Frequently Asked Questions 

Everyone must have a valid passport for a cruise with an international destination, including passengers under the age of 18.  Australian residents do not need a passport or visa for any cruise that does not visit a foreign port. However, government issued photo identification is required. Queensland Proof of Age cards will not be accepted. A current Medicare card can be used for passengers under 18 years of age.

Please check with the relevant embassies about your visa requirements.

You should not base your insurance decision on the assumption ‘it won’t happen to me’ – accidents or illness can happen to anyone. Daily hospital bills can cost more than AUD5000 per day. For further information or to purchase travel insurance:

Australian passengers - please contact your Travel Agent or call 1300 653 852.
New Zealand passengers - please contact your Travel Agent

Passports
Australian citizens, visit www.passports.gov.au
New Zealand citizens, visit www.passports.govt.nz

For citizens of other countries, please contact your relevant national authority.

Visas
Please contact your Travel Agent, relevant consulate or embassy or an online visa service for more information.

Vaccinations
Please contact your doctor or an approved public health travel advisory service such as the World Health Organisation (www.who.org), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Smart Traveller (www.smartraveller.gov.au).

Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 4 hours before your cruise departure time. This should provide enough time to travel to the cruise terminal and check-in for your holiday of a lifetime.

If you are flying home on the day you leave the cruise, please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 5 hours after your cruise arrives in port. This should help you to have a stress free return home from your relaxing cruise holiday.

When you are making your own air bookings, missed connections are always a possibility…so the more time you allow for unforseen delays at either end of your cruise, the better.

If you do need to make changes to your own air bookings, your chosen airline may charge fees; so check their airfare conditions when you book.

It is usually no problem. We have a great range of shore tours and many cater for people with various levels of mobility. You will receive a shore tour booklet with your cruise documentation and this will provide you with all you need to know and more. Our helpful Shore Tour Staff are available on board to discuss individual tours.

It is important to note that access to tender ports may be restricted and this may limit your tour options or restrict access to these ports. Do not worry if you cannot get off the ship, we still have plenty of fun activities for you to do on board!

A deposit is required within 3 days of booking your cruise.

Accepted payment methods include; cash, cheque, direct bank deposit and selected credit cards, available for bookings made directly with P&O Cruises only. 

The following is an outline of provisions applicable.

Welcome to cashless cruising! All shipboard expenses are charged to your personalised Cruise Card. Your Cruise Card is linked to your on board account and can be settled by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) or debit card (Visa or MasterCard). Debit cards may act as a credit card, whilst using the available funds in your bank account. When using credit or debit cards, we obtain pre-authorisations and some banks hold these for up to 30 days. If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can activate your on board account by paying a minimum deposit of AUD300 per person (cash or travellers cheques are accepted) at Reception. Pre-paid Visa cards and Travelex Visa cash passports are not accepted onboard. Please be aware there are no EFTPOS facilities available on board our ships.

ATM facilities are  available on board.

Although we would love to see you on board, we understand that plans can change.  Should you need to cancel your holiday, we ask that you notify your Travel Agent or our Customer Service Team at your earliest convenience. The refunds or cancellation charges that will be payable depend on the amount of notice you give us and the fare type you have purchased, as follows:

*Additional fees charged by airlines will be passed on to the passenger.

We understand that on occasion you may need to change to a different cruise. When this happens, the following policy will apply:

We can help you celebrate on board or arrange something special for a friend, a loved one or even yourself. Choose from one of our special occasions packages. Bookings must be made more than 7 days before your cruise departs and by calling 13 24 94.

Yes. Passengers travelling as a group (minimum of 16 adults) have access to a number of on-board services on selected sailings, including:

• Conference facilities
• Live entertainment
• Cocktail parties with canapés
• Children's parties
• Invitations
• Group photos
• Special occasion cakes

For more information, please call our P&O Cruises Customer Service Team.

There are two options available:

1. The best chance of securing a place on one of our Shore Tours is to pre-reserve it, simply by logging onto Cruise Personaliser within 75 days out from sailing.

2. Alternatively, simply complete the Tour Order Form which is found in your Pre-Cruise Documentation wallet. In order to process your tour selections, we must receive your form by the closing date listed on it. This form can be mailed or faxed directly to us.

Please keep in mind that you will receive your tickets when you arrive on board and that pre-reservation of shore tour closes 10 days out from sailing. All of your tour purchases will be charged to your shipboard account. Therefore, advance payment is neither required nor accepted. We suggest you bring one of our Shore Tour brochures with you on your cruise for reference.

Keep in mind that some sites you’ll be visiting are extremely popular among both tourists and locals. Therefore, you may encounter crowded conditions, whether participating in one of our tours or sightseeing on your own. With regard to photography, some venues may prohibit the use of flash cameras, so fast-speed
film is recommended, or adjust your digital camera settings before taking pictures in the restricted areas. In some places,
photography may be prohibited altogether or a fee may be imposed for the use of cameras or video cameras. We ask
that you observe any local customs and restrictions and, if in doubt, ask your guide for assistance.

For more information on ports of call, visit our Australia Holidays, New Zealand Holidays, South Pacific Holidays and Asia Holidays portal on the website.

This depends on the type and degree of the disability and the relevant tour. In general, if passengers are able to walk on their
own, we recommend those tours that are designated as requiring a moderate level of activity. The transport on some tours may be able to accommodate a collapsible wheelchair stored below the bus; scooters or motorised wheelchairs are often too large to be stored on the transport used for the tours. If passengers are nonambulatory, we generally recommend independent transportation for maximum comfort and convenience. The cost for hiring any independent transportation is the responsibility of the passenger. Our Shore Tours staff will happily arrange a hire
vehicle on your behalf and suggest tour itineraries. We also recommend that nonambulatory passengers be accompanied
by someone who is able to assist them throughout the duration of the tour.

For more information, please visit the Shore Tours Terms and Conditions page.

You’ll want everyone to know what a great time you’re having and there are a number of ways to let them know. You can make calls from the phone in your cabin, or use the ship’s computers/wireless connections to keep in touch by email and internet. Please note, access is subject to satellite coverage and charges are higher than on land.