Your Complete Guide to Preparing for Your P&O Cruise Adventure

George and Dan
May 22
5 min read

Updated: Jun 4

You've booked your P&O Cruise – hooray! 🎉 Now, the countdown begins. The excitement is real. But before you sit back and dream of stunning sea views and sundowners, there are some essential tasks to prioritise. Taking care of a few key things early will ensure a smooth journey towards embarkation day.

This guide will walk you through what to do after booking your P&O Cruise, so you’re prepared and can enjoy a stress-free lead-up to your holiday. Let’s get cracking!

🛡️ 1. Buy Travel Insurance (with Cruise Cover)

Travel insurance may not be the most exciting topic, but it is absolutely essential. P&O Cruises actually requires you to have it. When looking for a policy, make sure it includes:

Cruise-specific cover
Medical cover while at sea
Cancellation cover

Don’t procrastinate! You’ll need to enter your policy details into your booking before you sail.

Book your Holiday Extras Cruise Travel Insurance here.

For those with pre-existing medical conditions, you can book here.

🛂 2. Check Your Passport Is Up-To-Date

Make sure to double-check your passport. It must:

Match the name on your cruise booking.
Have a validity of at least 6 months after your return date, especially for EU and international cruises.

Need to renew or apply for a passport? Do it now! Waiting times can vary, and you don't want the stress of last-minute applications.

Apply or renew your passport here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports.

🛏️ 3. Confirm Your Bed Configuration

Do you prefer twin beds or a double? You can usually make this choice while booking. However, it's good to double-check with P&O or your travel agent to ensure your cabin is set up as you want it.

🌍 4. Research Entry Requirements & Visas

Depending on your itinerary, you might require:

Visas
Travel authorisations (such as an ESTA for the US)
Passenger locator forms
Vaccination certificates

Do your homework early! Check the following links:

GOV.UK foreign travel advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Entry information on the P&O Cruises website https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/travel-information

Some countries may also need immunisations. Consult your GP or local travel clinic if you're heading somewhere tropical or on a long-haul journey.

✈️ 5. Book Flights & Arrange Airport Transfers (If Not Included)

If your cruise is fly-cruise and flights aren’t part of your package, it’s time to secure your travel arrangements. This includes:

Book flights to and from the cruise ports.
Confirm luggage allowances.
Allow ample time between your flight and cruise departure.

Additionally, you’ll want to:

Arrange airport transfers to the ship or hotel.
Check if your hotel offers a shuttle service.
Explore private transfers or shared shuttles, especially at busy ports.

P&O may include flights and transfers, but if you arranged them independently, be sure about what is covered.

🏨 6. Arrange Pre or Post-Hotel Stays

Consider adding a night before or after your cruise. This is especially helpful if you are flying to your departure port. Avoiding travel stress will allow for extra exploration of nearby destinations.

Look for hotels near:

Southampton Port (if cruising from the UK)
Departure airports.
International cruise terminals.

⚓ 7. Book Car Parking

Are you sailing from Southampton? Don’t leave your parking arrangements to the last minute – spots can sell out quickly.

If parking is included in your fare, visit the CPS Parking website. Input your booking reference to confirm. If you need to sort this out yourself, you can also book directly with CPS.

For more options, consider sites like Holiday Extras or Your Parking Space.

💳 8. Pay Off Your Balance & Track Due Dates

Don't forget to note your balance due date. You can:

Check this in My P&O Cruises https://www.pocruises.com/balance.
Set a reminder on your phone.
Pay in instalments if you prefer.

Missing the deadline could risk losing your booking, and nobody wants that!

🐾 9. Book Pet Care (If Needed)

If you have pets, whether you plan for kennels, a pet sitter, or a family member looking after your furry friends, it’s best to sort this early. This is especially true during peak holiday times.

⚓ 10. Research & Book Shore Excursions

P&O Cruises offers extensive shore experiences, but you might want to plan your own DIY days as well. Now is a great time to:

Look over the options in My P&O Cruises.
Research the ports you’ll be visiting.
Join cruise Facebook groups or forums for insider tips.

Explore Get Your Guide for a plethora of excursion options.

Keep in mind that popular excursions tend to book up fast, so don’t wait too long!

📝 11. Complete Cruise Line Info

Enter your passport details.
Add emergency contacts.
Fill out any dietary or accessibility needs.

You don't have to complete everything now, but checking off a few tasks early will alleviate last-minute rushes.

🍹 12. Book Drinks Packages, Spa & Wi-Fi

Once you access your booking, you’ll also have the option to purchase:

Drinks packages (like the Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package).
Spa treatments for sea days.
Wi-Fi packages to stay connected.

These can be booked through My P&O Cruises and may even be discounted in advance.

🧳 13. Check Out Our Cruise Packing List

To help you stay organized, don’t forget to grab our free Cruise Planner & Packing List.

👉 Download here.

It includes everything from essential items and tech to formal night wear and handy extras for your cabin.

❓ FAQs About What to Do After You’ve Booked Your P&O Cruise

When should I buy travel insurance for my P&O Cruise?

As soon as you’ve booked. Travel insurance must include cruise cover, and you’ll need to add the details to your booking before you travel.

Do I need a visa for my cruise?

It depends on your itinerary. Some countries require visas or travel authorisations – check the entry requirements for each port.

How do I book P&O Cruises excursions?

Log in to My P&O Cruises and browse the shore experiences section. You can also book excursions through your travel agent.

What if my passport is about to expire?

Renew it immediately - many countries require at least 6 months of validity after your return date.

Can I book drinks and Wi-Fi packages in advance?

Yes! You can book these through My P&O Cruises. It’s often cheaper to do it before you board.

Booking your cruise is just the beginning. Now is the perfect time to tackle all the important tasks on your checklist. A bit of planning today will let you enjoy the lead-up to your holiday without last-minute stress.

Have any questions? Feel free to ask in the comments or join our Facebook group P&O Cruises – Cruise Hacks, Tips, Questions and Answers.

Happy cruising!

George & Dan

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