Embarkation Times - Recent Experiences?

[wowzz]

I don't think arriving an hour early is trying to jump the queue at all.

 

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

[Mrs Tinkywinky]

<p></p><br><p>One of the issues before they staggered boarding times was the awful crowded buffet at embarkation . Far too many people in the buffet at any one time, not moving until the announcement that cabins were ready even if they had long finished eating, a rugby scrum for food and then trying to find somewhere to eat it whilst falling over hand luggage etc.  We hated it, so we now never bother with going to the buffet on embarkation. We make sure we have had sufficient to eat before we board. After all we arent going to starve. We try and take as little hand luggage as possible, which we dump in our cabin and then start to explore the ship. Maybe with a glass of something.....<img src="http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/images/clear.png?emoji-cool-1690" class="inlineimg" smilieid="6" border="0"></p>

As someone who has yet to sample the delights of embarkation times , I am at a loss to understand this need to rush to get something to eat at the buffet. As Mysticalmother says , we aren't going to starve and if I know I am not going to arrive until 2 or 3 pm then I make provision on the way to the ship. Is it that some people think they have paid for it , so by hell or high water, make sure that they are going to get it ?

[Teddy123]

I don't think arriving an hour early is trying to jump the queue at all.

 

Sent from my SM-T700 using Forums mobile app

As long as you accept that as a consequence you have to wait an hour (inside), it isn't. If you think you should then board before your allocated time, it obviously is.

[stephen@stoneyard.co.uk]

Has anybody who turned up at (or after) their allocated time had to wait to check in? Has anybody who turned up before their allocated time had to wait beyond their allocated time to check in? Waiting defined as sitting in the lounge (for say more than 5 minutes) or held outside the building.

 

If not then the system is working as P&O intends.

 

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[terrierjohn]

As long as you accept that as a consequence you have to wait an hour (inside), it isn't. If you think you should then board before your allocated time, it obviously is.

P&O state that they will board you early if possible, if you arrive before your allocated time.

So if you have an issue with this take it up with them.

[Goosebear Mum]

Has anybody who turned up at (or after) their allocated time had to wait to check in? Has anybody who turned up before their allocated time had to wait beyond their allocated time to check in? Waiting defined as sitting in the lounge (for say more than 5 minutes) or held outside the building.

 

If not then the system is working as P&O intends.

 

Best wishes, Stephen

 

 

 

Yes and Yes, so No, not working as intended

 

I've never got on at or before my embarkation time. Be lovely to be able to get my bearings or 'have a glass' as someone above put it. Both my experiences have been getting on and immediately rushing to muster, then getting ready for dinner (if our cases have arrived). The issue for those of us with 3pm/3:30pm slots is that coaches take priority, so we're pushed to the very end and we've got on far later than our slots. Shambles and I'm afraid I hate it. But we can't fly, so stuck with p&o. We do enjoy the rest of the cruise, but not the manic start.

[Florry]

As someone who has yet to sample the delights of embarkation times , I am at a loss to understand this need to rush to get something to eat at the buffet. As Mysticalmother says , we aren't going to starve and if I know I am not going to arrive until 2 or 3 pm then I make provision on the way to the ship. Is it that some people think they have paid for it , so by hell or high water, make sure that they are going to get it ?

 

 

It's not necessarily about the buffet. People are keen to board and get their dining options and spa booked, explore the ship and unpack before muster - after that is all done the holiday can start. It's not so important on a long cruise but it becomes more important to people on short cruises. If you are only on for two nights getting onboard early becomes more of a priority to people.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[stephen@stoneyard.co.uk]

Thank you. That is not good. I would not be happy if I followed the rules and P&O did not keep to the agreement.

 

Best wishes, Stephen.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Teddy123]

Thank you. That is not good. I would not be happy if I followed the rules and P&O did not keep to the agreement.

