Wharf extension OPT

[GUT2407]

Just letting everyone know we made it safely aboard Sun Princess

on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, oh boy what a long day we had on

Tuesday, we were lucky and had friends living in Sydney but some of the

horror stories as to what some people had to pay for accommodation.

 

My F-I-L is on there she couldn't contact him last night so not sure what they did.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise.

[avalon007]

Hi Gbenjo,

 

I've booked a cruise for late March - at what stage are the OPT renovations supposed to be at by then, do you know?

 

Also, we are RCCCL diamond cruisers & are taking our first Celebrity cruise, do you know if Celebrity have priority check in like Royal? We joined their Captains Club so have reciprocal benefits to their Elite level.

 

Thanks! :)

[MicCanberra]

Hi Gbenjo,

 

I've booked a cruise for late March - at what stage are the OPT renovations supposed to be at by then, do you know?

 

Also, we are RCCCL diamond cruisers & are taking our first Celebrity cruise, do you know if Celebrity have priority check in like Royal? We joined their Captains Club so have reciprocal benefits to their Elite level.

 

Thanks! :)

 

Cannot answer the first, I suspect they should be almost finished. As for the second, the answer is Yes, reciprocal benefits on Celebrity, just make sure they know.:D

Edited November 27, 2014 by MicCanberra

[gbenjo]

The Only "Hock" will be a cheap German white wine :p

 

Which brings me to ask a question regarding the wharf.

 

Being somewhat older and crankier than perhaps I was a few years ago my GP now insists on me taking blood pressure medication , one of which contains the dreaded "water pill" ... so two related questions.

 

1 Are there plenty of "rest stops" along the long march to the checkin counter?

2. I need to rehydrate and for that I need coffee so is the a coffee shop operating in the checkin area?

 

I only hope the treck to the checkin is not as long as to gate 21 at Melbourne airport .. one needs a packed lunch and a Sherpa guide for that little stroll.

 

We have one member of our party who is ok for short distances but will flag a little over 500 yards... Graham is there some form of assistance for those who are not "disabled" but perhaps might need a little TLC on the "Long March" to the checkin desk???

 

Regards

John :rolleyes:

 

Well actually there are only two " rest rooms" in the whole area at the moment. One is outside in a portable building just opposite the entrance to the terminal and the other is upstairs at the back of the check in area and because it is at the rear of the customs area can only be accessed when accompanied by someone with the appropriate authorisation but that is not a problem, just ask any of the directional staff. Fortunately it is not too long a walk from the marquee to the terminal and you should make it without any "accidents":eek:

There is not ( and never was) a coffee shop at the OPT. The Cruise Bar at the front of the terminal did sell coffee but it too is closed until, I believe, January.

As far as wheelchair assistance goes there are crew from the ship stationed in the marquee and it is just a matter of asking for assistance and they will help out. It is probably a good idea and far easier for anybody to use the wheelchair assist if the think it may be a problem.

[gbenjo]

Hi :D

I've booked a cruise for late March - at what stage are the OPT renovations supposed to be at by then, do you know?

 

Also, we are RCCCL diamond cruisers & are taking our first Celebrity cruise, do you know if Celebrity have priority check in like Royal? We joined their Captains Club so have reciprocal benefits to their Elite level.

 

Thanks! :)

 

March will/should see the majority of work completed and looking at the progress at the moment it is looking promising and in fact the end of December is earmarked for the first stage handover and yes as MicCanberra has said just let the meet & greet people know ( it should show on your express pass) and they will put you in the appropriate line......and send you up to me for check in:D

[The_Big_M]

just let the meet & greet people know ( it should show on your express pass) and they will put you in the appropriate line......and send you up to me for check in:D

 

Plus they usually have massive banners at the line entry for the different status/grades.

[GUT2407]

Plus they usually have massive banners at the line entry for the different status/grades.

 

 

I bet they're special banners on 15th for peoples like Mic and me, you'll struggle to see the terminal, they'll be so big.

[gbenjo]

I bet they're special banners on 15th for peoples like Mic and me, you'll struggle to see the terminal, they'll be so big.

 

The signs may be big but people still do not read them:mad::mad:

[MicCanberra]

I will be boarding fairly late (after 2pm) on the 15th so the place will be practically empty and the signs may already be taken down.:p

[avalon007]

March will/should see the majority of work completed and looking at the progress at the moment it is looking promising and in fact the end of December is earmarked for the first stage handover and yes as MicCanberra has said just let the meet & greet people know ( it should show on your express pass) and they will put you in the appropriate line......and send you up to me for check in:D

 

 

Well it will be a privileged class indeed then if you are doing the check in! :D

 

I might suggest to the cruise lines we need a name change to Gbenjo level, Diamond & Elite are so yesterday!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The signs may be big but people still do not read them:mad::mad:

 

It does not matter how big a sign is if its put somewhere where it cant be seen.

