P&O (UK) Cruises

• Breakfast, lunch, dinner in the main restaurant, poolside snacks, gala dinner by Marco Pierre White
• Tea, coffee, fruit juices at select times
• Luxury accommodation with en suite, tea & coffee making facilities, refrigerator, air conditioning and cabin steward to assist your needs
• Entertainment: live shows and bands
• Reef Children's clubs for ages 2- 17 on the four family friendly ships – Iona, Britannia, Ventura & Azura
• Night nursery services on a first-come-first-served basis (family friendly ships)
• Use of the gym and a number of fitness classes
• Swimming pool, sauna and steam room (in the Oasis spa)
• Sports deck facilities and deck games
• Dance classes
• Shuttle buses in ports where it is necessary to have transport to leave the port
• Fly-cruise holidays include economy flights with reputable airlines
• Coach transfers between the airport and port are included for fly-cruise guests

• Shore experiences
• Hair and beauty services
• Spa services
• Drinks (Drink packages are available)
• Specialty restaurants ( nominal fees apply)
• Room service (some dishes attract a supplement)
• The Cookery Club on Britannia & Iona

Please note that there may be visa requirements for your cruise, and it is the responsibility of each guest to ensure that they are in possession of all travel documents required for their itinerary. Guests who do not possess the proper documentation may be prevented from boarding their flight or ship or from entering a country. In some cases, this may lead to large fines which you will be required to pay and/or immediate repatriation to your home country at your own expense. Please ensure you check your requirements carefully before you travel to avoid unnecessary expense and inconvenience. Find more information here.

A booking may only be made by a person aged 18 or over. All Guests who, at the time of departure, will be under 18 years old must be accompanied by a guest aged 18 or over who will at all times during the cruise be responsible for their welfare, conduct and behaviour.

Guests under 16 years old are not permitted to travel in a cabin without an accompanying guest who is 16 years old or over. Also, guests under 16 years old are not permitted to disembark the ship in any port without a guest who is accompanying them on the cruise.

P&O Cruises offers family friendly cruise ships, Iona, Britannia, Ventura & Azura. Each family friendly ship offers dedicated children’s clubs for all ages from morning till late evening. A night nursery, children’s tea, discos and activities are all included in the price of your holiday as well as features designed for family fun.

There is an exciting on-board program for guests aged 2 to 17 years – it’s free and it’s called The Reef. Split into four distinct age groups, The Reef meets the needs and levels of play of each group. The Reef Rangers (carers) are qualified, enthusiastic and DBS-checked*. They organise a whole host of exciting activities daily to keep children of all ages entertained safely throughout the day and evening and to ensure your children have the chance to make friends of their own age. The night nursery is available for children aged between 6 months and 4 years. (* ‘DBS’ is the Disclosure and Barring Service. A DBS check includes checking a person’s criminal records.)

Children must be aged 6 months at the commencement of the cruise. Certain cruises also have requirements for children aged 12 months or less. Check these details with your Global Journeys Cruise Advisor when you make your initial enquiry or before booking.

If you are travelling with children or teenagers P&O Cruises’s family prices on Azura, Iona, Britannia and Ventura offer generous reductions, utilising the extra beds that are contained in a number of cabins. Infants under the age of 2 years will also pay a reduced rate, which will remain the same no matter what cabin grade is booked, from Inside cabin, all the way up to a Suite. Family reduction can vary by cruise, please consult your Global Journeys Cruise Advisor.

P&O Cruises recommends that women who are less than 12 weeks pregnant should seek medical advice prior to travel. P&O Cruises UK does not have adequate medical facilities have on board its ships for childbirth. For reasons of health and safety P&O Cruises regrets that it cannot carry guests who will have entered their 24th week of pregnancy or beyond at any point during their cruise.

Yes. Please inform your situation and needs to your Global Journey’s Cruise Advisor when you make your initial enquiry so that your needs can be conveyed to P&O Cruises.

All ships have accessible cabins, which are suitable for guests who use a wheelchair or mobility scooter (you will need to bring your own). There are accessible lifts on all decks, and accessible routes to public venues and most of the deck areas. The accessible cabins have wide doorways and enough floor space for moving around in a wheelchair. The bathroom is a wet room shower with a flush threshold, grab rails for the shower and toilet, and pull-down shower chair. In accessible balcony cabins, access to the balcony is ramped.

