Travel information
Vaccinations
Unfortunately, due to changing national and international rules we are unable to provide confirmation of our future cruise COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Please ensure that you follow any guidance provided to you by P&O Cruises with regards to the most up-to-date vaccination requirements prior to embarking on your cruise. We would strongly suggest that you discuss whether you should have the vaccination with your medical provider or your travel health clinic. Vaccination requirements vary by destination and change from time to time. We recommend that you seek advice from your medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic at least six weeks before your cruise. You should discuss your personal travel plans in order to obtain appropriate advice and any recommended prophylactic medication and vaccinations prior to travel. It is your responsibility to have with you any necessary health certificates. Please check below for mandatory requirements. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all guests; you should speak to your GP about receiving the flu vaccine before you travel. The health and well-being of all our guests is important to us. You will find further travel health advice on the UK government funded website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Yellow Fever
There are currently Yellow Fever Vaccination Certification requirements for the following cruises:
R501 Aurora
Departing 6 Jan – 12 March 2025
This may be subject to change and you are therefore advised to discuss your itinerary with your medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic and review any vaccination information provided to you from P&O Cruises before your cruise. You can also find further information on the government funded website at www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
You must provide the original certificate which must be fully completed, signed and stamped by the medical practitioner. The vaccination must be given 10 days before entering a yellow fever area for it to be effective and valid. If a yellow fever vaccination is contraindicated for a medical reason an exemption can be issued by your medical practitioner and this must be brought with you to the ship. Local port health authorities will decide if a vaccination waiver can be issued. The exemption should either be documented in the international vaccination booklet or on a headed letter. The letter should be signed by the clinician and contain the practice stamp. Your name, date of birth and dates of travel must be included in the letter. Guests without the correct documentation will be denied boarding.
The validity of the yellow fever vaccination has now been extended from 10 years to the lifetime of the traveller. Please be aware that there has been an increase in yellow fever activity in Brazil; we therefore advise guests to discuss with their travel health practitioner whether vaccination is recommended. Vaccination is recommended for guests planning to visit Iguazu Falls.
Polio
For certain nationalities there is a requirement to provide evidence of having had a Polio vaccination in the four weeks to twelve months prior to visiting the following countries: Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Egypt. This requirement is in place for nationals of Polio exporting countries including, but not limited to, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Philippines. This list is subject to change so please discuss with your medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic at least 6 weeks prior to your planned cruise.
Cruises affected are: Arcadia J301 and J401
There are no Polio requirements for 2024 summer cruises.
Malaria
Guests are strongly recommended to visit their medical practitioner or travel medicine clinic to discuss their personal travel plans. Please take a copy of your itinerary including pre/post cruise travel with you so a full risk assessment can be made and the appropriate malaria prevention advice given.
United Arab Emirates / Japan drug warning
Please be aware that some prescriptions, over the counter drugs, complementary therapies and other medicines that are purchased in the UK may be illegal in the United Arab Emirates and are therefore banned in the country. Japan also has rules regarding such medication. Codeine, for example, is banned and no products containing codeine, which may include paracetamol, may be imported or sold in the United Arab Emirates. An import Certificate from the Japanese or UAE Authorities would be required in order to take such products into the countries however this does not guarantee the products will be permitted. Penalties can be severe if banned substances are found when entering these countries. If you are taking medication and are in any doubt then please contact United Arab Emirates London Embassy Medical Department on 0207 486 6281, or the Japanese Embassy on 0207 465 6500 prior to your arrival. You may also check for further information at www.fco.gov.uk. Anyone travelling with medications and/or syringes should carry a prescription with them. All medications should be kept in their labelled dispensing bottles or packages. If the medications are “controlled” or injectable drugs it is also advisable to carry a doctor’s letter. For United Arab Emirates, it is essential to carry a prescription for any medication as well as a medical report if you are travelling with syringes or other medical equipment. We strongly advise you to seek advice if any of the above affects you.
Passports
P&O Cruises guests can only board and travel to EU or Schengen area countries* if their passport was issued less than 10 years from the cruise embarkation date.
The passport must have at least three months left before the date of expiry when you disembark (regardless of whether or not the passport has an extension period).
For cruises that travel outside the EU or Schengen area, in line with the requirements of many of these countries, guests are required to have six months validity left on their passports from the date of final disembarkation.
All passports should have sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps (applicable to the length and ports of call in your itinerary).
*EU countries include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Additional countries in the Schengen area include: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
This applies to British Citizen passports however, if you hold a different passport then you should contact the relevant embassies or consulates to confirm your entry requirements.
If you do not possess the correct documentation you will be denied boarding, without any refund of the cruise fare and subject to any fine or other costs incurred by P&O Cruises.
Please be aware that guests applying for their first British Citizen passport may now be required to attend interviews prior to their passport being issued. For this reason, we would advise all guests in this situation to allow a minimum of six weeks to obtain their passports.
For further information, please contact the Identity and Passport Service Advice line on 0300 222 0000 or visit the website at www.direct.gov.uk/passports or use the online contact form on https://eforms.homeoffice.gov.uk/outreach/Passport_Enquiries.ofml
Our recommended passport and visa service provider CIBT, can assist with the renewal of your British passport, please visit www.cibt.co.uk/pocruises.
Your passport will be scanned upon embarkation and may be held collectively in the Reception Office in order to comply with various Immigration requirements. We recommend you take photocopies of your personal details page of your passport (page with photograph) or an alternative form of official photographic I.D in case this is required by the local immigration authorities.
Any guest with dual nationality and travelling with multiple passports must declare this at check-in. Please note that immigration information is sent to each port of call in advance.
Visas
All information is based on British Citizen passport holders and is subject to change at any time.
Electronic Travel Authorisation - For guidance for non-British and non-Irish passport holders travelling to the UK. For more information please click here.