If people line up or group in front of the signs they cant be seen by those following on . Signs should be above head level so everyone can see them.

[VK3DQ]

I will be boarding fairly late (after 2pm) on the 15th so the place will be practically empty and the signs may already be taken down.:p

 

Ahhh I see you are trying to sneak in after Graham has finished for the day :D

 

 

 

I'm sure Mr G will be aware to this attempted bypassing of the system and will refer you to the "Rubber Glove section" for special treatment

 

 

hheheheh

 

john

[MicCanberra]

Well it will be a privileged class indeed then if you are doing the check in! :D

 

I might suggest to the cruise lines we need a name change to Gbenjo level, Diamond & Elite are so yesterday!

 

Great call.:D

[MicCanberra]

Ahhh I see you are trying to sneak in after Graham has finished for the day :D

 

 

 

I'm sure Mr G will be aware to this attempted bypassing of the system and will refer you to the "Rubber Glove section" for special treatment

 

 

hheheheh

 

john

 

I think Graham said he would still be there til 3pm on the 15th, in any case, it is a lunch with family and friends (who are not cruising) to wish RosieCanberra happy birthday and also wish us Bon Voyage.:D

Edited November 27, 2014 by MicCanberra

[gbenjo]

It does not matter how big a sign is if its put somewhere where it cant be seen.

If people line up or group in front of the signs they cant be seen by those following on . Signs should be above head level so everyone can see them.

 

Sometimes it depends on where a persons head is (up;)) in relation to the rest of their body:D:D:D...... but I know what you mean....the "temporary" taxi signs inside the OPT have been put at eye level instead of higher and nobody sees them, even the person directing the people to the taxis stands in front of the sign and hides it from view:eek:

[gbenjo]

Well it will be a privileged class indeed then if you are doing the check in! :D

 

I might suggest to the cruise lines we need a name change to Gbenjo level, Diamond & Elite are so yesterday!

 

Are there "Royalties" involved? I could become a" Celebrity":D ......... but seriously .........what a fantastic idea:D....as long as I could refuse boarding to the people who don't meet the standards I expect.;)

[gbenjo]

I think Graham said he would still be there til 3pm on the 15th, in any case, it is a lunch with family and friends (who are not cruising) to wish RosieCanberra happy birthday and also wish us Bon Voyage.:D

Hey Mic.. Are you paying for lunch?....I would like to wish you Bon Voyage:D They wont miss me at check in for a couple of hours.

[MicCanberra]

Hey Mic.. Are you paying for lunch?....I would like to wish you Bon Voyage:D They wont miss me at check in for a couple of hours.

 

Join us for lunch, but will you be able to go back and check us in still?:D

[MicCanberra]

Are there "Royalties" involved? I could become a" Celebrity":D ......... but seriously .........what a fantastic idea:D....as long as I could refuse boarding to the people who don't meet the standards I expect.;)

 

They would be tough standards as well, I fear some of us may not make it.:eek:

[Tara Jane]

Gbengo - I am boarding century on Monday. Will you be on duty?

I would so love to put a face to this character who gives me at least a couple of laughs a day along with micCanberra.

[gbenjo]

Gbengo - I am boarding century on Monday. Will you be on duty?

I would so love to put a face to this character who gives me at least a couple of laughs a day along with micCanberra.

 

Yes I will. If it's a Royal or Celbebrity ship I will be there :

 

Hope you don't want the red carpet and bubbly treatment though ......because there ain,t any. ...but don't tell that other lot, let them dream on.:D:D

Edited November 29, 2014 by gbenjo

[Flipper133]

Info from my Roll Call is that on embarkation (at least on Solstice) is that they give you a ticket... odds or even.. that indicates whether you should get off on either deck 5 (for upper level) or deck 3 for lower level.

 

I am presuming that ticket allocation will be determined for passengers by their on going arrangements, as advised via a pre departure questionnaire.

 

Not sure if this is within the knowledge base of Gbenjo (Grahame) ... and if he can elaborate ... but useful to know for those seeking taxis etc.

 

cheers

[gbenjo]

Info from my Roll Call is that on embarkation (at least on Solstice) is that they give you a ticket... odds or even.. that indicates whether you should get off on either deck 5 (for upper level) or deck 3 for lower level.

 

I am presuming that ticket allocation will be determined for passengers by their on going arrangements, as advised via a pre departure questionnaire.

 

Not sure if this is within the knowledge base of Gbenjo (Grahame) ... and if he can elaborate ... but useful to know for those seeking taxis etc.

 

cheers

 

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.

[MicCanberra]

As long as I am not with the odd people.:eek:

[GUT2407]

Yes I will. If it's a Royal or Celbebrity ship I will be there :

 

Hope you don't want the red carpet and bubbly treatment though ......because there ain,t any. ...but don't tell that other lot, let them dream on.:D:D

 

 

No b_____y red carpet, might as well cancel the cruise now:eek: