P&O Cruises Check-In & Embarkation Process

Since restrictions have lifted there have been multiple check-in and embarkation rules and methods onboard cruise ships. Here’s the absolute latest on the check-in and embarkation process for P&O cruises and we did this in the company’s BUSIEST ever cruise! Here’s what you need to know if sailing from Southampton, U.K. onboard P&O Cruises.
Don’t forget to like, subscribe and turn on notifications for weekly travel vlogs including our time on P&O Iona during its busiest ever sailing! How did the crew / we manage?!
#pando #cruise #pandoembarkation #pandocruises #p&ocruise #cruiseship

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Today is all about the check in and embarkation process from Southampton on what is the busiest ever P&O cruise!

[@EmmaCruises]

Last time I went on Iona in 2021 we needed 5674895 pieces of paper, so this was amazing! 🙏

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You need one piece more than us - we were winning and didn’t even know it 😂

[@fastcarzrc4349]

In May were going on our first ever cruise for the very first time after watching Emma cruises and other cruise vloggers were finally doing it were going on p&o venturer

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@fastcarzrc4349 enjoy 😊

[@fastcarzrc4349]

@TravelBlogJamie thanks Jamie and thank you for your videos very informative and very useful for people like myself who are cruise virgins going for the first time 👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@fastcarzrc4349 very welcome 🙏

[@clairefowler5069]

Thanks for making this video, it's great to see the process from start to finish as we have never cruised before. A great relief to see how simple this is! 👍👍👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You’re very welcome ☺️

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I’ve got 7 vlogs im this series and I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences with you!

[@user-ui4ry2do1s]

Going on Saturday this was super super helpful thanks 🙏

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Enjoy ☺️

[@sueworwood3486]

That was amazing, thanks for this as the checking has kept changing it great to see first hand what you need to bring. Everyone should watch this many thanks. X

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much Sue 🙏🙏🙏

[@maureenbolton7857]

This information is brilliant timing for us as we travel with P&O next month…thanks Jamie 👍😀!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much ☺️ Hope you have a great cruise!

[@noreengoulding6160]

What a great video of the check in! Never cruised from Southampton but it looks so organised and fairly quick! Look forward to your time on board. 🥂🎉👍X

[@TravelBlogJamie]

This was super efficient ❤️

[@annestephenson1548]

Wow what a difference! Helpful video as always! 🙏 Jamie

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Welcome 🙏

[@MarinaAndJoeGo]

Thanks for another awesome video Jamie - as ever, very entertaining and incredibly useful 😃 Its so great to see embarkation getting close to normal (to be fair we'd be happy if collecting our cruise cards at the cabin was here to stay - its so much quicker than getting them printed before boarding!). We are really looking forward to the rest of your vlog series 🤩 Excited to see what's changed ahead of our next cruise!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you 🙏 It was so nice to have a stress free boarding experience ❤️

[@vanessawells7733]

Thank you for this video, really helpful as this will be our first cruise since covid lockdown

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Very welcome and hope you have a great time

[@JadeBrookes]

I'm going on this cruise in July so this really helps with what to expect! It seems so hassle free I'm so excited! Thank you for this video!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You’re welcome - have a great time!

[@melanieshaw7302]

Very informative and useful information. Thank you, Jamie. Will be our first time on Iona. We're going at the end of next month to the Norwegian Fjords!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much and I hope you have a great time ❤️

[@kristynicol1422]

That was super helpful. Thank you. Going on our first cruise next year

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Very welcome 🤗 Enjoy!

[@janemayhew1442]

Hi Jamie, Great to watch how quickly you boarded Iona, and with so many guests! Hopefully boarding Brittania in April will be as easy. Thanks for info . Looking forward to watching your Iona holiday.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Fingers crossed for you ! Enjoy!

[@SoloSueTravels]

I'll be going on Iona out of Southampton in the summer, so this was very helpful. Thanks!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Very welcome and hope you have a great cruise

[@user-rv6ts2ll4i]

Good to see that thank you, we are boarding on Oct 7th 2023 really looking forward to it

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Have a great time

[@hayleyarnold9565]

This was so useful thank you! We’ll be on Iona in the spring with a 2yrs old so been a bit nervous about check in times and complexity! Feeling much more at ease

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Thank you so much - you are very welcome

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hope it all goes smoothly for you!

[@jack56794]

Great video thanks I'm off to the Fjords in September can't wait 😁

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Enjoy the beautiful Fjords

[@susanwilson7300]

Thank you - going to Norway on Iona - can’t wait.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Have a great cruise, Susan!