Arcadia also offers a number of partially accessible cabins. They have a wet room with the above features. However, as these cabins are smaller and have less floor space than accessible cabins, they might not suit guests who are confined to their mobility aid. Assisted listening is available in a number of the show lounges and theatres, and an in-cabin visual alert system with textphones can be supplied on request and availability. Key on-board literature is available in Braille and certified assistance dogs are welcomed.

Please consult your Cruise Advisor if you need to travel with a wheelchair or mobility scooter.

Guests who use wheelchairs must bring their own standard size wheelchairs. Ships’ wheelchairs are available for emergency use only. For the safety of the ship and all guests on board, all wheelchairs and other aids to mobility must be stored in the guest’s cabin when they are not being used and in order to ensure that this is possible, and to so ensure the safety of the ship and all guests on board, P&O Cruises reserves the right to require that guests who use wheelchairs book a specified category of cabin.

Yes. Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura have Single cabins for solo cruisers as follows:

• Arcadia has four Single Inside and two Single Balcony cabins, located on Sun Deck.
• Aurora has four Single Sea view cabins, two are on Deck A and two are on Deck C, and six Single Balcony cabins on Deck D.
• Azura has six Single Inside cabins and 12 Single Sea view cabins, all on Deck F.
• Britannia has 12 Single Inside cabins and 15 Single Balcony cabins, all on Lido Deck.
• Iona has 10 Single Inside cabins on Decks 12, 9 and 5; there are 12 Single Balcony cabins on Decks 14, 11 and 9.
• Ventura has six Single Inside cabins and 12 Single Sea view cabins, all on Deck F.

P&O Cruises offer full board and include breakfast, lunch and dinner, meals and snacks, poolside grills, deck barbecues and 24-hour buffets. Room service for breakfast is also included in the price of your holiday. Specialty dining attracts a charge.

Book your place in the main dining room every evening. When booking (depending on your ship and fare), you can choose to dine at a set time or one that will fit around your day-to-day plans. These two options are called Club Dining and Freedom Dining.

Club Dining offers a fixed seating plan and two sittings; you can choose the first sitting at 6.30pm or the second at 8.30pm. You reserve a table for you at the same time each evening with the same waiters and fellow diners for the duration of your cruise.

Freedom dining is available on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona and Ventura. This option gives you more flexibility as you’re free to arrive for dinner at any time between 6pm and 9.30pm. It’s possible that a table might not be free, so you ‘ll be given a pager to let you know when your table is ready.

Speciality restaurants are a flexible alternative where, for a small charge, you can enjoy gourmet experiences by chef Marco Pierre White and award-winning wine expert Olly Smith for example. P&O Cruises has developed a few of their own speciality Food Hero experiences to whet your appetite.

Other dining options include dining areas that provide 24-hour service, from buffet food courts to pizzerias and daytime grills, and the cost of food in these venues is included in the price of your holiday. Room service is available round the clock for light bites as well as full meals. You’ll find a room service menu in your cabin; breakfast is included in the price of your holiday but there’s a charge for other room service items.

All ships can cater for the following diets:

• Diabetic
• Gluten free, wheat free, coeliac
• Kosher
• Lactose intolerant, dairy free
• Low cholesterol
• Low or no fat
• Low or no salt
• Pescatarian
• Vegan
• Vegetarian

All guests agree to complete the pre-boarding questionnaire and to supply accurate information regarding any symptoms of illness. In the interests of health and safety P&O Cruises may deny boarding to any guest who has symptoms of any viral or bacterial illness. Refusal by a guest to complete the relevant pre-boarding questionnaire may in itself result in denied boarding. All cases of denied boarding will be treated as a cancellation attracting 100% cancellation fee.

Yes. P&O requires that every guest must have full and valid medical insurance which includes cover for pre-existing medical conditions worldwide, or as a minimum, in the countries that the guest is due to visit and which must remain in force for the entire duration of the Package. The insurance policy must, as a minimum, include medical and repatriation coverage for not less than £2 million and must include cover for the cost of emergency evacuations from the ship, including but not limited to, evacuations by helicopter.

