UK coastal cruises are only available to vaccinated guests.

Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of P&O Cruises guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, the summer 2021 UK coastal sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident Covid-19 vaccinated guests only.

For these cruises the definition of “vaccinated” is a minimum of seven days following the second dose of the currently approved Covid-19 vaccines being administered. Proof of vaccination and the dates given will be required (approved forms of evidence will be confirmed closer to time of departure) and this will be required to be shown at the terminal prior to boarding. Failure to provide this evidence will result in denial of boarding. There is no age restriction on this series of UK coastal cruises but all guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.

Please note that all other P&O Cruises holidays on sale (i.e. cruises that are not Summer 2021 UK coastal cruises) do not currently require guests to be vaccinated.

P&O Cruises will initially be reducing the number of guests that can sail on their ships for the summer 2021 UK coastal cruises and have reduced the number of cabins and suites available accordingly, to enable a smooth return to service. This means that ships will not be at full capacity.

All guests will need a valid passport to travel on the summer 2021 UK coastal cruises. UK getaway cruises are only open to UK residents. It is also mandatory for all UK guests to have suitable travel insurance cover in order to cruise with P&O Cruises. Travel insurance ensures that guests can relax and enjoy their holiday with peace of mind that they are covered for most eventualities. This includes unforeseen incidents before their holiday, while travelling or while they are away. Typically, travel insurance covers cancellation of your holiday, stolen belongings and medical treatment. Insurance documents will be checked at the terminal and boarding will be denied, at guests’ own expense, for anyone without appropriate cover. This insurance must include medical and repatriation cover of £2 million minimum that includes cover for emergency evacuations and medical expenses related to Covid-19.

These cruises will depart from Southampton and will sail in UK waters around the UK coast. There are no ports of call (except the last Britannia sailing which calls at Liverpool), these are coastal cruises. The aim is to sail to where the best weather is, P&O Cruises will look at the weather forecast each cruise and aim to take the ship where it is warm and sunny.

Do I still get my loyalty benefits on these cruises?

Yes all loyalty benefits will be delivered on these cruises.

Do children under the age of 18 need to be vaccinated in order to travel?

Guests of all ages must meet the requirements of the Covid-19 vaccination policy.

Will Covid tests be required for the UK getaway sailings and for future cruises?

As the vaccine roll out progresses and the Government has announced its intended roadmap for the future, the guidance is continually evolving. Pre-embakation covid tests may be required as part of P&O Cruises framework of protocols and will be complimentary in the price of the holiday. P&O Cruises will update all guests prior to their holiday departure date if this is the case.

What are the enhanced health protocols and will I need to wear a mask?

All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises. These have been developed with guidance from P&O Cruises global medical and public health experts and scientists, and in close coordination with UK Government agencies. In line with P&O Cruises requirement that crew wear face masks on board, guests will also be required to wear a face mask in certain public areas of the ship. Enhanced sanitation measures and social distancing will also be in place. As per P&O Cruises current health protocols, there will be no exceptions to wearing a mask and guests will be required to wear a face mask in certain areas on board. Therefore, if you are exempt from wearing a face mask, P&O Cruises recommend you do not make a booking as you will not be permitted to travel unless you wear a face mask.