Wharf extension OPT

[GUT2407]

Many people with disabilities without luggage are able to walk a 100m or so on level ground.

 

And those in a wheelchair or using a walker or just with some disabilities can't.

 

Someone in a wheelchair might need someone to push them as an example and how do they then deal with luggage. Or if they have a power chair their partner is left to try and deal with both sets of luggage.

 

I hope by December it's no longer an issue for me, but some days walking from the bed to the ensuit is out of the question.

 

For such people close drop off and pick up can be essential.

[The_Big_M]

And those in a wheelchair or using a walker or just with some disabilities can't.

 

Someone in a wheelchair might need someone to push them as an example and how do they then deal with luggage. Or if they have a power chair their partner is left to try and deal with both sets of luggage.

 

I hope by December it's no longer an issue for me, but some days walking from the bed to the ensuit is out of the question.

 

For such people close drop off and pick up can be essential.

 

I didn't say nobody at all needed it.

 

However, hundreds if not thousands of general passengers do the short, level trip quite easily each week, with luggage.

 

Some of those are also with wheelchairs and walkers - although they would not normally have luggage!

[MicCanberra]

This is starting to concern me a little. I'm new to the process with a wheelchair instead of a walker. OPT is a bit of a shambles but to be expected with such a huge renovation in process. I was in Sydney this week and saw the tent. We don't board until 2.30pm so hope it won't be as hectic by that stage. Any insights welcome.

 

Arriving at that time will be much better than an earlier time, you would have missed the "must have lunch on board" crowd by then. There will also be people to help you as you are in a wheelchair.:D

Edited October 12, 2014 by MicCanberra

[Flipper133]

We are arriving on Solstice at OPT on 21st Dec.

 

I have booked a taxi...need a wagon for the four of us, but unsure where we will be picked up.

 

I am suspecting it will be down the street a bit where the shuttle buses are... anyone actually know?

 

My fall back is to pre book an Avis car (Office is at Marriot in Pitt st)... cost to simply drive to airport in a wagon is about $50 which is same as taxi.

 

Thoughts? suggestions?

 

cheers

[GUT2407]

This is starting to concern me a little. I'm new to the process with a wheelchair instead of a walker. OPT is a bit of a shambles but to be expected with such a huge renovation in process. I was in Sydney this week and saw the tent. We don't board until 2.30pm so hope it won't be as hectic by that stage. Any insights welcome.

 

 

G'day Tredebo

 

I've only cruised in a chair once and everything went really smoothly, in spite of everything in this thread I really doubt that it will be other than the same for you. Earlier cruises just with a walking stick they bent over backwards to make sure was OK.

 

These people really are pros at getting you on and off and take great care of those dong it tough.

 

When do you actually travel? as it is certain to improve I know that at one point they thought things would be almost back to normal by the end of the year, with working ongoing all the same.

[MicCanberra]

We are arriving on Solstice at OPT on 21st Dec.

 

I have booked a taxi...need a wagon for the four of us, but unsure where we will be picked up.

 

I am suspecting it will be down the street a bit where the shuttle buses are... anyone actually know?

 

My fall back is to pre book an Avis car (Office is at Marriot in Pitt st)... cost to simply drive to airport in a wagon is about $50 which is same as taxi.

 

Thoughts? suggestions?

 

cheers

 

It should be from the upper level where all the taxis go rather than the lower part with the shuttles but gbejo might have further info for you.:D

[Wyuna1]

I have had the pleasure of sailing from the OPT since 1984 and it is an incredible facility that has served SYDNEY for a long long time. It's location is second to none in Australia's as a departure point for the ever increasing cruising population. I think that to complain and not take into consideration the overall benefits that this rejunivation of the OPT will be in the long run is rather petty. Sure safety is always a consideration but with each cruise that arrives and departs we are closer to a facility that we can be proud of . What do Sydney Ports do cancel 80 + cruises of Ships that cannot clear the Bridge. It is really surprising to see the amount of negative comment and lack of foresight in relation to the CURRENT situation at OPT. Progress can be painfull to some , and patience will be rewarded...

[GUT2407]

I only have one complaint about OPT, and that is I love sailing under the bridge.

 

And yes some short term pain should be well worth it for the long term gain.

 

What does worry me is how long before we need to do something else,in the last 10 years alone we've gone from most ships from Sydney beng able to use Hickson Road to almost 100 trips a year that can't go under the bridge, as ships get bigger and bigger what happens?

