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How Do I Download My P&O Boarding Pass?

  • Michael Rodriguez
  • 6 min read

Getting your P&O Cruises boarding pass is an important step before your cruise. The process is completed online through the P&O Cruises booking and check-in system, and you can download the boarding pass after completing the required online check-in information.

P&O Cruises currently opens online check-in 21 days before departure. After you have completed check-in and your cabin number has been assigned, your boarding pass becomes available in the Online Check-in section. P&O says cabin numbers are assigned no later than three days before departure.

If you are wondering whether you need a separate account, how to find the boarding pass, or what to do when the download option is missing, this guide explains the process step by step.

When Can I Download My P&O Boarding Pass?

You can start the online check-in process 21 days before your cruise departure. Online check-in remains available until the day before your holiday.

However, simply reaching the 21-day window does not always mean the boarding pass will immediately be available. Your cabin number also needs to have been assigned.

P&O Cruises states that cabin numbers will be assigned no later than three days before departure. Once your check-in is complete and the cabin number has been allocated, you can download the boarding pass.

Quick timing guide

  • 21 days before departure: Online check-in opens.

  • Before departure: Complete the required passenger information.

  • After cabin assignment: Boarding pass becomes available once the relevant check-in requirements are complete.

  • Day before departure: Online check-in closes according to P&O's stated check-in deadline.

How Do I Download My P&O Boarding Pass?

Follow these steps to access your boarding pass.

1. Open the P&O Cruises booking area

Go to the P&O Cruises website and access the area for managing your cruise booking.

You can use My P&O Cruises to manage an upcoming cruise and complete online check-in. You can also access your booking using the booking reference login if you do not use a registered account.

2. Sign in to your booking

If you use the booking-reference login, you will generally need:

  • Your cruise booking reference

  • First name

  • Last name

  • Date of birth

Your personal information needs to match the details associated with your booking. P&O Cruises also provides a separate My Account login that uses the email address and password associated with the account.

3. Open Online Check-in

Once you are inside your booking, look for the Online Check-in section.

This is where you provide the information needed before travelling and complete the check-in process.

Depending on the booking, this can include passport information, payment-card details and passenger photographs. P&O says these details are required to complete online check-in.

4. Complete the required information

Make sure the details for every guest travelling on the booking are completed.

Check information carefully before submitting it, particularly:

  • Passenger names

  • Dates of birth

  • Passport information

  • Required photographs

  • Payment information where applicable

Incomplete information for a guest can prevent that passenger's check-in from being completed.

5. Complete online check-in

Once the required information has been provided, complete the online check-in process.

The boarding pass is associated with the completed check-in rather than simply being a document that appears immediately after making a booking.

6. Download your boarding pass

After online check-in is complete and your cabin number has been assigned, the boarding pass should be available through the Online Check-in section.

Select the option to download the boarding pass and save the file to your phone, tablet or computer.

P&O Cruises also recommends printing your boarding pass and luggage labels before travelling.

Do I Need a P&O Account to Get My Boarding Pass?

Not necessarily.

This is an important distinction because P&O Cruises has separate ways of accessing your booking.

A registered P&O My Account lets you manage information such as your cruise history, personal details and loyalty benefits. However, having a cruise booking does not automatically mean that you have registered a My Account.

For an upcoming cruise, you can manage the booking through the booking-reference login using your booking reference, name and date of birth.

What is P&O My Account?

The P&O My Account area is designed for managing your relationship with P&O Cruises. It can provide access to:

  • Upcoming cruise information

  • Cruise history

  • Personal details

  • Peninsular Club information

  • Loyalty benefits

The My P&O Cruises booking area is more directly related to managing an upcoming holiday, including check-in and holiday arrangements.

So, if your main goal is to download a boarding pass, focus on accessing the booking and completing Online Check-in rather than assuming that you must first create a separate account.

What Information Do I Need for Online Check-in?

Having the necessary information ready can make the process much easier.

P&O Cruises states that online check-in can require information such as:

  • Passport details

  • Payment-card details

  • Passport-style photographs

  • Passenger information

You should therefore have the relevant travel documents available before starting the check-in process.

If several people are travelling under the same booking, check the status of each guest rather than assuming that completing your own details completes the entire booking.

Why Is My P&O Boarding Pass Not Available?

There are several common reasons why the boarding pass may not be showing.

Online check-in has not opened

If your departure is more than 21 days away, online check-in may not yet be available.

P&O Cruises currently states that online check-in opens 21 days before departure.

Your cabin number has not been assigned

This is one of the most important reasons.

