Can I cruise if I have a disability or impairment?

Accessibility

Last updated: 27/05/2025

A polite reminder: if you have accessibility needs or health conditions, we kindly ask that you fill out the On-Board Needs Questionnaire via My P&O Cruises as soon as possible after booking your holiday, and no later than two weeks before your departure date.

Our ships 

All our ships across the fleet have accessible areas and facilities that are suitable for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. You can navigate the ships via the accessible routes to public venues and the majority of deck areas. 

For more information, please see our article ‘What accessibility facilities are there on board?’ and our ‘Accessible cabins and ship access’ 

Our crew

The crew on board our ships are always happy to help where they can but – for your safety and theirs – there might be some circumstances where they can’t. 

If you need assistance with daily living, such as washing, using the toilet, eating, moving around the ship or disembarking in destinations, you’ll need to travel with a companion or personal assistant who can provide this for you. The ship’s crew are unable to help with these tasks.

Embarking and disembarking the ship

We have several procedures in place to ensure the safety of all our guests. When sailing from Southampton, we can offer wheelchair assistance for embarkation and disembarkation. Assistance will start once you’re inside the terminal building, where members of the mobility assistance team will escort you on board either in a ship’s wheelchair or using your own mobility device.

Help with disembarkation can be arranged on board the ship. If you have any questions, please contact Reception on board.

For more information, see our articles ‘What is the embarkation process?’ and ‘What is the disembarkation process?’

Children with disabilities

We have a fantastic range of children’s activities available to all children. However, we don’t provide one-to-one support or care; if your child requires this, a parent or carer will need to be present at all times.

If your child has a disability or any medical requirements and would like to partake in our children’s activities, please contact our Youth team manager while you’re on board.

You’ll need to register your child to use the children’s club via My P&O Cruises from 15 days before departure. Please provide as much detail as possible so our Youth team can support you.

Please note: you’ll also need to fill out the On-Board Needs Questionnaire via  My P&O Cruises to make us aware of your child’s needs, no later than two weeks before departure. 

Non-visible disabilities

We understand that not all disabilities are visible and that disabilities such as autism, dementia, anxiety, or visual or hearing impairments may affect individuals differently. For your safety and enjoyment, we need to be made aware of this information before your holiday.

If you have non-visible disabilities and require assistance, please let us know by completing the On-Board Needs Questionnaire and requesting assistance in the unlikely event of an emergency. 

For more information, see our ‘Guests with impairments or disabilities’ page

Cognitive disabilities

We welcome guests with intellectual, cognitive and developmental disabilities on board all our ships. 

Please note: if you require the assistance of a carer or with day-to-day living, we request that you travel with a companion who can provide this care, as the ship's crew are unable to help with these tasks.

Visual or hearing impairments 

We have several facilities available to guests who are hearing impaired, deaf, visually impaired or blind. For more detail, please see our article ‘What facilities are there on board for guests with visual or hearing impairments?’

Remember

Please fill in the On-Board Needs Questionnaire as soon as possible after booking your holiday, and no later than two weeks before departure, to allow us time to accommodate your needs or follow up with any questions we may have. 

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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