How do I get my luggage to and from the cruise ship?

Luggage

Last updated: 22/05/2025

Embarkation: sailing from Southampton

Getting luggage to, and arriving at, Southampton 

Driving 

If you travel to Southampton by car or taxi, you’ll be directed to a drop-off lane where you can unload your luggage, and it will be loaded on board. You can drop off your luggage at the luggage drop-off zone. Porters are available if you need assistance. Once we’ve set sail, your cabin bags will await you outside your cabin.  

Please note: when travelling by car, you can bring as many bags as you can comfortably fit into your car and cabin, but each item of luggage should weigh no more than 23kg for safety and handling purposes. For more information, please see our article ‘How much luggage can I take on board?’

Coach transfers 

If you use the coach transfer service, the coach driver will load your luggage onto the coach and remove it once you arrive at the designated cruise terminal in Southampton.

You’ll then need to take your luggage to the luggage drop-off zone, where it will be loaded on board. Porters will be available to assist you. Once we’ve set sail, your cabin bags will await you outside your cabin.  

 

Please note: when travelling by coach, you’re allowed two medium-sized cases weighing no more than 23kg each and one piece of hand luggage per person. For more information, please see our article ‘How much luggage can I take on board?’

For more information about coach transfers, please see our article ‘Do you offer coach transfers to and from Southampton port?’

Important: please ensure all your bags at the luggage drop-off area are tagged with labels. You can download and print luggage labels before you arrive at the port to board the ship. For more information, please see our article ‘What do I need to know about luggage labels?’

Luggage courier service 

If you depart from Southampton, you can arrange to have your luggage sent to the ship for convenience. The Baggage Handling Company offers a convenient service for collecting your luggage from your home and transporting it to the port up to 96 hours before your cruise departs. You don’t have to worry about your luggage until you reach your cabin. It’s safely sealed and stored in a secure facility before departure; the Baggage Handling Company guarantees complete peace of mind over the security of your luggage once it’s in their possession. 

 

When you return from your holiday, a representative will meet you at the terminal. The representative will reseal your luggage and return it to you on the date you’ve agreed. The service is available from £36 per bag each way, depending on location. To find out more or to book this service, visit www.thebaggagehandlingcompany.com or call the P&O Cruises Customer Contact Centre on 08448 094 661. Calls cost 5p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge.

 

Embarkation: fly-cruise holidays 

Getting luggage to the port of embarkation 

 

Caribbean charter flights 

We're pleased to be able to offer a seamless service known as bonded baggage on Caribbean chartered flights. The bonded baggage service lets you travel light and arrive at your destination in full holiday mode. Drop all your luggage off at the UK departure airport, and we’ll take care of the rest. The next time you see your suitcases, you’ll be on board.

 

Your bags will be delivered to your cabin door once you’ve been whisked from the airport to your ship (no need to go through immigration). Just remember to pack any essentials for your flight, such as earphones, a good book and any medication, plus a fresh set of clothes in case you arrive before your bags and want to head straight for the bar in your holiday garb. For more information about the bonded baggage service, click here. 

 

Scheduled flights

If you're travelling on a scheduled flight, when you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to pass through immigration, collect your luggage from Baggage Reclaim and proceed to Arrivals. 

 

If you booked your flight directly through P&O Cruises and you’re arriving on the day of sailing or booked a hotel stay directly through us, a P&O Cruises representative will meet you and give you instructions for joining your coach transfer to the cruise terminal. 

 

If you’ve arranged your own flights or are flying out to your destination early, you must make your way to the cruise terminal.

 

For more information, see our article ‘What must I know about luggage on a P&O Cruises fly-cruise holiday?’

 

Disembarkation

On both cruise-only and fly-cruise holidays,  you will need to leave your main luggage outside your cabin the night before disembarkation, unless you elect to carry off your own luggage. On your final night, double-check your disembarkation letter, left outside your cabin, for instructions on leaving your luggage outside your cabin; our staff will take care of whisking it away for you.

Please note: for bonded baggage on our chartered flights, you’ll also need to leave your luggage outside your cabin but you’ll be reunited with your belongings in your chosen UK arrival airport.

Collecting luggage at the cruise terminal 

After disembarking, you'll collect your luggage in a designated area. To make it easy to locate, look for your deck number and you'll be reunited with your belongings in no time.

Express disembarkation

You can opt for our express service to keep your luggage the night before disembarkation. This service allows you to keep your luggage in your cabin the night before and carry it off yourself in the morning without help from our crew or porters. It also allows you to be more flexible in your departure time, allowing you to disembark earlier if you so wish. The time for express disembarkation will be highlighted in your disembarkation letter.

For more information about the entire disembarkation process, please see our article ‘What is the disembarkation 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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