Back on Board Times

[Devon Doll]

We have recently returned from Azura in the Caribbean and were disappointed to note the earlier BOBT.

 

Apart from St. Lucia, we had to be on board generally by 4 or 4:30pm which differs considerably from previous years when the norm was 5:30 for a 6pm departure on virtually every island.

 

Is this just applying to the Caribbean or is it throughout P&O?

[groovechick]

We have recently returned from Azura in the Caribbean and were disappointed to note the earlier BOBT.

 

Apart from St. Lucia, we had to be on board generally by 4 or 4:30pm which differs considerably from previous years when the norm was 5:30 for a 6pm departure on virtually every island.

 

Is this just applying to the Caribbean or is it throughout P&O?

 

That surprises me Devon Doll. On our Christmas Caribbean cruise our BOBT was usually 5.30, one night, in St Martin I think, it was 10.30. That hour makes a lot of difference, doesn't it?

[daiB]

On Ventura this year to the Caribbean they were all 5.30 or later.

 

 

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[Mr Blue Sky]

We have recently returned from Azura in the Caribbean and were disappointed to note the earlier BOBT.

 

Apart from St. Lucia, we had to be on board generally by 4 or 4:30pm which differs considerably from previous years when the norm was 5:30 for a 6pm departure on virtually every island.

 

Is this just applying to the Caribbean or is it throughout P&O?

 

Hi Devon Doll, :)

Just off Britannia we had a mix of 5 and 5.30 in St Maarten 10pm ish booked for next year and late sailing from St Lucia think this to due to the new schedule of new passengers boarding here along with Barbados and late evening again St Maarten we quite like these later sailing times, after a day on the beach or sightseeing it's takes the pressure of if we feel like a walk later in the day

 

Sue

[Devon Doll]

Hi Sue, guess we just had the exception.

Regards Ba.

[Bacardi..]

I don't think it is just the carribean, they seem to be getting youback onboard earlier everywhere. If I was cynical I might think they want to Payless port charges and take more onboard sales

[daiB]

I don't think it is just the carribean, they seem to be getting youback onboard earlier everywhere. If I was cynical I might think they want to Payless port charges and take more onboard sales

 

 

I have had the opposite experience. On a number of occasions we have stayed longer than we thought. A certain Capt. Camby. Was very keen to have longer stays.

 

 

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[Bacardi..]

I like captain camby, very entertaining. However I have been back on board early afternoon then followed by a sea day. Nothing wrong with that however when you are doing 7-8 knots it does make me wonder why we could not of left a bit later

 

 

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Edited March 8, 2016 by Bacardi..

[petina73]

I seem to recall a previous poster stated lower speeds save fuel. Sounds reasonable & P&O and the Captain obviously determine port schedule and timings. Seems like a matter of stay later pay more

[annieuk]

Just returned from the Caribbean on Adonia. Most of our back on board times were 5 or 5.30pm. On a couple of occasions it was even later. I think we did have one at 4.30 but most were later.

[jeanlyon]

It's one of the reasons we have been with Fred a couple of times. I do like the overnight in ports. mind you our cruise on Adonia, we were overnight in Seville (right in town), Bordeaux and somewhere else that escapes me. It was marvellous.

[shallwe]

On the Caribbean last December I seen to recall most times were around 5.00 - 5.30pm(ish).

I did notice however that a few of our fellow Carnival ships along side arrived later and left earlier than us on many occasions. So I'm as happy as I can be, although I would have preferred longer in each port.

[kruzseeka]

On the Caribbean last December I seen to recall most times were around 5.00 - 5.30pm(ish).

I did notice however that a few of our fellow Carnival ships along side arrived later and left earlier than us on many occasions. So I'm as happy as I can be, although I would have preferred longer in each port.

 

There are obvious benefits to the cruise lines to limit the time in port:

Lower berthing fees

More efficient fuel consumption with lower speeds travelling between ports

Pax on board for longer - to spend more?