Even after check-in opens, your boarding pass may not be available until your cabin number has been assigned. P&O says cabin numbers are allocated no later than three days before departure.

Check-in is incomplete

Review each passenger's check-in status. Missing passport details, photographs or other required information can prevent the process from being completed.

You are using the wrong login

P&O Cruises has different login routes for My Account, My P&O Cruises, and payment-related services. Using the wrong login page can make it appear as though your booking or information is missing.

Your details do not match the booking

When using the booking-reference login, make sure your first name, last name and date of birth match the information associated with the booking.

What If I Cannot Log In to My P&O Account?

First, check whether you are trying to access My Account or an upcoming cruise through the booking-reference login.

For My Account, P&O says you should use the email address registered with the account and the password you created. If you have forgotten your password, use the password-reset process.

For an upcoming booking, you can instead use the booking-reference route with your name and date of birth.

If the information is correct but the page still does not work, P&O recommends trying a private browser window or another device as part of its troubleshooting process.

Should I Print My P&O Boarding Pass?

Yes. Although you may save the digital document on your device, it is sensible to print your boarding pass before travelling.

P&O Cruises specifically advises guests to print their boarding pass and luggage labels. The boarding pass also contains important embarkation information, including the allocated arrival time.

Keep the printed document somewhere safe with your passport and other cruise travel documents.

What Information Is Shown on the Boarding Pass?

Your boarding pass contains information needed for embarkation. This can include your allocated arrival or embarkation time and the terminal information relevant to your cruise.

Your allocated arrival time is important because P&O asks guests to arrive as close as possible to the time shown on their boarding pass.

Before leaving for the port, check the boarding pass carefully so you know where you need to go and when you are expected to arrive.

Can I Download Boarding Passes for Other Guests?

If multiple passengers are included in your booking, each guest needs to have the necessary check-in information completed.

P&O's check-in process allows boarding passes to be downloaded for guests whose check-in has been completed. Therefore, check each passenger's status before travelling rather than assuming that one completed check-in covers everyone.

What Should I Do After Downloading the Boarding Pass?

Downloading the boarding pass is not the final preparation step.

Before leaving for your cruise, check the following:

  • Boarding pass downloaded or printed

  • Luggage labels printed

  • Passport valid and available

  • Travel insurance documents available

  • Passenger details checked

  • Required entry documents reviewed

  • Embarkation time noted

  • Departure terminal confirmed

P&O Cruises recommends having the necessary travel documents with you and notes that failure to have required documents may result in being denied boarding. 

Conclusion

Downloading a P&O Cruises boarding pass is mainly a matter of completing online check-in at the right time. Start by accessing your booking, complete the required passenger information, and check that your cabin number has been assigned. Once those requirements are complete, the boarding pass can be downloaded from the Online Check-in section.

Remember that P&O My Account and the booking-management system serve different purposes. You do not necessarily need a registered My Account to manage an upcoming booking. If you cannot access your boarding pass, check the check-in window, passenger information, cabin assignment and login details before contacting P&O Cruises for assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions?

How early can I check in for a P&O cruise?

Online check-in opens 21 days before departure and is available until the day before the holiday.

When will my P&O boarding pass become available?

Your boarding pass becomes available after you have completed online check-in and your cabin number has been assigned. P&O states that cabin numbers are assigned no later than three days before departure.

Can I get my boarding pass through P&O My Account?

Your upcoming cruise can be managed through P&O's online systems, but a registered My Account is not required simply because you have made a booking. You can use the booking-reference login to manage an upcoming booking.

What do I need to log in to my P&O booking?

For the booking-reference login, you generally need your cruise booking reference, first name, last name and date of birth as recorded on the booking.

Why can't I see the download boarding pass button?

Check whether online check-in has opened, whether all required check-in information has been completed and whether your cabin number has been assigned.

Do I need to print my P&O boarding pass?

P&O Cruises recommends printing your boarding pass and luggage labels before travelling.

What happens if I forget my boarding pass?

If you have an issue accessing or printing your boarding pass, contact P&O Cruises or ask your travel agent for assistance. P&O also advises guests to check their booking and boarding-pass information before travelling.

Does my boarding pass show my embarkation time?

Yes. Your boarding pass includes your allocated arrival or embarkation time. P&O asks guests to follow that assigned time to help manage terminal queues and congestion.

Can I check in after the online check-in deadline?

P&O currently states that online check-in is available until the day before departure, with its joining-and-leaving information specifying a 10pm GMT closing time on the day before the cruise.

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