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Wharf extension OPT

BuzzBuzzen

By BuzzBuzzen,
in Australia & New Zealand Cruisers

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Flipper133

Flipper133

Posted
Posted
Hi Flipper133 Yes your info is basically correct and is the the same set up for pretty much all the ships. The only thing I am not sure of is what questions the ship(s) ask on their debark form to determine where your luggage will be placed in the terminal. As a rule the lower level (ground floor) baggage hall is where passengers with PREBOOKED CRUISE LINE TRANSPORT debark and the upper level (the level where you would check in) is for independent arrangement passengers and it is the same level (no lifts required) where the taxi rank is, south end of the building right hand side. All other passengers are directed down to the ground floor via the two lifts or escalators, ( one free hand to hold the escalator side please:)) for PRIVATELY booked shuttle bus transport etc

 

As I said before I am not sure exactly what questions the ship asks on their questionnaire but if you make it quite clear that you are an independent passenger wishing to debark as early as possible (first debark is around 7am) and wishing to catch a taxi from the terminal you will be debarked on the upper level. If by some chance (mix ups do happen) your luggage is in the lower baggage hall and you want to catch a taxi you can walk up to the main entrance and be escorted back upstairs to join the taxi line.

 

"Ordinarily" odd number baggage tags are on the lower level and even numbers upstairs but can be reversed, it makes no difference to passengers, but all odd numbers to one level even numbers to the other, it is just a number. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks heaps for that Grahame

 

Also glad you realised (but did not comment) that I meant dis-embarkation not embarkation.

 

Starting to think I should not bother about my pre booked cab...might be more hassles than I need. Possibility I suppose that Celebrity will put on a shuttle service to airport (but if they charge $15/ head its not worth it for 4 people).

 

I guess I should just concern myself with having a good cruise and worry about the dis-embarkation (:D)when the time comes

 

cheers

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted (edited)
Thanks heaps for that Grahame

 

Also glad you realised (but did not comment) that I meant dis-embarkation not embarkation.

 

Starting to think I should not bother about my pre booked cab...might be more hassles than I need. Possibility I suppose that Celebrity will put on a shuttle service to airport (but if they charge $15/ head its not worth it for 4 people).

 

I guess I should just concern myself with having a good cruise and worry about the dis-embarkation (:D)when the time comes

 

cheers

That's OK Flipper. I would only try and embarass a couple of people on this forum ... And we all know who they are:D:D:D

 

I think as long as you are off the ship early there will be no problem with getting a taxi. Sometimes later in the morning and depending on the cruise there can be a line up for taxis but not earlier in the morning and also being a weekend you will be OK. Enjoy your cruise, perhaps I will see you when you debark.

Edited by gbenjo
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GUT2407

GUT2407

Posted
Posted
That's OK Flipper. I would only try and embarass a couple of people on this forum ... And we all know who they are:D:D:D

 

I think as long as you are off the ship early there will be no problem with getting a taxi. Sometimes later in the morning and depending on the cruise there can be a line up for taxis but not earlier in the morning and also being a weekend you will be OK. Enjoy your cruise, perhaps I will see you when you debark.

 

 

So let us all in on the secret, who do you try to embarrass? :confused:

 

Or is it just you aren't real good at it.

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GUT2407

GUT2407

Posted
Posted
it's just that there are some people you cannot embarrass no matter how hard you try.:rolleyes:

 

Probably the same type who are too thick skinned (or maybe just to thick) to be insulted. :confused:

 

Can't understand that sort myself :cool:

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VK3DQ

VK3DQ

Posted
Posted
That's OK Flipper. I would only try and embarass a couple of people on this forum ... And we all know who they are:D:D:D

 

 

I don't believe for a moment you would not be other than polite and helpful to passengers when boarding / disembarking ...

