Onboard Basics 

Two women having a coffee on deckYour P&O Cruises ship is your luxurious home away from home. A floating resort where you can let the world drift by. It's also like a mini 24-hour city, full of energy, excitement, fun activities around every corner, superb facilities, exceptional dining and incredible experiences for all ages.

After years of cruising the world's most exotic destinations, we've put together our wealth of knowledge in these pages. They're packed with handy information, tips and advice to help you and your loved ones enjoy a safe, relaxing holiday and get the most from your amazing value cruise vacation.

Etiquette

Everyone at P&O Cruises wants you to have your best cruise holiday ever. So that there's always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on board, we ask that you observe a few simple guidelines.

Videotaping

Should you wish to record footage on board during your cruise, please feel free to do so. However, please be mindful of the privacy of other passengers on board. Recording footage of on board entertainment performances is not allowed for copyright reasons. Recording footage for commercial purposes is not permitted without prior consent.

Dress

We require you to use cover-ups over swimsuits when entering the ship's public rooms. During the day, casual clothes are suitable. After 5.30pm smart casual attire is preferred in the public lounges and restaurants or as published in the Pacific Daily. Refer to Dress at sea for more details.

Appropriate Behaviour 

We want everyone to enjoy their cruise, so please try to avoid making excessive noise in your cabin or in the passenger corridors, to ensure the comfort of other passengers. If you seriously inconvenience or jeopardise the safety or enjoyment of any passengers on board, the Captain has the right to confine or disembark you in the next port of call. P&O Cruises accepts no liability for this serious action or for any loss incurred (including repatriation expenses) and no refunds are available. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further details.

Pacific Daily

This is your schedule of daily ship activities and entertainment events on board your ship. Pacific Daily is delivered nightly to your cabin. Keep it close by, so you'll always know what's happening and where.

Shore Tours Desk

Whatever adventure you'd like, a Shore Tours desk with a Shore Excursion Manager is on board each ship, ready to assist you with your port and Shore Tour related questions and bookings.

Passenger Services/Purser’s Desk

Purser's Desk on Pacific Dawn

You'll find this in the ship's foyer. It's the place to cash traveller's cheques, ask questions, settle your on-board account and check for lost property. Postage stamps for letters and postcards are also available. Mail will be posted at the ship's next suitable port of call, and stamps will be sold accordingly. Letters and postcards can be dropped in the letterbox at the Purser's desk for mailing. However, due to Customs regulations we are unable to accept parcels or packages.

Lost or Stolen Cruise Cards

Please report this immediately to the Purser's desk. Your old card will be cancelled and we will issue you with a new one. Please note, until you notify us that your card is lost or stolen you are responsible for any transactions made on your card.

Lost property

When you are on board, please report lost or stolen property to the Passenger Services/Purser's desk as soon as possible. It's a good idea to keep your valuables in the safety deposit box in your cabin. All lost property found on board or in the Embarkation Hall will be held by P&O Cruises or our representatives. It is the responsibility of the owner to contact P&O Cruises. Costs for the delivery will be at the owner's expense.

Items will only be held for a limited time.

Up to 14 days: any baggage, jewellery, cameras and miscellaneous items.

After 14 days: items are given to charity for re-distribution.

For health reasons, P&O Cruises company policy is that individual items of clothing, including hats, shoes, beach towels etc are destroyed at the end of each cruise.

Cruise Personaliser

Crewmember tugging hat
Our free Cruise Personaliser lets you update your pre-cruise information and see a summary of your booking at a glance. 
personalise your cruise

Nautical Glossary

Above-water hull
The hull section of a vessel above waterline, the visible part of a ship. Also, topsides.
Fast
Fastened or held firmly (fast aground: stuck on the seabed; made fast: tied securely).
Handy billy
A loose block and tackle with a hook or tail on each end, which can be used wherever it is needed. Usually made up of one single and one double block.
Hand bomber
A ship using coal-fired boilers shoveled in by hand.
Astern
Any distance behind a ship, as opposed to A-Head.
Beating to windward
Making progress against the direction of the wind, by steering alternately close-hauled on the starboard and larboard tacks.
Dog-watch
The watches from four to six and six to eight in the evening.
Griping
The inclination of a ship to run to windward.
Lee-side
The half of a ship, lengthwise, which lies between a line drawn through the middle of her length and the side, which is farthest from the point of wind.
Fresh away
When your ship increases its velocity.

Need Help?

Find answers to all your questions.

What payment options do I have to pay for my cruise?
Accepted payment with selected credit cards (1.5% surcharge applies). More info here.
Once onboard, how do I pay for extra items?
Multiple ways of purchasing goods onboard are available to you - from Credit Cards to cash. More info here.
I have kids. What facilities do you have for children?
Qualified staff run a great choice of awesome activities for kids of all ages, giving you the option to spend the day child-free. Here's how it works.
What's actually included in the cruise price?
Accommodation, all main meals, entertainment and use of facilities such as swimming pools, gym, spas, table tennis, children's centres (excluding late night group child-minding) and library are all included in your cruise package.
What are the different types of cabins available? What's the difference between them?
Choose from outstanding balcony cabins with ocean views, great-value internal cabins, 4-berth options to share with family or friends or outside cabins with windows. Click here for more information.

For the answers to many other questions check out our Frequently Asked Questions

Internet Access

Passenger using a laptop
Internet access is available on all P&O Cruises ships in our on-board Internet Café.
Internet Access