frenchmartiniplease

Someone has just posted on another forum that their friends arrived at the port at 12:30 with a check in time of 3 pm. They told the lady at the top of the escalator that they were Caribbean and were given a grey boarding card with Letter P on it. The Grey Priority cards started at letter N. They were on board by 1:15 and the embarkation buffet lunch was held in Sindhu.

 

 

My own assumption from this is that Suites and Ligurian get Priority letter N, Baltic letter O and Caribbean letter P.

 

Sue

Yes Yes Yes

Just how many times do people have to told on here that Caribbean + can turn up and get priority check in before main check in starts! IF you turn up after main check in starts, Caribbean + get Fast Tracked. The only way you miss out on Priority is if the person in the cabin with you is below Caribbean.:(

I always wondered if P&O got their check in staff from the WI or similar, but that's probably a slur on the WI.;):rolleyes:

Certainly the Celebrity check in staff at City Terminal are much younger and far more efficient.

How is it suddenly the fault of the ladies at check in? It's not their choice as to how the check in process is set up. They just get the flack and have to keep smiling.:confused:

Last time I cruised on Britannia over Easter they did away with the Caribbean perk of 'Priority baggage to cabin' because they said they had a new system where everyone would get their luggage speedily so the perk was not needed. Well on that cruise we didn't get our bags to well after we set sail even though we were one of the first to board. Luckily we were not on first sitting.

 

This time they have done away with priority embarkation. We have got a 3pm time slot for our cruise on 31st October on Ventura, so as well as no priority embarkation we will have little chance of making the 'Welcome lounge' as this will be closed by 3:30pm. We enjoyed the chance to meet with fellow regulars at the start of the cruise and sip a glass or 2 of sparkling wine.

 

I am not happy, it took me a long while to reach Caribbean level. I get more/better perks on other lines. I won't let it ruin my cruise, but P&O will be the bottom of the list of cruise lines when we come to choose next years cruises.

If all of your party are Caribbean+ you can turn up earlier than the time on your ticket. Caribbean + get priority check in before main check in begins. If you turn up once main check in starts because of a delay in travelling, you get 'Fast Tracked'. You will still be able to enjoy the 'Welcome'.

Agree with you completely John.

I'm boarding Azura on 16/10/15 at Southampton.

 

I will arrive at Noon ( as usual for a Caribbean Tier + passenger)

For every hour I'm delayed embarkation ( allocated time 3.30 ) I will be deducting 10 % from my Automating Tipping.

This is the only thing P&O listen to. Money - the bottom line.

They can make up the shortfall to Staff.

Contracts with their staff force P&O to make up the difference.

If they don't want to reward loyalty why should I ?

If Royal Caribbean, Princess,& Celebrity can all board their much larger ships without allocated times at Southampton,what is it doing wrong ?

Why can they not achieve this without penalising loyal Caribbean Tier + passengers.l

In our experience of the new system, when Caribbean Tier + arrive, you will be given a priority check in card and will be called up before main checkin starts. Suites and Ligurian first, then Baltic and Caribbean. If you turn up after, you will be fast tracked. Others below Caribbean will get a card according to the time on their ticket. Yes, check in starts later so that cabins are available. I saw people wandering around with clipboards so I'm sure they are aware of things in the new system that need tweaking.

Yes the minor scan of the passport is done by staff in the lobby, they are standing up and a lady at the front door pointed us to a free one. The photo is already taken, the on-board account is already set up, no need to hand out sea passes as they are waiting outside the cabin with the wow bands on the bed. We literally didn't sit down from getting through the front door to being on the ship. Its that organised.

 

 

 

I would suggest the rumour is false.

 

I work in IT and all they are doing is getting the passenger to do the check in before boarding with a cross reference when you get to the port. Its not a big thing to check a picture on an iPad and scan a passport, 2 minutes tops.

 

Its just an evolution from printing your own boarding pass.

 

Its the future.

Sounds good. It makes you wonder why Carnival haven't gone for the same system.

I can assure you my cruise in June on the Anthem of the seas was check-in, security, waiting area and boarding. They use iPads to do the minimal check-in as we did most of it including the pictures and on-board account from home on the personliser. Its more a health questionnaire and picture check than a check-in.

 

It was a joy to get on :D

Ohhh! I seeee!! This must be the new computer system I've heard about. Rumour has it it cost a LOT of money to be able to provide that type of check-in.

Cool!!

I prefer Mayflower and Oceans system. Sit in comfort until called up for check-in, then security and then board. Apparently, QE11 (38) will be upgraded soon, thank goodness. My heart sinks at the sight of a 'snaky queue' set up' full of people going nowhere fast.

City cruise terminal has it the right way around, check-in, security, waiting area and boarding.

 

Erm, City Cruise Terminal (101) is in fact Security, Check-In, waiting area then boarding. Unless it's change around within the last few months:)

I was wondering how you got on. Thank you for coming back and letting us know.

Very pleased for you. Pheww!! Now you can start to relax.:)

Oh dear! Maybe they could swap you back and tell those in your original cabin they've been upgraded. Hope it gets sorted for you.

Small plates or Indian Tapas are also available at Sindu.