 

We'd noticed too how often the American ships leave early - very early (those huge casinos come to mind here!) and had been told it was common practice. Pleased we tend to fare a lot better but I would be disappointed if it was a trend with P&O.

[bee-ess]

The OP was stating that the BOBT was early on Azura, most of the replies stating later time are for other ships, so is this problem limited to Azura in the Caribbean ?

Has anyone got any other experiences of Azura doing this on other Caribbean dates ?

We are thinking of a P&O Caribbean next season and this has a bearing on decision over which ship.

[kruzseeka]

Not sure about how widespread it is or which, if any itineraries are currently affected, but definitely a couple of seasons ago our friends were on a Med cruise and were notified ahead of departure that some port times had been changed ie shortened - some significantly such that doing independent excursions became problematic. There was quite an outcry at the time and the original timings were reinstated so well done passenger power!

 

If they have short port stays and passengers book based on those advertised times, then that's fine. If there are circumstances which make an earlier departure necessary (to outrun an approaching storm for example) then that is not only acceptable but good sense. However, curtailing berthing times for other reasons which are not explained after people have booked are something else - and that I feel is rather fishy and unfair on passengers imo!

[daiB]

Not sure about how widespread it is or which, if any itineraries are currently affected, but definitely a couple of seasons ago our friends were on a Med cruise and were notified ahead of departure that some port times had been changed ie shortened - some significantly such that doing independent excursions became problematic. There was quite an outcry at the time and the original timings were reinstated so well done passenger power!

 

 

 

If they have short port stays and passengers book based on those advertised times, then that's fine. If there are circumstances which make an earlier departure necessary (to outrun an approaching storm for example) then that is not only acceptable but good sense. However, curtailing berthing times for other reasons which are not explained after people have booked are something else - and that I feel is rather fishy and unfair on passengers imo!

 

 

This is all speculation, there is no evidence at all of any ships, of any line, leaving early to avoid paying port fees.

 

 

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[kruzseeka]

This is all speculation, there is no evidence at all of any ships, of any line, leaving early to avoid paying port fees.

 

 

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I didn't say there was evidence otherwise - but there are obvious financial benefits to a cruise line leaving early since berthing fees do reflect the length of time ships are berthed. If there is plenty of time for ships to get to the next port, why would cruise lines change their berthing times between brochure release and departure? There has to be some rationale - or so I would think.

[daiB]

I didn't say there was evidence otherwise - but there are obvious financial benefits to a cruise line leaving early since berthing fees do reflect the length of time ships are berthed. If there is plenty of time for ships to get to the next port, why would cruise lines change their berthing times between brochure release and departure? There has to be some rationale - or so I would think.

 

 

P&O do not give berthing times. The time spent in a berth means you are not using fuel to move the ship. So a trade off. If ports wanted the ships longer the fees may not be as high or even waived. We do not know but it is not as simplistic as you make out.

 

 

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[kruzseeka]

P&O do not give berthing times. The time spent in a berth means you are not using fuel to move the ship. So a trade off. If ports wanted the ships longer the fees may not be as high or even waived. We do not know but it is not as simplistic as you make out.

 

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You are quite right - I don't know all the ins and outs but I bet the accountants have all the algorithms to hand to work it out. Berthing time v fuel consumption (given a lower fuel consumption for travelling at slower speeds of course) will be easy for them to calculate. There are berthing fees available to read in many port authority sites - it's not difficult to see even for us that the longer in port the more it costs.

 

And surely it's the cruise line on behalf of their passengers who decide the length of call - what's in it for the port authority to waive fees? Cruise lines either pay them or not (or cut short their stay) and their passengers will decide whether or not they're happy with it - provided they are given the information up front!

 

No, P&O do not give precise berthing times (another mute point) but when the brochure says 'late afternoon' which changes just before departure to 'early afternoon' you have to question why. Was the original schedule erroneously calculated (not a good reflection) or is there another reason? Whatever the reason, it was reversed on our friends' cruise so clearly not a critical reason behind the change. Perhaps you have an explanation.