[@sallybadman1306]

Looks so much easier. Looking forward to our trip now x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was a breeze!!

[@tonynewman1694]

It was an amazing cruise , we did back to back and loved the ship our new favourite, as the choice is amazing .

[@TravelBlogJamie]

And it was great to grab a drink with you both

[@TravelBlogJamie]

My P&O Iona vlog series begins!

[@sarahfilbey275]

Woohoo!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@sarahfilbey275 he he he

[@tracywheeler3572]

Thank you x that helps us as we are cruising this year on Tui Explorer 2 for my husbands 60th birthday in May we can’t wait to visit Kora La and the Surf & Turf xxx enjoy your cruise and I will watch our blogs xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Have the best time 🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏

[@tracywheeler3572]

@@TravelBlogJamie thank you xx

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@tracywheeler3572 🙏🙏🙏

[@davefarrall6234]

Heading on our first ever cruise next year. On Iona. Seems a lot to take in when it’s the first time. But your video made it look really simple and easy!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It’s super easy, i promise you! Have a great time

[@eltontsang9079]

Many thanks useful information 😊🙏🏼

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Very welcome 🙏

[@herschell64]

This video was really helpful for me as I'm going on Britannia in June 2025 and the process looks super easy and it explained clearly what I need, thanks for the video

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Very welcome

[@chrisburns3250]

Thank you going on P&O in Feb for first time. Have done various other cruise ships but never P&O.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hope you enjoy. I’ve got loads of vlogs on Iona for you too

[@djdragonboss42]

even watching this gets me nervous about my cruise in may, never been on one before but am also going by myself, on ventura i hope my check in is as simple as this video

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Fingers crossed for you

[@pathutchinson1632]

That looks so much less stressful than trying to find all the paperwork in your folder x

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I know and to think that this is the first time I ever brought a file to be organised!! 😭

[@CruisewithSteve]

So much easier now without all the covid paperwork and the e muster is brilliant compared to meetings, love it 👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

And thank goodness for that!!

[@dianacarragher5845]

Hello Jamie just to let you know Arcadia arrived this morning in Sydney docked at OPT Circular Quay opposite the Opera House on her World Cruise. Queen Victoria 1st March and Queen Mary 2 on the 12th March love Cunard.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Waving from the U.K. at Arcadia!!

[@abiday5577]

Brilliant Jamie, made me feel much better about going in May. So when you check in online you input your debit card details then?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes that’s right - register your card in advance to save even more time at check in

[@lemonz0880]

thank you for this. i leave in a week😅

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Enjoy 😊

[@ann-marieball4988]

We have just disembarked 😢was our 4th time on Iona hope you had a wonderful cruise

[@TravelBlogJamie]

It was fab thanks and so many great blogs to make now ❤️ How was it for you?

[@ann-marieball4988]

@@TravelBlogJamie We really enjoyed it , we booked same last Feb but ended up in Portugal then a storm 😅 but was all fun , just looking for another cruise 😆🛳️

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@ann-marieball4988 at least warmer down there 😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@ann-marieball4988 or assuming it was?!

[@ann-marieball4988]

@@TravelBlogJamie Was beautiful so warm ☀️ did fjords in April, must say that’s the most scenic and amazing cruise we have done absolutely beautiful scenery ❤️

[@gracie.samantha2649]

I was in that and got off today.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

🙌🙌🙌

[@liseoppenheimer7255]

We are sailing on Iona in April. First time in the Uk( from Canada). Is the port easily accessible on foot? Process looks really efficient! Cannot wait!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes easily accessible on foot. Obviously if you have luggage that might be trickier 😂 hope you have a great time ❤️

[@alisonbates9200]

I went on Britannia, first sailing after covid - loads and loads of documents 😂😂 but quickest I’ve been through the check-in & security…. Hope they don’t change back 😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Oh the number of documents used to stress me out 😂😂😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Always thought I’d forgotten something I matter how well organised (which I usually am): the paranoia

[@alisonbates9200]

@@TravelBlogJamie Me too, worse part of travelling on my own I always think! No one to remind me for the umpteenth time 🤣. Iona looks amazing 👍

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@alisonbates9200 easier now at least

[@OrnumCR]

This is basically exactly the same process we went through boarding Queen Elizabeth in Melbourne on the same date you boarded Iona in Southampton. It was easy and super quick. The only difference was a C19 rat test confirmation before boarding which was done by an image on your smart device showing a negative test that you had to provide showing your test within 24 hours prior to boarding. Confirmation of vaccination also required as per Australian government regulations. Otherwise was same same…

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Good to know - thanks for the information!

