Updated: 12 August 2022
P&O Cruises has announced a series of changes to its Covid vaccination and testing requirements, which will affect all sailings currently on sale.
P&O Cruises Covid vaccination requirements
All guests over the age of 12 embarking on a P&O Cruises sailing are required to be fully vaccinated a minimum of 14 days before travel. If more than 270 days have elapsed since the full vaccination course was completed (calculated based on the final day of the cruise), a booster vaccine will also be required and must have been administered at least seven days before travel.
All guests aged 12 to 15 years need to be fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to travel. A booster vaccine is not required.
Unvaccinated guests aged five to 11 years are no longer required to take a complimentary lateral flow/antigen test upon arrival at the terminal. Guests under the age of five are exempt from pre-travel vaccination and testing.
Fully vaccinated refers to an individual who has completed a two-dose course of Covid vaccinations, or a single-dose Janssen -19 vaccine (plus a booster if applicable) that has been approved by the MHRA, EMA or WHO. Regardless of the date, if guests have already had a booster vaccination then they are eligible to travel.
P&O Cruises revised Covid testing requirements
From 6 September 2022 self-testing prior to travel will change from ‘mandatory’ to ‘highly recommended’ for vaccinated guests on most holidays.
Only guests sailing on longer, more complex itineraries will be required to have an observed or in person antigen or PCR test with a fit to travel certificate prior to departure. These include sailings of 16 nights or more and other specific cruises.
There is no need to provide proof of the negative test result. NHS tests can be used for this purpose.Also see “Your Cruise Frequently Asked Questions” article
167 thoughts on “P&O Cruises Updates Covid Vaccination and Testing Requirements”
How do they expect us to arrive with the said certificate if you’re leaving home at 6.15 a.m. on the day of boarding in time, having to use a taxis to the bus pickup point for the 6hr + journey to Southampton thats 8/9 of the 24 gone! + 6/7 hrs sleep the night before the journey begins
some 14/16 hrs of the 24 hrs it doesn’t leave much time in which to get the required test.
At this point we have found no facility locally which gives specific time and place and a guarantee of a certificate in hand. Also we are fully vaccinated and boostered.
Don’t think someone has given much thought to this change of plan. Perhaps it’s because free testing has stopped P&O aren’t prepared to cover the cost just push it onto the passenger’s. Hope someone can arrange the required tests for us at 79 & 81 yrs old.
Good way to lose custom.
Very disappointed
Hi Brenda, you can order your testing kit to be delivered to your home address before you travel to Southampton. the test then has to be taken the day before you embark. Once a negative result has been verified, a certificate will be sent to you to allow you to board the ship the next day. Thank you.
This is an absolute disgrace
We will never sail with them again. We are travelling on the day before the cruise so how can we possible do a test.
Sail on Ventura 23 April – such short notice. We’ve only just been informed we will be tested at the port
Disgraceful treatment
John challenor
Hi John. You can order your testing kit online to be delivered to your home address before you travel. The test has to be taken the day before you embark, and the certificate emailed to you within the time frame on the test. All information regarding testing at port has been previously sent out by email to all bookings this applies to. Thank you.
This is an added expense. Our party of 8 is now expected to pay at least another £480 despite all being fully vaccinated & taking regular tests at home. All for a 4 night cruise!
Hi Janet, thank you for your comment. This change brings P&O Cruises in line with many of the other cruise lines.
If you advertise cruises with free COVID testing then you should honour that commitment, If you want to end that facility then do so with new bookings going forward not retrospectively apply it to existing bookings, terrible customer service!
Hi Stan, thank you for your comment. P&O Cruises’s guidance was always dated for cruises travelling until the end of april with the view of it changing for sailings afterwards. This change brings P&O Cruises in line with many of the other cruise lines.
This is a disgraceful change and at such short notice. We are on Ventura next week and then Iona in June. We will not be cruising again because of the way P&O have reacted. Iona will be our last. Things should be getting better not worse. Totally unexpected.
Hi John, we certainly see this as a positive change, not a negative one. The change comes into effect from 29 April, your cruise next week isn’t affected. You can order the tests anytime before you travel for your June sailing to be taken 24 hours before. Thank you.
I am not clear – does a lateral flow test suffice? Express test says a LFT is an antigen test, but they also say their PCR test is known as a fit to fly test, which P&O also refer to. So do I do an antigen LFT, or do I need a PCR test? And must the test be taken within 24 hours of an unknown embarkation time, or the result? Thanks for any advice.
