Missing the ship!!!

[brian1]

Hi,we're travelling National Express from London.Do they get delayed,or are there extra bus lanes everywhere,cheers,Brian.

[wowzz]

42 minutes ago, brian1 said:

Hi,we're travelling National Express from London.Do they get delayed,or are there extra bus lanes everywhere,cheers,Brian.

They will be delayed like everyone else if there us a traffic jam, and no, there are no bus lanes on the M27.

[brian1]

11 minutes ago, wowzz said:

They will be delayed like everyone else if there us a traffic jam, and no, there are no bus lanes on the M27.

What,you're telling me we won't get a police escort,DYKWIA.

[ann141]

5 hours ago, SquishTheWhale said:

Which roads are mostly affected- the M27?

 

We are sailing in 2 weeks and can't stay overnight. We're 2.5 hours away- have done the drive last year twice for mini cruises and had no issues. I was planning on setting off around 9am even though our boarding time isn't until 3.30 to build in a good cushion (and to hopefully board early). We are booked with Penguin Parking so don't need to join the queue trying to park at the port but will need to factor in transfer time.

You will probably be ok but the other couple only had a 3 hour drive and it took them 8 hours! Although your check in isn t until 3 30 that is probably the last check in time given so I would aim to arrive early and hopefully board early.Presumably it will still be school holidays when you travel? I am sure that the fact the OP was coming from the West Country, in the school holidays  and at a weekend didnt help

[grapau27]

9 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

Don't doubt the afterlife...

That was definitely Tony smacking you in the gob!!!😀

Lovely story, we all need something to cling on to when loved ones have gone.

Andy

Haunted cabin on Royal Caribbean thread is worth reading.

[SquishTheWhale]

54 minutes ago, ann141 said:

You will probably be ok but the other couple only had a 3 hour drive and it took them 8 hours! Although your check in isn t until 3 30 that is probably the last check in time given so I would aim to arrive early and hopefully board early.Presumably it will still be school holidays when you travel? I am sure that the fact the OP was coming from the West Country, in the school holidays  and at a weekend didnt help

 

Yes I'm sure it was very bad luck for them and a number of factors. We only go on the m27 very briefly so if that's the problem point we shouldn't be too bad. We board on the 31st Aug, I think some schools are back by then and some not, maybe it will be better.

 

Definitely aiming to board early- our first time on P&O, normally with someone like NCL we turn up at 10am and get on board nice and early for lunch!

[jeanlyon]

We have a 3 hour drive or just under.  Usually there by 1300 because we take it fairly slowly.  Where was their 5 hour holdup.  Would love to know.

[jake 26]

3 hours ago, brian1 said:

Hi,we're travelling National Express from London.Do they get delayed,or are there extra bus lanes everywhere,cheers,Brian.

We've been on National Express a couple of times when heavy traffic has been a problem. The driver was in radio contact with their base and they guided him to alternative routes. On each occasion the delay was no more than 30 mins.

[ann141]

1 hour ago, jeanlyon said:

We have a 3 hour drive or just under.  Usually there by 1300 because we take it fairly slowly.  Where was their 5 hour holdup.  Would love to know.

I think their holdup was on the A30 and A303(They were coming from Somerset).People coming home from west country from holiday combined with really bad weather I think

[AndyMichelle]

Just spent 2 hours stuck at the bottom of the M3 because a lorry hit the central reservation near Winchester.

The problem is, there are so many points around the area where the M3 meets the M27 where there is no escape for a few miles if you are stuck, especially with the ongoing roadworks.

I know that was not the problem on Friday, but it highlights what can happen.

Andy

[the english lady]

There is someone heading from Liskead this morning to join Aurora today. I am silently crossing my fingers for them. They posted they were just setting out at 6am...

[Ranchi]

From what I understand the unfortunate passengers arrived before the ship sailed but were unable to board due to there being no reception staff on the dock to do the paperwork. I guess with increased security and more complex computerised recording systems that late arrivals simply cannot be processed. My wife remembers many years ago someone coming out on a pilot boat to join a departed ship and I remember from the ‘80s a family driving round to the ship’s side to be boarded on the last gangway (Andrew’s took their car to the pound). The lucky passenger had the dubious honour of his own lifeboat drill the following morning ( to many of the company’s amusement as he had been a radio officer on P&O before making a career change. )

In the mid ‘90s  I remember flying out to join my family on a Norwegian cruise at Aldanses. I arrived at the jetty before Canberra arrived. When the shore party arrived they had no idea that I had arranged to join the ship. However they took me across on the tender and the formalities were completed on board. 