[The_Big_M]

I have had the pleasure of sailing from the OPT since 1984 and it is an incredible facility that has served SYDNEY for a long long time. It's location is second to none in Australia's as a departure point for the ever increasing cruising population. I think that to complain and not take into consideration the overall benefits that this rejunivation of the OPT will be in the long run is rather petty. Sure safety is always a consideration but with each cruise that arrives and departs we are closer to a facility that we can be proud of . What do Sydney Ports do cancel 80 + cruises of Ships that cannot clear the Bridge. It is really surprising to see the amount of negative comment and lack of foresight in relation to the CURRENT situation at OPT. Progress can be painfull to some , and patience will be rewarded...

 

I agree, it is good for what is available.

 

I so wish we could have the Finger Wharf back, which would have been ideal. But the modernisation they have applied there to improve things has been beneficial as I believe these changes will be.

[MicCanberra]

I have had the pleasure of sailing from the OPT since 1984 and it is an incredible facility that has served SYDNEY for a long long time. It's location is second to none in Australia's as a departure point for the ever increasing cruising population. I think that to complain and not take into consideration the overall benefits that this rejunivation of the OPT will be in the long run is rather petty. Sure safety is always a consideration but with each cruise that arrives and departs we are closer to a facility that we can be proud of . What do Sydney Ports do cancel 80 + cruises of Ships that cannot clear the Bridge. It is really surprising to see the amount of negative comment and lack of foresight in relation to the CURRENT situation at OPT. Progress can be painfull to some , and patience will be rewarded...

 

It will be bigger and better once it has been finished.:D

[Tredebo]

Arriving at that time will be much better than an earlier time, you would have missed the "must have lunch on board" crowd by then. There will also be people to help you as you are in a wheelchair.:D

we're planning on lunch at the

Lord Nelson so that's all under control ;)

 

G'day Tredebo

...These people really are pros at getting you on and off and take great care of those dong it tough. When do you actually travel?...

we're on Century next week.

 

This is the first trip for Mother and the new wheelchair convertable; I'm the lackey :p. DH will drop us off at OPT and pick us up after the cruise. Your reassurances have put my mind at ease somewhat. Thank you both.

[MicCanberra]

we're planning on lunch at the

Lord Nelson so that's all under control ;)

 

we're on Century next week.

 

This is the first trip for Mother and the new wheelchair convertable; I'm the lackey :p. DH will drop us off at OPT and pick us up after the cruise. Your reassurances have put my mind at ease somewhat. Thank you both.

 

No worries, you will both have a wonderful time, enjoy.:D

[gaechann]

 

we're on Century next week.

 

This is the first trip for Mother and the new wheelchair convertable; I'm the lackey :p. DH will drop us off at OPT and pick us up after the cruise. Your reassurances have put my mind at ease somewhat. Thank you both.

 

When you arrive at the OPT you'll see the Baggage Tent for your luggage then there will be a big white tent besides it called Departures. There are helpful departure staff checking your paperwork & assisting everyone as they arrive and there will be crew to assist with wheelchairs, walkers etc.

 

They will take you from the Departure tent to the OPT which is currently under going extensive renovations. There are lifts there to take you upstairs to the check-in section where you show your departure tickets etc., photos are taken and you're issued with your onboard passes.

 

Then through customs if leaving Australia, then through the bag scanner sections before you will be onboard.

 

At the time you are checking in there should be little delay in getting everything processed.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

Gae

[gbenjo]

There seems to be some confusion and uncertainty about what is happening and what is available at the OPT at present so I will try to resolve some of these "problems" to the best of my knowledge. The difficult thing in that is the fact the circumstances at THE OPT are changing almost daily..... but at the moment.....These arrangements are for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity passengers only (that's who we work with) however I believe Carnival ie. Carnival, Princess & Holland America will have similar set ups.

 

Taxis ARE and WILL BE available as usual for debarking passengers from the upstairs level (the check in level) If passengers are collecting luggage from the lower level (ground level) luggage area and want a taxi they are being directed to other taxi ranks at Circular Quay or in The Rocks. If you are returning to the OPT and want to catch a taxi home I would suggest that when you nominate your debark time on the ship you tell them that you need to pick up your luggage from the Upper Level so that you can catch a taxi. If by some chance you come off on the lower level and cannot ( or do not want to:) ) walk to the other ranks you can only re enter the terminal if accompanied by one of the ground staff ( which is fine by us.... just ask)and we can escort your party upstairs to the taxi rank.

