NauticalMiss

Hi Humpy. Thanks, that's really helpful. On our next cruise, we have an embark time of 3:30pm, so I thought we'd drop off the bags early to make sure they arrive in our cabin in time for the evening 'dress-up'. We'll drive off somewhere for a nice lunch, then wander back, drop off the car and jump on board, by which time my case should be waiting for me :)

What is the earliest time that we can drop off luggage at Southampton - Mayflower Terminal to be precise?

TIA

We have barely had time to do anything more than use the facilities every time we have flown home from Barbados. Last time we were held up in the bus at the side of the road, in a convoy with other busses from the ship, whist they waited for busses in front of us to clear. By the time we got through security and passport checks they were already calling our flight. I like lounges, but at Barbados I wouldn't book it in advance (but I don't know if you can pay on arrival),

Yes, you can pay on arrival. But if they are particularly busy, they will cap numbers and those who are already booked will obviously be permitted to enter, but those who just arrive on the off-chance will be 'unlucky'.

If you buy a five quid item on Amazon and most other traders a confirming e mail is sent immediately.

 

P&O really need to get up to date.

 

David.

Hi David. P&O do send an email - it attaches an updated Booking Confirmation showing a nil balance. It's really very efficient.

I paid on line last week and although I didn't get an instant email confirming payment, I did get an updated booking confirmation the following day. This had been updated to show that I had now paid in full. I hope this helps. Rob

This is correct. When you pay online, you will receive an email with an updated Booking Confirmation, showing your outstanding balance as nil.

We always use the lounge at Barbados. The airport can get very busy; the lounge is like an oasis amidst the bedlam downstairs. In our view, it is money well spent as you can get dropped off very early at the airport, as much as 3 hours pre-flight.

Love the Glass House on Azura. It's the first place we head for once we've dropped our hand luggage in our cabin. It's also our regular hang-out during the cruise. We like the one on Britannia too, but not the one on Aurora.

It's really hard to tell what the weather will be like; we sailed the TA repositioning on Azura in 2013, and the weather was shocking for the first few days. Many passengers suffered sea-sickness, having injections whilst on board, etc. We couldn't go up on deck as the rains were so bad and the ship became quite crowded. But once past the Azores, the weather was more beautiful every day. So, potentially the weather could be rough for the first 3 days, but the payoff comes very soon as you head south. If the price is right for you, go for it!

I would put bottles only in hand luggage! I'd never put a bottle in checked-in luggage....

 

VP

Conversely, we always place ours in our checked-in bags (for flights too); couldn't possibly put it in hand luggage - too heavy to carry! ;)

NauticalMiss .. this is our favourite way of joining the cruise in Barbados, we like to stay in the Hilton which is adjacent to the port and you can see the ships come and go. Also being on the South Coast there is a lot going on and without doubt the best beaches in Barbados. There are many other hotels at a lower rate that I can recommend, the Coconut Court in particular .. right on the beach, fab but just a little bit further along the coast, say around 3 miles to the port. They also offer free pick up from the airport. Regarding embarkation, there is nothing worse than getting off an aircraft after a long flight, queuing to get on a bus for a up to an hours journey to the port, particularly on a Friday as the bus runs through the rush hour and there can be delays .. we had a place in Barbados so know that things can be sloooooow. On arrival at the port terminal another queue develops depending on how soon you managed to get on a bus as there is always a queue of them there waiting to discharge their pax and, especially if another aircraft had arrived a little before your own. By the time you eventually get to your suite or cabin, you are pooped. So, if you can arrive in Barbados a day or more before the cruise, arrange to arrive at the port around 1.00pm and you will find that there is lightly to be at least one receptionist available to book you in and at most, 2 or 3 other passengers booking in at the same time. Its a breeze, you are on the ship within 15 minutes usually. Later in the afternoon watch the folk queuing to join the ship and thinking, how good is this.

Hope this helps

Bal

Thanks Balaena. This is really helpful. The Hilton was top of our list, especially so now that you have confirmed we can see the port area :) Also delighted that reception will take care of luggage. We're hoping to arrive on the Thursday for Saturday boarding. Thanks for your help!

h

But I suppose I do have to think about emergency evacuation (we are only in our 40s but you never know!).

