What to Do After You’ve Booked Your P&O Cruise
- George and Dan
- 23 hours ago
- 5 min read
You’ve booked your P&O Cruise – hooray! 🎉 Now the countdown begins and the excitement kicks in properly. But before you sit back and dream of sea views and sundowners, there are a few key things you’ll want to get sorted early.
This guide will walk you through what to do after you’ve booked your P&O Cruise, so you’re well ahead of the game and can enjoy a stress-free run-up to embarkation day.
Let’s get cracking…
🛡️ 1. Buy Travel Insurance (with Cruise Cover)
Travel insurance might not be the most exciting thing, but it’s absolutely essential – and required by P&O Cruises. Make sure your policy includes:
Cruise-specific cover
Medical cover at sea
Cancellation cover
Don’t leave this until the last minute – you’ll need to enter the details into your booking before you sail.
🛂 2. Check Your Passport Is In Date
Check that your passport:
Matches the name on your cruise booking
Has at least 6 months validity 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 it’s not worth the stress.
Apply or renew your passport here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports
🛏️ 3. Confirm Your Bed Configuration
Want twin beds or a double? You can usually choose this when booking, but it’s worth double-checking with P&O (or your travel agent) to make sure your cabin is set up how you want it.
🌍 4. Research Entry Requirements & Visas
Depending on your itinerary, you may need to apply for:
Visas
Travel authorisations (like an ESTA for the US)
Passenger locator forms
Vaccination certificates
Do your homework early by checking:
GOV.UK foreign travel advice https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Entry info on the P&O Cruises website https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/travel-information
Some countries also require immunisations – so check with your GP or local travel clinic if you’re heading somewhere tropical or long-haul.
✈️ 5. Book Flights & Arrange Airport Transfers (If Not Included)
If your cruise is a fly-cruise and flights aren’t part of your package, now’s the time to:
Book your flights to and from the cruise ports
Check luggage allowances
Leave plenty of time between your flight and cruise departure
You’ll also want to:
Arrange airport transfers to the ship or hotel
Check if your hotel offers a shuttle service
Look into private transfers or shared shuttles, especially in busy ports
P&O sometimes includes flights and transfers, but if you’ve booked independently, it’s all on you – so double check what’s covered.
🏨 6. Arrange Pre or Post-Hotel Stays
It’s a great idea to add a night before or after your cruise – especially if you’re flying. You’ll avoid travel stress and maybe get to explore an extra destination.
Look for hotels near:
Departure airports
Cruise terminals abroad
⚓ 7. Book car parking
Sailing from Southampton? Don’t leave your parking to the last minute – it can sell out quickly.
If parking is included in your fare, head to the CPS Parking website and enter your booking reference to confirm it. You can also book directly with CPS if you need to sort it yourself.
Looking for other options? Check out Holiday Extras or Your Parking Space for more choices.
💳 8. Pay Off Your Balance & Track Due Dates
Don’t forget to note down 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 like to spread the cost
Missing the deadline can risk losing your booking – and nobody wants that.
🐾 9. Book Pet Care (If Needed)
Whether it’s kennels, a pet sitter, or a family member looking after your furry friend, it’s worth sorting this early – especially during peak holiday times.
⚓ 10. Research & Book Shore Excursions
P&O Cruises offer a great range of shore experiences, but you can also plan your own DIY days. Now’s a great time to:
Look at the options in My P&O Cruises
Start reading up on ports you’re visiting
Join cruise Facebook groups and forums for local tips
Check out Get Your Guide for lots of excursion options.
Popular excursions sell fast, so don’t hang about too long!
📝 11. Complete Cruise Line Info
Log in to My P&O Cruises and make sure to:
Enter your passport details
Add emergency contacts
Fill out dietary or accessibility needs
You don’t have to do it all right now, but ticking off a few bits early helps avoid a last-minute rush.
🍹 12. Book Drinks Packages, Spa & Wi-Fi
Once you’ve got access to your booking, you can also purchase:
Drinks packages (like the Classic or Deluxe Drinks Package)
Spa treatments for sea days
Wi-Fi packages for staying connected
These can be booked through My P&O Cruises and are sometimes discounted in advance.
🧳 13. Check Out Our Cruise Packing List
To help you stay organised, don’t forget to grab our free Cruise Planner & Packing List
It’s got everything from essentials 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 should 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 entry requirements for each port of call.
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 straight away – many countries require at least 6 months 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 – and now’s the perfect time to get all the boring (but important!) bits ticked off your list. A little planning now means you’ll be able to enjoy the lead-up to your holiday without any last-minute faffing.
Any questions? Pop them in the comments or come join the chat in our Facebook group P&O Cruises – Cruise Hacks, Tips, Questions and Answers.
Happy cruising!
George & Dan
This blog may contain affiliate links. This means that if you book a cruise or purchase an item through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help support the running costs of the website and allow us to continue writing and sharing content to inspire your next adventure.