 

Private pick ups, shuttle buses etc are still permitted down on the street but the normal pick up area has been severely diminished and the waiting area can become " rather congested" and it may/will take a bit longer with less pick up bays available. However the Rhapsody debark yesterday was a lot smoother as we set up a pedestrian access next to the temporary tent for people to get through to go to Circular Quay. This was the first of our "normal" cruises and not the end of a repositioning cruise and I suspect there will be a lot less baggage in future. The ratios of the number of people wanting taxis/private pick ups/ public transport etc has always been variable from cruise to cruise and will be no different this season so the "problem area" could change on each turnaround....we do not know until the day, we have some idea but not for certain.

 

Embarking seems to be working OK and the check in lines have been no different to previous years. Any wheelchair passengers only need to drop bags off as normal and enter the white tent and they will be registered for wheelchair assistance and taken upstairs to be checked in. Only delay would be if we have say six wheelchairs and eight or nine passengers and the pushers have to get go through the entire check in process, customs and security get the passenger on board and then back down to the tent.

 

As I have said previously things are changing all the time and there may/will be other things happening, one of which I cannot mention at the moment, but will know more later in the week, and I will let you all be among the first to know.;)

 

Let me know if you have any other questions or doubts and I will try and help..................and remember......don't let a little bit of inconvenience spoil a great cruise:):)

Edited October 13, 2014 by gbenjo

[GUT2407]

There seems to be some confusion and uncertainty about what is happening and what is available at the OPT at present so I will try to resolve some of these "problems" to the best of my knowledge. The difficult thing in that is the fact the circumstances at THE OPT are changing almost daily..... but at the moment.....These arrangements are for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity passengers only (that's who we work with) however I believe Carnival ie. Carnival, Princess & Holland America will have similar set ups.

 

Taxis ARE and WILL BE available as usual for debarking passengers from the upstairs level (the check in level) If passengers are collecting luggage from the lower level (ground level) luggage area and want a taxi they are being directed to other taxi ranks at Circular Quay or in The Rocks. If you are returning to the OPT and want to catch a taxi home I would suggest that when you nominate your debark time on the ship you tell them that you need to pick up your luggage from the Upper Level so that you can catch a taxi. If by some chance you come off on the lower level and cannot ( or do not want to:) ) walk to the other ranks you can only re enter the terminal if accompanied by one of the ground staff ( which is fine by us.... just ask)and we can escort your party upstairs to the taxi rank.

 

Private pick ups, shuttle buses etc are still permitted down on the street but the normal pick up area has been severely diminished and the waiting area can become " rather congested" and it may/will take a bit longer with less pick up bays available. However the Rhapsody debark yesterday was a lot smoother as we set up a pedestrian access next to the temporary tent for people to get through to go to Circular Quay. This was the first of our "normal" cruises and not the end of a repositioning cruise and I suspect there will be a lot less baggage in future. The ratios of the number of people wanting taxis/private pick ups/ public transport etc has always been variable from cruise to cruise and will be no different this season so the "problem area" could change on each turnaround....we do not know until the day, we have some idea but not for certain.

 

Embarking seems to be working OK and the check in lines have been no different to previous years. Any wheelchair passengers only need to drop bags off as normal and enter the white tent and they will be registered for wheelchair assistance and taken upstairs to be checked in. Only delay would be if we have say six wheelchairs and eight or nine passengers and the pushers have to get go through the entire check in process, customs and security get the passenger on board and then back down to the tent.

 

As I have said previously things are changing all the time and there may/will be other things happening, one of which I cannot mention at the moment, but will know more later in the week, and I will let you all be among the first to know.;)

 

Let me know if you have any other questions or doubts and I will try and help..................and remember......don't let a little bit of inconvenience spoil a great cruise:):)

 

Thanks for that.

 

By the time I go in December it will probably be different yet again.

[gbenjo]

Thanks for that.

 

By the time I go in December it will probably be different yet again.

 

Guaranteed:D

[MicCanberra]

There seems to be some confusion and uncertainty about what is happening and what is available at the OPT at present so I will try to resolve some of these "problems" to the best of my knowledge. The difficult thing in that is the fact the circumstances at THE OPT are changing almost daily..... but at the moment.....These arrangements are for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity passengers only (that's who we work with) however I believe Carnival ie. Carnival, Princess & Holland America will have similar set ups.

 

Taxis ARE and WILL BE available as usual for debarking passengers from the upstairs level (the check in level) If passengers are collecting luggage from the lower level (ground level) luggage area and want a taxi they are being directed to other taxi ranks at Circular Quay or in The Rocks. If you are returning to the OPT and want to catch a taxi home I would suggest that when you nominate your debark time on the ship you tell them that you need to pick up your luggage from the Upper Level so that you can catch a taxi. If by some chance you come off on the lower level and cannot ( or do not want to:) ) walk to the other ranks you can only re enter the terminal if accompanied by one of the ground staff ( which is fine by us.... just ask)and we can escort your party upstairs to the taxi rank.