[@PeeJay1951]

That's what ours was like but that's all been dropped now.

[@cashdeskmac]

Thanks for the great info, Jamie. When you check in online, are you able to choose your own arrival and boarding time, or is that allocated automatically?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

That’s allocated for you, Alan!

[@cashdeskmac]

@@TravelBlogJamie Many thanks!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@cashdeskmac no Problem 😌

[@ruthince2752]

Do they have lifts at the terminal . I was there 3 years ago but can't remember. I have since become disabled Take care and happy sailing !

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes Ruth they absolutely do have lifts in the terminal ❤️

[@EmmaCruises]

This all seems very familiar 😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You could literally superimpose your head on my shoulders and you’ll have your own vlog (maybe you could edit out the mistake too)

[@amandahimsworth7469]

Hello Jamie I curious about embarkation. In this video you said more or less that you had to show your passport and boarding pass . Can you tell me what else you was asked to show ? And what other questions they asked you at check-in please? . Also if you don't mind in your hand luggage you bring on with you how much are you allowed ? And is there anything you can't pack in it ? Is it scanned like an airport? Many thanks 😊

[@TravelBlogJamie]

That’s because that’s all they ask for! Nothing else. Wasn’t asked any Qs. Hand luggage scanned at security - bring what you can carry but has to fit through X-ray machines. No sharp objects.

[@amandahimsworth7469]

@TravelBlogJamie OK thank you 😊 I asked because other people I have asked said they ask for your insurance details

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@amandahimsworth7469 they haven’t asked since a whole after lock downs ended - you still need insurance though

[@sarahfilbey275]

When we embarked last year, they were spot checking the insurance documents. I think I will still take the certificate. I dont want to be denied boarding because of that.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Absolutely no checking this time according to friends / bloggers travelling in our cruise but we had ours too (on our phone)

[@Clivejvaughan]

Were you right on time for 3:15 or did you manage to get in earlier ? I'm - in theory - 3:45 in 12 days' time !

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We arrived at 2.45

[@nediyarambathm.a5445]

Whats the insurance requirements.Whts the minimum coverage required.100000 dollar cruise coverage sufficient or what😊❤

[@TravelBlogJamie]

www.pocruises.com/travel-insurance

[@carogog8765]

Would you consider looking into disabled cabins and facilities as my son who is a wheelchair user would be really interested.

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Hi Caroline - I already toured an accessible cabin on my channel - search travel blog Jamie Iona accessible cabin

[@carogog8765]

@@TravelBlogJamie thank you I will have a look!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@carogog8765 no problem

[@AvidTravelGeek]

When is the earliest you can arrive at the terminal? Is 15:15 arrival time standard on the boarding pass? What time did you arrive?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We arrived at 2.45

[@TravelBlogJamie]

You can arrive at the terminal in the morning / before your arrival time but no guarantee you’ll be able to check in. We have arrived around 11.30 before.

[@guntherselders5864]

what time did you arrive? Did you respect the boarding time?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

We arrived around 2.45pm. Boarding times are set by P&O. If you arrive early you’re sometimes asked to wait in a separate line

[@AvidTravelGeek]

Are you able to walk on with your luggage instead of dropping off luggage like you can on US cruises?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes buuut it would have to fit in the X-ray machines and these are not big enough for large cases

[@oldschoolabrahamhicks2742]

When it says final boarding time 4.30pm- does that mean you can arrive at 4.30pm at the latest??

[@TravelBlogJamie]

I believe it means ‘all aboard’ by 4.30pm so if you arrived at the terminal at 4.30pm chances are you’d be too late (you’d need to have dropped off your luggage, checked in, completed security). It also means you might not see your luggage for some time as most will have already been delivered to cabins by then.

[@oldschoolabrahamhicks2742]

@@TravelBlogJamie Fab thx for that- I like to waltz on after the crowds have cleared- and I just carry on my own luggage. Thx!!!

[@TravelBlogJamie]

@@oldschoolabrahamhicks2742 no problem - just remember it’ll have to fit through the X-ray machines

[@roberthenley]

You should consider that check in and embarkation times are not one and the same!

[@BristolLeathered2010]

Where are u going on this cruise ?? What ports ?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Northern Europe (Hamburg, Rotterdam overnight and Zeebrugge)

[@alisondane8150]

Do you need insurance?

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Yes but didn’t need to show proof

[@thomaswilliams8878]

Emas😂

[@TravelBlogJamie]

Idkwyta