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P&O Select Price vs Early Saver: 2026 UK guide

By Cruise Advisor Editorial Team · Updated 2026-10-19 · 11 min read

Couple comparing P&O Select Price vs Early Saver fares on a laptop before booking a cruise

Choosing between P&O’s Select Price and Early Saver isn’t only about the lowest headline fare. This 2026 UK guide explains what each fare includes, the trade-offs that matter, how to compare the real value on your sailing, and who should pick which option.

P&O Select Price vs Early Saver is one of the most common booking dilemmas UK cruisers face in 2026. The names sound similar, both fares include the core elements of a P&O holiday, and Early Saver often shows a lower headline figure. But there are meaningful trade‑offs around cabin choice, dining priority, upgrade priority and, on longer cruises, the extras you can choose at Select Price. This guide uses P&O’s own fare page and current booking terms to help you decide which is better for your specific sailing, and how to avoid treating a cheaper sticker price as automatically better value. If you’re planning your wider budget, you may also find our money‑saving hub helpful: How to save money on a cruise.

What both Select Price and Early Saver include

According to P&O Cruises’ Our Prices Explained page, both Select Price and Early Saver include the core elements of a P&O holiday: your accommodation, dining in the main restaurants, buffet and pool‑side venues, entertainment, swimming pools, and—on fly‑cruise holidays—flights and transfers. That means your basic holiday is covered whichever fare name you choose. Where they differ is in availability, cabin choice, priority for dining and upgrades, included extras on longer cruises, and booking flexibility. Always verify the current inclusions on P&O’s official page before you book, as fare wording may be updated by the line.

<table><thead><tr><th>Feature</th><th>Select Price</th><th>Early Saver</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Availability</td><td>Available on all cruises (per P&O fare page)</td><td>Only on selected cruises/times and selected cabin types</td></tr><tr><td>Cabin choice</td><td>Yes — you can choose your cabin number</td><td>P&O allocates the cabin number</td></tr><tr><td>Dining in main restaurants</td><td>First priority for dining time and table size</td><td>Second priority for dining time and table size</td></tr><tr><td>Upgrade priority</td><td>First priority for cabin upgrades (if offered)</td><td>Second priority for cabin upgrades (if offered)</td></tr><tr><td>Extras on 7+ night cruises</td><td>Choose one: onboard spending money, Southampton car parking, or return coach transfer (options and amounts vary by cruise, cabin, duration)</td><td>Not listed as a benefit on Early Saver</td></tr><tr><td>Deposit</td><td>15% deposit (per fare page)</td><td>15% deposit (per fare page)</td></tr><tr><td>Flexibility/changes</td><td>Flexibility to change up to the balance due date (see Terms & Conditions for details and any admin charges)</td><td>States flexibility to upgrade to Select Price; other changes per P&O’s discretion and T&Cs and may attract admin fees</td></tr><tr><td>Balance due date</td><td>Per P&O Booking Terms for your booking date and departure</td><td>Per P&O Booking Terms for your booking date and departure</td></tr><tr><td>Core holiday components</td><td>Included (as listed by P&O)</td><td>Included (as listed by P&O)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Availability and timing: why Early Saver isn’t always on show

P&O’s fare page says Select Price is available on all cruises, while Early Saver appears only on selected cruises at selected times and selected cabin types. That has two practical implications in 2026:
- If you’re planning far ahead, you may see only Select Price initially. Early Saver may appear later, but it is never guaranteed for any given sailing.
- Even when Early Saver does appear, the cabin types it applies to are limited, and P&O will allocate your cabin number.
If you’re holding out for Early Saver, be comfortable with the risk that your preferred date, itinerary or cabin category could sell out at that fare type. If location matters to you, Select Price removes the wait‑and‑see and lets you choose a specific cabin number now.

Cabin choice vs allocated cabin: how much does it matter?

Select Price allows you to choose your cabin number. Early Saver does not—you select a cabin type and P&O allocates the number. If you care about a very quiet spot, avoiding particular elevators, proximity to kids’ clubs, or a midships location, that ability to pick a number can be decisive. If you’re relaxed about location within the cabin type you booked, Early Saver can work well. For a broader look at this trade‑off beyond P&O, see our guide: Guarantee cabin vs choose your cabin on a cruise.

Dining time and table size: what “first priority” actually changes

On Select Price, P&O says you have first priority for dining time and table size in the main dining rooms. On Early Saver, you have second priority. That means Select Price guests are placed ahead in the queue for popular preferences, but no fare can guarantee a specific time or table if the ship is busy. If your group needs a larger table or strongly prefers a specific sitting pattern, Select Price helps your request rise nearer the top. For context on how P&O’s dining styles differ without implying a fare guarantee, see P&O Club Dining vs Freedom Dining and our broader explainer Fixed vs flexible cruise dining.

