P&O Cruises Fly-Cruises Guide

Dreaming of setting sail without the hassle of long journeys to the port? P&O Cruises fly-cruises make it simple by including flights from UK airports direct to your ship’s embarkation point. Whether you’re heading for sun-soaked Caribbean beaches or exploring the Mediterranean, fly-cruises are designed to get your holiday started sooner, with flights, transfers, and your cruise all taken care of in one seamless package.

What is a P&O Fly-Cruise

A fly-cruise with P&O Cruises means that part of your holiday is flying, rather than (or in addition to) travelling by other means, so you fly from a UK airport to the embarkation port (or to a destination where you join the ship), then cruise, and fly home.

These are typically charter or scheduled flights included in your cruise holiday package. P&O offer fly-cruises to various destinations (e.g. the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Canary Islands etc.) so you can start your cruise more directly, and avoid long transfers.

What Airports Does P&O Fly From?

P&O operates flights from a broad range of UK airports, including many regional ones. The list can vary depending on the cruise, the season, and the destination. Some of the airports P&O fly from include:

• Major London airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW), Stansted (STN)
  
• Manchester (MAN)
  
• Birmingham (BHX)
  
• East Midlands (EMA)
  
• Bristol (BRS)
  
• Leeds Bradford (LBA)
  
• Cardiff (CWL)
  
• Glasgow (GLA)
  
• Edinburgh (EDI)
  
• Aberdeen (ABZ)
  
• Belfast City (BHD) & Belfast International (BFS)
  

And more, depending on the regional airports’ participation in specific fly-cruise departures.

Are Flights Included in the Price?

Yes – for fly-cruises, flights are included in most cases. Some key points:

• The standard fly-cruise price includes economy-class flights from/to the UK unless it’s stated otherwise.
  
• Airport transfers between your UK departure airport and the ship embarkation (or the fly-cruise destination) are usually included, especially on the day of embarkation/disembarkation.
  
• If you choose to fly from a regional airport, there may sometimes be a supplementary cost (a “supplement”) compared to a main London or base departure. P&O highlight regional airport options in certain cruises, but availability and price depend on the cruise and date.
  

So you should check when booking whether the flight is included, from which airport, and what kind of flight (charter or scheduled).

Scheduled vs Chartered Flights – What’s the difference?

Understanding the difference helps you know what flexibility and services you’ll have:

• Chartered flights: P&O contracts (charters) for whole flights to serve their cruise guests. These often mean you fly on a plane dedicated (or mainly dedicated) to cruise guests. These flights can have more restricted options in terms of seat selection, schedule, etc. Some features (e.g. in-flight entertainment) may differ from what you might expect on a standard airline flight.
  
• Scheduled flights: These are “normal” airline flights offered by regular airlines. If your fly-cruise includes a scheduled flight, you may have more ability to select seats, earn frequent flyer points, etc, depending on the airline.
  

P&O specify which type you’re booked on in your flight confirmation.

Which airlines do P&O use?

Recently, P&O has updated their airline partners for certain fly-cruise routes, particularly for long-haul/transatlantic flights (e.g. to the Caribbean). Some of their known partners are:

• Norse Atlantic Airways
  
• Virgin Atlantic
  
• TUI Airways
  

The airline you choose to fly with depends on several factors, including your departure airport, destination, flight type (charter or scheduled), and seasonal routing.

Flight Costs, Upgrades, Frequent Flyer Points

Here are some of the finer points you should check/expect:

• Seat class: Most included flights are in economy class. Upgrades (e.g. to premium, economy, or higher) may be possible depending on the airline, route, and how far in advance you book.
  
• Frequent flyer/loyalty points: You can often add your frequent flyer number to your booking. However, whether you earn points depends on the airline and flight type/contract. Also, you may not be able to use vouchers or discounts via the airline on those chartered or packaged flights.
  
• Extras: Checked baggage, meals, seat choice, etc. Some of these are included; others may be optional or upgradable. Always check what’s included on your particular flight.

Things to Be Aware Of / Tips

• The airport departure might not always be your nearest regional one; sometimes you’ll have to travel to a major airport if the regional one doesn’t service that fly-cruise. Always check in advance.
  
• For some departures, there is a regional airport supplement (i.e. extra cost) if the flight is from a smaller airport.
  
• If you’re flying on a charter flight, seat selection may be limited or only possible later on (via P&O’s “My P&O Cruises” portal).
  
• Make sure your travel documents (passport, visas, etc.) are in order well in advance. For some exotic destinations, additional entry requirements may apply.
  
• For long-haul fly-cruises (e.g. Caribbean, Americas), flight times are long. Check luggage allowances, meals, etc. There may be restrictions or added costs.

P&O Cruises’ fly-cruises can be a convenient and efficient way to combine flying with cruising. They include many departure airports, flight costs (in many cases), and use several airline partners. But the exact arrangements (departure airport, type of flight, what’s included or upgradable) vary by cruise, destination, and season.

If you’re considering booking one, we’d recommend:

1. Check which airports are available for your chosen cruise and whether regional airports are included.
   
2. Confirm whether flights are included or if there is a supplement.
   
3. Find out which airline you’ll fly with and what the timetable is like.
   
4. Check what’s included (baggage, meals, etc.), and whether upgrade/seat selection is available.
   
5. Read the fine print about transfers, hotel accommodation (if needed), and what happens at embarkation/disembarkation.

Book a P&O Fly-Cruise with Bolsover Cruise Club

Fly direct from regional UK airports and join your P&O cruise in destinations like the Mediterranean or Caribbean. Start your holiday sooner and enjoy seamless transfers with flights included in your cruise package. If you have any questions about booking a P&O fly-cruise, contact us, and our Cruise Experts team will be happy to help. For more ideas on where to set sail next, explore our cruise news section for the latest updates and travel inspiration.