[jeanlyon]

Well it's a bit like us booking a cruise on Fred because it was going to Gothenburg overnight. We have friends there and were really looking forward to it. The cruise was called Scandinavian Cities. They then cancelled G'burg saying the ship was not able to use the berth. The cruise is now called Northern Cities as we are going to Hamburg. Very disappointed.

[kruzseeka]

Well it's a bit like us booking a cruise on Fred because it was going to Gothenburg overnight. We have friends there and were really looking forward to it. The cruise was called Scandinavian Cities. They then cancelled G'burg saying the ship was not able to use the berth. The cruise is now called Northern Cities as we are going to Hamburg. Very disappointed.

 

You must be very disappointed. And it would be interesting to know why Fred couldn't use the berth - someone paying more? Fred not prepared to pay the price? I just think in fairness to their passengers cruise lines should have such things as berthing and port times buttoned up and confirmed before they publish brochures (surely you would think that would be a prerequisite) and moreover sell the cruises as passengers can feel really let down by changes especially if, as in your case, a particular port was an important factor in you booking. It could lead to you having second thoughts about booking F.O. in future - although I guess you have no guarantees the same wouldn't happen with other cruise lines either.

 

I just think unless there is a really good reason for such changes (and no doubt there will be some circumstances that we would both understand and accept as reasonable), passengers are coming second to whatever is prompting the cruise line to make the change. Without transparency regarding the motivation behind such changes I still feel it's weighted against passengers. You are being sold something which sometimes they don't deliver for reasons which are not clear.

[Scriv]

I can see why you are very disappointed about this switch, Jean especially as you were meeting friends as well there. :(

 

Someone told me recently that there were some really good short breaks via BA to Gothenburg if it's any good to you for another holiday later in the year?

[daiB]

You are quite right - I don't know all the ins and outs but I bet the accountants have all the algorithms to hand to work it out. Berthing time v fuel consumption (given a lower fuel consumption for travelling at slower speeds of course) will be easy for them to calculate. There are berthing fees available to read in many port authority sites - it's not difficult to see even for us that the longer in port the more it costs.

 

 

 

And surely it's the cruise line on behalf of their passengers who decide the length of call - what's in it for the port authority to waive fees? Cruise lines either pay them or not (or cut short their stay) and their passengers will decide whether or not they're happy with it - provided they are given the information up front!

 

 

 

No, P&O do not give precise berthing times (another mute point) but when the brochure says 'late afternoon' which changes just before departure to 'early afternoon' you have to question why. Was the original schedule erroneously calculated (not a good reflection) or is there another reason? Whatever the reason, it was reversed on our friends' cruise so clearly not a critical reason behind the change. Perhaps you have an explanation.

 

 

No idea but I do know the only changes we have had on our last half dozen cruises have been stays which have been extended not shortened.

On our last cruise we had a stay in Funchal extended by two hours to 17.00 we have not experienced any shortening.

 

 

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[Tom Baker]

Well it's a bit like us booking a cruise on Fred because it was going to Gothenburg overnight. We have friends there and were really looking forward to it. The cruise was called Scandinavian Cities. They then cancelled G'burg saying the ship was not able to use the berth. The cruise is now called Northern Cities as we are going to Hamburg. Very disappointed.

 

I've been on 4 cruises with three different cruise lines that were booked to dock in Gothenburg and I have yet to visit the place :(

 

The container ships don't seem to have the same problem, wonder if they have flat bottoms :confused: :D

[Vampire Parrot]

This is all speculation, there is no evidence at all of any ships, of any line, leaving early to avoid paying port fees.

 

OK, so it's not port fees - but on one cruise where we left Stavanger at 2pm, the Chief Engineer told me that the leaving time had been brought forward by two hours from previous cruises purely due to the high price of fuel.

 

VP

Edited March 9, 2016 by Vampire Parrot