Pre cruise information is only sent to the lead guest of a booking made under the P&O Cruises Select Fare and should be received approximately 8/9 weeks prior to departure. If there are two guests who live at different addresses against one booking reference, an additional copy can be posted to guest two; please request this from your Cruise Advisor.

Please note guests travelling on an Early Saver Fare, Late Saver Fare or other promotional fares will not receive the pre cruise information via post, all of the relevant information is available be found online in the P&O Cruise Personaliser.

E-Tickets become available to download on Cruise Personaliser, approximately 40 days prior to departure. Your E-Tickets will only be available once a cabin has been allocated. If you have booked on an Early Saver, Late Saver or any other promotional fare, your cabin can be allocated at anytime. Once the cabin has been allocated, an email will be sent to all guests with an email address on the booking to inform you that your E-Ticket is available to download.

Onshore experiences are available for separate purchase prior to travel or on board the ship. These are arranged by P&O Cruises with local operators.

Yes, Bookings can be made through Cruise Personaliser at around three months prior to departure. Simply log on using your first name, surname, booking reference and date of birth. Once you have logged in, you should visit the Dining on the navigation and click on Select Dining. You will have the option to select the date and time that you wish to dine.

Tables for two people in any of the main dining rooms are on a request only basis. Tables in Select Dining venues are allocated on a first come, first served basis and your request will always be accommodated where possible. In buffet restaurants, you are free to sit at any table with suitable availability. Pre booking Select Dining venues, you can pre purchase a table, selecting the date and time, at one of the on board Select Dining venues.

Onboard spending money may be used against:

• Items purchased from any of the shops
• Spa, salon treatments and services (only when booked onboard)
• Photography prints, products, workshops and services
• Laundry and dry cleaning
• Internet and telephone charges
• Shore Experiences (only when booked onboard)
• Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)
• Drinks packages (only when booked onboard)
• Restaurant cover charges (only when booked onboard)
• Artwork from the Gallery
• Gift items such as Celebration Packages, flowers and cakes (only when booked onboard)

On-board spending money may not be used against:

• Purchasing Shore Experiences prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
• Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
• Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises
• Visas that require payment
• Medical charges (including services, prescriptions and supplies)
• Cash back
• As full or part payment against a future cruise or charter flight seat reservations and upgrades.
• Ad hoc gratuities
• Foreign currency
• Onboard gaming (including the casino)
• Charitable donations
• Shore Experience cancellation charges

There are a wide range of gifts available on all ships suitable for all ages, ranging from teddy bears* for the children, to a Grand Occasion Package. Please see the gift brochure for details of all items available.

Please note P&O Cruises requires a minimum of 72 hours’ notice to arrange a gift with the exception of flowers where the notice period may vary. If a guest receives a bottle of wine or Champagne as a gift and intends to take this to a restaurant, then they should also take the gift card presented with the bottle to avoid being charged a corkage fee.

*Please note that if ordering a teddy bear, a gift voucher will be placed in the guest's cabin so that they may collect the bear from the shop on board.

You can leave the beach towel at home and save some space in your luggage. Beach towels are provided in your cabin for use onboard and while in port.

Due to the large number of guests embarking on your ship, P&O Cruises operate a staggered check-in and embarkation process. You will be allocated an Arrival Time which can be found on your e-ticket. To ensure you spend less time in the terminal and more time on board, please adhere as closely as possible to your allotted Arrival Time.

Please use the following as a general guide only – it is neither finite nor exhaustive. What you pack will also be guided by your itinerary and the shore excursions you undertake. Men, women and children might pack a selection of the following items to be prepared for all occasions or climates:

• Sun hat, swimwear, rashies and cover-ups
• Sunscreen, insect repellent
• Active wear for exercise
• Long trousers – casual and more formal
• Light trousers, jeans and / or shorts
• Casual Shirts, T-shirts or polo style shirts
• Long-sleeved top, jumper or cardigan – layered clothing is a good option for colder climates
• Raincoat / windproof jacket
• Gloves, scarves, hat (for cold destinations)
• Comfortable walking shoes, >sports shoes, sandals, thongs (flip flops/jandals)
• Evening wear / smart casual wearand shoes
• Formal wear if required or guided by your itinerary.

For shore excursions you might consider the following:

• Daypack
• Guidebooks or phrasebook
• Moneybelt / secure pouch

If you are travelling with children there will be a longer list of items to consider but don’t forget that favourite toy for comfort and sleeping! You know the drill!