Sindu and Glasshouse are great for a lunch with nice glass of wine, or two.:D

What a beautiful ship! I'd love to get a chance to sail on her someday.

Speaking of P&O, we were docked next to the Ventura last month in St. Maarten and were greatly entertained by their 'farewell' when they left the dock...or should I say, bye, bye baby, baby bye bye....LOL! The passengers were all on the top deck waving British flags and singing the Four Seasons hit song. Hilarious! We were on the 14th deck of the Oasis of the Seas. (click on the photo)

Some find the 'Sailaways' a bit cringeworthy but we've joined in a few and they can be a great fun singalong. This one made me smile. Thanks for posting it.:D:D

Hi! Thank you for posting the link for the New Year celebrations in Amsterdam.

We will be booking for 2015/16. It looks like fun! :D:D

Thank you for letting me know about the fireworks.:D

Thank you for the replies. Have a lovely trip and I shall look forward to the review of the New Year cruise.

As it will be our 40th wedding anniversary 31st January 2016 I thought starting the month with a bang would be a good start to our celebrations.:)

Hi all! We were thinking of going on Queen Victoria for New Years 2015.

We've experienced New Years on Azura in Madeira, which was amazing, and wondered how they would compare.

Other than the different ship experience, would the New Year celebrations be a bit of a damp squib after seeing the glorious firework display put on in Madeira?:)

I enjoyed watching your trip in Venice. It bought back happy memories. We have visited from a cruise ship and have flown out for 3 night stay just behind St Marks Square.

Thank you for posting:)

I've been on 10 cruises spread over 4 different cruise lines. I've only ever worn a full length dress a couple of times. One occasion being for the New Year's Eve gala dinner on Azura.

I much prefer wearing a cocktail dress, to the knee or 3/4 length, with some fabulous shoes. One reason is that I get more use out of a cocktail dress at do's or dinner when not cruising. Another reason is it's easier to deal with the stairs when on board. As we are fairly fit we rarely use the lifts and hubby will charge off:(. It's not easy keeping up whilst clutching a dress and a bag and trying to look swish! I did once see a lady catch her heel in her long dress and fall on the stairs in the Atrium on Sea Princess. :eek:

All sorts of lovely dresses of all lengths are worn. Your dress and shoes sound gorgeous! Have fun:D

We have booked to go on Brittania for the first 2 weeks of the Caribbean season. 1) We chose it as it will be my husband's 60th while we are onboard. 2)The itinerary was a great mix of new islands to visit, some seen once and a couple of favourites and 3) We like the dining options eg Glasshouse etc.

We enjoy the wide variety of venues that a larger ship can offer, our preference being Planet Bar as opposed to Brodies as an example, though I pop in for a drink and a play in the casino. I'm not sure I fancy the mega ships though. I'd never ever find my way round!:D

To be frank, I'm just happy to have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday. Where ever we go, be it 5* to 2*, Bellagio, Las Vegas or Benidorm we ALWAYS have a lovely time. And we've been both many times. JMHO:)

Immigration laws to enter any country are in place for a reason and 'is what it is'.

As I said earlier, my son is part of the small percentage that had to answer 'Yes' to the arrest question, despite being a law abiding citizen.

We were upset when we discovered he couldn't get an ESTA. The whole business of getting proof of no criminal record, taking a day off work to go to London and the expense was a huge pain. But we were more furious with the police. A lot of stuff went on that day that shocked and distressed all of us. It could have all been avoided with a few questions and a phone call.

Anyhoo, there is a system in place. Lots of people need a USA visa for lots of different reasons. It's worth it. It's a great country to visit. Enjoy!

Cool!

Sure all will go well. It did for us and lots of others.

Have a great trip!!

I don't believe you will have a problem getting a Visa.

Take all the paperwork you have showing no criminal record and information re the malicious accusation that was disproved. I think they sent paperwork to be filled in, that's probably changed.

In my sons case, he had an interview, the paperwork was looked at, a few questions asked, they kept his passport and sent it by secure courier with the Visa fixed inside.

Get in touch with the Embassy.

I would do it the other way round:

Show up at the embassy with your papers and explain them the situation.

 

As far as I understand, ESTA is a pretty automated process - you won't have a chance to present your point of view and once ESTA is rejected - it'll get much more difficult to get that reversed.

I would agree with this. The ESTA question requires you to answer yes or no, not a, yes I have, but.

I rang the Embassy advice line at the time. It was an unequivocal answer. Apply for a Visa

My son had to apply for a visa to visit the USA about 5 years ago.

About 3 years previous to that he had been arrested for aggravated robbery. The offence had been committed on a motorbike. It had nothing to do with him. He happened to be in the area on his motorbike dropping off a friend , totally unaware. Someone took down his registration as he passed the scene. He was held for 12 hours.

They did get who did it. My son had to obtain proof of no criminal record and go for an interview at the American Embassy in London. He was given a 10 year visa. He has been back to the USA a number of times and not had an issue getting through immigration.

Thanks for taking the time to reply, guys.

I was asking for my son and daughter in law. I think they will agree that it's not worth the cost over 2 days.

I shall be sticking to martinis!:D