Travelling with Children 

Three kids floating on a lilo in a poolTo ensure suitable supervision, there needs to be at least one passenger 18 years or older in each cabin. However, to accommodate families cruising together, children may occupy a separate cabin to their parent/guardian, providing one child is aged 16 years or over.  For departures between 1 Nov 09 - 31 Dec 09 and 1 Nov 10 - 31 Dec 10, any passenger under the age of 21 years on the day they board the cruise, must travel in the same cabin as their parent or legal guardian.

Children with Special Needs

P&O Cruises welcomes all children and teens aged 3 years to 17 years to our fun programmes. We need to be advised at time of booking or at least 60 days prior to sailing if any children have medical and/or special needs, which we make every effort to accommodate. Please be advised that P&O Cruises youth staff do not offer individual one-on-one supervision. If your child requires one-on-one supervision, they will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Children with Allergies

If your child suffers from life-threatening allergies, eg. to nuts, they are welcome in our Youth Centres. However, Youth Centre staff members are unable to take responsibility for administering the Epi-Pen or any other medication.

We will always advise you if food is to be served within the childcare area.

In the event of an emergency, staff will follow the standard on-board medical emergency protocol, which involves the qualified doctors and nurses on your ship.

Cruise Cards

As you embark, you'll receive a personalized Cruise Card. All minors are issued with a red Cruise Card and passengers over 18 receive a blue Cruise Card. This way our staff can always identify children aged under 18 years as minors.

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to monitor their child's expenditure during the cruise.

Restrictions to Gambling and Alcohol Cconsumption

In line with domestic Australian age limits, as well as P&O Cruises policy, the casino and cash prize bingo are strictly reserved for passengers 18 years and over. Additionally, only those passengers 18 years and over will be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. Government issued photo identification (Queensland Proof of Age cards will not be accepted) may be requested.

Please be aware that if an adult attempts to buy alcohol for anyone under the age of 18, both the adult and minor will be reported. A range of actions may be taken, including disembarking those involved.

Family Information Pack 

For more information on travelling with children, we have a comprehensive family information booklet available. This pack will provide you with all the information you require if travelling with children.

Upper Bunk Beds

The safety of your children is very important to us at P&O Cruises. In line with Australian Standards it is strongly recommended that children under the age of 9 years do not play or sleep on upper bunk beds.

Public Areas 

Children under 13 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the public lounges after 9.30pm. Be sure to check with the Youth Centres for special evening events designed for kids and teens. Children under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in the entertainment lounges and restrictions may apply to access to pools, whirlpool spas, gym and Lotus Day Spa.

Children and Pool Activities

Pool activities are not included in our youth or teen programmes. Any child using the pools on board must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. For public safety reasons, children in nappies and children who are not toilet trained are not permitted in the public swimming pools and whirlpool spas on board.

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

Act of Pardon / Act of Grace
A letter from a state or power authorising action by a privateer. Also see Letter of Marque.
Abeam
On the beam, a relative bearing at right angles to the centerline of the ship's keel.
Daggerboard
A type of centerboard that is lifted vertically; often used in pairs.
Fender
An air or foam filled bumper used in boating to keep boats from banging into docks or each other.
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.
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.
Shallow, not deep.
Shoal
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 methods include; cash, cheque, direct bank deposit and selected credit cards (1% 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