Hi Caven, It has to be an antigen lateral flow test for travel as this will then give you the certificate to board the ship. Adults don’t need to take a PCR test. They do provide a list of recommended companies. The test has to be taken the day before travel. Thank you.
Bringing P&O “in line” with other cruise companies is no excuse. Fundamental changes to a holiday such as a limited Kids club, wearing masks in some onboard locations and most disappointingly in my case, no sauna! is a disgraceful way to treat customers. Fully vaccinated and well passengers should not need to be tested before boarding and then again whenever they disembark in foreign ports. The offer of looking after infected guests with confinement in their cabins and “free” room service for the duration of their trip is absurd, We are meant to be learning to live with Covid, not fearing to move around without a test every 5 minutes. This is not the holiday I was sold and I will be looking for a FULL refund for my cruise in October, including deposits for our group of 9. P&O expect their passengers to take ALL the risk, this is unfair and arguably at odds with trading standards.
Hi Alan, thank you for your comment. With you not travelling until October, the policies may have changed again by then as it is being reviewed frequently.
Can we just get an antigen fit to fly lateral flow test or does it have to be a PCR fit to fly antigen test?
Hi Laura, all adults are asked to have an antigen test within 24 hours of travelling, not a PCR test. Full details are available in this article. Thank you.
unforseen further expense is this going to be the end of constant outlay or will there be further £18 test at every port so there could be £130 + per person addtional outlay , and why are lateral flow test not acceptable i have a family member looking after vunerable adults who does a LFT everday 30minutes prior to commencing work she hands that negative result in to her manager and starts work but you are saying that is unacceptable as proof of covid free and are you sure that ALL cruise providers are doing this please dont use the Fit to Fly as a excuse because we are not stuck in a metal cylinder sucking the same air for hours
Thank you for your comment. Not all ports of call require a test to prior to arrival, please refer to the Covid-19 section on the P&O Cruises website for the most up to date information, this is updated on a regular basis. Covid-19 testing for the purposes of travel are not allowed through the NHS. Thank you.
This is brilliant news! I wish it was like this for my cruise this Friday, instead of going to Southampton for a test on embarkation and queuing for a test, hanging around for the results then joing a queue for check in. This makes life a lot easier and not as stressful. Thank you P&O for finally catching up with all the other travel companies.
FANTASTIC NEWS 😀
I see this as a positive change! Would much rather pay £12 for an at-home, approved lateral flow test rather than do a four-hour trip to Southampton only to test positive at port. Pardon the pun, but this is a drop in the ocean compared to the overall cost of the cruise, and not to mention the price of a full tank of fuel to get down there only to be turned away at port!
I am due to travel on Iona at the end of April, so am on one of the first cruises to be affected by this change. I ordered my test from Randox as soon as the announcement was made yesterday, ready for me to do the day before embarkation. All I need to do is take the test at home and send a photo of the result via the app, which they will verify and issue the Fit to Fly certificate.
This is an easy, inexpensive change that works in the favour of the passenger. I, for one, can’t wait to set sail on Iona!
Hi Emma, this is brilliant. You are super organised! We hope you have a lovely time aboard Iona.
Thank you for updating us with the latest info! this is music to my ears and makes travel a lot easier 🙂
We are sailing from Southampton in May. We have booked a hotel in Southampton for the night before. We are not sure how/where we can get a test 24 hours before we embark? Any bright ideas?
Hi David. You can order the tests online to be delivered to your home address in advance to take with you to Southampton. Thank you.
Does it have to be an observed antegen test,
Hi Maureen. Some testing companies do offer this type of test one but P&O Cruises don’t require it to be observed. Thank you.
Most of the companies who provide the test kits to be used at home only undertake to provide the certificate within 24 hours of you uploading the test results to them, if the requirement is to take the test within 24 hours of embarkation then you would need to take it exactly 24 hours before the time you have been given to arrive for boarding which is very restrictive, other cruise companies accept a test taken in the 24 hours before the day of embarkation, this is much easier to achieve.
Hi Neil, thank you for your comment. The test has to be taken the day before travel. There are test companies on the recommended list from P&O Cruises that will have the results back within a couple of hours. Thank you.