 

Private pick ups, shuttle buses etc are still permitted down on the street but the normal pick up area has been severely diminished and the waiting area can become " rather congested" and it may/will take a bit longer with less pick up bays available. However the Rhapsody debark yesterday was a lot smoother as we set up a pedestrian access next to the temporary tent for people to get through to go to Circular Quay. This was the first of our "normal" cruises and not the end of a repositioning cruise and I suspect there will be a lot less baggage in future. The ratios of the number of people wanting taxis/private pick ups/ public transport etc has always been variable from cruise to cruise and will be no different this season so the "problem area" could change on each turnaround....we do not know until the day, we have some idea but not for certain.

 

Embarking seems to be working OK and the check in lines have been no different to previous years. Any wheelchair passengers only need to drop bags off as normal and enter the white tent and they will be registered for wheelchair assistance and taken upstairs to be checked in. Only delay would be if we have say six wheelchairs and eight or nine passengers and the pushers have to get go through the entire check in process, customs and security get the passenger on board and then back down to the tent.

 

As I have said previously things are changing all the time and there may/will be other things happening, one of which I cannot mention at the moment, but will know more later in the week, and I will let you all be among the first to know.;)

 

Let me know if you have any other questions or doubts and I will try and help..................and remember......don't let a little bit of inconvenience spoil a great cruise:):)

 

Thanks Graham for spending time to clarify the situation at the moment. I look forward to your announcement.:D

[MicCanberra]

Thanks for that.

 

By the time I go in December it will probably be different yet again.

 

Guaranteed:D

 

By then, you can just let us know what has changed. It is great having someone in the know. Thanks again.:D

[kaseyoz]

Thanks for the update graham.

 

Good to confirm to peple to doublecheck which deck you get out off. Wish i had that information.

 

But as you so rightly said and which i also said in a post, even that could not take the shine off an amazing cruise.

 

Will be double checking in january for my next cruise.

 

:)

[gaechann]

 

As I have said previously things are changing all the time and there may/will be other things happening, one of which I cannot mention at the moment, but will know more later in the week, and I will let you all be among the first to know.;)

 

Let me know if you have any other questions or doubts and I will try and help..................and remember......don't let a little bit of inconvenience spoil a great cruise:):)

 

Thank you Graham for your informative imput! It's handy having a CC person working there who's prepared to keep us all up to date!

 

Keen to see what the change will be - guess I'll see for myself next Monday afternoon when we board Radiance. We will be late boarding as our flight doesn't arrive until 1.45 so by the time we arrive at check-in you'll probably be headed home!

 

All the best - Gae

[gbenjo]

Thanks for the update graham.

 

Good to confirm to peple to doublecheck which deck you get out off. Wish i had that information.

 

But as you so rightly said and which i also said in a post, even that could not take the shine off an amazing cruise.

 

Will be double checking in january for my next cruise.

 

:)

 

I did not know about it till you mentioned it and undoubtedly it will change again before January:eek: although by January there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. ( NO.... They are not building a tunnel:D:D)

[gbenjo]

Thank you Graham for your informative imput! It's handy having a CC person working there who's prepared to keep us all up to date!

 

Keen to see what the change will be - guess I'll see for myself next Monday afternoon when we board Radiance. We will be late boarding as our flight doesn't arrive until 1.45 so by the time we arrive at check-in you'll probably be headed home!

 

All the best - Gae

 

Umm.... no you won't ......"perhaps" when you return.:confused:

I will probably still be there, don't normally finish till four so so.

Edited October 13, 2014 by gbenjo

[Tredebo]

Thanks gaechann and gbenjo for your info. Much appreciated.

[goodycruising]

Graham - I didn't realise you were Royal And Celebrity. I didn't know who worked for who at the terminal, and thought maybe you were contracted to whoever was at the OPT. There you go! We have been pretty loyal to Royal so far, so we shall see you a few times before too long. :)

 

Can you tell us why the ships seem to be leaving earlier lately? We thought that previously about 6.30pm was our more common time to sail away but 5pm seems to be happening a bit? Or have we remembered that wrong - as we didn't think about it much until seeing some posts here lately. Maybe we have just forgotten. :)

[Hazydavo]

Thanks a lot Graham, much appreciated.

Not sure if this has been mentioned previously (apologies if it has) but are taxis getting in ok for drop-offs for passenger embarking?