P&O Cruise Claims

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Speak to our team about your P&O cruise claim in 3 simple steps

Injured or became ill during a P&O cruise?

A P&O cruise brings together accommodation, restaurants, buffet facilities, entertainment venues, swimming pools, outdoor decks and organised activities within one holiday. If unsafe conditions, poor hygiene or another avoidable failing caused injury or illness, passengers may have grounds to pursue compensation.

P&O cruise claims may involve:

Whether you were injured or became ill while on board, during embarkation or disembarkation, or while taking part in an organised shore activity, our specialist solicitors can review what happened and explain whether compensation may be pursued.

Common types of P&O cruise claims

P&O cruise claims can involve both accidents and illnesses occurring throughout your holiday.

Accident claims

These may include:

  • Slips, trips and falls
  • Cabin and balcony accidents
  • Swimming pool, spa or gym injuries
  • Burns and restaurant accidents
  • Gangway and boarding accidents
  • Shore excursion injuries

Illness claims

Illness claims may include:

Becoming injured or ill during a cruise does not automatically mean that compensation will be awarded. Each claim depends on how the incident occurred, the available evidence and whether a legally responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to protect passengers.

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Accidents on board a P&O cruise

A cruise ship contains passenger cabins, restaurants, theatres, swimming pools, spas, gyms, bars and outdoor decks. Passengers should be able to use these areas without being exposed to avoidable hazards.

P&O cruise accident claims may involve:

  • Slips caused by wet or contaminated flooring
  • Trips caused by damaged flooring or objects left in walkways
  • Falls on staircases with defective or missing handrails
  • Accidents involving poorly maintained cabin furniture or fittings
  • Injuries caused by falling objects
  • Swimming pool or poolside accidents
  • Burns caused by hot food or drinks
  • Defective gym equipment
  • Spa treatment injuries
  • Lift or accessibility-related accidents
  • Injuries caused by unsafe balcony doors, furniture or barriers

Cruise ships naturally move at sea, and not every fall or injury will indicate negligence. However, where poor maintenance, inadequate warnings or another avoidable safety failure contributed to the accident, compensation may potentially be pursued.

Food poisoning, norovirus and illness on a P&O cruise

Cruise ships bring large numbers of passengers and crew together in restaurants, accommodation and shared facilities. Gastrointestinal illness can therefore spread quickly, particularly where appropriate cleaning, isolation, food-safety or infection-control procedures are not followed.

P&O cruise illness claims may involve:

  • Contaminated or improperly prepared food
  • Poor buffet hygiene
  • Cross-contamination
  • Inadequate food storage
  • Food served at unsafe temperatures
  • Norovirus or gastrointestinal outbreaks
  • Inadequate cleaning of communal areas
  • Delays in responding to reported illness
  • Inadequate measures to limit the spread of a reported outbreak
  • Incorrect or missing allergen information

The fact that illness occurred during a cruise does not by itself establish responsibility. Our specialist solicitors can review the symptoms, timing, medical evidence, reports of other affected passengers and the hygiene measures taken on board.

We also handle wider cruise ship illness claims involving gastric infections, contaminated food and outbreaks affecting multiple passengers.

Boarding, shore excursion and gangway accidents

Not every P&O cruise claim happens while passengers are on board the ship.

Accidents can also occur while boarding, leaving the vessel or taking part in organised activities connected with the cruise.

Claims may involve:

  • Gangway slips or trips
  • Falls while embarking or disembarking
  • Tender boat accidents
  • Passenger assistance failures
  • Wheelchair assistance accidents
  • Shuttle transfer accidents
  • Organised shore excursion injuries
  • Falls on harbour steps
  • Accidents caused by defective boarding equipment

The legal position may depend on whether the excursion, transfer or activity was booked through P&O Cruises or arranged independently. Responsibility could potentially rest with the cruise operator, an excursion provider, a transport company or another organisation involved in delivering the activity.

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What evidence may support a P&O cruise claim?

Evidence can help establish how the accident or illness occurred, who may have been responsible and how your holiday was affected.

Helpful evidence may include:

  • Photographs or videos of the accident location or hazard
  • Photographs of visible injuries
  • Medical records and on-board medical-centre documents
  • Incident reports
  • Witness contact details
  • Cruise booking confirmations and itineraries
  • Shore excursion or transfer documentation
  • Correspondence with P&O Cruises
  • Receipts and evidence of financial losses

For illness claims, it may also help to keep:

  • Details of food and drink consumed before symptoms began
  • A record of when symptoms started
  • Laboratory or medical test results
  • Details of other passengers who became ill
  • Notices or correspondence concerning an outbreak
  • Evidence of any isolation instructions or missed activities

Report an accident or illness as soon as reasonably possible and request a copy or reference number for any report made. You do not need to have gathered every piece of evidence before contacting us.

