The official main 24/7 "customer service number" for **P & O Cruise Lines** is **+1 (888) 840-8331™, ensuring smooth and hassle-free assistance for bookings, cancellations, and flight changes. Planning a cruise is exciting, but travel plans can change unexpectedly. Illness, family emergencies, work commitments, financial circumstances, or simply a change of plans can leave passengers wondering whether they can cancel their P&O cruise and how much money they will get back.

The P&O Cruises cancellation policy depends on several factors, including the fare type you booked, how far in advance you cancel, when your cruise is scheduled to depart, and whether the cancellation is caused by circumstances outside your control.

P&O Cruises allows guests to cancel a booking before the cruise begins, but cancellation charges can apply. The closer you are to the departure date, the higher the cancellation charge can become. Some fares are considerably less flexible than others, so understanding the terms before booking can help you avoid unexpected losses.

This guide explains the P&O cruise cancellation policy, cancellation fees, refund rules, fare-specific conditions, cancellation deadlines, travel insurance, flexible transfers, and what happens if P&O Cruises cancels your cruise.

What Is the P&O Cruise Cancellation Policy?

The P&O cruise cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel their cruise before the start of the holiday. However, cancellation does not necessarily mean that you will receive a full refund.

For most bookings, P&O Cruises applies a cancellation charge based on:

• Your fare type
• The date you booked
• Your cruise departure date
• How many days remain before departure
• Whether you booked directly or through a travel agent
• Whether the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances
• Whether you purchased travel insurance

The cancellation charge is generally calculated as a percentage of the holiday price. As the departure date approaches, the percentage can increase.

For example, a passenger cancelling many months before departure may only lose the deposit, while someone cancelling shortly before sailing may lose 90% or even 100% of the holiday price.

Can You Cancel a P&O Cruise?

Yes. P&O Cruises permits guests to cancel their booking before the holiday begins.

If you booked directly with P&O Cruises, you should contact the cruise company's customer service team to arrange the cancellation. If you booked through a travel agent, the cancellation should generally be handled through that travel agent.

It is important not to simply fail to appear at the port on departure day. Failure to embark can result in a 100% cancellation charge under the applicable cancellation terms.

If you already know that you cannot travel, cancelling as early as possible can potentially reduce the amount you lose.

P&O Cruises Cancellation Charges

P&O Cruises has different cancellation scales depending on the fare and the applicable booking terms.

For bookings made before March 10, 2026, and cruises departing on or before November 30, 2026, the cancellation schedule for Select Price and Early Saver bookings is generally:

These percentages are based on the applicable price paid.

For bookings made on or after March 10, 2026, where the cruise departs on or after December 1, 2026, a revised schedule applies to Select Price and Early Saver bookings:

The applicable terms should always be checked against the specific booking because P&O Cruises can have different conditions depending on when and how the reservation was made.

What Happens If You Cancel More Than 90 Days Before Departure?

One of the most important advantages of cancelling early is that your cancellation charge may be limited to the deposit.

For applicable Select Price and Early Saver bookings, cancellation well before departure generally results in the loss of the deposit rather than a percentage charge on the entire holiday.

For cruises departing from December 1, 2026 onward under the newer booking conditions, the initial cancellation period extends to 121 days before departure, after which a 25% charge may apply.

This means passengers should avoid waiting until the final weeks if they already know they cannot travel.

What Happens If You Cancel 90 to 57 Days Before Departure?

Under the applicable earlier cancellation scale, cancelling between 90 and 57 days before departure results in a 50% cancellation charge for Select Price and Early Saver bookings.

For example, suppose your cruise holiday costs £3,000.

A 50% cancellation charge would be:

£3,000 × 50% = £1,500

Depending on the exact booking conditions and payments already made, the remaining eligible amount may be refunded.

For bookings subject to the newer cancellation schedule, different dates and percentages apply.

What Happens If You Cancel 56 to 42 Days Before Departure?

For applicable bookings under the earlier schedule, cancelling 56 to 42 days before departure generally results in a 60% cancellation charge.

This is a significant increase compared with cancelling earlier.

For a £3,000 booking:

£3,000 × 60% = £1,800

This illustrates why cancelling as soon as you know you cannot travel can be financially important.

What Happens If You Cancel 41 to 16 Days Before Departure?

If you cancel within 41 to 16 days before departure under the applicable earlier cancellation scale, the charge can increase to 75%.

On a £3,000 cruise, a 75% charge would be:

£3,000 × 75% = £2,250

Only the remaining eligible amount would potentially be refundable.

The newer cancellation schedule also uses a 75% charge, although its date range is different.

What Happens If You Cancel 15 to 6 Days Before Departure?

Cancelling only a few days before departure can be expensive.