I have used Prenetics on numerous occasions and although they usually return the certificate in a couple of hours they only undertake to do so within 24 hours of submitting the test results if you read their terms and conditions for Antigen Fit to Fly tests you will see this. PO Cruises should reword their announcement as “within 24 hours of boarding” and “the day before” are two completely different statements.
Hi Neil. P&O Cruises have confirmed the test has to be done the day before embarkation. Thank you.
We are on a cruise on Aurora and are due to board at Southampton on May 5th – the advice can be a bit confusing depending on whether you are sailing before April 30th or after. I presume that we will need to provide a negative Antigen test *fit-to-fly certificate) for our cruise? And we can order the test before and then take the test the previous day and receive the result and necessary certificate in time for boarding?
Hi Ras, thanks for your comment. Yes you are correct. The test will be delivered to your address to then be done the day before boarding. Thank you.
We will be sailing with good old P&O on the 4 of June. Reading through various comments, just wondering if we test 24 hours prior embankment and we have an inconclusive result on one or another. does this mean we have to purchase two tests per person at more extra cost?
Hi Edward. You would need a certificate to travel which are only processed with a negative test. The test companies may have a policy in place for inconclusive tests, if not, you’d have to purchase a second test.
My wife and i are booked on Aurora on 5th May, so will be bound by the new rules. We are very unhappy about it as we have had problems in the recent past receiving the results via our not very modern phones, which has proven to be very stressful.
What are the rules re cancellation?
We are worried that P & O seem to think there is a chance that passengers could catch covid on the ship, and if that is the case we dont want to go and have our holiday ruined by being confined to our cabin.
Can we cancel at this stage and have our money put in to a Future Cruise Credit.?
Hi Alan. If you were to cancel, it would be standard cancellation terms. Thank you.
What happens if we turn up at the port only to test positive, is there a full refund or are P&O expecting us to claim on insurance? When there are no controls now in normal life I do not see how we can avoid catch covid, what was the point in everyone being vaccinated when our lives are still restricted?
Hi Ian, with the policy for cruising sailing before 29 Apr, if you test positive at port you will receive a future cruise credit. With the change in policy from 29 April, if you were positive, you’d find out the day before embarkation. Thank you.
I believe P & O were performing free PCR tests before boarding. Why can they not provide antigen before boarding? I understand that PCR tests are now chargeable and this is why P & O have stopped offering them. Why can they not charge for antigen tests at departure ?
I am utterly fed up with all the changes and cannot envisage taking another holiday under the present regimes.
Hi Grahame, the policy will save unnecessary travel to Southampton, and will cut down the wait time at port.
As we live in the North of Scotland and travelling the day before embarkation ( 12 hour journey by car ) how is it possible to get test done 24 hours before embarkation? Other cruise companies are allowing a time frame of 3 days which is reasonable to do.
Hi John, you can order the tests to be delivered to your home address before you travel. The test must then be done the day before embarkation. Thank you.
I messaged you yesterday re our cruise on Aurora on 5th May, saying we were not very happy re P & O change of testing rules which will apply to this cruise, I had a reply saying standard cancellation rules would apply. What are these rules, it should have been explained in the reply.
Can we transfer this booking to cruise no R309 on the 23rd may 2023, Aurora mediterranean as opposed to cancelling. ?
Hi Alan, P&O Cruises do not allow transfers after balance due date. If you are booked on a Saver Fare it will be 100% cancellation charge. If you are booked on an Early Saver or Select Fare, between now and 16 days to travel it would be 75% cancellation charge, 15 – 6 days is 90 % and anything after this is 100%. Thank you.
If leaving home ar 6am ,travelling all day ( the day before embarkation) how is it possible to do the test &get the results?
Hi John. You can order your test online to be sent to your home address before you travel. You can then take it with you to be taken the day before embarkation. The testing companies require you to upload proof of your test for them to then send you a certificate for travel. Thank you.
I have received an email from P&O stating that a cruise I am due to take in November the party of travelers must be fully vaccinated 270 days before the last day of travel. Our party were sensibly vaccinated in preparation for Christmas 2021. I have just returned from my family practitioner and whilst there questioned how I go about obtaining this booster. Based on our state of health and age we will not be eligible for a booster on the current medical guidance which they don’t believe is due to change any time soon. They have also informed us you are unable to obtain a booster privately. How does P&O intend to cope with this? Will they provide a list of companies that will offer this booster or are they hoping for change in NHS vaccination provisions closer to the time?
