Southampton Embarkation Experience

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

Hello All,

 

First time trying Cunard. Two westbound transatlantic crossings booked from Southampton. 

 

I have reviewed Cunard's website and read numerous CC threads. I have also sought information from Cunard booking agents.

 

None of this helped in finding answers to several very specific QM2 embarkation questions, in so far as:

 

1. What time do the luggage porters start accepting luggage?

 

2. What time (the absolute earliest) does the terminal allow passengers in, even if just to wait until staff begin the check in process?

 

3. Is there a defined Cunard embarkation process each and every time for Southampton? Or, is it chaos one week, perfection the next?

 

4. Is there a lounge inside the terminal for Grills passengers?

 

5. For Q1 and Q2 staterooms, when is typical boarding time? When can I expect to meet my stateroom team?

 

6. Does everyone board en mass or by stateroom type or by group/class of cabin?

 

I plan to arrive at port from London on the morning of embarkation. I'll have private car service.

 

7. Can private car hire drop me off directly in front of luggage drop off point?

 

I ask all the above questions in order to set my pick up time in London.

 

My intent is to be standing at terminal luggage drop off when they begin taking luggage and to process any formalities promptly, with minimal (if any) queues.

 

I have also read of motorway traffic mayhem en route from London to Southampton. How bad is it on a drive to the port (Sunday westbound transatlantic departure)?

 

Many thanks in advance.

Edited April 27, 2023 by 4-2-N-8

[BigMac1953]

1 hour ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Hello All,

 

First time trying Cunard. Two westbound transatlantic crossings booked from Southampton. 

 

I have reviewed Cunard's website and read numerous CC threads. I have also sought information from Cunard booking agents.

 

None of this helped in finding answers to several very specific QM2 embarkation questions, in so far as:

 

1. What time do the luggage porters start accepting luggage?

Mid morning

2. What time (the absolute earliest) does the terminal allow passengers in, even if just to wait until staff begin the check in process?

About 11:30am

3. Is there a defined Cunard embarkation process each and every time for Southampton? Or, is it chaos one week, perfection the next?

Yes

4. Is there a lounge inside the terminal for Grills passengers?

No. Just a seating area

5. For Q1 and Q2 staterooms, when is typical boarding time? When can I expect to meet my stateroom team?

Midday. Your butler will pop in to your room shortly after you arrive

6. Does everyone board en mass or by stateroom type or by group/class of cabin?

The order is QG, PG, Diamond then Britannia

I plan to arrive at port from London on the morning of embarkation. I'll have private car service.

 

7. Can private car hire drop me off directly in front of luggage drop off point?

Yes

I ask all the above questions in order to set my pick up time in London.

We always leave central London at 9:30am

 

My intent is to be standing at terminal luggage drop off when they begin taking luggage and to process any formalities promptly, with minimal (if any) queues.

 

I have also read of motorway traffic mayhem en route from London to Southampton. How bad is it on a drive to the port (Sunday westbound transatlantic departure)?

It will take less than 2 hours

Many thanks in advance.

See above

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

1 minute ago, BigMac1953 said:

See above

Very helpful. TY.

[rakkor]

I'll add that the last couple of cruises (Grills) we've done they haven't started to embark passengers until at least 12:30, and the last one was 13:00 so involved quite a long wait in the terminal.

Edited April 27, 2023 by rakkor

[buchanan101]

Sunday drive should be OK from London, and there are two main routes (ok, one is slightly roundabout via A3 and Portsmouth, but in case M3 is blocked).

 

The QG crossing we did in October we arrived an hour early (came from inlaws on IoW by ferry) and were on board before our supposed arrival time. Process was very efficient and staff everywhere.  Apart from slightly strange first arriving on board as we assumed would be in central atrium (for easy bearings) but was in an unremarkable corridor and we didn't really know where we were (first ever trip on QM2) 

[BigMac1953]

One other point: on QM2 grades Q1 - Q4 are escorted to the stateroom.

[Pushpit]

For point 7, local taxis can also drop you off right by the departure hall for passengers, so another easy option is to take the train from Waterloo to Southampton, the station is 1 mile / 5 minutes from the terminals and there are always taxis waiting.  For Sundays, check for engineering works (usually planned weeks in advance) but the 10:35 from Waterloo gets to Southampton Central at 12:00.

[LargeNegroni]

Great questions, very interested in the replies. 

 

 

[exlondoner]

I wouldn’t trust the train on a Sunday, particularly out of the summer holiday season. In August, it should be fine. The other thing is the lack of luggage space which can be awkward. The carriages are really designed to squeeze in a lot of commuters. And if I were in a Q2, I’d aim to get there earlier than 12. 

[LargeNegroni]

Fellow Cunard newbie and definately not hijacking your thread but could I ask another cheeky question?

•  is there a separate check in area for Grills passengers? 