Under the applicable cancellation terms, cancelling between 15 and 6 days before departure can result in a 90% cancellation charge.

For a £3,000 cruise:

£3,000 × 90% = £2,700

That would leave only £300 potentially refundable, subject to the terms of your booking.

This is one reason travel insurance can be particularly important for expensive cruises.

What Happens If You Cancel Less Than 6 Days Before Departure?

If you cancel less than six days before departure, the cancellation charge can be 100% of the holiday price.

A 100% charge can also apply when a passenger fails to embark.

For fly-cruise holidays, P&O Cruises' terms specify that the departure day for calculating this provision can be the date of the flight departure.

Therefore, passengers should not assume that they can simply cancel at the last minute and receive a partial refund.

What Is the P&O Cruises Saver Fare Cancellation Policy?

The Saver fare is generally much less flexible than Select Price.

Under the published P&O Cruises terms, Saver bookings are subject to a 100% cancellation charge from booking through departure, including failure to embark.

This means passengers booking a Saver fare should understand that cancelling the holiday can result in the entire booking price being forfeited.

The lower price of a Saver fare can therefore come with less flexibility.

If there is a reasonable possibility that your plans could change, comparing the total cost and cancellation flexibility of different fare options before booking can be worthwhile.

What Is the P&O Select Price Cancellation Policy?

Select Price is generally more flexible than Saver when it comes to cancellation and other booking benefits.

However, Select Price does not mean that cancellation is automatically free.

Cancellation charges still apply according to the applicable cancellation schedule.

One of the key advantages of Select Price is that eligible passengers may also have access to P&O Cruises' flexible transfer option.

Under the current flexible transfer policy, a Select Price holiday can generally be transferred once, subject to the applicable conditions.

The replacement cruise must meet the required value conditions, and there are limits concerning how far from the original sailing date the new cruise can be scheduled.

For passengers who are uncertain about their travel dates, transferring the booking may sometimes be a better option than cancelling outright.

What Is the P&O Early Saver Cancellation Policy?

Early Saver bookings can also be subject to cancellation charges based on the applicable cancellation schedule.

For the relevant booking conditions, Early Saver follows the same cancellation scale as Select Price.

This means the amount you lose can depend heavily on when you cancel.

Passengers should check the specific terms attached to their booking rather than assuming that every Early Saver reservation has identical conditions.

Can You Cancel a P&O Cruise for Free?

In general, cancelling simply because you have changed your mind does not automatically result in a free cancellation.

However, P&O Cruises' booking conditions provide an important exception for certain unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances that significantly affect the performance of the holiday contract.

Where the relevant legal conditions are met, a passenger may be entitled to cancel before the holiday begins without paying the normal cancellation charge and receive a full refund of money paid.

This does not normally provide an additional compensation payment.

Whether a particular situation qualifies depends on the circumstances and the applicable booking terms.

What Are Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances?

Unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances generally refer to exceptional events outside the traveller's control that significantly affect the performance of the cruise contract or transportation to the destination.

Examples could potentially include serious events affecting a destination or circumstances that make the cruise impossible or substantially different from what was contracted.

However, not every personal problem qualifies.

For example, simply deciding that you no longer want to travel would not normally qualify.

Similarly, an ordinary change in personal circumstances may be handled through the normal cancellation terms or travel insurance rather than the extraordinary-circumstances provision.

Can You Cancel Because You Are Sick?

Illness may be a reason why a passenger cannot travel, but it does not automatically mean P&O Cruises will waive cancellation charges.

If you become sick before your cruise, you should contact P&O Cruises or your travel agent as soon as possible.

Travel insurance can be particularly valuable in this situation because eligible medical circumstances may allow you to claim cancellation costs under your policy.

Insurance policies vary considerably, so you should check:

• Medical cancellation coverage
• Pre-existing medical condition requirements
• Excess amounts
• Documentation requirements
• Medical certification requirements
• Covered family emergencies
• Cancellation limits

Do not assume that having travel insurance automatically means every cancellation will be reimbursed.

Can You Cancel Because of a Family Emergency?

A serious family emergency may make it impossible for you to travel.

Whether you receive a refund from P&O Cruises or can recover cancellation charges through insurance depends on the specific circumstances.

If the emergency does not qualify for a cancellation waiver under the cruise company's terms, your travel insurance may be the appropriate route for recovering eligible costs.

Keep documentation relating to the emergency because an insurer may require evidence before approving a claim.

What Happens If You Do Not Pay the Balance?

Paying the cruise balance by the deadline is extremely important.

P&O Cruises' current terms specify different balance deadlines depending on when the booking was made and when the cruise departs.

For certain bookings, the balance is due 90 days before departure. For bookings made from March 10, 2026 for cruises departing on or after December 1, 2026, the balance deadline is generally 120 days before departure.