Upgrade priority: worth factoring in, but don’t bank on it

P&O’s fare page places Select Price at first priority for upgrades and Early Saver at second priority. Whether any complimentary or paid upgrade opportunities arise on your sailing is never assured, and many factors outside your control affect it. View upgrade priority as a nice‑to‑have rather than a reason to book a higher fare if you wouldn’t otherwise use the other Select benefits.

Parking, coach or onboard spending money (7+ nights): when Select Price pulls ahead

For cruises of seven nights or more, P&O states Select Price gives you a choice of onboard spending money, Southampton car parking, or a return coach transfer. The amounts and eligibility vary by cruise duration and cabin, and the onboard spending figures shown are based on two people sharing. Early Saver does not list these choices as benefits. If you are driving to Southampton, compare the Select Price parking option with independent providers—our guide to options and costs is here: Cheapest cruise parking in Southampton (2026). If you prefer onboard spending money, remember published amounts vary, and you should value only what you will realistically spend on board. Always verify the options and amounts shown for your live booking before paying your deposit.

  1. Price both fares live for your exact date and cabin type. Don’t assume a fixed gap.
  2. List the Select Price benefits you would actually use (e.g., specific cabin number, first dining/table priority, parking/coach/OBC on 7+ nights, flexibility to change up to balance due date).
  3. If cabin location matters, search the deck plan for your shortlist—quiet spots, midships stability, or proximity needs—then ask whether losing this control is acceptable.
  4. If dining timing or table size is important for your party, weigh up the first‑priority advantage from Select Price, understanding it isn’t a guarantee.
  5. If you’re driving to Southampton on a 7+ night cruise, compare the Select Price parking option with independent quotes and the value of coach travel alternatives.
  6. Check the booking terms for the balance due date applicable to your booking and any admin fees for changes. If your plans may shift, the stated Select Price flexibility before balance due could be decisive; if you’re fixed on dates and happy with an allocated cabin, Early Saver may represent better value.

    Changes, balance due date and admin fees: what the 2026 terms say

    P&O’s booking terms and the fare page interact here, so read your fare conditions carefully before booking. The fare page states Select Price has flexibility to change up to the balance due date. The booking terms then define that balance date by booking and departure timing. For bookings made on or after 10 March 2026, the terms currently state the balance is due 90 days before departure for departures up to and including 30 November 2026, and 120 days for departures on or after 1 December 2026. Always confirm the balance schedule that appears on your invoice, as terms can change and different rules may apply to bookings made before or after certain dates. The booking terms also say that post‑booking changes are at P&O’s discretion and may attract a £20 administration charge. They specify that Early Saver and Saver transfers to another person incur a £20 administration charge, while Select Price does not; and that Early Saver guests are not entitled to transfer to another Package under the relevant clause. None of this makes Early Saver “bad”—it just means you should align the fare with how settled your plans are. Review P&O’s current fare page and booking terms immediately before you commit.

    Who should choose which? Traveller‑type recommendations

    These are editorial recommendations based on P&O’s published fare differences. Always compare your live quotes and verify benefits for your booking.
    - Families or groups wanting a specific table size or adjacent cabins: More likely Select Price, for first dining/table priority and the ability to choose cabin numbers on the same corridor or near a lift that suits you.
    - Couples who want a quiet or midships cabin: Select Price if location matters; Early Saver if you’re relaxed about allocation within the type.
    - Solo travellers on a firm schedule: Early Saver may suit if the live price saving is meaningful and you’re unconcerned about exact location; Select Price if you want a particular cabin or dining preference.
    - Drivers to Southampton on 7+ night cruises: Lean Select Price to consider the parking or coach option, but compare against independent prices.
    - Flyers on a packaged fly‑cruise: Both fares include flights and transfers on eligible packages; choose based on cabin/dining priorities and change flexibility.
    - Shoppers valuing onboard spending money: On 7+ nights, Select Price may let you choose onboard spending money instead of parking/coach (amounts vary; value only what you’ll use).
    - Planners who might change pre‑balance due: Select Price, for the stated change flexibility.
    - Bargain hunters with firm plans and flexible cabin locations: Early Saver—provided the live gap versus Select Price is substantial enough for you.