[jeanlyon]

Interesting.  We have no motorway until the last bit on the M27 and there are other routes.  However we have always been able to stop for coffee and still get there for 1300.

[FangedRose]

Just had a thought. 

 

If there had been an incident affecting traffic to the extent of a five hour delay, it would be plastered all over social media, posted by local news media. My twitter and fb feed is littered with such news from our local rag. Surely a few screen shots would back up any insurance claim. 

 

But, they would still have to prove that they actually left on time in the first place. 

[SquishTheWhale]

14 hours ago, AndyMichelle said:

Just spent 2 hours stuck at the bottom of the M3 because a lorry hit the central reservation near Winchester.

The problem is, there are so many points around the area where the M3 meets the M27 where there is no escape for a few miles if you are stuck, especially with the ongoing roadworks.

I know that was not the problem on Friday, but it highlights what can happen.

Andy

 

It's often not just one incident or delay as well. We once drove from Swindon to Gatwick to catch a flight, normally we stay over the night before but this was a 5pm flight so thought we'd be fine. We made it, but it was touch and go as it seems every time we changed road there was another accident and traffic jam, it was just endless. Good job we are the type who set off way way in advance.

 

If we set off at 9am next Saturday that gives us 6.5hrs to do a 2-2.5hr drive so fingers crossed lol

[Denarius]

Your best bet if travelling down to Southampton on the day is to use the official P&O coach service. They will get you onboard if humanly possible.

A few years ago on Oceana, a coach was delayed for several hours and the ship had to set sail without them. They diverted the coach down the coast to another port (cannot recall which) and loaded the passengers and their luggage onto a small boat. The ship hove to offshore and they were transferred at sea, whilst we onboard lined the ship's rails to watch. Must have been a memorable start to their cruise.

[brian1]

Remembered,we're travelling day before,lol.

Edited August 20, 2019 by brian1

[P&O SUE]

14 hours ago, Denarius said:

Your best bet if travelling down to Southampton on the day is to use the official P&O coach service. They will get you onboard if humanly possible.

A few years ago on Oceana, a coach was delayed for several hours and the ship had to set sail without them. They diverted the coach down the coast to another port (cannot recall which) and loaded the passengers and their luggage onto a small boat. The ship hove to offshore and they were transferred at sea, whilst we onboard lined the ship's rails to watch. Must have been a memorable start to their cruise.

 

That’s amazing!

[dazlight]

I’m thinking get train down from Liverpool on the day then walk to the terminal if it’s only 15 minutes. 

[amajaa]

We are 2 1/2 hours away and normally travel down on the day, leaving early. Stoping to say hello to family on way down who are only 3/4 hours away and try and get there for  1 o’clock ish. But I admit I am always wary in case of traffic.

 

So for the next cruises I have taken the free coach travel instead of parking that we normally do. One of the downsides is they don’t pick up from Birmingham until about half eleven, meaning we don’t get there until just before muster. We are normally nearly down there before the pick up time. On the plus side if there is traffic it will be up to P & O to sort it out, and there will be a bus load of others in the same boat as it were. 

[FangedRose]

54 minutes ago, dazlight said:

I’m thinking get train down from Liverpool on the day then walk to the terminal if it’s only 15 minutes. 

I looked into that from Carlisle. Don't know whether it is because it's a Sunday, but I would have to set off from Carlisle railway station at 4.30am. After four changes, I would arrive at Southampton at 4.30pm!

 

I don't think so. 😱

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, dazlight said:

I’m thinking get train down from Liverpool on the day then walk to the terminal if it’s only 15 minutes. 

Get off train at Southampton Central.

[AndyMichelle]

2 hours ago, dazlight said:

I’m thinking get train down from Liverpool on the day then walk to the terminal if it’s only 15 minutes. 

It is close but a bit of a drag with your luggage.

Taxis are parked outside, a few minutes and a few pound lighter and you are there.

Andy

[dazlight]

A taxi would do. We picked  free parking in outer desk but could change that. 

My step mum is coming now so by a squeeze in the car with 5 cases. 

[AndyMichelle]

46 minutes ago, dazlight said:

A taxi would do. We picked  free parking in outer desk but could change that. 

My step mum is coming now so by a squeeze in the car with 5 cases. 

Plenty of minibus type taxis in town, might be worth a call to book one when you know your train time.

Andy