 

On this forum however ..... (Huge Grin)

 

:p:p

 

from a rather warm Melbourne , quaffing a glass or two of Sav-Blanc

 

Regards

John

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

Posted
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Hi Gbenjo - now just because I've been too lazy to read through this thread, please don't embarrass me:)

 

Have you any idea when the OPT will be finished?

 

Cheers

Di

 

He will need to be a psychic to know that, it was scheduled to finish in March 2015.:D

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
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Hi Gbenjo - now just because I've been too lazy to read through this thread, please don't embarrass me:)

 

Have you any idea when the OPT will be finished?

 

Cheers

Di

 

The latest "suggested " completion time is maybe late February/early March which I think will be for all the "new construction" but there will also be more work done in the next off season for upgrading the existing check in level when it becomes a lounge area and also the customs section, and also the existing pick up/drop off area at the front of the terminal will be modified.

The new debark level started to have the concrete floor polished today and is really starting to look like it could be finished soon,hopefully by the end of December.

 

Unfortunately there are a few different completion dates being offered ,depending who you speak to,(MIcCanberra may be close to the mark but that is only because that is what I have told him:D:D ) but it does seem to be the most popular scenario. Fingers crossed.

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
G'day Mic

 

Hate to pick up on spelling mistakes but doesn't it end "iatric"?:D:eek::cool:

 

You are correct. It changes from psychic to psychiatric after checking in so many "precious" guests wanting special treatment , red carpet and champagne etc:mad: They are enough to drive one crazy.:D

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
Hi Grahame and all,

 

Just checking on the latest guesti-mate of how my plans will fit in with the OPT plans.

 

I'm on Rhapsody on 17th Dec - travelling with 90 yo Dad who is on a walker and cannot assist with luggage. We have been through OPT many times - as recently as 11th Oct (where I think they did a brilliant job working around the renos).

 

My plan is....I think...

 

Arrival. Drive in, in a private vehicle (as normal?), pull up in drop off bay - drop luggage, unload Dad and send him to sit in the shade at The Cruise Bar (is it still there?). I go and park the car. Come back, meet him, go to the 'wheel chair/special assistance' line and board.

SIMPLE! Is it still that simple??????????

 

Depart.

Hummm....maybe not so simple?

 

Normally I would clear customs, sit Dad on a seat with the luggage at the drop off pick up point at street level, go get the car then collect Dad in the private vehicle??

I see you mentioned that pick up is now on Hickson Rd.

BUT - if I show the disability pass will I be able to pick him up at the normal drop off spot.

 

Another option could be to get into a taxi - BUT I am parking the car at the Opera House parking (special cruise deal $20 a day) and I'm pretty sure the taxi driver would knife me for such a short trip. Then I could 'park' Dad on a seat with the luggage at the disability parking at the front of the Opera House, and run down and get the car. Would prefer not to do this as it means loading and unloading him one more time than is necessary, a cranky taxi trip, loading and unloading at the front of the Opera House and just more fusing around.

 

Any intel, ideas, comments etc?

 

Thanks Grahame for keeping us all so up to date with whats going on.

 

Looking forward to you checking me in...even if you don't roll out the red carpet and champers for me!

 

Raina

 

Raina Just to update you regarding your debark pick up for your Dad. You will be able to "park" him in the "drop off area" as normal and they will let you in to pick him up as you have in the past, just advise the traffic warden at the boom gate or even flash a disabled sticker if you have one and they will let you through, so no need to worry about Hickson road.

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

Posted
Posted
You are correct. It changes from psychic to psychiatric after checking in so many "precious" guests wanting special treatment , red carpet and champagne etc:mad: They are enough to drive one crazy.:D

 

It only takes 'one' to drive everyone crazy.:rolleyes:

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gbenjo

gbenjo

Posted
Posted
Some of 'em must be real pests, but at least you then have the good 'uns like me.:rolleyes:

 

I was always told that self praise was no recommendation:D:D

 

Note to self: Put GUT2407 at top of the "list":rolleyes:

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