Thank you ☺️

[buchanan101]

7 minutes ago, LargeNegroni said:

Fellow Cunard newbie and definately not hijacking your thread but could I ask another cheeky question?

•  is there a separate check in area for Grills passengers? 

Thank you ☺️

No - separate (earlier) check in time, and then a separate seating area in the lounge. It's not like business class at an airport

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, buchanan101 said:

No - separate (earlier) check in time, and then a separate seating area in the lounge. It's not like business class at an airport

I have been directed to a separate check in area in the past, but not in the sense of a separate room. In any case, you shouldn’t have to wait.

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

I have been directed to a separate check in area in the past, but not in the sense of a separate room. In any case, you shouldn’t have to wait.

I guess when we got there it was only Grills passengers so no one was separate at such...but it was very efficient - loads of staff

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, buchanan101 said:

I guess when we got there it was only Grills passengers so no one was separate at such...but it was very efficient - loads of staff

Yes, except last April in the throes of Covid, I don’t think we have ever had to wait, and, even then, actual check in was the least of the tediousness. What you do not get priority for is security. That is first come, first scrutinised, unless you turn up before everyone else.

[buchanan101]

21 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Yes, except last April in the throes of Covid, I don’t think we have ever had to wait, and, even then, actual check in was the least of the tediousness. What you do not get priority for is security. That is first come, first scrutinised, unless you turn up before everyone else.

And does a bit of a wait really matter... it's not as if you are getting on a plane... and the wait is nothing like the time waiting for a plane

 

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, buchanan101 said:

And does a bit of a wait really matter... it's not as if you are getting on a plane... and the wait is nothing like the time waiting for a plane

 

No, of course it doesn’t, but I’m usually so overcome with excitement at the thought of being on the ship that I can hardly contain myself, childish as it is. And in the days when I did go in aeroplanes, if we were early at the airport, we would try to spend the time in the most elegant eating/drinking place we could, preferable watching the planes. And, wherever you are, queueing for security is somehow disagreeable.

[buchanan101]

Just now, exlondoner said:

No, of course it doesn’t, but I’m usually so overcome with excitement at the thought of being on the ship that I can hardly contain myself, childish as it is. And in the days when I did go in aeroplanes, if we were early at the airport, we would try to spend the time in the most elegant eating/drinking place we could, preferable watching the planes. And, wherever you are, queueing for security is somehow disagreeable.

Well, I was going to say that...

 

Security at Southampton - no worrying about liquids (though that's changing at airports now if they have new scanners)

 

Airports I would want NOT to have lounge access though..

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

5 hours ago, BigMac1953 said:

One other point: on QM2 grades Q1 - Q4 are escorted to the stateroom.

Great. TY. I presume at check in, passengers are identified by said staterooms then managed accordingly?

 

Want to avoid every queue and mass crowd possible. 

 

Much appreciated. 

[Victoria2]

4 minutes ago, 4-2-N-8 said:

Great. TY. I presume at check in, passengers are identified by said staterooms then managed accordingly?

 

Want to avoid every queue and mass crowd possible. 

 

Much appreciated. 

In the past, after check in, we sat in the area for Grills passengers  and then someone came to us and escorted us onto the ship.

 

However, last August, we boarded with QG passengers. No cabin differentiation. Not a problem. 🙂

 

This has been or Vista experience, maybe QM2 will be different?

Edited April 27, 2023 by Victoria2
Vista experience

[Petulia]

There’s more than one terminal that Cunard use but looking at the Southampton Cruise Ship Schedule for 2023 it seems the QM2 will be using the older less spacious? Mayflower Terminal…106 berth.
 

Our last cruise on the QV departed from there and the room became very crowded until finally standing room only…and QM’s capacity is larger. It was 1pm before the first call for the Grills passengers to form a lengthy queue to access security screening. 
 

Much prefer the Ocean terminal. 😏

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

Thank you all for your replies. Kind of you.

 

Peace and all that jazz.

[GonzoWCS]

Great questions and replies.

 

Cheers

[doghouse2]

