Booking a cruise is an exciting experience. You imagine sunny decks, relaxing sea views, and carefully planned itineraries. However, life is unpredictable. Illness, work commitments, family emergencies, or even visa delays can make it necessary to change your cruise travel date. If you have booked a holiday with P&O Cruises, you might be wondering: How much does it cost to change a cruise date?
The answer depends on several factors, including when you make the change, the type of fare you purchased, and whether your cruise is part of a promotion. Some changes can be inexpensive, while others may cost hundreds of pounds or even the full cruise fare if done too late.
This detailed guide explains everything you need to know about changing your cruise date with P&O Cruises, including fees, timelines, exceptions, and ways to minimize costs.
Before diving into costs, it’s important to understand the difference between a date change and a cancellation.
A date change means:
You move your booking to a new sailing date
You keep the same cruise line and booking reference
You may pay an amendment fee plus any fare difference
A cancellation means:
Your booking is terminated
You may lose part or all of your deposit or fare
You must make a new booking if you still want to cruise
Most cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, treat a date change as a form of amendment and apply fees accordingly.
The cost to change your cruise date with P&O Cruises depends on several key factors:
How close you are to departure
Type of fare you booked (Select Fare, Early Saver, promotional fare, etc.)
Whether your cruise is fully paid or only deposit paid
Availability of the new cruise date
Any difference in cruise price
Whether the change is voluntary or due to exceptional circumstances
Each of these plays a role in determining how much you will pay.
P&O Cruises generally charges an amendment fee when you change your booking details, including the sailing date. This fee can vary depending on the timing of the change.
Around £50–£100 per person for early changes
Higher fees closer to sailing date
In some cases, treated as cancellation and rebooking
This fee is in addition to any difference in cruise fare between your original booking and the new sailing.
Let’s look at how costs change depending on when you request the date change.
This is the safest and cheapest time to change your cruise date.
Amendment fee is usually minimal
Deposit is often transferred to the new cruise
You only pay the fare difference if the new cruise is more expensive
If the new cruise is cheaper, you may not get a refund of the difference
Estimated cost:£50–£100 per person + fare difference
At this stage:
Amendment fees may increase
Some promotional fares may not allow changes
You might lose part of your deposit
Estimated cost:£100–£200 per person + fare difference
Now the change becomes more expensive.
Higher amendment fees
Risk of partial cancellation penalties
Deposit may not be fully transferable
Estimated cost:25%–50% of cruise fare
This is where costs can become very high.
In many cases:
A date change is treated as a cancellation
You may lose most or all of your cruise fare
Rebooking requires paying the full price again
Estimated cost:50%–100% of cruise fare
Not all fares are equal when it comes to flexibility.
This is the most flexible option.
Benefits:
Lower amendment fees
More freedom to change dates
Cabin and dining preferences included
Usually allows date changes with small charges
If you think you may need to change your plans, Select Fare is the safest option.
These fares are cheaper but restrictive.
Common rules:
Limited or no changes allowed
Higher amendment fees
Often non-refundable
Treated like cancellation if changed
Many promotional fares state clearly that:“No changes permitted after booking.”
When you change your cruise date, you must also consider the price difference between your original cruise and the new one.
For example:
Original cruise price: £1,000
New cruise price: £1,300You must pay the extra £300 + amendment fee
If the new cruise is cheaper:
P&O Cruises usually does not refund the difference
You may lose that value
If you are traveling as a group or family, changing one person’s cruise date can be complicated.
Possible outcomes:
Entire booking must be amended
Amendment fee applies per person
Single passenger change may require cabin repricing
Single supplement may apply
This can significantly increase the cost.
If you need to change your cruise date due to serious illness, accident, or bereavement, P&O Cruises may show flexibility.
In some cases:
Fees may be reduced or waived
Credit may be issued for future travel
Documentation (doctor’s letter or death certificate) may be required
However, this is not guaranteed and is reviewed case-by-case.
Travel insurance is extremely important when booking a cruise.
A good policy may cover:
Change fees
Cancellation penalties
Rebooking costs
Medical emergencies
Without insurance, you pay all charges yourself.
Always check:
“Trip amendment” coverage
“Cancellation due to illness” clauses
Maximum reimbursement limits
You can change your cruise date through:
P&O Cruises customer service
Your travel agent (if booked through one)
Online account (limited options)
You will need:
Booking reference number
Passenger details
New preferred date
Payment method for amendment fees
Many travelers overlook additional costs when changing cruise dates:
Rebooking shore excursions
New flight tickets if bundled
Visa or documentation changes
New travel insurance premium
Hotel changes (if pre- or post-cruise stays were booked)
These can add hundreds more to your total expense.
Free changes are rare but possible if:
The cruise line changes the itinerary
The sailing is canceled by the company
Major schedule changes occur
Government travel restrictions apply
You booked a flexible fare promotion
In such cases, P&O Cruises usually allows:
Free rebooking
Future cruise credit
Full refund
Cruise ships operate on strict schedules and capacity planning. When you cancel or move your booking:
Your cabin may go unsold
Administrative work increases
Revenue forecasting is disrupted
This is why cruise companies apply penalties similar to airlines.
Here are practical ways to protect yourself:
Book flexible fare types
Buy comprehensive travel insurance
Change dates as early as possible
Avoid promotional non-changeable fares
Monitor cruise prices before changing
Contact customer service instead of canceling online
Keep documentation for emergencies
Cruise fare: £1,200
Change made 120 days before sailing
Amendment fee: £75
New cruise fare: £1,250
Total cost: £125
Cruise fare: £1,500
Change made 30 days before sailing
Cancellation penalty: 75%Loss: £1,125
Rebooking new cruise: £1,600Total impact: £2,725
Changing cruise dates late can feel overwhelming. Besides money loss, there is:
Stress
Disappointment
Replanning fatigue
Loss of holiday excitement
This is why understanding policies in advance is crucial.
Every booking confirmation includes:
Amendment fee table
Cancellation timeline
Fare conditions
Non-refundable items
Many travelers skip this section and only realize the costs later.
Usually no. You must contact customer service or your agent.
Most fees are per person.
Yes, but additional charges may apply.
Yes, subject to availability and fare difference.
Changing a cruise date with P&O Cruises can cost anywhere from £50 per person to the full cruise fare, depending on how late you make the change and what fare type you booked. Early action and flexible fares can save you a significant amount of money, while last-minute changes can be extremely expensive.
The key lessons are:
Book flexible fares if uncertain
Always take travel insurance
Change your date as early as possible
Understand fare rules before booking
Contact customer service instead of canceling outright
Cruises are designed to be relaxing, not stressful. Knowing your options in advance allows you to make smarter decisions and protect your holiday investment.
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