    <table><thead><tr><th>Traveller priority</th><th>Better fit</th><th>Why</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Exact cabin number or location is crucial</td><td>Select Price</td><td>Lets you choose a specific cabin number</td></tr><tr><td>Dining time/table size matters a lot</td><td>Select Price</td><td>First priority for dining requests (not guaranteed)</td></tr><tr><td>Parking/coach or onboard spending money on 7+ nights</td><td>Select Price</td><td>Choose one of these benefits (options/amounts vary)</td></tr><tr><td>Firm plans; cabin location is flexible</td><td>Early Saver</td><td>Allocated cabin with lower price on some sailings</td></tr><tr><td>Hoping for higher upgrade priority</td><td>Select Price</td><td>First priority for upgrades if offered</td></tr><tr><td>Lowest possible price is the main goal</td><td>Early Saver</td><td>When available and meaningfully cheaper live</td></tr><tr><td>Want pre‑balance date change flexibility</td><td>Select Price</td><td>Fare page states flexibility to change up to balance due</td></tr></tbody></table>

    Money‑saving myths to avoid

    A few common misconceptions can nudge travellers into the wrong fare for their needs:
    - “Early Saver is always available if I wait.” Not true; P&O says it’s only on selected cruises/times and cabin types.
    - “Select Price guarantees my dining request.” No; it offers first priority, not certainty.
    - “Early Saver gets the same 7+ night extras.” The fare page lists the choice of onboard spending money, Southampton car parking or return coach transfer for Select Price; it does not list them under Early Saver.
    - “Saver and Early Saver have the same rules.” No; Saver is a different, more restrictive fare. Don’t attribute Saver rules (like full balance immediately) to Early Saver.
    - “There’s a fixed cash gap between the fares.” P&O does not publish one; compare your live quotes.

    • Screenshot or note the fare name (Select Price or Early Saver) and inclusions shown for your exact sailing.
    • Check the balance due date and any admin charges for changes in P&O’s Booking Terms that apply to your booking date and departure.
    • If your cruise is 7+ nights and you’re considering Select Price, confirm which benefit options (onboard spending money, parking, coach) apply to your cabin and duration and how they’re described on screen.
    • If cabin location is important, use deck plans to shortlist cabin numbers before you pay.
    • If you’re driving, compare the Select Price parking option with independent providers using our guide: [Cheapest cruise parking in Southampton (2026)].
    • If dining time matters, add a note to your booking with your preference and understand it’s subject to availability even with priority.
    • Keep copies of the fare page and T&Cs you relied on at the time of booking in case wordings update later.

      Direct with P&O or a travel agent? Keep the fare code front and centre

      Whether you book direct with P&O or via a travel agent, insist on seeing the fare name and conditions for your chosen quote. Agents can often help you compare sailings and cabin types, but the underlying fare rules come from P&O. If two quotes are similar, confirm they are the same fare type (Select Price vs Early Saver) and that Select Price benefits on 7+ nights are identical in both. For a deeper look at booking routes, see Book direct or via a travel agent (UK, 2026)?.

      Deposits and cancellation planning without guesswork

      P&O’s fare page lists a 15% deposit for both Select Price and Early Saver. Cancellation fees and the precise flexibility you have before balance due are set out in P&O’s Booking Terms and can vary with when you book and when you sail. Read the cancellation section of the current terms before you commit, and don’t assume Early Saver shares the same restrictions as Saver (which is a different fare). For wider context on how deposit types affect flexibility across cruise lines, see our explainer Refundable vs non‑refundable cruise deposits (UK, 2026).

      Package protection applies to eligible bookings—whichever fare you choose

      P&O states that UK packages fall under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, and that it has insolvency protection to refund payments and, where transport is included, ensure repatriation if it becomes insolvent. P&O also says non‑fly cruises sold in the UK are protected by ABTA and fly‑cruises by ATOL (with an ATOL Certificate for protected fly arrangements). These protections relate to the structure of your booking, not to whether you chose Select Price or Early Saver. Always check your booking confirmation for the protections applicable to your package and keep your documents safe.

      Example scenarios to stress‑test your choice

      These scenarios are editorial illustrations to help you weigh the trade‑offs; always verify live prices and benefits for your own booking.
      - You want two balcony cabins opposite each other midships: Select Price is usually the safer pick because you can choose specific cabin numbers and have first dining/table priority if you’re trying to coordinate meal times.
      - You’re a couple who don’t mind where you land within the cabin type and you have firm dates: If Early Saver is offered on your sailing and shows a meaningful saving live, the allocated cabin model could be fine for you.
      - You’re driving to Southampton for a 14‑night sailing: Price Select Price with its parking or coach option and compare to independent parking costs. If the live gap between fares is smaller than what you’d otherwise pay for parking, Select Price could be stronger value.
      - You may need to shift dates if work changes: Factor in the stated Select Price flexibility to change up to the balance due date and any admin fees under the booking terms. If that flexibility is important to you, Select Price can be worth a higher quote.

      Fly‑cruise considerations

      P&O’s fare page says that on fly‑cruise holidays, flights and transfers are part of the core holiday components for both Select Price and Early Saver. That means you can focus your fare decision on cabin choice, dining/upgrade priority and flexibility rather than worrying that one fare omits the air element. As always, verify the package components shown on your live quote, and check your ATOL Certificate if your booking includes protected flights.

