Planning a cruise holiday with P&O Cruises is an exciting experience. From choosing your destination to preparing for onboard adventures, every step builds anticipation for your journey. One of the most important pieces of information you will receive after booking your cruise is your P&O Cruises cruise confirmation number.
But what exactly is this number? Why is it so important? Where can you find it? And how do you use it?
In this comprehensive guide, we will explain everything you need to know about the P&O Cruises cruise confirmation number, including its purpose, how to locate it, common problems travelers face, and helpful tips to keep it safe.
A P&O Cruises cruise confirmation number (also known as a booking reference number) is a unique identification code assigned to your reservation when you book a cruise with P&O Cruises.
Think of it as your cruise’s “passport number.” It is the key that links all your booking details together, such as:
Passenger name(s)
Ship name
Sailing date
Cabin number
Dining preferences
Payment status
Excursions
Special requests
Without this number, it becomes very difficult for P&O Cruises staff to locate your reservation.
A P&O Cruises confirmation number is typically:
A mix of letters and numbers
Between 6 and 8 characters long (example: AB1234 or XYZ7890)
Case-insensitive
Unique to each booking
Each reservation gets its own confirmation number, even if multiple people are traveling together under one booking.
Your confirmation number is essential throughout your entire cruise journey. Here’s why it matters:
It confirms that your cruise reservation exists in P&O Cruises’ system. If there is ever a dispute or confusion, this number is your proof.
You must enter your confirmation number to:
Complete online check-in
Print boarding passes
Upload travel documents
Choose arrival times
When contacting P&O Cruises customer service, the first thing they will ask for is your confirmation number to quickly access your booking details.
You need it to:
Book shore excursions
Add beverage packages
Reserve specialty dining
Update personal details
Make payments
At the cruise terminal, staff may request your confirmation number to verify your reservation.
You can find your confirmation number in several places:
After booking, P&O Cruises sends a confirmation email to the registered email address. This email includes:
Booking summary
Cruise details
Passenger information
Confirmation number (usually at the top)
Always save this email or take a screenshot.
If you booked through:
P&O Cruises website
A travel agent
A tour operator
Your confirmation number will appear on the invoice or payment receipt.
Log in to your P&O Cruises account and check under:
“My Bookings”
“Manage My Cruise”
Your confirmation number will be displayed there.
If you booked through a travel agent, they will provide you with a booking confirmation sheet that includes the confirmation number.
Many travelers confuse these two terms.
Confirmation NumberTicket Number
Identifies your cruise bookingIdentifies your travel ticket
Used for check-in and account accessUsed mostly for payment and airline systems
Provided by P&O CruisesMay be provided by travel agent or airline
Required at cruise terminalSometimes not needed
For P&O Cruises, your confirmation number is far more important than any ticket number.
Here are the main ways you will use it:
Visit the P&O Cruises website and enter:
Last name
Confirmation number
Then you can:
Upload passport details
Choose arrival times
Print boarding passes
You can use the number to:
Change cabin
Add excursions
Buy Wi-Fi packages
Upgrade dining
Add insurance
When calling or emailing P&O Cruises, provide your confirmation number for faster service.
Losing your confirmation number can feel stressful, but it’s usually easy to recover.
Check your email inboxSearch for keywords like:
“P&O Cruises”
“Booking confirmation”
“Cruise reservation”
Log into your P&O Cruises accountYour booking should appear there.
Contact your travel agentThey can resend your booking details.
Contact P&O Cruises customer serviceProvide:
Your full name
Sailing date
Ship name
Email address used for booking
They can retrieve your confirmation number.
Mistyping a single character can prevent you from accessing your booking online.
If you booked more than one cruise, you will have different confirmation numbers for each.
If you booked through a third-party website, your confirmation number may differ from their internal reference number.
Many travelers miss their confirmation email because it lands in the spam or junk folder.
Save your confirmation email
Take a screenshot on your phone
Write it down in a travel notebook
Store it in cloud notes (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.)
Share it with your travel companion
Avoid posting it publicly on social media
Your confirmation number contains sensitive booking information and should be kept private.
Yes. P&O Cruises uses both terms interchangeably.
Yes, it is highly recommended to have it printed or saved on your phone.
Usually no. You need it to access online check-in and booking details.
If booked under the same reservation, yes.
Contact P&O Cruises immediately with your confirmation number to correct it.
The confirmation number streamlines your entire cruise experience by:
Reducing waiting time
Making check-in faster
Preventing booking confusion
Improving customer service efficiency
Organizing all your preferences in one system
It is the digital backbone of your cruise reservation.
The P&O Cruises cruise confirmation number is one of the most important details you will receive after booking your cruise. It acts as your personal key to managing your reservation, checking in online, and accessing customer support.
From booking your shore excursions to boarding the ship, this number stays with you throughout your entire journey. Keeping it safe and accessible will save you time, reduce stress, and help ensure a smooth cruise experience.
Whether you are a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, understanding your confirmation number and how to use it properly is essential for a hassle-free vacation with P&O Cruises.
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