Australia and India – A visa will need to be purchased prior to travel. Visas can be obtained directly through the Embassy, online or alternatively you can apply through P&O Cruises recommended agent, CIBT, for an additional charge.
Guests visiting India by ship will be required to have a valid visa.
India has recently opened up the possibility to obtain an E-visa online for entry into Chennai, Cochin, Goa (Mormugao), Mangalore and Mumbai.
For assistance in obtaining your visas, please contact our preferred visa provider CIBT on 0207 620 6487.
China – Chinese visa requirements have recently been relaxed:
1. Guests (of all nationalities) whilst in Shanghai, arriving and leaving with the same ship, may be able to make use of a visa free stay for the duration of booked shore experiences only. Visa free stay is applicable only when entering China via Shanghai (restrictions apply for consecutive Chinese ports).
2. A Chinese visa is required when the entry port into China is not Shanghai.
Guests on Overland Tours are required to obtain a Chinese visa.
New Zealand - Guests are required to obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before travelling to New Zealand, which can be obtained via www.etanewzealand.com for an additional charge. (Australian citizens are exempt).
Russia – Group visas are automatically arranged for all guests who have booked a P&O Cruises shore experience. A photocopy of the photograph/ personal details page of your passport is required in order to pass through Russian Immigration.
To go ashore independently in Russia, a visa is required which can be obtained from the Russian Embassy or CIBT. A visa support letter must accompany your application for a visa and this can be arranged along with your visa through CIBT on 0207 620 6487.
Schengen Visa requirements – Non-European passport holders may require a Schengen Visa for entry into Continental Europe. The United Kingdom is not a Schengen State member*. British Citizen passport holders do not require a Schengen Visa. Please ensure you check your entry requirements for Europe prior to embarkation.
USA – British Citizen passport holders and other nationals of the VWP (Visa Waiver program) may enter the United States of America (USA) without a visa after completing an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is an automated online system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the USA under the VWP and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Please note, you will be unable to enter the USA under the VWP unless you have obtained an ESTA prior to travel. This is required for travel to all USA ports. Important – you must be in possession of your ESTA prior to boarding the ship. Kindly present at check-in, a copy of your ESTA confirmation as evidence for Immigration purposes. Please PRINT A COPY of your ESTA despite advice on the website that this is not necessary. Please ensure the information on your ESTA confirmation matches your passport information. In addition there is a requirement to be in possession of a biometric passport (or E-Passport) when travelling to the USA under the VWP.
If you do not have a full British Citizen passport or a passport from another country eligible for the VWP please check to ensure you have the correct documentation for your holiday.
Vietnam, Jordan and Oman – A visa may be required for visits to these countries. If they are required, the ship will make the necessary arrangements and the applicable cost of the visa charged to your on-board account.
*Schengen State members are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Please note it is the responsibility of the guest to ensure they have all of the correct documentation for their holiday.
Check your passport and visa requirements before you travel to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly.
Destination entry requirements
Whether you embark the ship in Southampton or at a port outside of the UK, it’s your responsibility to meet all entry requirements for that country at the time of sailing. We can’t accept responsibility if you’re denied entry to a country because you don’t meet its entry requirements.
Countries with documentation requirements
Please refer to local government websites for detailed visa requirements.
Barbados
All guests flying into Barbados must provide evidence of completing the Barbados Immigration and Customs form here. The form will be available within 72 hours prior to travel. This will be checked at the airport before boarding your flight. We’ve put together a handy guide on how to fill this out here.
Indonesia
For all guests travelling to Bali, the Indonesian government have advised it is compulsory to submit a customs declaration online.
We’ve put together a guide on how to submit the above information here.
Check whether you require an approved an electronic visa on arrival (e-voa) for entry into Indonesia. If so, visit here to create an application, and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
Chile
An affidavit must be completed here within 48 hours prior to arrival in Chile.
Philippines
All guests are required to fill in the passenger locator form for the Philippines within 3 days prior to arrival. This can be completed here.
Singapore
All guests travelling to Singapore will need to complete an SG (Singapore) Arrival Card within 3 days prior to arrival in Singapore. This can be completed here.
We’ve put together a guide on how to submit the above information here.
USA
You will require an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for entry to the USA. Visit here to create an application, and print your ESTA approval for embarkation.
Australia
Check whether you require an approved e-Visitor or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for entry into Australia. If so, visit here to create an application and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
New Zealand
Check whether you require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization for entry into New Zealand. If so, visit here to create an application and print a copy of your confirmation for embarkation.
Check your passport and visa requirements before you travel to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly. Visit here for more information.
COVID-19 testing
There are currently no COVID-19 vaccination or pre-cruise testing requirements for any P&O Cruises sailings. If testing is required to go ashore in certain destinations on your itinerary, we will organise this for you. These tests will be available to purchase on board at a cost of £18 per antigen test per person and £25 per PCR test per person.
Destination safety
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Travel Advice Unit may have issued information about your holiday destination, including details of local conditions in specified cities and countries according to their perception of risks to travellers. You are advised to check this information on the internet under the address www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice (or by telephone on 020 7008 1500). Alternatively you can contact ABTA; further information can be found at www.abta.com/help.
On-board safety
Your safety is important to us. Please pack suitable shoes for outside deck areas which may be wet. Please be careful when moving around the cabin especially at night, as most cabins have raised bathroom thresholds. Further safety information can be found in your cabin literature.
Information security
All guests are reminded that travel information is personal, and guests should always protect their personal information – including their booking number.
Whether booking a new cruise, making booking changes or simply asking questions, guests should only call P&O Cruises Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003*, or your travel agent for any questions or booking changes.
For more details on how we store and use your personal information before, during and after your voyage, view our privacy policy.