Day of Embarkation
Cashless cruising with your Cruise Card
One of the easiest things about cruising with P&O Cruises is the convenience of being able to sign for all your expenses and have them charged to your account. Simply register your credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) at embarkation or at the Purser’s desk on board. You may ask for a balance on your account at any time, just contact the Purser’s desk. If you do not wish to use a credit card for your on board account, you are required to leave a minimum deposit of AUD300 per person, payable in cash or traveller’s cheques to establish your personal on board account.
Please note authorisation holds on credit cards can remain on your card for up to one week after your return from the cruise.
Please call P&O Cruises if you have any queries.
As you embark, you will receive your personalised Cruise Card. It’s important to sign the strip on the back of your Cruise Card as soon as you receive it. Your Cruise Card has many important functions that are helpful when you’re cruising:
- It has a record of your name, your allocated dining room and dining session printed on it for your convenience.
- It also acts as your security pass to leave and reboard the ship at all ports of call.
- The Cruise Card can be used anywhere on board that you would normally use cash. In fact, in the duty and tax-free shops, Beauty Salon, Medical Centre or to buy food, drinks and Shore Tours, your Cruise Card is the ONLY thing you can use. It can also be used to tip on appreciation of service.
By providing your credit card in advance for your Cruise Card, you are automatically registered for Express Check-Out, which means there is no need to visit the Purser’s desk to settle your account. An itemized statement will be delivered to your cabin prior to disembarkation.
Importantly, please note there are NO EFTPOS or ATM facilities available on board. We accept Australian dollars and traveller’s cheques. At disembarkation, your Cruise Card will be collected for security reasons.
Please note, charges for obtaining chips and tokens in the casino are limited to AUD1,500 per day, per person up to a total limit of AUD5,000 per cruise and are only available if you have pre-registered your credit card to your Cruise Card with the Purser’s desk for Express Check-Out. For enquiries, please refer to Casino section on page 29.
Please note: There is a 3% processing fee applied to all casino room charges and cash advances. These advances are billed directly to your on board account.
TRS – Tourist Refund Scheme
The TRS enables you to claim a refund for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you paid on goods you bought in Australia. You can claim the TRS from Customs at embarkation after you have checked-in. For more information please refer to the Australian Customs Service website – www.customs.gov.au
Visitors
Consistent with cruise line security procedures around the world, no visitors are allowed on board when you embark or at any port of call during your cruise. On the day you embark the ship, once you have passed through the security barriers, you are not permitted to return ashore.
Luggage
All luggage will be security screened by an x-ray machine at embarkation.
P&O Cruises carries all personal luggage provided each item conforms to the size limits of no more than 140cm x 60cm x 40cm and is stowed in your passenger cabin. Please remember to clearly write your cabin number, name, address and telephone number on the luggage tags provided in your ticket wallet and attach these to your baggage prior to arriving at the wharf.
You can find out your cabin number by logging onto Cruise Personaliser or, if you have booked on a special promotional fare, you will have your cabin number advised at the time of embarkation.
If you are flying to or from the ship on P&O Cruises’ nominated flights on the day of sailing, it is vital that every item of luggage has a P&O Cruises identification label on it to assist us in transporting your entire luggage to and from the ship. Airline luggage restrictions apply to those purchasing P&O Cruises’ airfare add-ons.
Arriving at the ship
If you are arriving in your city of departure prior to the day you board the ship, or if you have made your own air arrangements, you are required to make your own way to the ship. If you require special assistance going to and from the ship, you are advised to make contact with us well in advance as lift-equipped transportation may not be available in your port of embarkation or disembarkation. To ensure that we can do so, we ask that you contact us on 13 24 69 (Australia) or 0800 951 200 (New Zealand).
Wharf Addresses
Please refer to your cruise tickets for boarding time, all passengers must be on board 1 hour prior to sailing.
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Sydney
Wharf 8 Darling Harbour
Overseas Passenger Terminal Hickson Road, Sydney Circular Quay, Sydney -
Brisbane
Brisbane Cruise Terminal (Portside Wharf) Remora Road, Hamilton, Brisbane -
Auckland
Overseas Passenger Terminal Princes Wharf (off Quay Street), Auckland
Passengers arriving to the ship independently
Upon arrival at the wharf, leave your luggage at the security check point. Please ensure that all luggage is clearly marked with the details filled out on the luggage tags provided.
Passengers arriving on P&O Cruises’ arranged flights
You will need to collect your luggage from the baggage carousel at the airport. You will then be met by a P&O Cruises Representative holding a P&O Cruises sign and shown to the coach for transfer, with your luggage, direct to the wharf.
Passengers booked on a pre-cruise hotel package
All passengers are required to make their own way to the hotel (except International passengers who will be transferred), check your cruise documents for the hotel details. Please note that the hotel room may not be available until 2pm, accommodation is booked on a room only basis and all other expenses incurred must be paid directly by you to the hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel, present your hotel voucher, in your ticket wallet to the hotel reception.
On the day of embarkation you must vacate your hotel room by 11am and settle any additional expenses incurred. A coach will pick you up from the hotel for transfer to the wharf at the time detailed on your ticket. Once at the wharf, your luggage will be taken directly for you to the security check point where it will be loaded onto the ship for delivery to your cabin.
If you are delayed on the way to your cruise
If you encounter unforeseen flight or weather-related delays on sailing day, we suggest you immediately advise an airline representative at the airport that you are a cruise passenger destined for sailing that day. The airline may be able to arrange alternative flights for passengers to continue with their travel to the point of embarkation.
Ship delays
We recommend you call the Departure and Arrival Information Line which can be accessed by phoning 1300 653 620 (Australia) and 0800 543 429 (New Zealand) at least 24 hours prior to your cruise to confirm the ship’s departure time.