But I defy anybody to name any process that involves hundreds of thousands of people every year and never ever goes a bit wrong. Of course there will be some people who have to wait, but the real question is how often it happens, not whether it ever happens. Now, no doubt, there will be a flood of people here saying how much they have had to wait, but these boards aren't representative enough to either prove or disprove any assertion about the quality of the process. (And if I ever fail to get onboard reasonably soon after my allocated time, I reserve the right to be annoyed!).

[Tarquin]

Last Wednesday when boarding Ventura with our groups embarkation times ranging from 1.30 to 3.30pm we arrived around 1.55pm were processed quickly by CPS and were all heading for the ship by 2.50. Those with early times were called within minutes, the remainder about 15 minutes later.

[barriead]

Airports use mass waiting areas and sub waiting areas as they know most people turn up early or very early, they then use embarkation waiting areas for individual flights at major airports, a similar system built around embarkation times as opposed to individual flights might be worth a punt.....but as I loathe "the Airport experience" a lot more than "Cruise embarkation lounges" I really dont know why I mentioned the thought:confused:....come to think of it...just dont mess around with the system too much...there will always be someone unhappy anyway whatever changes are made, if any. :evilsmile:

 

So long as I get on the Ship and find my Cabin ready and luggage turns up reasonably quickly I am happy, if you have to wait around a bit its not the worst place in the world is it? However being left outside when its cold or wet should not happen to anyone unless there are major incidents in the terminal...thankfully it seems to be a rare occurence.

 

I do understand and sympathise with those who have to travel from afar to So'ton and need to plan their arrival carefully, but its just the same as travelling for a Flight and I know where I would rather be waiting even if it aint perfect.:):)

 

Hard hat is at the ready.:evilsmile::)

[Scriv]

Ever thought that the reason people had to wait outside was because the terminal was full to capacity as per Health and Safety regs...... ? And was full to capacity because too many people were arriving much earlier than their allocated times - times set to spread out people's arrival to alleviate overcrowding in the terminal?

[Spike11]

 

I do understand and sympathise with those who have to travel from afar to So'ton and need to plan their arrival carefully, but its just the same as travelling for a Flight and I know where I would rather be waiting even if it aint perfect.:):)

 

Hard hat is at the ready.:evilsmile::)

Except it's not the same is it. I live in the north east of England, and I can't think of any instance where I woud need to drive to Southampton Airport! Most people have an airport within an hour or two of home.

At the end of the day P&O must have invested a lot of time and money changing to their current system, so they are not going to change it again any time soon -even if Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have a system that is much more customer focussed. So those who have experienced both systems will continue to be disappointed with P&Os system and those who only know P&O will continue to like what they know!

[Tarquin]

Last Wednesday when boarding Ventura with our groups embarkation times ranging from 1.30 to 3.30pm we arrived around 1.55pm were processed quickly by CPS and were all heading for the ship by 2.50. Those with early times were called within minutes, the remainder about 15 minutes later.

 

Update: The missus tells me I got the times wrong...:rolleyes:

Arrived at CPS: 1.15pm

Early boarders sent straight to check in. (1.30 approx)

Remainder called forward about 20 minutes later.

First drinks in the buffet timed at 2.50 having quickly unpacked.

[terrierjohn]

Ever thought that the reason people had to wait outside was because the terminal was full to capacity as per Health and Safety regs...... ? And was full to capacity because too many people were arriving much earlier than their allocated times - times set to spread out people's arrival to alleviate overcrowding in the terminal?

We queued outside Mayflower last January in cold and windy conditions, but when we got inside the waiting area was less than half full.

So either there was a terrorist alert causing them to need to check everyone's ID carefully, a lack of staff to hand out the health questionnaires, or just some jobsworth slowing things down because they could.

Whatever it was it was lousy customer service.

[barriead]

I do find the complaints raised about people turning up early a bit odd at times, the main reason people turn up before time is because the main objective is in actually getting to their destination (So'ton Cruise Terminal) in good time to join their Ship.

