Big Foot Posted September 24, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hello, Whilst I have sailed quite a few times, I will be travelling on my 1st Cunard cruise on board QV at the end of October, sailing from Southampton. I'm assuming that as I have received luggage labels I will be able to check my luggage in when I arrive at the docks as opposed to carrying it on board myself, however, I would be grateful if anyone who has done a short cruise is able to confirm this? Also, if anyone has any tips / 'must-dos' I'd be grateful to receive any advice / recommendations. Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepperrn Posted September 24, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) Hello, Whilst I have sailed quite a few times, I will be travelling on my 1st Cunard cruise on board QV at the end of October, sailing from Southampton. I'm assuming that as I have received luggage labels I will be able to check my luggage in when I arrive at the docks as opposed to carrying it on board myself, however, I would be grateful if anyone who has done a short cruise is able to confirm this? Also, if anyone has any tips / 'must-dos' I'd be grateful to receive any advice / recommendations. Many thanks.Hi Big Foot, I am assuming you are departing from the Ocean Terminal (although the procedure is similar, but not identical, at the QEII Terminal, not sure about the other two). Your cases will be taken from you by porters as you step from your taxi as seen in the centre of this photo: You then proceed indoors: Up the escalator: To the seating areas: If you're a Britannia Grade passenger you'll be given a coloured card with letter, They'll then call this card "Red C" etc for you to go forward to the check-in desks, security, and then board: I'd aim to arrive at the terminal either: Between 11.00 and 11.30, you'll have to wait but on a recent four night cruise they started boarding non-priority passengers at noon (priority passengers boarded at 11.45). Typically a 12 noon-12.30 start is normal. The earlier you arrive, the closer to the front of the queue you will be. Then drop your carry-on bag in your cabin and head for your first lunch onboard. On a short cruise I do this so to maximise my time on board, and not pay for lunch on shore ;) . Or: Aim to arrive later in the afternoon, not so close to the desks closing you may miss sailing, but after the rush has died down. Maybe an hour before they close the desks. You'll miss lunch on board, time for a quick explore, and may have to go almost straight to lifeboat drill, but you will almost certainly have no sitting around in the terminal. There is no use in anything in between! Your cases will appear outside your cabin during the afternoon. (At the QEII Terminal you "check in" prior to getting your number and being shown the seating area). Hope this helps :) , have a great time, Bon Voyage! Edited September 24, 2014 by pepperrn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Foot Posted September 24, 2014 Author #3 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hello Pepper, Thank you for your comprehensive reply; it's greatly appreciated. I'm never one for leaving things late, plus we've been allocated a 1pm check in time so I'll certainly (traffic permitting as there are 4 ships in the day we sail) to arrive at the docks sooner rather than later.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepperrn Posted September 24, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Hello Pepper, Thank you for your comprehensive reply; it's greatly appreciated. I'm never one for leaving things late, plus we've been allocated a 1pm check in time so I'll certainly (traffic permitting as there are 4 ships in the day we sail) to arrive at the docks sooner rather than later.:)Hi Big Foot, As there are four ships departing that day, I'm now concerned that I've really only talked about the Ocean Terminal (and the QEII Terminal briefly). I've not yet departed from either the City or Mayflower Terminals, they may do things differently (I have only once arrived back at the Mayflower and remember almost nothing of the layout of the building. I've no experience of the City Terminal). Have a great time on board :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinta Posted September 24, 2014 #5 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Peppern always has the best answers. Seeing those photos got me excited about going on QV in December. We're embarking at Ocean Terminal :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray66 Posted September 24, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 24, 2014 The QV is leaving the QE2 terminal on 25th October according to Southampton cruise ship schedule. http://www.southamptonvts.co.uk/Live_Information/Shipping_Movements_and_Cruise_Ship_Schedule/Cruise_Ship_Schedule/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reilly1 Posted September 24, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I am on the same cruise as a surprise for my husband's 60th birthday! We have done more than 20 cruises, short and long, and we always check our bags with the porters. Looking forward to it. First time with Cunard so it is a good taster. Normally cruise Celebrity. Colleen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zider Posted September 24, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 24, 2014 (edited) No need to carry your luggage aboard yourself the porters will take care of that, I also believe that you will be boarding at the Q.E.11 Terminal here is a link that gives details of the terminal. http://cruisesouthampton.com/berths/qeii Edited September 24, 2014 by zider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariposa777 Posted September 24, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 24, 2014 The trick will be holding back your carry-on bag … I had to chase a guy across the pavement to get mine back .. they were grabbing up the bags while I was trying to pay the driver (the tickets were in it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zider Posted September 24, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 24, 2014 I am on the same cruise as a surprise for my husband's 60th birthday! We have done more than 20 cruises, short and long, and we always check our bags with the porters. Looking forward to it. First time with Cunard so it is a good taster. Normally cruise Celebrity. Colleen You are a Grills passenger & that gives you priority boarding. When you enter the building after dropping of your luggage keep to the LEFT & go to the end Grills book in is there. If you join the main queue its a pain & is not necessary for grill passengers to join this queue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reilly1 Posted September 24, 2014 #11 Share Posted September 24, 2014 You are a Grills passenger & that gives you priority boarding. When you enter the building after dropping of your luggage keep to the LEFT & go to the end Grills book in is there. If you join the main queue its a pain & is not necessary for grill passengers to join this queue. Great! First Cunard experience so appreciate any information. We are Elite with Celebrity so just love priority boarding! Colleen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zider Posted September 24, 2014 #12 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Great! First Cunard experience so appreciate any information. We are Elite with Celebrity so just love priority boarding! Colleen Cunard do not show you to your cabin so have a good look at the deck plans to work out your route to your cabin, You should be boarding amidships & I find that its best to use the amidships lifts to get to the grills restaurant on deck 11 the Port side left hand lift & the starboard side right hand lift go to deck 11 the other lifts do not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Foot Posted September 24, 2014 Author #13 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Thank you everyone for your comments / advice. Counting down the days :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reilly1 Posted September 24, 2014 #14 Share Posted September 24, 2014 Cunard do not show you to your cabin so have a good look at the deck plans to work out your route to your cabin, You should be boarding amidships & I find that its best to use the amidships lifts to get to the grills restaurant on deck 11 the Port side left hand lift & the starboard side right hand lift go to deck 11 the other lifts do not We are in 5001 - easy to find - any further forward and we will be swimming! Are the Grills Restaurants open for lunch on boarding day? Would be great as the buffet is always packed on the first day. Colleen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zider Posted September 24, 2014 #15 Share Posted September 24, 2014 We are in 5001 - easy to find - any further forward and we will be swimming! Are the Grills Restaurants open for lunch on boarding day? Would be great as the buffet is always packed on the first day. Colleen The Grills Restaurant is!! open for lunch the easiest way to get from 5001 is by using the forward lift to deck 10 & walk down outside on the starboard side to the centre area on the right you will see a big button for disabled passengers push it the door will open go through turn left a small flight of steps & you are in the grills lounge for the restaurants, If the weather is bad use the amidships lift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now