We have boarded QM2 several times at Southampton.  Each time as grills cabin guests—usually a Q5.  We arrive about 12:30.  Several lanes provided for vehicles to unload pax and luggage and normally a porter quickly arrives to take the luggage.  Have your boarding pass readily available as we get ask for it several times.  Normally, I would say it appears to be chaotic with lots of people trying to check in.  Since there are different terminals the sequence of the process may vary somewhat but I will describe the Ocean Terminal which we “used” a couple of weeks ago.  After dropping luggage you head into terminal, expect to show boarding pass and passport and go up escalator, and you are greeted by a mass of people including terminal (not Cunard) staff.  There is a separate check in line for grills and “diamond” level pax but not all of the staff seem to know that.  There is signage indicating the appropriate line but sometimes it is at the opposite end of the terminal (through the crowd) but not always.  The signage not always easily spotted because of the throng of people so keep asking staff if you don’t see it quickly.  After the checkin formalities (boarding pass-again, passport, credit card, etc) you are directed to security for screening you and luggage and then you are allowed to board ship. Someone mentioned the escort for Q1-Q4 which occurs after you check in.  I put quotes around “used” above because we boarded the QM2 on the cruise that was canceled that morning so on that day we found a very empty terminal but was asked to show boarding pass about 5 times.  I’m sure there is an arrival time when you might have to wait due to their cleaning the staterooms but if you are in a Q1 or 2, once you get to the check in desk, the few Cunard staff in the terminal will begin to assist you.  Some suggest you arrive early and some say arrive late to avoid the crowd.  Both probably work.  Despite what I think is chaos, in the grills it does seem to move fairly quickly if they have enough staff at the checkin section for grills.  Your butler will come to the cabin shortly after you arrive—maybe even be waiting for you. In the Q1-2 the butler may even be the escort. 

[Guest 4-2-N-8]

3 hours ago, doghouse2 said:

We have boarded QM2 several times at Southampton.  Each time as grills cabin guests—usually a Q5.  We arrive about 12:30.  Several lanes provided for vehicles to unload pax and luggage and normally a porter quickly arrives to take the luggage.  Have your boarding pass readily available as we get ask for it several times.  Normally, I would say it appears to be chaotic with lots of people trying to check in.  Since there are different terminals the sequence of the process may vary somewhat but I will describe the Ocean Terminal which we “used” a couple of weeks ago.  After dropping luggage you head into terminal, expect to show boarding pass and passport and go up escalator, and you are greeted by a mass of people including terminal (not Cunard) staff.  There is a separate check in line for grills and “diamond” level pax but not all of the staff seem to know that.  There is signage indicating the appropriate line but sometimes it is at the opposite end of the terminal (through the crowd) but not always.  The signage not always easily spotted because of the throng of people so keep asking staff if you don’t see it quickly.  After the checkin formalities (boarding pass-again, passport, credit card, etc) you are directed to security for screening you and luggage and then you are allowed to board ship. Someone mentioned the escort for Q1-Q4 which occurs after you check in.  I put quotes around “used” above because we boarded the QM2 on the cruise that was canceled that morning so on that day we found a very empty terminal but was asked to show boarding pass about 5 times.  I’m sure there is an arrival time when you might have to wait due to their cleaning the staterooms but if you are in a Q1 or 2, once you get to the check in desk, the few Cunard staff in the terminal will begin to assist you.  Some suggest you arrive early and some say arrive late to avoid the crowd.  Both probably work.  Despite what I think is chaos, in the grills it does seem to move fairly quickly if they have enough staff at the checkin section for grills.  Your butler will come to the cabin shortly after you arrive—maybe even be waiting for you. In the Q1-2 the butler may even be the escort. 

Many thanks. Great intel.

[exlondoner]

5 hours ago, doghouse2 said:

We have boarded QM2 several times at Southampton.  Each time as grills cabin guests—usually a Q5.  We arrive about 12:30.  Several lanes provided for vehicles to unload pax and luggage and normally a porter quickly arrives to take the luggage.  Have your boarding pass readily available as we get ask for it several times.  Normally, I would say it appears to be chaotic with lots of people trying to check in.  Since there are different terminals the sequence of the process may vary somewhat but I will describe the Ocean Terminal which we “used” a couple of weeks ago.  After dropping luggage you head into terminal, expect to show boarding pass and passport and go up escalator, and you are greeted by a mass of people including terminal (not Cunard) staff.  There is a separate check in line for grills and “diamond” level pax but not all of the staff seem to know that.  There is signage indicating the appropriate line but sometimes it is at the opposite end of the terminal (through the crowd) but not always.  The signage not always easily spotted because of the throng of people so keep asking staff if you don’t see it quickly.  After the checkin formalities (boarding pass-again, passport, credit card, etc) you are directed to security for screening you and luggage and then you are allowed to board ship. Someone mentioned the escort for Q1-Q4 which occurs after you check in.  I put quotes around “used” above because we boarded the QM2 on the cruise that was canceled that morning so on that day we found a very empty terminal but was asked to show boarding pass about 5 times.  I’m sure there is an arrival time when you might have to wait due to their cleaning the staterooms but if you are in a Q1 or 2, once you get to the check in desk, the few Cunard staff in the terminal will begin to assist you.  Some suggest you arrive early and some say arrive late to avoid the crowd.  Both probably work.  Despite what I think is chaos, in the grills it does seem to move fairly quickly if they have enough staff at the checkin section for grills.  Your butler will come to the cabin shortly after you arrive—maybe even be waiting for you. In the Q1-2 the butler may even be the escort. 

Are there now porters to take your luggage from the car? That will be a relief.

 

Why do I have to show my credit card when that has all been done on line?