Who could be responsible for a P&O cruise accident or illness?

A claim could potentially involve:

  • P&O Cruises
  • Excursion providers
  • Passenger assistance providers
  • Catering contractors
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Another negligent organisation

The organisation responsible for your booking may not necessarily be the organisation legally responsible for every facility, excursion or service used during the cruise. Responsibility depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident or illness.

How much compensation could be claimed following a P&O cruise accident or illness?

The amount of compensation that may be awarded depends on the seriousness of the injury or illness and the effect it had on your holiday, employment and everyday life.

Factors that may affect compensation include:

  • The nature and severity of the injury or illness
  • How long the initial symptoms lasted
  • Whether hospital or on-board medical treatment was required
  • Any continuing symptoms, complications or permanent effects
  • Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
  • Lost earnings or time away from work
  • Medical and treatment expenses
  • Care and assistance requirements
  • Additional travel or accommodation costs
  • Missed excursions, activities or parts of the cruise
  • The wider impact on your holiday

Compensation may include an award for the physical and psychological effects of the incident together with reasonable financial losses arising from it.

Every claim is assessed individually based on the available evidence and applicable legal rules.

We handle eligible P&O cruise claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is no upfront cost to discuss your case with our team.

Why choose Holiday Claims Bureau for your P&O cruise claim?

Cruise claims can involve complex legal issues because responsibility may depend on where the accident or illness occurred, who organised the activity and which international rules apply.

Holiday Claims Bureau can assist with:

  • Cruise accident claims
  • Cruise illness claims
  • Food poisoning claims
  • Norovirus claims
  • Slip and trip claims
  • Swimming pool accidents
  • Cabin accidents
  • Gangway accidents
  • Shore excursion injuries
  • Evidence gathering
  • No Win No Fee representation

We understand how upsetting it can be when an accident or illness affects a holiday that may have been planned and paid for months in advance. Our role is to establish what happened, identify the potentially responsible organisation and pursue compensation for the harm and financial losses caused.

Our specialist solicitors can review the circumstances of your holiday and explain whether compensation may potentially be pursued.

P&O Cruise Claims News & Success Stories

Read recent P&O cruise claims news, compensation success stories and real-world cases involving accidents, food poisoning, norovirus outbreaks, slip and trip injuries, shore excursion incidents and other cruise-related claims.

Cruise Ship Norovirus Cases Rise: How to Seek Compensation for Holiday Illness
An image of a cruise ship with a message to contact the Holiday Claims Bureau if you have fallen ill on a cruise ship
Embarking on a cruise ship adventure is a dream holiday for many UK travellers, offering picturesque views, luxurious accommodations, and…
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Slips at Sea: Holiday Claims Bureau wins £3,500 for Injuries Sustained on Cruise
An image of a deck on a cruise ship
Holiday Claims Bureau is proud to share that we’ve recently secured £3,500 compensation for a client who sustained injuries during…
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Salmonella Strikes at Sea: Holiday Claims Bureau wins £3,000 for affected traveller
An image of a cruise ship with a call to action for viewers to contact the Holiday Claims Bureau if they have contracted salmonella on a cruise ship
In the world of leisurely cruise ship holidays, travellers often look forward to pristine views, gourmet dining, and a carefree…
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Speak to our team about your P&O cruise claim in 3 simple steps

Frequently Asked Questions

P&O cruise claims can involve accidents, food poisoning, norovirus outbreaks and other illnesses suffered during your holiday. Below are answers to some of the questions passengers commonly ask after something goes wrong during a P&O cruise holiday.
Can I claim compensation after an accident on a P&O cruise?

Potentially, yes. If you suffered an injury because of an avoidable accident during a P&O cruise, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. Whether you slipped on deck, were injured in your cabin or suffered another type of accident, our specialist solicitors can review the circumstances and explain whether you may have grounds to bring a claim.

Can I claim for food poisoning on a P&O cruise?

Potentially, yes. Food poisoning claims may arise where contaminated food, poor food handling, inadequate storage or other hygiene failures caused passengers to become ill. If you experienced symptoms after eating on board, our specialist solicitors can assess whether compensation may potentially be pursued.

