P&O Cruises says passengers can avoid 'fee' by bringing common item on board

P&OCruises is urging passengers to pack a particular item when embarking on its vessels. The advice will prove crucial for anyone planning to explore various ports of call during their voyage , while also wanting to sidestep 'extra fees' wherever possible. In the UK, P&O Cruises is regarded as the largest and most popular cruise operator catering specifically for the British market. It operates a fleet of seven vessels, with its biggest ships, Iona and Arvia, each holding approximately 5,200 passengers. There's a wealth of information available on the official P&O Cruises website for anyone with a booking, including responses to commonly asked questions. As cruise holidays involve spending both on board and during shore excursions, understanding which currency to take and how to carry it is essential. On the P&O Cruises website, it recommends passengers bring a familiar travel essential on board to help them steer clear of being hit with charges. It says: "Although your P&O Cruises ship is a cashless environment, if you're sailing outside of the UK, you'll need to think about how you'll pay for things in the destinations you'll be visiting." It adds: "To avoid getting charged by your bank for using your card abroad, we recommend travelling with a pre-payment card that doesn't charge a fee for foreign transactions, and carrying some local currency with you, just in case card or digital payments aren't accepted." While aboard a P&O Cruises vessel, charges are added to your cruise card. "So, on sea days, you can just leave your cash and cards in your cabin's safe," the company advises, reports the Liverpool Echo . When using a standard UK debit card internationally, you may face charges of 2.75% to 2.99% of your transactions or cash withdrawals. However, many modern banks, including Starling, Monzo, and Chase, allow fee-free overseas spending, and some established banks may waive charges if you hold particular account types. Numerous providers offer cards specifically designed to help you sidestep foreign transaction fees. This enables you to preload funds and spend in local currencies just like a resident. However, you must carefully check their individual terms. There could be hidden expenses, including inactivity charges, ATM withdrawal restrictions, or topping-up fees. Various alternatives are available, one being the Post Office Travel Money Card, which doesn't incur transaction charges when spending overseas in up to 22 pre-loaded currencies. Another option is Asda's Travel Money Card, which similarly provides contactless spending worldwide with no purchase charges and complimentary international ATM withdrawals.