P&O Cruises has issued a reminder to passengers to keep their cruise card with them at all times to avoid potential delays or complications during their journey. The cruise line's FAQ clarifies that while guests do not need to bring cash onboard, the cruise card is essential for more than just payments.
What is the P&O Cruise Card and Why Is It Essential?
According to P&O Cruises, the card is waiting for passengers outside their cabin and serves multiple purposes: it is the key to accommodation, identification for boarding and disembarking, and the payment card for all onboard spending. The cruise line states: "Your cruise card is your key to your accommodation, your ID for stepping on and off your ship and your payment card for all spending on board. If you wish to purchase anything on board, all you need to do is present your cruise card – simple."
P&O Cruises operates a cash-free system on all its ships, with all onboard spending conducted in Great British pounds. The company emphasizes that there is no need to bring cash, as purchases are made exclusively with the cruise card.
What Can You Use the P&O Cruise Card For?
Onboard spending money can be used for a variety of services and products, including drinks from bars and speciality restaurants, drinks packages, speciality dining, shore experiences, Wi-Fi packages, spa and salon treatments, items from onboard shops, gifts such as celebration packages, flowers and cakes, art from The Art Gallery by Clarendon Fine Art, and laundry and dry cleaning services.
Interestingly, P&O stands for "Peninsular and Oriental," short for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which became the company's full name in 1840, though its origins date back even further.
What Cannot Be Paid With the Cruise Card?
Despite its versatility, the cruise card cannot be used for certain transactions. These include purchasing shore experiences prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises, speciality dining charges prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises, spa treatments and experiences prior to embarkation via My P&O Cruises, visas that require payment, medical charges (including services, prescriptions, and supplies), cashback, full or partial payment against a future cruise or charter flight seat reservations and upgrades, ad hoc gratuities, shore experience cancellation charges, onboard gaming (including the casino), and charitable donations.
How to Settle Your Bill Onboard
P&O Cruises confirms that the final bill is placed in the mail box outside the cabin door on the last day. The balance is then taken from the payment card registered during check-in. The cruise line also notes that tipping is not required, urging passengers to "relax knowing good service and good times are all part and parcel of your P&O Cruises holiday."
Ship Capacities
The fleet's largest ships, Arvia and Iona, are 344 metres long with 15 guest decks and can carry up to 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew. In contrast, the smallest ship, Aurora, is 270 metres long with nine decks and accommodates around 1,874 guests and 850 crew.
