Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Cruising with P&O Cruises is a dream for many travelers who love adventure, comfort, and luxury at sea. Whether you’re sailing through the Mediterranean, Caribbean, or Australian coastlines, P&O Cruises offers an incredible vacation experience. But what happens if your plans change?
Many passengers ask: “What are the change fees on P&O Cruises cruises?”
Changing a cruise booking can involve costs depending on:
The type of fare booked (Standard, Saver, or promotional).
The type of change (date, passenger name, cabin upgrade, dining preferences).
How far in advance the change is made.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to P&O Cruises’ change fees, including how they work, when they apply, and how you can avoid paying more than necessary.
Change fees are charges applied when a passenger modifies their booking after it has been confirmed. Unlike cancellation fees, which apply if you cancel your entire trip, change fees are applied when you adjust certain elements of your existing booking.
Cruise lines like P&O impose change fees because modifications affect:
Cabin availability.
Reservation management.
Pricing strategies.
Administrative costs.
For example, changing a cruise date close to departure may cause P&O to lose revenue because your original cabin might remain unsold.
Not all changes are treated equally. Some may be free, while others come with hefty charges.
Standard Fares: Date changes are allowed up to a certain point, but fees apply depending on how close to departure the change is made.
Saver Fares: Usually no changes allowed. If you want to switch dates, you’ll have to cancel and rebook, often losing your fare.
Promotional Fares: Highly restrictive and often completely non-changeable.
Name changes are considered significant modifications because tickets, port permissions, and travel documents must be reissued.
Fees range from a small admin cost to full rebooking charges depending on timing.
Upgrading your cabin may not involve a fee if you are paying extra for the upgrade.
Downgrades or cabin reassignments may incur admin charges.
Switching to a different cruise itinerary (for example, from a Caribbean cruise to a Mediterranean one) is generally treated as a cancellation plus new booking, meaning higher fees.
Changes to dining times, packages, or excursions are often free if done early but may incur penalties if canceled last-minute.
The fare type you book has the biggest impact on how much you’ll pay in change fees.
More flexible.
Date changes possible with applicable fees.
Name changes allowed up to a certain point before departure (with fees).
Cancellation fees apply if you don’t change but cancel.
Cheapest fares but least flexible.
No changes to dates or itineraries allowed.
Passenger substitutions may not be permitted.
Any modification is treated as a cancellation, leading to 100% fare loss.
Special discounted deals (e.g., holiday flash sales).
Extremely restrictive—usually no changes or refunds allowed.
Cancellation or change = full fare forfeiture.
The timing of your request matters greatly. Here’s a general outline of how change fees may escalate depending on when you make modifications:
Date changes allowed with minor fees (for Standard fares).
Name changes usually accepted with administrative charges.
Saver and promotional fares: changes not allowed.
Date changes possible but with higher rebooking fees.
Name changes may incur higher costs.
More restrictions.
Changing cruise dates often treated as cancellation and rebooking.
Change fees rise significantly.
Major penalties apply.
Name and date changes may be refused or charged at high rates.
Nearly all changes result in 100% fare loss.
Name substitutions generally not allowed.
No flexibility for Saver/Promotional fares.
Deposits paid at the time of booking are non-refundable and non-transferable.
If you change your cruise date early enough, you may retain your deposit and reapply it to a new booking (depending on fare conditions).
In many cases, though, deposits are forfeited when changes are made.
One of the most common passenger questions is: “Can I transfer my ticket to someone else?”
Allowed only on certain fare types (mostly Standard).
Must be requested a minimum number of days before departure.
Administrative charges apply.
Can range from a small £50–£100 admin fee to the full rebooking amount if close to departure.
Generally encouraged by P&O.
No penalty for changing if you are paying more.
Sometimes even special upgrade promotions are offered.
Discouraged as they reduce P&O’s revenue.
Typically not permitted, or if allowed, they may involve admin fees.
It’s important to understand the difference:
Change Fees: Charged when you adjust a booking but still plan to cruise (e.g., change date or name).
Cancellation Fees: Apply when you decide not to cruise at all.
In some cases, a requested “change” (like switching to a new cruise date close to departure) is treated as a cancellation plus new booking, meaning full cancellation fees apply.
If you need to make changes to your booking:
Gather Booking Details – Have your reservation number ready.
Contact Your Travel Agent – If booked through one, changes must be handled by them.
Call P&O Cruises Customer Service – Direct bookings can be modified through their call center or online portal.
Get Written Confirmation – Always request a written statement of new charges and fees.
When changes involve forfeiting some money, P&O sometimes offers Future Cruise Credit instead of cash refunds.
FCC can be used to rebook within a certain time.
May come with bonus value in promotional cases.
Non-transferable and not refundable for cash.
Book Standard Fares – They cost more upfront but provide flexibility.
Plan Early – Make changes well before final payment deadlines.
Buy Travel Insurance – Some policies cover change or cancellation fees.
Upgrade Instead of Downgrade – Paying extra for an upgrade avoids penalties.
Check for Promotions – Occasionally, P&O offers more flexible booking terms.
Cruise booked for £1,500.
Change requested 95 days before departure.
Fee: £100 admin + reprice difference.
Passenger retains most of payment.
Paid £1,200 under Saver fare.
Wants to change date 70 days before sailing.
Not allowed—treated as cancellation.
Loss: 100% of fare.
Passenger cannot travel, substitutes friend’s name.
Change requested 20 days before sailing.
Fee: £200–£300 rebooking fee.
Still cheaper than losing entire fare.
Wrong—Saver fares are highly restrictive and usually non-changeable.
Not true—name substitutions require approval and fees.
Incorrect—upgrading often avoids penalties since you’re paying more.
Fees vary based on fare type, timing, and type of change. Standard fares allow changes with admin charges, while Saver and promotional fares are usually non-changeable.
No, date changes usually involve admin fees and fare differences. Only very early changes on Standard fares may incur minimal costs.
Yes, but only on certain fare types and with administrative fees. Saver fares typically do not allow name changes.
Yes, deposits are non-refundable and often non-transferable.
Yes, if the reason for change is a covered event such as illness or emergency.
Change fees vary by fare type, timing, and modification requested.
Standard fares offer the most flexibility with modest admin fees.
Saver and promotional fares are restrictive, with little to no change options.
Last-minute changes (within 15 days) almost always result in losing the full fare.
The best way to minimize costs is to book flexible fares, plan early, and consider travel insurance. By understanding the change fee structure in advance, you can protect your investment and enjoy a stress-free cruising experience with P&O Cruises.
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2025 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