 

People will travel from all over the Country and logistically the vast majority will be there early because human nature tells them to be there in good time to allay any problems that might arise while travelling and for their own peace of mind.

 

People arriving a few hours early is "so obviously going to happen" that the Cruise terminal should be capable of dealing with the large numbers that are expected in the "Embarkation window", any terminal problems lay squarely at the feet of P&O, the assumption that all people who arrive early are trying to "jump the queue" is fanciful at best, most people just want to make sure they are there in good time.

 

A Cruise terminal is no different to any other point of travel..be it Airport, Ferry Port, Coach terminal, Train station etc etc and should be geared up and suitable for their own passengers needs and requirements in this day and age such as toilets, refreshment, wi-fi etc and somewhere to sit and wait comfortably for "their turn" as most of them will turn up "early or very early", sure some of them will hope to get on "nice and early" but again thats human nature and if it suits the operations team some of them will...if it dont they wont!!:)

 

Rocket science it aint.!!:D

[sapphire4]

Exactly. There were also an awful lot of disabled people stood outside in the queue mainly with walking sticks. Once we actually got up the escalator it was pandemonium and it looked full to bursting. The lady who greeted us seemed a bit flustered.This was our 5th cruise in 2 years with P and O and weve never had problems like this beforehand.

[Scriv]

I'm afraid I still can't really understand why people get so worked up about all this and I continue to much prefer the experience of embarking at Southampton to the hassle of an airport. The new system has always been a smooth experience for me when I have turned up about 20 mins before my allocated time of arrival. Having said that, I would love to be able to check in on line in advance but just can't see that ever happening.

[barriead]

It would be great if travel was so robotic that everyone could guarantee to get there within 20 to 30 minutes of their time...because guarantee you would need to avoid shedloads of stress...however travel is so variable and unpredictable that thats an impossibility so most people arrive nice and early (for their own peace of mind) just to ensure they are there...that is so obvious I struggle to see why some people just dont get it.

For me its almost robotic...I only live 30 minutes away from the terminal, but even then so many different things can happen en-route on my short journey...but not everyone is so fortunate.

 

Any terminal problems lie at P&Os feet...not passengers arriving early.

[Scriv]

Quite barriead - I have sometimes arrived earlier for reasons of travel and have handed in my luggage outside ( which you can do from about 11 am) and then I have gone and had lunch in a nearby pub. If I did decide to arrive earlier and not go off for lunch, then I would go inside and take my chances and wait. That would not be a problem for me. I would not get worked up about it. I choose not to do the latter because I don't like waiting around in a terminal. It's all about choice for all of us - the part I don't get is why people get so so worked up about it far more so than if they were flying or going somewhere by train/coach or even arriving early in a hotel before they are able to check in. It's the getting worked up if they have to wait if they arrive early that I don't get... not the problems of arriving at the terminal for a given time.

Edited May 1, 2017 by Scriv

[barriead]

Hi Scriv, I rather fancy this issue has so many variables and differing opinions and everyone have choices to make given their own circumstances, each to their own eh:D

 

I guess the bottom line for me is the Terminal operations team and the Terminal itself, I have never had any real issues with the Terminal itself however if its starting to become unsuitable for large numbers of arrivals then it needs addressing by P&O, similarly with the operations team...if they are short on numbers then that too needs addressing by P&O. To imply any problems are passengers fault for turning up early is just them "spinning the problem" to try and take any blame away from themselves

 

I repeat any problems Terminal wise lays with P&O not passengers.:)

[Scriv]

But any building has a regulated limit on the number of people who can be in it at any one time - and if 3000 + people want to be in it at any one time instead of staggering their arrival as requested for smooth operation, there are bound to be issues. Still think that on line check-in in advance could solve a lot of these problems as people could just proceed to security on arrival instead of having to queue up to check in. BUT that requires a good IT infrastructure and I guess, a lot of money - and crikey, can you just imagine the chaos and problems when the system crashes lol ;) ;)

Edited May 1, 2017 by Scriv

[Presto2]

We are on Ventura for the first time in August so have no idea about the lay out of the ship, apart from where our cabin is. We booked our Superior Deluxe cabin last March / April and paid a Select fare.

