How can I change my P&O Cruises booking?

Booking a cruise is an exciting moment—choosing the destination, ship, cabin, and all the little details that make your holiday unforgettable. However, sometimes life gets in the way, and you may need to change your P&O Cruises booking. Whether it’s adjusting the travel date, upgrading your cabin, adding excursions, or changing passenger details, P&O Cruises provides options to help you manage your booking smoothly.

This article covers everything you need to know about modifying your P&O Cruises reservation, from small tweaks like dining times to big changes such as switching itineraries.

Why Might You Need to Change a P&O Cruises Booking?

Changing your cruise booking is not uncommon. Some common reasons include:

Schedule conflicts – Work, school, or personal commitments change.
Family adjustments – Adding or removing passengers.
Upgrades – Wanting a balcony instead of an inside cabin.
Health reasons – Needing a more accessible cabin.
Special occasions – Moving dates to align with a birthday or anniversary.
Dining preferences – Adjusting to a more suitable dining time.

No matter the reason, knowing the correct process saves time and avoids unnecessary fees.

Key Rules About Changing a P&O Cruises Booking

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand P&O Cruises’ rules:

Fare Type Matters – Select Price fares are more flexible than Saver fares.
Timing Is Crucial – Changes are easier and cheaper if made early.
Fees May Apply – Depending on the change, administrative charges or fare differences may apply.
Changes Are Subject to Availability – Upgrades and date changes depend on open cabins and itineraries.

Ways to Change a P&O Cruises Booking

There are several ways to update your booking, depending on what type of change you need.

1. Change Online via Cruise Personaliser

Log into P&O’s Cruise Personaliser with your booking reference.
Modify personal details, add packages, or update travel info.
Dining preferences and excursion bookings can also be adjusted here.

2. Call P&O Cruises Customer Service

Directly speak to a representative.
Ideal for major changes like switching cruise dates or upgrading cabins.

3. Contact Your Travel Agent

If booked through a travel agent, you must make changes via them.
Some agents offer extra flexibility or perks for modifications.

Types of Changes You Can Make

1. Change Cruise Date or Itinerary

Select Price bookings: Generally flexible, with changes possible up to 90 days before sailing (fees may apply).
Saver bookings: Usually not changeable without cancellation and rebooking.
Early Saver bookings: Limited flexibility, often with fees.

2. Change Passenger Information

Update spelling errors in names.
Replace a passenger if someone cannot travel.
Add or remove guests (depending on cabin capacity).

3. Change Cabin Type

Upgrade to balcony, suite, or oceanview.
Downgrade to a cheaper cabin if available (though refund terms vary).
Request accessible cabins for mobility needs.

4. Change Dining Arrangements

P&O Cruises offers:

Club Dining – Fixed times.
Freedom Dining – Flexible dining.
Changes can be requested pre-cruise or onboard (subject to availability).

5. Add Extras to Your Booking

Shore excursions.
Drinks packages.
Internet packages.
Spa treatments.

These can usually be added through Cruise Personaliser or onboard.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing a Booking

Here’s a detailed process for modifying your reservation:

1: Gather Information

Booking reference number.
Passenger names.
Desired change (e.g., new cabin, new date).

2: Check Fare Conditions

Read your booking confirmation.
Identify if you’re on Select Price, Saver, or Early Saver.

3: Decide on Communication Channel

Small changes → Cruise Personaliser.
Major changes → Customer service or travel agent.

4: Confirm Availability

Ask about open cabins or sailing dates.
Compare price differences.

5: Pay Any Difference

If upgrading, you’ll pay the fare difference.
Some changes may also have admin fees.

6: Get Confirmation

Always request an updated confirmation email.
Review new details carefully.

Fees for Changing a P&O Cruises Booking

The cost of changing a booking depends on:

Time before departure: Closer to the sailing date = higher fees.
Type of fare: Select Price is flexible; Saver is restrictive.
Type of change: Date changes usually cost more than dining preference updates.

Typical fees include:

Administrative charges: Flat fee for processing changes.
Fare differences: If the new cruise is more expensive.
Cancellation fees: If the change requires canceling the old booking.

When Can’t You Change a Booking?

There are situations where changes may not be possible:

Within 90 days of sailing (for major changes).
Saver fares – Generally non-changeable.
Fully booked ships – No cabin upgrades available.
Flight-inclusive packages – More restrictions on changes.

Tips for Making Changes Smoothly

Act Early – The earlier you request a change, the easier it is.
Check Travel Insurance – Some policies cover cancellation or change fees.
Stay Flexible – If your exact request isn’t available, consider alternatives.
Use a Travel Agent – They can sometimes negotiate better terms.
Read Fare Terms Carefully – Always know your rights before booking.

Real-Life Examples

1: Changing a Cabin

A couple originally booked an inside cabin on Ventura. Three months before departure, they upgraded to a balcony. They paid the fare difference but avoided additional admin fees because they booked under Select Price.

2: Switching Cruise Dates

A family booked a Canary Islands cruise but needed to postpone due to school commitments. Because they had a Saver fare, they couldn’t transfer the booking and had to cancel with a partial refund.

3: Adding a Passenger

Two friends booked a cruise on Iona. Later, one wanted to bring their partner. P&O added a third guest, but availability was limited, and they had to upgrade to a larger cabin.

Alternatives to Changing a Booking

If you can’t change your booking, you may still have options:

Cancel and Rebook – Sometimes this works out cheaper.
Sell or Transfer – Some fares allow passenger substitutions.
Future Cruise Credit – In certain cases, you may receive credit for a future sailing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I change my P&O Cruises booking online?Yes, small changes like dining, passenger details, or packages can be made via Cruise Personaliser.

Q2: How late can I change my cruise date?Generally, major changes need to be made at least 90 days before sailing.

Q3: Can I transfer my booking to another person?Yes, but only under certain fare types and with applicable fees.

Q4: What if I booked through a travel agent?All changes must go through your travel agent, not P&O directly.

Q5: Can I change my flight if I booked a fly-cruise?Flight-inclusive packages have stricter rules, but changes may be possible depending on airline policies.

Final Thoughts

So, how can you change your P&O Cruises booking? The process depends on your fare type, the kind of change, and how close you are to departure. Select Price fares offer the most flexibility, while Saver fares are more restrictive.

Key takeaways:

Use Cruise Personaliser for minor changes.
Contact customer service or your travel agent for major adjustments.
Fees and availability vary, so act early.
Always confirm updates in writing.