Hi Tonia, this is referring to the first booster offered after first and second vaccination. They do not require you to have any further boosters after this. As it stands, if you do not have the booster vaccination and are over 270 from the date of your second vaccination, you will be unable to travel. Thank you.
Please help! We have a mobile phone that makes calls & texts ( old fashioned maybe ) not one that can upload!!!! Anything that requires a print off , we use a computer AT HOME> Therefore how can we get access to our test certificate if travelling all day before embarkation.
Hi John, if you are staying in a hotel, they should be able to help with this. Maybe give them a call ahead of your stay to confirm. Alternatively, you can book an onsite test in Southampton instead of a home test and they will issue you a paper certificate. Thank you.
All of these replies assume people in their 70’s/80’s are tec savvy and own a smart phone. Testing at home, sending results and photos etc on line is just too confusing . I was hoping for less restrictions to be announced not to have our holiday made difficult.
Seriously considering cancelling the next 5 cruises I have booked.
Hi, you can book an onsite test and they will issue you a paper certificate fro travel. I hope this helps. Thank you.
I am getting stressed out about all this antigen test 24hrs before embarkation. If you get antigen test done at 10.am the day before embarkation, is it only valid until 10.00am the next day?
Hi John, the test has to be taken the day before embarkation, you will be fine to do your test at 10am. Thank you.
Will you please clarify which test will satisfy P&O
Is it a PCR or the much cheaper Lateral Flow. Are both these tests classed as antigen tests and are both these tests also classed as fit to fly tests.
One of your replies indicates the P & O have changed their terminology from 24 hrs before check in to the day before. By using a silly scenario, does this mean I could now take a test at just gone midnight the day before boarding and this would be ok? This would be some 38 hrs or so before check in time, not that I have ever been given a check in time when travelling by Intercruises.
Hi John, it is the Anitgen Lateral Flow tests that P&O Cruises ask for. P&O Cruises went on to clarify you can take the test at any point the day before embarkation, as long as the fit to travel certificate has the correct date of the day before embarkation, you’ll be absolutely fine with that. Thank you.
If a antigen test is done at 10.00am the day before embarkation, does this mean it is only valid until 10.00am the next day?
Hi John, the test has to be taken the day before embarkation so a 10am test will be accepted. Thank you.
Onsite, is that at cruise terminal ?
No, this is where you go in person for someone to do the test and issue you a Fit to Travel certificate. Some pharmacies offer this service. Thank you.
I find this very worrying as it is something new to me.
Does it have to be 24 hrs or could it be say midday the previous day if we board at a guess 3pm.
Hi Gail, P&O Cruises went on to confirm the test has to be taken the day before embarkation, it doesn’t have to be within 24 hours. Thank you.
We have a cruise booked at the end of August (re booked after our 2020 cruise was cancelled due to covid restrictions).
Our daughter has just turned 12 and with our support, does not want the vaccine.
Does this mean we can no longer cruise with you?
Hi Duncan, all guests over 12 years old have to be fully vaccinated in order to travel. If your daughter isn’t vaccinated 14 days before embarkation, unfortunately she will be unable to travel. Thank you.
We are embarking on 29th April, will we be tested at the terminal as advised prior to booking.
It is not clear says from 29th April is this date included in providing own test ?
Hi Alison, P&O Cruises new policy comes in on 29 April, you will need to arrange a test for the day before embarkation. Thank you.
Could you please advise where can you book an onsite test in Southampton, can it be done and paid for at the cruise terminal, would it be walk in, or have to be booked and would it take the same format as currently, i.e. test done at port, wait for text result, then allowed to check in?
Also, if people are travelling down to Southampton the day of the cruise would testing the same day (and not the day before) be accepted?
Hi Maureen, you can order the test to be delivered to your home address ready take the day before. You can then take this test with you to take the day before embarkation. If you are unable to do this, you can book a test to be done at a clinic/pharmacy who will issue your certificate. Thank you.
Hi is it to early to order a test for June
Hi Ann, you should be able to order the test now to be done the day before. Thank you.
We are booked on a Britannia cruise sailing Aug 7th this year. My 15 year old daughter had her 2nd dose of Covid vaccine this February. Boosters are not being offered to her age group in our area. Will she be OK to travel ?
Hi Paul, if more than 270 days will have passed between your daughters second vaccine and final day of the cruise, she would need a booster to be able to travel. Thank you.