 

You're never too young for med evac. Aged 39, I was stretchered off the slopes having crashed into several skiers who had fallen before me and not managed to get up. My left leg ended up behind my body in a rather undignified manner. All med expenses covered, including flight home (albeit to a different airport) as my leg was in full plaster from ankle to hip. Insurance also paid for long cab ride home as our car was at original airport. IMO when you have an accident abroad, cheap insurance just doesn't cut it.

Best way is to take a scheduled flight the day or two before, stay in one of the super beach hotels, chill and arrive at the port around 1.00. No queues, check in and walk on board within 10 to 15 minutes. Certainly beats joining the huge queue of tired folk who tumble off the buses.

Enjoy

Bal

This is a timely post as hubby and I are thinking about arriving in Barbados a few days early for our week-long Caribbean cruise in December - via New York as it happens, but anyway. We were chatting last night about boarding times/procedures re: scanning luggage, etc. Can you offer any further advice?

Many years ago we were embarking a cruise in Brooklyn, and arrived in Manhattan from Boston the day before embarkation. The morning of the cruise we went up the Empire State Building and had a stroll through Central Park. Then early afternoon, we took a cab to Brooklyn Terminal. We treated it like a port day and didn't feel like we were waiting around at all....

For us, a balcony is always worth it. But it's down to personal choice; only you can decide what's right for you. Either way, I'm sure you'll have a great cruise.

Love Colin's videos; makes me chuckle.

Ten years ago, we thought we'd be 'clever' and sail the eastbound transatlantic on QM2 in July. We presumed that we would avoid the jetlag and the weather wouldn't get too bad as we approached the UK. We loved the crossing; QM2 was fab but losing an hour every day played havoc with energy levels. The crew found it soul-destroying especially as the ship had literally just done a west-bound TA crossing, so they were practically catatonic! IMHO the eastbound crossing is worse than the minor jetlag we experience from a flight. Also the change in weather after 3 days when we changed course to NE was disappointing, even in July. We'd never do an EB TA again.

Yes it's walkable; but why would you? Get a taxi.

We have just booked a cruise on Azura. If anyone has been on Azura recently can you tell us whether it is worth pre-booking Sindu or is it like on Ventura where Sindu does not seem to get too busy and they sometimes have a deal having a free bottle of wine if you book on board.

On Azura, Sindhu appears to be very popular. We have consistently failed to book whilst on board, so if it's important to you to dine there (special occasion, etc), then I would recommend booking beforehand.

Very well said.

 

We are auto tippers so just wondered what you meant, over on P&Os FB page they actually admitted the crew do know who's done what.

 

Out of interest who tips room service? We give £1.50 or €2 and they always seem shocked to get something, we do seem to get the same room service guy after the first order.. :)

We tip room service; am happy to do so.

Hi,is it correct that no grats are added to bar bills?Cheers,Brian.

You are correct Brian; this is one of the main reasons why we cruise with P&O :)

My vote's for Dom Hones.

Crikey, does your pharmacist get paid per jab? Been lucky enough to visit approx 18 Caribbean islands, and never needed any innoculations. I would check each island on your itinerary individually, but (odds on) you won't need any. Having said that, some people may be more vulnerable to disease than others, such as the elderly, or those with reduced immunity following cancer treatment, etc. Otherwise, 'Recommended' is not the same as 'Required'.

We didn't require a yellow fever jab when we travelled last January, so I guess this is new guidance.

You may want to consider putting your tux, etc inside your suitcase. I always pack my husband's suits and blazers, in between tissue paper or dry cleaning bags between the folds - they unpack a treat and no anxieties about the awkward suit carrier. I think other posters may have handy hints about packing suits inside cases, too.

Why do you get worked up, if it works for you fine, but you don't need to berate those of us who have differing views.

You're absolutely right - I don't have to berate people with views differing from my own, and that was remiss of me. Perhaps I am having a bad morning, but I find this thread really negative. I don't understand why people cannot adjust. On other threads, I have offered helpful suggestions to other posters who are annoyed with the new embark procedures, but I still don't understand why people moan, and do nothing to alleviate their own distress. I wasn't happy with my recent embark time, but I sat down and worked out a way that ensured I still had a great day. Maybe my glass is too full for me to be negative?? Who knows.