Can I claim if I slipped on deck or on a staircase?

Potentially, yes. Slip and trip accidents may occur where wet surfaces, poor maintenance, damaged flooring or other avoidable hazards were present. Our specialist solicitors can review what happened and explain whether compensation may potentially be pursued.

Can I claim if I was injured while boarding or leaving the ship?

Potentially, yes. Claims may arise where passengers are injured while embarking or disembarking because of unsafe gangways, defective boarding equipment, passenger assistance failures or other avoidable hazards. Each claim will depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

What evidence could support a P&O cruise claim?

Helpful evidence may include photographs, medical records, incident reports, witness details, booking confirmations, correspondence with P&O Cruises, receipts for expenses and evidence of financial losses. Reporting the incident as soon as possible and keeping copies of any documentation may also help support your claim.

Is there a time limit for making a P&O cruise claim?

Time limits for cruise ship claims can differ from many other personal injury claims. Depending on the circumstances, different legal rules may apply, including those relating to international sea travel. Because time limits can vary, it is advisable to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the accident or illness.

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

Potentially, yes. Booking through a travel agent does not necessarily prevent a claim. The appropriate legal route will depend on who provided the cruise, whether the booking formed part of a package and which organisation may have been responsible for the accident or illness.

Do you handle P&O cruise claims on a No Win No Fee basis?

Yes. We handle eligible P&O cruise claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is no upfront cost to discuss your case with our specialist solicitors, and you will not pay legal fees if the claim is unsuccessful, subject to the terms of the agreement.

Can I claim if I became ill during a P&O cruise?

Potentially, yes. If your illness was caused by poor hygiene standards, contaminated food, incorrect allergen information or another avoidable failing, you may be able to pursue compensation. Each claim depends on how the illness occurred and the available evidence.

Can I claim if I developed norovirus symptoms during or after a P&O cruise?

Potentially, yes. Norovirus and similar gastrointestinal illnesses can spread quickly where passengers and crew share accommodation, restaurants and communal facilities. A claim may be possible where evidence indicates that inadequate hygiene, cleaning, isolation or outbreak-control measures contributed to passengers becoming ill.

Experiencing symptoms during or after a cruise does not automatically establish where the infection originated. Our specialist solicitors can review the timing of your symptoms, medical evidence and whether other passengers were affected.

Can I claim if I was injured during a shore excursion?

Potentially, yes. Claims relating to shore excursions will depend on how the excursion was booked and who was responsible for organising or operating it. Different considerations may apply where an activity was arranged independently rather than through P&O Cruises. Our specialist solicitors can review the booking arrangements and explain which legal route may apply.

Who could be responsible for a P&O cruise accident or illness?

Responsibility depends on how and where the incident occurred.

A claim could potentially involve:

  • P&O Cruises
  • Shore excursion providers
  • Passenger assistance providers
  • Catering contractors
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Another organisation whose negligence contributed to the accident or illness

Our specialist solicitors can review the available evidence and help identify who may potentially be responsible.

Does the Athens Convention apply to P&O cruise claims?

The Athens Convention and related UK rules may apply to some claims involving death or personal injury during carriage by sea. The applicable legal framework can depend on the voyage, booking arrangements, where the incident occurred and the nature of the claim.

The Convention can affect issues including carrier liability, compensation limits and the time available to bring proceedings. Our specialist solicitors can review your booking and explain which rules may apply.

Can I claim if I received treatment from the medical centre on board?

Potentially, yes. Receiving treatment on board does not prevent you from pursuing compensation where an avoidable accident or illness caused the need for medical care. Keep any medical records, prescriptions, invoices and details of the treatment provided, as these may help demonstrate the nature and seriousness of your condition.

How much compensation could I claim following a P&O cruise accident or illness?

The amount of compensation depends on the seriousness of your injury or illness and how it affected your holiday and everyday life. Compensation may take account of pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost earnings, treatment costs, travel expenses and other financial losses arising from the incident. Every claim is assessed individually.

How it works
After filling in our simple online form the rest is easy...
step 1
One of our advisors will be in touch to take any extra information needed
step 2
We will assess your claims legitimacy and once approved we will begin the claim
step 3
Once an agreement has been made a cash sum will be awarded to you

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 632313. Holiday Claims Bureau is a trading name of JPS Walker Solicitors Limited, which is a limited company registered in England and Wales at Pure Offices Ltd, Brooks Drive, Cheadle Royal Business Park, Cheadle, SK8 3TD under Company Number 10213017.