You mention in previous posts that cancellation charges are as normal, but they can’t be, even for saver fares, because P&O have changed the goalposts themselves, In this country it is illegal to advertise one thing and try to supply another of lesser value, so surely all passengers should get a full refund should they wish it.
Hi Alan, if a passenger decides to cancel their cruise, standard P&O cancellation charges apply. Alternatively, you can transfer the booking up until the balance due date. If a passenger is not vaccinated so therefore doesn’t meet P&O Cruises vaccination requirements, P&O Cruises would refund the booking. Thank you.
As I live in the north of England, I like many other passengers who do not live in Southampton or nearby towns, will be travelling to Southampton very early the day before embarkation and staying in a hotel overnight. It would be impractical for me to take the test before leaving home and I would therefore have to do this when I reach Southampton late that day. Surely P & O must realise that having paid a substantial amount of money to cruise I do not want the added worry of relying on technology as to whether I will get my fit to fly passport results in time before I embark the following day. We all know how mobile phones and the internet can go wrong. It would be more practical if the time limit for tests could be extended to 48 hours prior to embarkation so that passengers travelling from further afield could do their test, get the results and print them off whilst at home .
Hi Norma, a lot of the testing companies do issue the results within just a few hours, many even sooner. You can order the test to take with you to do in Southampton yourself, alternatively, you can book an in-person test. Thank you.
I refer to P & O’s email of 12 April informing me of their new Covid testing requirements. I consider these to be impractical and in my case virtually impossible to comply with. I am 86 years old and cruise because cruising was hassle free than flying. But not now with these new requirements. Living in the Sheffield area I travel to Southampton the day before departure and due to the 24 hr time limits would have to do the test there. There is a further problem I am hopeless with a modern mobile phone and still use a 15 year old clamshell. I doubt very much that I would be able to carry out the test procedure required, certainly within the time limit. Fortunately as we do not travel until August I have not yet paid the balance of £6.4k. I am not prepared to risk losing this by being turned away at the ship because I failed in my endeavours to get this new documentation. I will therefore almost certainly be cancelling my booking.
Hi Barry, you can book an in-person test at a clinic/pharmacy/drive through. They will do the test and issue you a Fit to Travel certificate too. Thank you
I have a stay and cruise booking arranged by you, with the change of rules when I stay in Barcelona for three days I would need to arrange a covid test there to comply, the day before embarkation you have arranged a 7 hour tour for me making it very difficult to get a test, what arrangements have Bolsover made to cover this.
Hi Albert, you can purchase the test online to be sent to your home address. You can take this test with you to be taken the day before embarkation. Thank you.
Thank you for your reply,but has Cunard demand an OBSERVED test how can self administered test taken in Barcelona be compliant with this.
Hi Albert, you can order a test to take with you that you then take via video call with a health professional who will then issue you a fit to travel certificate. Thank you.
I have just had email from P&O to tell me about changes for travel in just 10 days time. I am not happy, it’s not fair as I am too busy on 29th April, this is just wrong and stressful. If you turn up at terminal without certificate what will they do. I will not travel with them again, the notice should be at least 28 days. They told me in Februay they would test at terminal.
Hi Linda, you can order the test to be delivered to your home address to be taken the day before embarkation. If you arrive at port without a Fit to Travel certificate you will be denied boarding. Thank you.
Reference all the above comments, what is the position if you have paid your balance, and are unable , through no fault of your own, to get an anigen test, i.e do not possess a modern mobile phone, plus, you are also FULLY vaccinated, does this mean you cannot board & lose all your money, literally thousands in some cases. I do question if that is legal/correct.
Hi Richard, you can book an in-person test at a clinic/pharmacy/drive in. They will do the test for you and issue a fit to travel certificate. Thank you.
Have tried the test sites in Southampton( Eastleigh F C & Shirley Road ) all fully booked until the middle of June, with one of them closed for Jubilee Bank Holiday, where does this leave stressed out customers who were looking forward to a stress free cruise.
Hi Richard, I can see you have spoken to one of our Cruise Experts who are waiting a reply from the criuse line. Our Cruise Expert will call you when we have more information. Thank you.
This arranging to do your own antigen test is proving to be an absolute nightmare. Please do not tell me that I can order a test to be delivered to home address for doing at ho me. When you live inthe North of Scotland & will be leaving home at 7am for a 12 hour journey (with an “old fashioned” phone, does not do uploads!)! On arrival in Southampton no hotel will let you use their computer to access your email for a print off. Alternative, use a flight, it leaves at 7am (only time available) testing at airport does not open until 8.30am. No available testing in Southampton. Any suggestions?