      Adjacent but different: Select Price vs Saver

      Saver is a separate fare with its own restrictions and is not the same as Early Saver. If you’re also weighing Saver, read our focused cabin‑choice comparison here: P&O Select Price vs Saver: cabin choice (2026). This article concentrates on Early Saver because it sits between Select Price and Saver in flexibility and is often the real‑world alternative when you’re trying to save without giving up too much control.

      Final verdict and a quick action checklist

      There isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all winner in the P&O Select Price vs Early Saver debate in 2026. Select Price buys you control—exact cabin number, first dining/table and upgrade priority, plus a choice of onboard spending money, car parking or a return coach transfer on cruises of seven nights or more, and the ability (per fare page) to change up to the balance due date under the booking terms. Early Saver trades away that control for a lower headline fare on some sailings, with an allocated cabin and lower priority for dining and upgrades. Your best move is to compare your live price gap and ask: will I use the added Select benefits, and what are they worth to me on this itinerary?
      Quick action checklist:
      - Run live quotes for both fares and save screenshots with inclusions.
      - Shortlist cabin numbers if location matters.
      - Confirm 7+ night Select benefits (OBC/parking/coach) and compare alternatives.
      - Check your balance due date and relevant T&Cs for changes.
      - Book promptly once you’ve decided—availability can move quickly.
      For broader budgeting ideas before you press “book”, see [How to save money on a cruise].

      Sources and verification (checked October 2026)

      Always verify the fare conditions attached to your own booking and the current P&O pages before you pay a deposit.
      - P&O Cruises — Our prices explained: https://www.pocruises.com/our-prices-explained
      - P&O Cruises — Booking Terms and Conditions: https://www.pocruises.com/legal-and-privacy/booking-terms-and-conditions
      - P&O Cruises — For your peace of mind (package protection): https://www.pocruises.com/essential-information/for-your-peace-of-mind
      - UK legislation — Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/634/body
      - Iglu Cruise — P&O Cruises fares explained (secondary explainer; P&O’s pages control): https://help.iglucruise.com/hc/en-gb/articles/6627675886236-P-O-Cruises-fares-explained

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Do Select Price and Early Saver include different cabins?

      They can apply to the same cabin types, but Select Price lets you choose an exact cabin number while Early Saver is allocated by P&O. Availability for Early Saver is limited to selected cruises/times and selected cabin types. If location is important, Select Price is the safer pick.

      Does Early Saver include flights and transfers on a fly‑cruise?

      Yes—P&O’s fare page lists flights and transfers as part of the core components on fly‑cruise holidays for all fare types. Always confirm the package components displayed for your live quote before booking.

      Can I choose my dining time on Early Saver?

      You can state a preference, but Early Saver has second priority for dining time and table size. Select Price has first priority. Priority improves your chances but does not guarantee your request.

      When is the balance due for P&O bookings in 2026?

      For bookings made on or after 10 March 2026, P&O’s terms state the balance is due 90 days before departure for departures up to and including 30 November 2026, and 120 days for departures on or after 1 December 2026. Check the current Booking Terms and your invoice for the exact date that applies to you.

      Can I upgrade from Early Saver to Select Price later?

      P&O’s fare page states Early Saver has flexibility to upgrade to Select Price. This is subject to availability and the live price at the time you change. Review the Booking Terms for any administration charges and confirm the benefits you’ll receive on the new fare before agreeing.

      Is onboard spending money included with Early Saver on 7+ nights?

      The choice of onboard spending money, Southampton car parking or a return coach transfer on cruises of seven nights or more is listed as a Select Price benefit. It is not listed as an Early Saver benefit. Always check what appears on your booking screen for your chosen fare before you pay.

      Are the onboard spending money amounts fixed?

      No. P&O says onboard spending money amounts vary by cruise duration and cabin, and the figures shown are based on two people sharing. Value only what you’ll use, and verify the amount for your sailing and cabin before booking.

      Does Early Saver affect ABTA/ATOL or package protection?

      No. Package protection (ABTA for non‑fly cruises sold in the UK, ATOL for eligible fly‑cruises) and the Package Travel Regulations relate to your booking structure, not whether you chose Select Price or Early Saver. Check your confirmation and, for fly packages, your ATOL Certificate.

      Can I transfer an Early Saver booking to another person?

      P&O’s current Booking Terms state Early Saver and Saver transfers to another person incur a £20 administration charge, while Select Price does not. The terms also state Early Saver guests are not entitled to transfer to another Package under the relevant clause. Read the latest terms before you book.

      Does upgrade priority mean I will be upgraded?

      No. Select Price has first priority and Early Saver has second priority, but upgrades are never guaranteed and depend on availability and operational factors. Treat any upgrade as a bonus, not an expectation.

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