If the balance is not paid by the required deadline, P&O Cruises may cancel the booking and retain the deposit as a cancellation charge.

Therefore, passengers should never assume that failing to make the final payment is an alternative way of cancelling the cruise.

What Happens If P&O Cruises Cancels Your Cruise?

Passengers often ask whether the same cancellation charges apply when P&O Cruises itself cancels the holiday.

No. A cancellation initiated by the cruise line is treated differently from a passenger cancelling voluntarily.

Depending on the reason for the cancellation and the applicable booking conditions, passengers may be offered alternatives or refunds.

The exact remedy can depend on the circumstances, the type of cruise, applicable laws, and the terms of the booking.

If P&O Cruises cancels your cruise, read the communication carefully before deciding whether to accept an alternative holiday, credit, or refund.

What If P&O Cruises Makes a Major Change to Your Cruise?

Cruise itineraries can occasionally change for operational, safety, weather, port, or other reasons.

Not every change gives passengers the right to cancel without charges.

However, certain significant changes or cancellations by P&O Cruises may trigger rights under the applicable booking conditions.

If you receive a notification about a significant change, carefully review the options and deadlines included in the communication.

Avoid cancelling the booking yourself before understanding the options offered by P&O Cruises, because voluntarily cancelling could potentially place the booking under the normal passenger cancellation scale.

Can You Transfer a P&O Cruise Instead of Cancelling?

This can be an important alternative.

P&O Cruises currently offers a fee-free flexible transfer policy for eligible Select Price bookings.

Under the current policy, an eligible booking can generally be transferred once, provided the applicable conditions are met.

The transfer must generally be made by the deadline for paying the holiday balance.

The replacement holiday must be of equal or higher value, and the new sailing must fall within the permitted timeframe from the original sailing date.

For many cruises, the transfer window can extend up to 12 months from the original departure date. Certain longer or specialist itineraries have different periods.

Because the policy can change, passengers should check the conditions applicable to their particular booking.

Is a Cruise Transfer Better Than Cancellation?

Sometimes, yes.

Suppose you have already paid a substantial amount for a cruise but discover that your dates no longer work.

If your booking qualifies for a fee-free transfer, moving the booking could preserve the value of your holiday instead of triggering a cancellation charge.

A transfer can be especially useful when:

• Your holiday dates have changed
• You still want to cruise with P&O Cruises
• You want to travel later
• You have a Select Price booking
• You are still within the permitted transfer period

However, transferring a cruise is not the same as cancelling it, and the conditions should be reviewed before making a decision.

How to Cancel a P&O Cruise

The cancellation process depends on how you booked your holiday.

If You Booked Directly

If you booked directly with P&O Cruises, contact its customer service team and request cancellation.

Have your booking information available, including:

• Booking reference
• Passenger names
• Cruise departure date
• Cabin details
• Contact information
• Payment information

The representative can explain the applicable cancellation charge and any refund that may be due.

If You Booked Through a Travel Agent

If your cruise was booked through a travel agent, contact the travel agent rather than attempting to bypass them.

The agent can submit the cancellation and explain the applicable charges.

This is particularly important if the booking includes additional travel arrangements such as flights, hotels, transfers, or insurance.

How Long Does a P&O Cruise Refund Take?

The time required to process a refund can depend on the circumstances of the cancellation, the payment method, the booking channel, and any additional processing requirements.

A refund is not necessarily the same thing as an immediate credit to your bank account.

If you cancel through a travel agent, the agent may also have its own processing procedures.

When cancelling, ask for confirmation of:

• The cancellation date
• The cancellation charge
• The amount being refunded
• The payment method used for the refund
• Whether any separate purchases are being refunded
• Whether additional action is required

Keep the cancellation confirmation until the refund has been received.

What Happens to Shore Excursions and Other Extras?

Cancelling a cruise and cancelling individual cruise extras can be two different matters.

Passengers may have separately booked:

• Shore experiences
• Specialty dining
• Entertainment
• Spa treatments
• Drinks packages
• Children's activities
• Other onboard services

Each item can have its own cancellation conditions.

For example, certain specialty dining reservations can be cancelled without a charge when cancelled at least 24 hours before the reservation time, while late cancellations can attract a fee.

Therefore, do not assume that cancelling the main cruise automatically explains every refund associated with additional purchases.

Review the terms applicable to each item.

Does Travel Insurance Cover P&O Cruise Cancellation?

Travel insurance can provide valuable protection against cancellation charges, but coverage depends on the policy.

A good cruise insurance policy may cover eligible cancellation costs resulting from circumstances such as:

• Serious illness
• Injury
• Death of a close family member
• Certain emergencies
• Other covered events

However, insurance policies contain exclusions and conditions.