Hi John,
Do you have a booking with us? When are you due to travel?
Another question,regarding antigen tests some companies ask if you require a QR code. Is this required for P &O embarkation?
Hi John,
Yes you will need to provide a QR code for embarkation with P&O Cruises.
Many Thanks
If I test positive the day before embarkation ,do P and O offer a future cruise credit for the full value of my existing cruise ,or,do I lose 100% of the money paid to them?
Hi John,
If you test positive and complete the health declaration form to show this you will receive a future cruise credit of the fare paid, expiry date on this is December 2023.
I hope this helps.
Hi Samantha,
Thank you so much for your reply.
My understanding is that this P and O policy currently is only valid for departures through September 30 th. 2022.It will then be reviewed which might mean abandoned, thus giving no passenger redress in the case of a positive test.
If I am correct and this IS the case, what assurance do I have of a future cruise credit being offered by P and O for a cruise leaving Southampton in January 2023 when I have to pay the balance of funds in August 2022?
I really appreciate the effort that Bolsovervare making to sort out the PR on P and Os behalf.
I hope that you can clarify this issue as there is a lot of money at stake.
Best Regards,
John Medhurst.
Hi John,
Thanks for your comment. Currently the testing policy is valid until the end of September 2022, and the vaccination policy is ongoing. However, this could be reviewed depending on the ever-evolving situation. Unfortunately we can’t give you any more re-assurance at this stage after this period. Any updates we receive from P&O Cruises, our Cruise Club members will always be the first to know.
We have a group of 10 travelling on Iona half term October, including two 14 year olds. At booking there was only a requirement for PCR test for the 14 year olds, this has been changed recently to requiring fully vaccinated. Can the full group obtain a refund of the deposits as our daughter supports her 14 year olds not yet being vaccinated and we wish to holiday as a family.
Hi Terence. If your 14 year olds don’t meet P&O Cruises vaccination requirements, then you are able to get a refund. Thank you.
As a couple, if only one of us were to be positive would you get both get a credit for another cruise.
Hi Geraldine, yes this is correct. Thank you.
Be careful when ordering antigen tests online, some Fit to Fly c ertificates do not have a QR code which i understand P &O require to be on certificate .
If you have negative result are you tested again before you board ship
Hi Jeanette, P&O Cruises won’t be testing at port, passengers need to take an Antigen test the day before embarkation. Thank you.
Hi – I see that some of the ports require a Passenger Location Form to be completed.
What I can’t see is how far in advance these PLFs can be completed and submitted.
As we embark on the 5th May in Southampton (19 night cruise on the Aurora), is it okay for me to complete these now or does it have to be a specific number of days prior to arrival at each port?
Hi Ras, this depends on the country as they all have different time frames of when you can fill these in. Thank you.
Could I ask what proof of vaccination for 5 to 11 year olds is acceptable to P & O as the NHS app is not available to children under 13?
Hi Pat, if you give the covid helpline a call on 119, they should be able to arrange for paper copy to be sent. Children 5-11 either have to be fully vaccinated or provide two negative covid tests prior to travel. Thank you.
If you have had Covid in the last few months couldn’t that affect your LFT result. What is P&O’s stance if this happens.
Hi Eifion, if your LFT shows as positive, you will be unable to embark the ship. Thank you.
If you test positive for Covid a week before you are due to go on a P&O cruise, what do you have to do to prove this in order to get Future Cruise Credit?
Hi Charlotte, you’d need to fill out the health declaration form. Thank you.
We are travelling in aug 23 I’m a foster mum of 4 local authority will not let youngest two 12 9 years have Covid jabs 12 year old will of turned 12 in July 23 can she travel if has not had it can she have PCR instead the older two have had theirs ,I don’t want to leave her behind ,
We are travelling with P&O
Hi Christine, P&O Cruises current policy is that all guests age 12 and over have to be vaccinated to be able to travel. Thank you.
My husband & I are on the Ventura October 1st, we are fully vaccinated & boosted, but we will be more than 270 days from the last day of cruise, both boosted last September & November. But no update on Autumn booster for the over 50s, would we be able to cruise still with our current vaccine status
Hi Anita, you will be able to cruise no problem as you have had your booster. Thank you.