 

Despite this we are guessing though that we will be boarding at 3.30pm, so, as we will have to travel down the evening before, we will no doubt have to drop our luggage off at some point late morning at the terminal and then retreat in to the town to kill some time. (Pray for nice weather). We have visited Southampton a number of times so have now seen all of the sites and done the 'things to do'. Just incase the luggage doesn't appear we make sure we put some extra bits in our rucksack and will need to take them around town with us.

 

Once we've finally boarded (probably 4ish) we will only have the time to find our cabin, work out where the Muster Station is and then go to Muster Drill.

 

Then its a rush back with the life jackets before rushing back on deck for sail away. Then, after this, if the luggage has arrived, unpacking before a dash down for the evening meal.

 

Compare this with 2 other cruise lines where we would check out of the hotel at about 11 a.m. and then take about 20 minutes to embark the ship. Then we would head off to explore the ship. This would probably end up with us relaxing for one drink in one of the bars (with our rucksacks admittedly). Time to chill. Cabins are normally ready for about 1.30pm / 2pm and off we would go to drop our things off and explore our new home (cabin) for 2 weeks, familiarise ourselves with the Muster Station and read all of the 'stuff' left on the bed. Our holiday has started. By the time we get to Muster Drill the luggage has arrived and been unpacked. (Admittedly this could go pear-shaped). Sailaway is relaxing and our holiday is in full swing. We feel chilled already.

 

Ironically, on the fly cruises you get to board as soon as you have arrived at the terminal and that seems to work fine.

 

Sorry, but I know which start to a cruise I would prefer --- and it doesn't involve the buffet...

 

It is just so frustrating when I know that 2 other cruise lines we have been on (on large ships) manage to get it right. Come on P&O, get your act together - heaven help you when the new ship comes along in 2020 with 5,000 passengers ! What time do the last people get on board then ?!

 

I still say that early boarding should be a perk of a Select Fare (and some tiers of passengers) or something that you can pay for as an extra if you so wish. (Like picking a specific seat on an aeroplane). At least it would seem fair.

 

I suppose the problem with this new system is that some people - like me - hate it and others are ok and can't understand those of us who are unhappy. (I can't understand those of you who aren't ;)) We'll all just have to agree to disagree !

[barriead]

There is no chance of everyone all turning up together, there are various formulas that Companies use that give indicators of peaks and troughs and variables, this is the same the world over for far more complex issues/places than a Cruise terminal.

 

Having said that I say again I have had no real issues however some passengers have had an unpleasant experience and the spin has led to passengers being blamed for "turning up early" which is so ludicrous, far better for P&O to say issues have arisen and we are taking steps to prevent this happening again (code for we need more staff imho).:)

[daiB]

Hi Scriv, I rather fancy this issue has so many variables and differing opinions and everyone have choices to make given their own circumstances, each to their own eh:D

 

I guess the bottom line for me is the Terminal operations team and the Terminal itself, I have never had any real issues with the Terminal itself however if its starting to become unsuitable for large numbers of arrivals then it needs addressing by P&O, similarly with the operations team...if they are short on numbers then that too needs addressing by P&O. To imply any problems are passengers fault for turning up early is just them "spinning the problem" to try and take any blame away from themselves

 

I repeat any problems Terminal wise lays with P&O not passengers.:)

No sorry the passengers are at fault most of the time. There has always been a mentality of never mind the time you are given just turn up when you like. These boards were rife with threads saying exactly that. Result chaos, chaos before the system changed and at times chaos now as in the example above.

 

P&O have done something and most of the time it works.

 

Sent from my SM-G930F using Forums mobile app