What is the embarkation process?

We understand that cruising might seem daunting and complex. We’re here to help ease any travel worries and show you how easy cruising can be, and what you can expect in your first moments leading up to joining the ship to create unforgettable memories.

Embarkation

Last updated 22/05/2025

Joining the ship 

From Southampton  

Depending on how you get to Southampton, you’ll arrive at a designated area within the port, just outside the terminal building.  

  • By car: arrive at the terminal and follow the instructions given to you by the terminal staff. 
  • Drop-off by car: you’ll be directed towards a drop-off lane just outside the cruise terminal building.  
  • By coach: your coach will drop you off just outside the cruise terminal building.  

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll need to take your luggage to the porters just outside the departures entrance. They’ll load your luggage onto a belt, and it will arrive at your cabin within a few hours.  

Ensure you keep your hand luggage with you, packed with all the essentials you may need for the next few hours.  

 

 
 Put your travel documents (including passports, boarding passes and visas) in your hand luggage, ready for checking in. 

From the airport (fly-cruises)

If you’re embarking on one of our fly-cruise holidays, you’ll first need to go through the check-in and security process at your chosen regional airport. 

Once your flight arrives at the destination where you’ll be joining your ship, you’ll meet a P&O Cruises representative who will guide you to the coach that will take you to your ship.

For information about what to do with your luggage, see our article What must I know about luggage on a P&O Cruises fly-cruise holiday?

At the cruise terminal 

When you arrive at the port to embark on your P&O Cruises holiday, you’ll follow a similar check-in process to other holidays you may have been on.  

Head to the departures lounge where you’ll be greeted by a P&O Cruises representative. They’ll direct you to the check-in point, so be sure to have your documents ready. Once checked in, you’ll be directed towards security, where you’ll go through a security screening similar to an airport. 

After you’ve been through security, you’ll be directed to board the ship. 

Your first stop once on board should be to your muster station. You’ll be told where this is and how to get there by a member of staff when you first embark. Here you’ll meet a member of the crew who will scan your boarding pass and talk you through some safety procedures. 

Once you’ve visited your muster station, you’re free to explore the ship and get your holiday truly started. At the muster station, a crew member will let you know if your cabin is ready for occupancy. If it is, you can now go to your cabin and you'll find your cruise card waiting for you outside. 

What time can I board the ship?

To ensure our embarkation process is as quick and seamless as possible, we kindly ask that you adhere to the boarding time allocated to you. You’ll find this in My P&O Cruises 21 days before boarding, and it will be written on your boarding pass.

Please note: for our fly-cruise holidays, you won’t be given a boarding time. You’ll be able to board the ship as soon as your transfer coach arrives at the cruise terminal.

If you’re arriving by coach with our preferred partner, you’ll be issued with a coloured card (a different one for each group) before leaving the coach. Each group will be called forward to the check-in point, usually within 20 minutes of entering the terminal. Guests arriving on any other coach service will be called forward as soon as we can slot them in.

Don’t worry if the embarkation time written on your boarding pass differs from your coach arrival time; you’ll be able to board your ship shortly after arriving. 

Priority boarding  

Priority boarding will be given to a select group of guests who fit one of the following criteria. 

  • Guests with mobility requirements: you’ll have priority embarkation when arriving at your allocated check-in time as per your boarding pass. This means you can use the priority boarding queue but must still arrive at your allocated time. 
  • Ligurian, Baltic and Caribbean tier members of the Peninsular Club: Ligurian members may arrive from 12.30pm and Baltic/Caribbean members may arrive from 13.00pm. Please note: your boarding pass may state a different time but you may arrive from the times above. 
  • Guests who are travelling in the same cabin as another guest who is in the Ligurian, Baltic or Caribbean tier of the Peninsular Club: if you’re in a lower tier, you’ll be allowed to board at the same time as the member. 
  • Guests who have booked a Suite, Mini-Suite or Conservatory Mini-Suite: your priority boarding time will be highlighted on your boarding pass.  
  • Brides and grooms who’ve booked a Weddings at Sea ceremony: you should arrive at the time stated on your boarding pass but you can use the priority boarding lane. Please note: this doesn’t apply to other members of the wedding party. 

Accessibility 

If you have accessibility needs while boarding the ship, porters are available if you’d like some help. Please fill out the On-Board Needs Questionnaire via My P&O Cruises as soon as possible and no later than 14 days before you sail, to tell us what you need.

During embarkation, we can help with:

  • Checking in your baggage and transferring it to your cabin
  • Access via lifts, wheelchairs and other help as needed, from check-in through immigration and security checks to boarding the ship 
  • Getting on board, from the ship entrance to your cabin, a seat or other area
  • Handling additional medical equipment or mobility aids
  • Ground handling of recognised assistance dogs

For more information, please have a look at our Accessibility hub.

Hidden disabilities 

We recommend that guests who have a hidden disability arrive at the cruise terminal in Southampton from 3pm, as this is a quieter time with less chance of queueing and being in a stressful environment. Alternatively, please arrive at your allocated time and go to the enquiries desk if you’d like some help. 

Returning to your ship after visiting a port

After going ashore at a port, you’ll return to your ship. You’ll go through a similar security screening to the one at the start of your holiday.

The time you need to be back to the ship will be highlighted in your daily Horizon magazine.

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

Still need help?

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

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