Hello, what is the protocol for B2B cruising? I really want to book a B2B from Malta in Sept and wondered if ill be tested half way though my cruise? As its the the same ship there’s no clear answer on P&O FAQ’s.
Thank you
Hi Sarah, no you don’t need to retest part way through. Thank you.
Thought we had finally sorted this saga of getting an antigen test 24hours before embarkation. Changed our flight from 7.00am to accommodate 8.30am opening of testcentre. Checked booking for antigen test, there is no QRcode on certificate! So the search continues….. any suggestions? ( we donot have a phone that downlods/ uploads ) help!!
Hi John, please can you email [email protected] and confirm your booking reference, postcode and date of birth and we can try and help further for you. Thank you.
Seen as I canont get you on the phone
? Can I use lloyds pharmacy for a lateral flow test and certificate
Hi David, you can use any of the government approved providers. Thank you.
Can you advise please? we are booked on a Cunard cruise to New York with you, We are staying in new York/Niagra for 7 nights
Cunard are being there usual unhelpful selves, Can we take with us the LFT kits that we will be using at Southampton
Thank you in anticipation of your reply
Hi Bob, for USA Cunard cruise departures, you have to have a medically observed self-test, whereas Southampton sailing don’t have to be medically observed. You are still able to purchase these before you travel then the test will be observed over video link. Here is a link to Cunards requirements but please do contact us if we can help any further.
https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence/preparing-to-sail/at-the-terminal#brooklyn
Could you please tell me if (Rapid Testing Centre) 4castle boulevard, New Lenton NG7 1FB will be acceptable to P&O cruises as it is quite near to us.
Hi David, P&O Cruises require a later flow/antigen test to be taken the day before embarkation and you will need a ‘fit to fly/travel’ certificate to be presented at port. Please check with the company that they meet these requirements. Thank you.
Hi, Has P&O got any plans to change there vaccine policy when most will be out of the 270 days soon, also I have 3 cruises booked that have been booked since you only needed 2 vaccines?, which obviously means under the current policy my husband and I won’t be able to travel as we have no intention of having any more jabs , we’ve had 2, how do we stand with getting our deposits back if nothing changes?. Thanks in advance
Hi Sue, if you didn’t meet P&O Cruises vaccination policy, you would be entitled to a refund. Thank you.
Hi, If you have a paper fit to fly certificate does it have to contain a QR code or is this only required when you do the test on line.
Hi Linda, the fit to fly certificates don’t have to have a QR code on. Thank you.
Hi
I have ordered Randox tests and downloaded app for certificates. They are identical to a box of test which I already have from when I was testing at work. Can I use one of these as a backup if anything goes wrong with the bought tests? My daughter was very good getting an inconclusive result in the past
Hi Kirstin, P&O Cruises state that NHS tests will not be accepted. Thank you.
Hi, if I was test positive in the 14 days but negative on the day before embarkation. Would I am able to be on-board? If not, am I able to have a non-refundable FCC? Thanks!
Hi Ryan, one of the questions on the health declaration form is if you have had covid in the last 14 days. If you answer yes to this, you will be denied boarding and issed a Future Cruise Credit. Thak you.
How do I book a lateral flow antigen test at Southampton on the day of departure please?
Our party are due to arrive for the Norwegian Fjords cruise on 24 July 2022. Please advise if it’s possible to be tested at the Port as opposed to doing it at home the day before we embark. Thank you.
Hi Janet, P&O Cruises now require you to take a test the day before embarkation, they no longer test at port. You are able to buy thrse in advance before you travel to be taken the day before. All details can be found here https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/preparing-to-sail#before-you-board
Thank you.
I’m travelling from Southampton on 24th September on Iona. I shall be travelling from Devon the day before to Essex to meet a friend and going to Southampton on the day of embarkation. How can I do the Antigen test required the day before. I have a very old phone and old lap top with no means of taking photographs or printing anything required. Any suggestions. I have the NHS letter stating I have all injections including the booster. I’m too old for all this technology – it’s giving me a headache.
Hi Sandra, if you are unable to do this on your phone, you can book an in-person test and they will issue the relevant documents to you. Thank you.
Been trying all day to find one near Upminster in Essex. They all say only send details by email cannot issue a paper certificate. I’ve hit a brick wall.
Hi Sandra, we understand Lloyds Pharmacy do provide a paper fit to travel certificate, this may be an option for you. Thank you.
Thanks – all sorted.
