a travel agent, you’ll need to contact them to settle the outstanding balance of your holiday. 

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.

Learn about the P&O Cruises cancellation procedure. 

Checking in online

Checking in online for your cruise means you can board your ship sooner. To check in, just log in to My P&O Cruises 21 days before you're due to depart and follow the instructions.

To help, learn how to check in online.

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.

You can also learn how to find and download your cruise boarding pass.  

Our travel (and packing) checklists
 

Travel checklist

Please make sure you complete these steps before your holiday:

1. Check that your details are up to date in My P&O Cruises 
2. Complete all guest information
3. Add a payment card
4. NB: All of our ships are cashless so you’ll need this to buy things on board 
5. 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) 
6. Source travel insurance and add the details to My P&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) 
7. Print your boarding passes and luggage labels 
8. Check the entry requirements for your destinations (and complete any passenger locator forms needed) 
9. 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)

You can also get ready to sail with our handy travel checklist.

Packing checklist

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.

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.

Our extensive cruise packing list article shows what things to bring on a cruise ship.

Also remember that, if you're on a fly-cruise holiday, to make sure you check your airline's luggage allowance.

You can learn more about luggage allowances on fly-cruise holidays.

Some things are also banned on our ships for health and safety reasons or the comfort of all guests. Please check our prohibited items list before you travel.

Arriving at the cruise terminal

To help your arrival run smoothly, please arrive at the time shown on your boarding pass.

When you arrive:

• Drop off your luggage at the luggage drop-off point
• Go to the check-in desk with your boarding pass and passport  

Make sure these are easy to access in your hand luggage.

Once checked in, you’ll go through a security screening, similar to an airport. 

After this, you can board the ship.

For complete details, learn more about the embarkation process.

Still need help?

Still have questions? Our friendly Customer Contact Centre is always happy to help! Contact us today on 0344 338 8003.

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