What is the disembarkation process?

Disembarkation

Last updated 22/05/2025

For information about embarkation, please see our article ‘What is the embarkation process?’ 

Leaving the ship

At Southampton

The time has come for you and your travel party to leave the ship with all your new P&O Cruises memories.

On the day before you leave the ship, you’ll find a disembarkation letter outside your cabin with all the essential information you need to know before heading home, including your disembarkation time slot. Please read through this carefully to ensure a smooth sailing disembarkation.

Please note: if you’ve chosen to self-disembark, the time slot of this will also be highlighted on the disembarkation letter. For more information on how to self-disembark, see here. 

On the morning of disembarkation, you need to vacate your cabin by the time you’ve been given. If you’re not disembarking until later, you’re free to explore the ship, enjoy breakfast or relax in one of our bars. 

Head to the meeting point highlighted in your disembarkation letter, at the time slot given to you, where a P&O Cruises representative will meet you and guide you to the gangway. You’ll need your cruise card one final time, as this will be scanned upon leaving the ship. 

Once you’re off the ship, you’ll go through the cruise terminal where you’ll find your luggage waiting (unless you choose to self-disembark) and head through to customs.

Depending on how you’re getting home, you’ll head to different areas of the port.

• By car: if you’ve parked in the cruise terminal, head towards the car park where you’ll be greeted by a CPS representative. 
• By car/taxi pick-up: you’ll be directed to a pick-up lane where you should meet your driver.
• By coach: you’ll be directed towards the coach pick-ups where you’ll be greeted by a P&O Cruises representative.

Where should I leave my luggage?

If you’re self-disembarking

This means you’ve chosen to carry your own luggage off the ship. Please keep it inside your cabin until you leave the ship. 

If you’re not self-disembarking 

Please leave your suitcase(s) outside your cabin the night before you disembark. The crew will then collect it and make sure it’s safely taken off the ship when you arrive in port. You’ll find your luggage at the collection point at the port in order of deck numbers, for you to easily locate. 

If you’re on a Caribbean fly-cruise

Simply leave your case(s) outside your cabin the day before disembarkation and we’ll handle the rest. Make sure you don’t pack away any essentials you need for the evening and flight back; keep those with you. You’ll find your luggage waiting for you at the regional UK airport you’re flying to. For more information, see our blog post about bonded luggage.

If you’re flying on a scheduled flight

Please leave your luggage outside your cabin the day before. You’ll find your luggage in the cruise terminal before you head to the airport.

Please note: For all fly-cruise holidays, your baggage transportation details will be confirmed and communicated to you on board.

For more information, see our article ‘How do I get luggage on and off the ship?’ 

What time can I leave the ship?

We operate staggered disembarkation to allow for a smooth experience. You’ll be advised of your time slot in your disembarkation letter, which will arrive outside your cabin the day before you leave the ship.  

If you’ve chosen to self-disembark, you’ll be advised of the time slot for this. 

If you’d prefer an earlier or later disembarkation slot, please speak to Reception as soon as possible, once on board. Although we can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to disembark at your preferred time, the crew will do whatever they can to accommodate your request. 

Self-disembarkation

If you’ve chosen this option, disembarkation usually starts at approximately 6.30am, but it depends on when the ship clears customs. You’ll need to carry your own luggage off the ship because, as you’ve chosen to self-disembark, we can’t help with this. 

Accessibility

If you need assistance while disembarking the ship, we kindly request that you complete the On-Board Needs Questionnaire via My P&O Cruises as soon as possible. This is so we’ll have time to accommodate your needs and answer any questions you might have.

Going ashore

When visiting a port during a P&O Cruises holiday, you’ll need to disembark the ship using your cruise card. The times of disembarkation will vary depending on your itinerary and will be prominently highlighted in your daily Horizon, along with what time you’ll need to return to the ship and which deck the gangway will be located on. The Horizon magazine will be placed outside your cabin each night.

When disembarking for port, you’ll need to make your way to the gangway, where your cruise card will be scanned when you leave the ship. You’ll then make your way through the cruise terminal, and you’ll be free to explore the destination. 

Shore experiences

If you’ve booked a shore experience with P&O Cruises, you’ll be greeted by a P&O Cruises representative once you've disembarked and shown to the meeting area. 

Bus transfers

In some ports, you’ll need to board a bus for a short transfer through the port. If this is the case, you’ll be directed towards the bus and dropped off at the port exit or nearby town.

Depending on the destination, you may be able to board a transfer coach that takes you into the city centre; if so, you’ll be directed towards the coach pick-up point. There may be a small charge but in most cases, there’s no charge for guests booked on a Select Price holiday.

Using a tender 

In some ports, it’s necessary to anchor offshore rather than alongside. If this is the case, we use a tender (small vessel) to take you ashore. You’ll be made aware of whether a tender will be in use and there is no additional charge for this service.  

We operate a staggered disembarkation, meaning you’ll be asked to collect a ticket from a chosen venue and wait for your group to be called before making your way down to the tender platform. If you’ve booked a shore experience, you’ll be given priority to board the tender earlier. 

Anyone wishing to board the tender will first need to demonstrate that they have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and a gap of up to 45cm (18 inches) via a mobility test by stepping unaided over the required distance. Children who are unable to step across a gap of this size will be permitted to use the tender service if their parent/guardian can demonstrate that they can carry or pass them safely across the mobility test gap. 

Accessibility 

Crew members will be available to guide and steady you as you embark but they can’t support, carry or lift you on board for safety reasons.  

If you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, please note that you or your travelling companion are responsible for assembling and disassembling it. The crew will try to help where practical and safe to do so, providing that no individual part weighs more than 20kg (40lb). 

If you’ve notified us that you have reduced mobility, you’ll be invited to a tender briefing on board and given the opportunity to take part in the mobility assessment, as described above, in advance. If an officer decides it’s not safe for you to board a tender, please respect their decision as this is taken to ensure your safety, in accordance with health and safety laws. 

Remember...

• Please ensure you read your disembarkation letter thoroughly and remember your meeting time. 
• Check your cabin before you leave and be careful not to leave anything behind.
• Take your cruise card with you; you’ll need it to disembark.
• Pack your travel documents into your hand luggage. 
• Your on-board account statement should arrive to your door before you disembark; it’s a good idea to take this with you. 

The crew are still available to help if you need anything throughout the disembarkation process.

We hope to see you again soon!

Still need help?

If you have further questions or require additional support, the Contact Centre is always happy to help! Contact us today on 0344 338 8003. 

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