Booking a cruise is exciting. You picture yourself relaxing on deck, enjoying ocean views, and counting down the days until departure. But life doesn’t always stick to the plan. Work schedules shift, family situations change, or maybe you simply spot a better sailing date or cabin option. If you’ve booked with P&O Cruises and are now wondering how to make changes, you’re not alone.
The good news is that P&O Cruises does allow booking changes in many situations. The important part is understanding what can be changed, when changes are allowed, and how fees or fare differences might apply. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about changing your P&O Cruises booking with confidence.
Whether you want to change your cruise dates, cabin, passenger details, or extras like shore excursions, this article breaks it all down in simple terms.
Before making any changes, it’s essential to understand that P&O Cruises bookings are governed by specific terms and conditions. These rules depend on several factors, including:
How far in advance your cruise departure is
The type of fare you booked
Whether you booked directly or through a travel agent
The nature of the change you want to make
Some changes are straightforward, while others may involve fees or fare adjustments. The earlier you request a change, the more flexibility you’ll usually have.
Timing plays a big role when it comes to modifying your booking.
If your cruise is still several months away, you’ll generally have more options. Changes made far in advance are often easier, and fees—if any—are usually lower. You may be able to:
Change travel dates
Switch to a different itinerary
Upgrade or downgrade your cabin
Adjust passenger details
As the sailing date approaches, P&O Cruises becomes more restrictive. Changes made closer to departure may:
Incur higher amendment fees
Require payment of any fare difference
Be treated as a partial cancellation and rebooking
In some cases, certain changes may no longer be allowed at all.
There are two main ways to change your booking, depending on how you originally booked.
If you booked through P&O Cruises directly, you can usually request changes by:
Logging into your booking management portal
Contacting P&O Cruises customer service
You’ll need your booking reference number and personal details to proceed. A representative will explain what changes are possible and outline any applicable fees.
If your booking was made via a travel agent, all changes must go through them. Even small amendments, such as name corrections or cabin changes, are handled by the agent rather than P&O Cruises directly.
One of the most common reasons for modifying a booking is a change in travel dates.
P&O Cruises may allow you to move your booking to a different sailing date, provided:
The new cruise has availability
The change is made within the allowed timeframe
You agree to pay any fare difference
If the new cruise is more expensive, you’ll need to pay the difference. If it’s cheaper, you may not always receive a refund, depending on fare rules.
Changing to a completely different itinerary is often treated similarly to changing dates. However, itinerary changes may involve different taxes, port fees, and fare structures.
Your cabin plays a big role in your cruise experience, so it’s no surprise many passengers want to upgrade or change cabins.
Upgrading to a better cabin category—such as moving from an inside cabin to a balcony—is usually allowed if availability exists. You’ll be required to pay the difference in fare, and sometimes an amendment fee.
You may also want to move to a different location on the ship, such as:
Higher decks
Midship cabins for stability
Quieter areas away from elevators
Cabin location changes are subject to availability and may involve additional costs.
Mistakes happen, and sometimes plans change regarding who is traveling.
Minor spelling errors in names can usually be corrected without much hassle, especially if caught early. You’ll need to ensure names match travel documents exactly.
Replacing one passenger with another is more complicated. In many cases:
Full name changes may not be allowed
A change may be treated as a cancellation for one passenger and a new booking for another
Fees may apply
It’s always best to contact customer service as soon as possible if a passenger change is needed.
If you want to add a passenger to your booking, availability and cabin occupancy rules will apply. You may need to:
Upgrade to a larger cabin
Pay additional fare and taxes
Removing a passenger can sometimes result in a repricing of the entire cabin, especially if it was originally booked at a multi-person rate.
Some changes are easier and more flexible than others.
You may be able to change:
Dining time preferences
Restaurant selections
Table sizes
These changes can often be requested through your booking portal or once onboard.
Requests such as dietary needs, accessibility accommodations, or special celebrations can usually be added or updated without a fee.
Shore excursions are often booked in advance, but plans can change.
Depending on availability and timing, you may be able to:
Swap excursions
Add new ones
Cancel existing bookings
Refund policies vary depending on how close you are to the excursion date.
Changing a P&O Cruises booking may involve costs, including:
Amendment fees
Fare differences
Loss of promotional discounts
The exact fees depend on the type of change and how close you are to departure.
If you booked under a special promotion, changing your booking may affect your deal.
Promotional fares may no longer be available
Onboard credit offers may be removed
Free upgrades could be forfeited
Always confirm whether your benefits will carry over before making changes.
After final payment, changes become more limited. While some modifications may still be possible, they often come with higher fees. In many cases, changes after final payment are treated similarly to cancellations.
If you purchased travel insurance, it may help cover certain change or cancellation fees due to unforeseen circumstances. Coverage varies widely, so reviewing your policy is important.
Here are some practical tips to reduce stress and costs:
Act as early as possible
Have your booking details ready
Ask about all available options before confirming changes
Clarify whether fees are refundable
Double-check new booking details after changes are made
Many travelers run into issues when changing their bookings. Avoid these common pitfalls:
Waiting too long to request changes
Assuming changes are free
Not checking fare rules
Forgetting to update travel documents
In some cases, cancelling and rebooking may be more cost-effective than changing an existing booking. This depends on:
Cancellation penalties
New fare prices
Availability of promotions
Comparing both options can help you make the best decision.
Some changes can be made online, but others require contacting customer service or your travel agent.
Yes, deadlines depend on the type of change and your cruise’s departure date.
Changing ships usually requires changing the entire booking and may involve fees.
Changing a P&O Cruises booking doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a clear understanding of the rules, timing, and potential costs, you can make informed decisions that suit your needs. The key is to act early, ask the right questions, and carefully review your updated booking details.
Whether you’re adjusting dates, upgrading your cabin, or updating passenger information, P&O Cruises offers options to help accommodate changes when possible. Planning ahead and staying flexible can help ensure your cruise experience remains smooth—even when plans shift.
A cruise should be a source of excitement, not stress. With the right approach, changing your P&O Cruises booking can be just another step toward the perfect getaway.
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