Frequently Asked Questions
Holidays are here and we look forward to seeing you on board. But before you arrive, here are some quick answers to popular questions, at a glance.
Documents, flights and insurance
Passports, visas and vaccinations are your responsibility. Without the necessary passport, visas and/or vaccinations, local authorities may deny you boarding, prevent you from going ashore, issue a fine or deny the ship entry into the port.
For international cruises (cruises that visit a foreign port), passports are required for all passengers and must be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the date of the cruise return. In addition, travel on our cruises will not revalidate an Australian or New Zealand re-entry visa.
For domestic cruises (cruises that do not visit a foreign port), a valid passport or government issued photo identification is required (Queensland Proof of Age cards will not be accepted). For Australian passengers, a current Medicare card can be used for passengers under 18 years of age. For New Zealand passengers, an original or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or a school pass with photo will be accepted.
Please check with the relevant embassies about your visa requirements.
Do I need travel insurance?
Australian Medicare, New Zealand ACC and private health insurance will not cover you for any medical costs on board. All cruises (even cruises that do not visit foreign ports) require international travel insurance. We strongly recommend you organise your travel insurance at the time you pay your deposit.
You should not base your insurance decision on the assumption ‘it won’t happen to me’ – accidents or illness can happen to anyone. Daily hospital bills can cost more than AUD5000 per day. For further information or to purchase travel insurance visit EseaCruising.com's Travel Insurance site and receive 20% off your travel insurance! CLICK HERE
What if I have connecting flights?
Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 4 hours before your cruise departure time. On return, ensure your flight departs no earlier than 5 hours after your cruise arrives in port. This should help you have a relaxing cruise holiday.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes you sure can - flights can be booked at our sister site EseaShores.com.
Can my family and friends farewell me?
They're welcome to wish you bon voyage from the cruise terminal. Due to security reasons, they will be unable to come on board with you.
Where can I find more information about passports, visas and vaccinations?
Passports
Australian citizens, visit www.passports.gov.au
New Zealand citizens, visit www.passports.govt.nz
For citizens of other countries, please contact your relevant national authority.
Visas
Please contact your Travel Agent, relevant consulate or embassy or an online visa service for more information.
Vaccinations
Please contact your doctor or an approved public health travel advisory service such as the World Health Organisation (www.who.org), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Smart Traveller (www.smartraveller.gov.au).
If I am booking my own flights, what arrival and departure times do you recommend?
Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 4 hours before your cruise departure time. This should provide enough time to travel to the cruise terminal and check-in for your holiday of a lifetime.
If you are flying home on the day you leave the cruise, please ensure your flight departs no earlier than 5 hours after your cruise arrives in port. This should help you to have a stress free return home from your relaxing cruise holiday.
When you are making your own flight bookings, missed connections are always a possibility…so the more time you allow for unforeseen delays at either end of your cruise, the better.
If you do need to make changes to your own flight bookings, your chosen airline may charge fees, so check their airfare conditions when you book.
I have flights booked through P&O Cruises; can I check-in online?
No, since you are not issued with an individual flight reference number, you are unable to check-in online.
Information in this post provided courtesy of P&O Cruises Australia.
