What facilities are there on board for guests with visual or hearing impairments?

We want to make sure our holidays are the right fit for all and can be enjoyed safely. So, if you have visual or audio requirements because you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted, we can help.

Accessibility

Last updated: 27/05/2025

A polite reminder: if you have accessibility needs or health conditions, we kindly ask that you fill out 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. 

If you use your own devices and software to translate or convert information, please contact us to discuss this before you travel.

Facilities for guests who are blind or partially sighted

To let us know if you’re blind or partially sighted, please go to My P&O Cruises where you’ll find the On-Board Needs Questionnaire. You can also request large print and Braille documents via the Questionnaire.

Braille

Safety information and tender safety information is supplied in braille. 

The Horizon is written and produced onboard and subject to constant change, so regrettably it is not available in braille.

Braille menus are unfortunately not available for P&O Cruises, as these are changed on a regular basis.

Large print documents

You can request large print documents via the On-Board Needs Questionnaire. You should receive the following in font size 18: 

  • safety and emergency drill information 

  • Horizon (on-board daily newspaper)

  • Freedom and Club Dining and bar menus

  • other literature at your request, if possible. 

Orientation tour

When you first board the ship, you can have an orientation tour. A crew member will be able to take you around the ship to give you an opportunity to familiarise yourself with the location of key areas in relation to the position of your cabin. You can request this via the On-Board Needs Questionnaire, which you’ll find in My P&O Cruises

To ensure your safety on board if you’re not travelling with a sighted companion, you will receive an orientation tour and must demonstrate you can navigate to the muster station independently. If you're unable to do so, you may not be accommodated on-board per Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements.

Safety

On embarkation, the cabin steward will introduce themself to you, tell you which muster station you’re allocated to and ask if you need help to find it. They’ll also tell you the name of the restaurant/s you can use, the table number and table size. 

In the event of an emergency on board, specially trained crew members from the passenger assistance team will be sent to your cabin to assist you in case you need help. You can request this via the On-Board Needs Questionnaire in My P&O Cruises

Facilities for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing 

Please inform us of your requirements when booking your holiday so we can identify any extra services you might need, such as important information in an alternative format. 

If you use your own devices and software to translate or convert information, please contact us to discuss these requirements before your holiday.

Visual alert systems and textphones 

All our ships have visual alert systems on board: these are AmeriPhones; Arvia and Iona also has the LISA alert system. LISA is a hearing assistance device for hard of hearing guests, which amplifies sound and provides visual indication. They feature a wireless doorbell, vibrating pillow shaker and a pager with charger. The LISA system is available in accessible and partially accessible cabins on board Arvia and Iona only. LISA is not a replacement for Ameriphone and it doesn't feature a messaging system. Please contact our Customer Contact Centre to discuss this further.

You can request this via the On-Board Needs Questionnaire in My P&O Cruises. It’s available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Lisa system is available on some ships in accessible and partially accessible cabins only.

Please bear in mind that the equipment will take up some of the surface space in your cabin.

Hearing loop 

We can offer a hearing loop facility (which requires you to move your hearing aid to the ‘T’ position) at Southampton cruise terminals and at the reception desks on board. 

We also provide an infrared hearing support system, and compatible headsets are available from Reception. This system is available in the following venues:

  • Arcadia – Three-tier Palladium theatre (decks 1, 2 and 3), The Globe

  • Arvia – Headliners Theatre, Crystal Bar, The Limelight Club, Grand Atrium, Ocean Studios cinemas, Skydome, Sports Arena 

  • Aurora – The Playhouse cinema, The Curzon theatre

  • Azura – The Playhouse theatre, SeaScreen open-air cinema (via radio transmission), Malabar and Manhattan bars

  • Britannia – Headliners Theatre, The Live Lounge, The Crystal Room, The Studio

  • Iona – Headliners Theatre, Grand Atrium, The Club House, Ocean Studios cinemas, The Limelight Club and Aft terrace, Sports Arena (decks 17 and18) 

You can borrow Listen Technologies equipment to use in the Entertainment venues on Iona; it’s kept at Reception

  • Ventura – Arena theatre, The Tamarind Club, Havana show lounge

If you need the infrared system, please speak to the venue’s production staff; they’ll direct you to the best location to use the equipment correctly. 

Subtitles 

Our in-cabin emergency video offers closed captioning. 

As in-cabin televisions differ on each ship, the ability to get subtitled content varies:

  • Arcadia – subtitles aren’t available

  • Arvia – you can activate subtitles using the ‘Subtitles’ button on VoD and Live TV (assuming the content has subtitles) 

  • Aurora – subtitles aren’t available

  • Azura – you can activate subtitles using the ‘Subtitles’ button on VoD and Live TV (assuming the content has subtitles) 

  • Britannia – you can activate subtitles using the ‘Subtitles’ button on VoD and Live TV (assuming the content has subtitles)

  • Iona – you can activate subtitles using the ‘Subtitles’ button on VoD and Live TV (assuming the content has subtitles) 

  • Ventura – you can activate subtitles using the ‘Subtitles’ button on VoD and Live TV (assuming the content has subtitles) 

Theatre shows

We can provide a transcript of songs during theatre shows if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. Please speak to a member of the venue’s production staff or ask at Reception.

Shore experiences 

We offer a range of shore experiences. If you’d like to book any, we’ll contact our local agents before your holiday to obtain written commentaries, but this may not be possible in all instances.

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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