Some policies may require you to purchase insurance soon after booking. Others may exclude certain pre-existing conditions unless they are declared and accepted.

Before relying on insurance, read the policy wording carefully.

Tips to Avoid Losing Money When Cancelling a P&O Cruise

1. Cancel as Early as Possible

The earlier you cancel, the lower the cancellation charge may be.

Waiting until the final weeks can significantly increase the amount you lose.

2. Check Your Fare Type

Do not assume that all P&O Cruises fares have the same cancellation conditions.

Saver, Early Saver, and Select Price can have different benefits and flexibility.

3. Check Your Booking Date

The applicable cancellation scale can depend on when you made the booking and when your cruise departs.

This is particularly important following changes to P&O Cruises' terms in March 2026.

4. Consider a Transfer

If you have a qualifying Select Price booking, a transfer may be preferable to cancellation.

5. Contact the Correct Booking Channel

Booked directly? Contact P&O Cruises.

Booked through a travel agent? Contact the travel agent.

6. Check Your Insurance

If your reason for cancelling is covered by your insurance policy, you may be able to recover some or all eligible cancellation costs.

7. Keep Documentation

Save your booking confirmation, cancellation confirmation, receipts, medical documentation, insurance correspondence, and other relevant records.

Frequently Asked Questions About P&O Cruise Cancellation

Can I cancel my P&O cruise after booking?

Yes. P&O Cruises allows guests to cancel before departure, but cancellation charges may apply depending on the fare and timing.

Can I cancel a P&O cruise without paying a cancellation fee?

Sometimes. Certain unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances may allow cancellation without the normal cancellation charge when the applicable legal conditions are satisfied. Otherwise, normal cancellation fees generally apply.

Is the P&O Saver fare refundable?

Saver fares are highly restrictive. Under the applicable published terms, cancelling at any time before departure can result in a 100% cancellation charge.

How much do I lose if I cancel my P&O cruise?

It depends on your fare, booking date, departure date, and how close you are to departure. Charges can range from the deposit to 100% of the holiday price.

What happens if I cancel six days before my cruise?

Under the applicable cancellation schedule, cancelling 6 to 15 days before departure can result in a 90% charge. Cancelling less than six days before departure can result in a 100% charge.

Can I cancel my P&O cruise because of illness?

You can request cancellation because of illness, but normal cancellation charges may still apply. If your travel insurance covers the illness, you may be able to claim eligible cancellation costs.

Can I change my P&O cruise instead of cancelling?

Eligible Select Price bookings may qualify for P&O Cruises' fee-free flexible transfer policy, subject to the applicable conditions.

What if I booked my P&O cruise through a travel agent?

Contact the travel agent that made the booking. The agent should handle changes and cancellations according to the booking arrangements.

Does missing my cruise count as cancellation?

Yes. Failure to embark can result in a 100% cancellation charge under the applicable terms.

Will P&O Cruises refund my deposit?

Generally, the deposit can be retained as a cancellation charge when you cancel during the initial cancellation period. However, the exact treatment depends on the fare and applicable booking conditions.

What if P&O Cruises cancels my cruise?

If P&O Cruises cancels the holiday, different rules apply from a passenger voluntarily cancelling. Depending on the circumstances, you may be offered an alternative cruise or refund and potentially other remedies under the applicable terms.

Can I get my money back if I cancel because of an emergency?

Possibly. The cruise company's cancellation terms and your travel insurance policy will determine whether you are entitled to a refund or reimbursement.

Should I cancel or transfer my cruise?

If your booking is eligible for a flexible transfer, transferring may be financially better than cancelling, particularly if you still want to take a P&O cruise at a later date.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the P&O cruise cancellation policy before booking can help you make a more informed decision and avoid unpleasant surprises.

The most important point is that cancellation charges are not necessarily fixed. They depend on your fare type, booking date, departure date, and how close you are to sailing when you cancel.

Select Price and Early Saver bookings can have progressively higher cancellation charges as departure approaches, while Saver bookings can carry a 100% cancellation charge. Eligible Select Price passengers may also have a flexible transfer option, which can be useful when plans change but you still want to cruise later.

If you need to cancel, act as early as possible. Contact the appropriate booking channel, ask for the exact cancellation charge and refund amount, and keep written confirmation of the cancellation.

Finally, consider travel insurance when booking an expensive cruise. Insurance cannot eliminate every cancellation charge, but an appropriate policy can provide valuable financial protection when you need to cancel because of a covered unexpected event.

Because P&O Cruises can update its booking conditions, passengers should always check the terms that apply specifically to their booking before cancelling. The information in this guide is intended to explain the general policy and should not replace the conditions attached to an individual reservation.