Embarkation Sydney

[wanaka]

Could anyone advise approx time we can embark Ovation of the Seas in Sydney. Our cabin is on 9, we are platinum status.

our flight arrives at 10.10, so hopefully we can go straight to check in.

Thanks

[megsie]

You should have been given a check in time for Ovation.

You can try to check in earlier but if it is very busy, the staff may only check in the current time slot first. 

Twice, when we have checked in for Ovation, it was chaotic.  Once the computer system had problems and the other time everyone seemed to arrive at once and they would only check in the current time slot.

But last time (November ‘18) we had the early time slot and it was smooth as. Our time slot was 11.30. Each time we were checked in by the mobile operators downstairs but I have heard they sometimes still use the upstairs check ins for Ovation.

I think you should be ok arriving early but just have a secondary plan in case it’s really busy.  Drop your bags off and then have a coffee, lunch or visit the markets if they’re on.

[Chiliburn]

10 hours ago, wanaka said:

Could anyone advise approx time we can embark Ovation of the Seas in Sydney. Our cabin is on 9, we are platinum status.

our flight arrives at 10.10, so hopefully we can go straight to check in.

Thanks

Last few times they started taking people at 11:00 from memory.

 They don’t seem to enforce your check in time allocation.

 I f they do ,drop your bags and go for a walk but you should be right to go straight on.

ovation really process their passages quickly,like you 10-15 minutes and you are walking onto the ship 

If you have to go through customs add a bit more time.

Theres no real priority for crown&ancor or suites because the process is so quick.

[nicksb]

You can drop your bags and go straight in really. We had a 2:00pm check-in time but turned up about 12:30 and there was no issues. Dropping bags off and checking in took about 10 minutes. But waiting to be let up to passport control took about 15 minutes. Thankfully we were escorted through passport control because that line would have taken at least an hour to get through. After security you board straight away.

 

The only issue I found at the OPT is the staff. Most of them are the rudest people I've ever encountered anywhere. There are some truly awful security people working there.

[By The Bay]

" The only issue I found at the OPT is the staff. Most of them are the rudest people I've ever encountered anywhere. There are some truly awful security people working there. "

 

That has not been my experience, quite the opposite. Always greeted with a friendly smile and a hello.

[GUT2407]

5 hours ago, nicksb said:

You can drop your bags and go straight in really. We had a 2:00pm check-in time but turned up about 12:30 and there was no issues. Dropping bags off and checking in took about 10 minutes. But waiting to be let up to passport control took about 15 minutes. Thankfully we were escorted through passport control because that line would have taken at least an hour to get through. After security you board straight away.

 

The only issue I found at the OPT is the staff. Most of them are the rudest people I've ever encountered anywhere. There are some truly awful security people working there.

Wow are we boarding at the same OPT.

[nicksb]

13 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

" The only issue I found at the OPT is the staff. Most of them are the rudest people I've ever encountered anywhere. There are some truly awful security people working there. "

 

That has not been my experience, quite the opposite. Always greeted with a friendly smile and a hello.

There were two lovely ladies and the security screening people were fine, but the (male) security staff downstairs were so rude both leaving and arriving on the cruise, I lodged a complaint with the Port Authority. 

[nicksb]

10 minutes ago, GUT2407 said:

Wow are we boarding at the same OPT.

I'm guessing you have had good experiences? It was my first time travelling through there and I won't be in a hurry to go back. Looking forward to the new Brisbane terminal opening next year!

[MicCanberra]

I have never had an issue with any of the staff at the OPT or at WBCT. 

We tend to board later anyway and miss the lunchtime rush.

[Obilix]

We had a party of 11 going on Carnival Spirit on 7 January from OPT.

There was a little lack of communication as to what was required from the passengers, but nothing to worry about, and we made it to pre-immigration stage in about 20 minutes from arrival at the Terminal.

 

At that point there are ship photographers, and my wife wanted a professional family group photo taken, as we are unlikely to all be together again on a cruise.

 

Problem was, our 20 + daughter had bounded ahead, and we realized she was already through immigration.

 

Number two son saw her, and called out to her and explained the situation. A Border Security officer who overheard what was happening kindly escorted her back through immigration and waited with her while the photos were taken, and escorted her back immediately afterwards.

 

His act of kindness was much appreciated, and in the end result, that was the only occasion that a group photo was able to be taken by us on the ship

 

Respect. and gratitude.

[gbenjo]

Interesting how different people and "different attitudes" attract different reactions.

 

[nicksb]

17 minutes ago, gbenjo said:

Interesting how different people and "different attitudes" attract different reactions.

 

It is, especially as I was in a great mood to go on holiday and couldn't have been nicer towards the staff. Perhaps they were all just having a bad day both times?

[MicCanberra]

What ship were you boarding at the OPT, because that may also make a difference.as there are two differing companies. One for the RCL suite of cruise lines and one for the CCL suite of cruise lines.

[gbenjo]

15 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

What ship were you boarding at the OPT, because that may also make a difference.as there are two differing companies. One for the RCL suite of cruise lines and one for the CCL suite of cruise lines.

Nicksb, I think, was talking about the security staff at the OPT who are the same regardless of which cruise line is using the terminal. We all know how fantastic the check in staff and ground staff in general are  so he would not be talking about them surely 😱😱😂😂  Certainly not the Intercruise staff eh! 👌 

Edited January 23, 2019 by gbenjo

[gbenjo]

4 hours ago, nicksb said:

I'm guessing you have had good experiences? It was my first time travelling through there and I won't be in a hurry to go back. Looking forward to the new Brisbane terminal opening next year!

Would you really let a  " rude" ?? security person that you encounter for about  one minute, if you are ( un)lucky, deter or even prevent you from going on a ( say) ten day cruise because it leaves from the OPT  ???? Hmmmm ......I certainly wouldn't  

Edited January 23, 2019 by gbenjo

[nicksb]

24 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

What ship were you boarding at the OPT, because that may also make a difference.as there are two differing companies. One for the RCL suite of cruise lines and one for the CCL suite of cruise lines.

Ovation, it was the Christmas cruise.

[nicksb]

10 minutes ago, gbenjo said:

Nicksb, I think, was talking about the security staff at the OPT who are the same regardless of which cruise line is using the terminal. We all know how fantastic the check in staff and ground staff in general are  so he would not be talking about them surely 😱😱😂😂  Certainly not the Intercruise staff eh! 👌 

The check in, customs and baggage drop off staff were fantastic. Just a few bad apples in security.

[MicCanberra]

20 minutes ago, nicksb said:

Ovation, it was the Christmas cruise.

Okay, it seems that the security staff are the same for both groups as they separate from the check-in staff. I am not sure I have even had an interaction with any security staff, except for once aboard dealing with the Royal security on and off the ship.