Please adhere to guidelines around items that are prohibited onboard your ship. This is likely to include items such as irons, candles, explosives, flammable liquids, weapons, power boards and extension cords. The list can be extensive. Be sure to check and abide by these guidelines as your baggage will be checked and prohibited items will be confiscated.

If you are getting married on board your ship and are travelling on a P&O Cruises charter flights, then you are entitled to an additional hold luggage allowance of 5kg per person. This allowance applies to the wedding couple only and wedding dresses cannot be carried as hand luggage.

On Board
On your final night on board you will be asked to pack your luggage and leave it outside your cabin. P&O UK recommend that you do not pack valuables, fragile items and medication. Your luggage will be taken from outside your cabin and will be waiting for you to identify and reclaim in the cruise terminal.

In the Cruise Terminal (Southampton):
Your luggage will be transferred ashore and will be placed in deck order making it easy to locate. There will be porters available to assist you and there will also be trolleys for you to use.

The Deck Manager will co-ordinate with you and provide assistance to move your luggage from one cabin to another. Your clothes from the wardrobe are transferred on a clothes rail so that there is no hassle of packing and unpacking.

When it's time to return to your cabin you will want it to be a stylish, comfortable home from home.

Standard cabin facilities in all accommodation:

• Daily steward service
• TV, radio and telephone
• Hairdryer
• Refrigerator
• Safe
• Tea/coffee making facilities
• Air conditioning
• Vanity/writing desk and chair
• Wardrobe and drawer space
• Retractable clothesline
• Coat hangers
• Toiletries pack

You’ll find a multipurpose desk with chair for writing or getting ready for the black tie evening along with wardrobe and drawer space for all your clothes.

Children bed rails/guards are available on the four family friendly ships apart from Arcadia and Aurora. Bed rails/guards can be requested on board or via your Global Journeys Cruise Advisor when you book. Bed rails/guards for adults are not available for adults.

The cots are supplied with a fitted sheet covering the mattress and also one small cellular blanket.

P&O supply the type of mattress protector that fits over the top of the mattress. These are on all beds as standard when they are made. They do not supply the type that provides a seal against liquid and air.

Due to safety regulations, passengers are not allowed to bring microwaves onboard and the microwaves on the ship are not for domestic use. However, the crew can provide hot water and you may ask if they are able to assist you in heating something.

There is an air conditioning control panel in each cabin which allows you to control the temperature in your own cabin between approximately 18 and 28ºC with slight variances between ships. The average temperature of the interior areas of the ship is around 19ºC (66ºF). The conservatory part of the Conservatory Mini-Suite is not temperature controlled; however it is ventilated.

Yes. Each cabin's door can be locked via internal safety locks. These are found on the door handles themselves which are approximately 3ft from the floor.

Yes. Butlers are available in all Suites, including family suites.

Yes, there are a number of sun loungers available for you to relax on out on deck.

Yes, it is possible to arrange a taxi in some ports of call. If you wish to book a taxi for a port of call you are visiting, please speak to the Reception desk. It is not always possible to pre book a taxi in all ports of call, reception will be able to confirm if this is possible or if there will be taxis along the quay side. Alternatively, onboard Shore Excursions Team may also be able to arrange a private car booking for you, please enquire once on board.

P&O Cruises are honoured to welcome so many loyal passengers back on board time and again and so they are delighted to be able to reward their most regular passengers through their loyalty club, The Peninsular Club. Every night you spend on board your cruise you are earning points to increase the rewards you to enjoy on your next holiday.

For each night you spend on board, P&O Cruises award you 10 loyalty points which are applied at the end of your cruise. Once you have 150 points (by spending at least 15 nights on board), you automatically become a Pacific Tier member of the Peninsular Club. As the number of nights you spend on board increases over subsequent holidays so, too, does your tier status. Please see P&O Peninsular Club page for full information about the tiers and each of their benefits.

Peninsular Club points will be awarded as standard, except in cases where passengers are travelling as a guest of P&O Cruises, are working on board or where the cruise is booked under a special concessionary rate.

If you would like to keep a regular check on your points and total nights spent on board then simply visit 'Your Account' on P&O Cruises website.