P&O Cruise Fares - An Easy Guide To The Best Option For You
Updated 14th May 2021
P&O Cruises offer three different fare options. Which one is best for you simply depends on your situation and what you want to get out of your experience on a P&O cruise. These options are:
- Select Price
- Early Saver
- Saver
Read on for a quick breakdown of your cruise fare options, more detailed information and FAQs.
Select Sailings
- Best for - Tailoring your experience to suit you
- Availability - All sailings (except UK Coastal 2021 sailings)
- Cabin Allocation - Choose your cabin when you book, subject to availability
- Dining - Priority to select dining style, timings and table size
- Added Benefits - Choose either onboard spending money, car parking in Southampton or return coach travel to Southampton. Also, transport by shuttle buses in ports where available
- Upgrades - Priority for upgrades, subject to availability
- Flexibility - Can change booking, subject to availability and booking terms
- Payment Options - %15 deposit
Early Saver
- Best for - Value for money
- Availability - On select cruises at select times
- Cabin Allocation - Assigned to you after Select guests prior to sailing
- Dining - Second priority after Select guests
- Upgrades - Second priority after Select guests, subject to availability
- Flexibility - Can change booking, subject to availability and booking terms
- Payment Options - %15 deposit
Saver
- Best for - Last-minute deals
- Availability - Some select cruises
- Cabin Allocation - Only available on selected cabin grades (cabin assigned anytime up to boarding)
- Dining - What is still available when boarding
- Upgrades - Third priority, subject to availability
- Flexibility - 100% Cancellation Fee
- Payment Options - 100% payment at time of booking
More Information
| Select Fare | Early Saver Fare | Saver Fare | |
| Availability | Available on all cruises at all times - except UK Coastals 2021 | Only available on selected grades on selected cruises at selected times | Only available on selected grades on selected cruises at selected times within 90 days of departure |
| Cabin Choices | Choice of cabin location and number, subject to availability (For guarantee cabins, P&O Cruises will allocate cabins from 42 days up to departure | Choice of cabin grade, but not specific location or number (P&O Cruises will allocate cabins from 28 days up to day of departure | Choice of cabin type (inside, outside, balcony, suite), but not specific location or number. (P&O Cruises will allocate cabins from 14 days up to day of departure |
| Dining Choices | First priority of dining time and table size in the main restaurants. Dining preference taken at time of booking and confirmed prior to boarding, subject to availability | Second priority of dining time and table size in the main restaurants. Preference collected prior to boarding, up to 5 days before departure and confirmed on board | No choice. Confirmed by P&O Cruises on board |
| Possible Upgrades | First priority to automatic upgrades to be allocated without consultation unless customer has opted out | Second priority to automatic upgrades to be allocated without consultation | Third priority to automatic upgrades to be allocated without consultation |
| Extra Benefits | Choice of:
|
Not included | Not included |
| Shuttle Buses Included | When provided by P&O Cruises, shuttle buses are included in the price | When provided by P&O Cruises, shuttle buses are chargable | When provided by P&O Cruises, shuttle buses are chargable |
| Wheelchair Access Cabins | Subject to availability | Subject to availability | Subject to availability |
| Combinable with Onboard Booking Benefits and Future Cruise Deposits | YES | YES | |
| Loyalty Points Available | YES | YES | YES |
| Fare Transferable | Prior to balance due only (£100 admin fee) Must see full T&Cs | Prior to balance due only (£100 admin fee) Must see full T&Cs | Not permitted |
| Name Change | Allowed up to 4 days prior to holiday departure (plus any additional expenses incurred such as airline/ hotel charges, holiday is defined as the cruise departure date or first flight departure date) | £20 administration fee, allowed up to 4 days prior to holiday departure (plus any additional expenses incurred such as airline/ hotel charges, holiday is defined as the cruise departure date or first flight departure date) | £20 administration fee, allowed up to 4 days prior to holiday departure (plus any additional expenses incurred such as airline/ hotel charges, holiday is defined as the cruise departure date or first flight departure date) |
| Payment | 15% deposit at time of booking Balance due 90 days before sailing |
15% deposit at time of booking Balance due 90 days before sailing |
Full payment due at time of booking |
| Cancellation | Up to D-91 - loss of deposit 90-57 - 50% 56-42 - 60% 41-16 - 75% 15-6 - 90% Less than 5 days or failure to embark - 100% |
Up to D-91 - loss of deposit 90-57 - 50% 56-42 - 60% 41-16 - 75% 15-6 - 90% Less than 5 days or failure to embark - 100% |
100% |
| Documentation | Paper, can opt for electronic documentation on cruise personaliser | Paper, can opt for electronic documentation on cruise personaliser | Electronic documents sent via cruise personaliser |
| Tickets | Paper tickets sent in pre cruise documents, can opt to print E tickets via completecruisesolution.com or Cruise Personaliser | Online via completecruisesolution.com | Online via completecruisesolution.com |
| What's included | Your accommodation / flights and transfers on fly-cruise holidays/ dining in the main restaurants/ lunch and evening buffets/ pizzerias/ food served in pool areas and afternoon tea in the main restaurants and buffet/ entertainment/ theatre shows, music, comedy, night clubs and more/ children's club/ night nurseries/ saunas and/or steam rooms/ pools/ gym (facilities vary on each ship) | ||
P&O Cruise Fares Frequently Asked Questions
- What is included within my fare?
- What food is included within my cruise fare?
- Is use of the spa included within my cruise fare?
- Are port taxes included within my fare?
- What about child fares?
- What other benefits and discounts can I receive from P&O Cruises?
When should I book?
This is the million dollar question, and there is never a right or wrong answer. Our best advice would be, if you find a sailing that you are interested in, at a price you are happy with, then go ahead and secure that booking. The last thing we would want is for you to wait and find that the price has gone up or the sailing has sold out. Of course, there are sometimes last minute bargains to take advantage of thanks to P&O Cruises' last minute saver fares, however these are not released on every sailing and will generally apply to the lowest grade of cabin so you do run the risk of losing out on that holiday you were dreaming of.
What is included within my fare?
All fares include full board accommodation, entertainment throughout the day and night, use of swimming pools and sports facilities, children's clubs and transfers and flights from London. As well as all this, see a more detailed description above about added benefits included within each of the cruise fares.
What food is included within my cruise fare?
Cruising full board with P&O Cruises means that you will receive:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurants onboard
- Meals and snacks from the 24 hour buffets, pool restaurants, pizzerias and more
- Room service
- Afternoon tea
- Drinks including tea, coffee and water
Please note that speciality restaurants will incur a cover charge.
Is use of the spa included within my cruise fare?
No, but if your cruise fare includes onboard spending money you can use this against spa and salon treatments.
Are port taxes included within my fare?
Yes.
What about child fares?
Child fares are often relatively cheaper than a full priced adult fare but can differ by sailing and ship. For more details give one of our experts a call today.
What other benefits and discounts can I receive from P&O Cruises?
If you're a returning guest to P&O Cruises then you may be entitled to extra discount and added benefits. To find out more then take a look at our P&O Cruises Peninsular Club rewards page for more information.
Got anymore questions about which fare is best for your booking? Give us a call!
See all our amazing P&O Cruise deals and book your perfect sailing today.