Hello,
Can you tell me if P and O accept a LLOYDS PHARMACY lateral flow test with ‘fit to fly’ certificate.
P and O are not good at responding to emails so perhaps you can advise.
Thank you
Hi Marlene, yes P&O Cruises will accept this. Thank you.
Any updates on data from no antigen tests on Iona?
Hi John, we don’t have any update yet. This is still being trialled for the next couple of cruises so hopefully we should know more after. Thank you.
Do you know if it is possible to connect to WiFi at Ocean Terminal, Southampton?
Hi John, yes Wi-Fi is available at Ocean Cruise Terminal. Thank you.
Good Morning
We are due to sail Sunday October 2nd from Southampton, but will be travelling down the day before which is obviously a Saturday.
Is there a time stipulation regarding when the LFT has to be taken ? ie if ship departs at 5pm on Sunday can the test be done say at 11am on the Saturday at a Lloyds Pharmacy ?
Thank You
Hi Anne, no there is no time limit, as long as it is taken the day before you will be absolutely fine. Thank you.
Can you help? We are getting very confused with the testing before you cruise. We are due to go on the Iona 3rd September,2022. We have received an e-mail from P & O saying that we still need to test but you don’t need the certificate, so how do you prove that you are ok to travel? We have the NHS Antigen Rapid Test (self testing) kit, which I had got from the chemist. Can we use them and if yes, how do you prove that you are ok to travel?
Hi Geraldine, P&O Cruises now require you to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours before. Although you don’t need to show a certificate now, you do have to confirm on the Health Declaration form that you’re test was negative. They no longer have a preference of which company the test is from. Thank you.
Thank you for your reply. Where do we get the Health Declaration form from?
Thank you.
Hi Geraldine, it is on your Cruise Personaliser. Thank you.
Hi – I have booked a P&O Cruise through you – the cruise number is N233 (Dec 1st 2022 – Jan 4th 2023). There is a requirement for an observed pre-cruise test and a fit-to fly / fit-to-travel certificate. I have arranged for observed tests with our local Lloyds Pharmacy who issue these certificates (if tests are negative, of course). Will this test via Lloyds Pharmacy be acceptable for P&O requirements? I am finding their wording a but confusing, hence the question
Hi Ras, yes this test will be accepted. Thank you.
Charlotte – thank you so much for your quick and prompt response. I didi ask P&O but they do not appear to be very good at responding to e-mails and questions. You’re a star!!! Your help is much appreciated
You’re more than welcome.
Is the test with this company acceptable? We are also on P&O Ventura N233 Christmas cruise
https://www.goodbodyclinic.com/antigen-lfd-tests
Hi Lorraine, Please see below information regarding P&O Cruises testing requirements.
Adequate tests include over the counter tests, providing they meet the criteria below. NHS tests are now only issued for those in medical need. However, if guests have any remaining NHS tests, these would be accepted.
Accepted antigen tests include:
Rapid antigen test
Viral antigen test
Antigen Lateral Flow Fluorescence
Hi again – apologies and I know this is overkill but just to confirm that the observed test is no longer a requirement for N233 – and that we can do a self-test using the NHS-provided antigen test or one bought at a chemist?
Hi Ras, please see here for the latest requirements https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/vaccination-and-testing-policy
What a shame about your covid rules not allowing non vaccinated people to travel on any of your ships discriminating . My partner our son and myself were going to book a two week cruise on the iona for November 2023 for his 60th and yet all of the places the ship stops at allow non vac people in sadly our son and myself are not allowed to board the ship because we haven’t had the jab disgraceful
Hi Tracy, P&O Cruises do require all adults to be fully vaccinated. Policies are being updated regularly and can be found here. Thank you https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/vaccination-and-testing-policy
Am I to understand that there is no testing required to board P&O ships from now on
We are sailing on the Acura in February and are fully vaccinated
Hi Richard, P&O Cruises have updated their policy from 1st March 2023 and passengers no longer require to be vaccinated or take a test prior to boarding. For longer and more complex itineraries passengers may need to be vaccinated and tested. Thank you.
Why do po require the shot yet others like msc royal Caribbean celebrity etc don’t is there a variant that just effects po I have now finished sailing with them after twelve cruises
Good Afternoon Mr Smith,
P&O Cruises have now updated their policy. This information you have asked about was dated the 12 Aug 2022. Please see the most relevant up to date requirements.
https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/vaccination-and-testing-policy