New Embarkaion Procedures (again)

[qbman1]

My experience on Saturday joining Arcadia.

We had a 13:30 "arrival time" and arrived just after 12:30. We were given a Blue "C" card. We were called to check-in at 13:30 and were in the cabin by 14:00 - despite comments of "organised chaos". It was well organised and most definitely not chaotic.

As far as I can see nothing has basically changed other than you are now given cards relating to your arrival time rather than in the order in which you arrive.

Purely from a personal point of view, I cannot fault the "new" embarkation process.

Our stated arrival time was 3 p.m. but a few days before we were due to sail, we received the letter from that nice Mr Edgington advising that, as valued clients, we were entitled to priority embarkation and could hop on board any time after 13:00.

We pitched up in the car at about 13:20 (which was a miracle in itself bearing in mind the traumas we had getting the cats to the cattery that morning!!) and the unloading and CPS check-in only took a few moments.

There was no one in front at the priority queue so we were whisked straight to a check-in desk and were in the security check area before 13:30. No queue there either and we were on board and in our cabin before 13:45.

The priority embarkation lounge was a bit of a bunfight, as detailed by SueK in her excellent report but then we always expect a large number of Goldies at Christmas. Curled up canapes lived up to expectations !!

There were plenty of moans on board about the embarkation process but, almost without exception, the people affected had turned up well before their allotted time ! I had one particularly heated discussion with an otherwise very nice couple at our table who were Ligurian and were, in fact, staying on for the Worldie. They admitted that they had been advised that they could deposit their luggage from 11:30 and check-in at 12:30. Guess what? They turned up at 10:30 and complained furiously that the system was "a fiasco" because they had to wait 2 hours to get on board !!

What chance do P&O have ?!

[Suekersh]

We are Ligurian and arrived at the terminal just after 12 noon for the 12:30 check in time given. It was very full then in the priority area as check in had not opened. Once it did the process was quick and we were then sent to the next priority waiting area where Cakes and coffee were being served. This is where it became chaos.the ship was not ready to be embarked there are lots of suites on Arcadia and together with the Ligurian pax the small area could not cope. Meant wheelchair had no where Togo except block up the passageways. The staff were frantic as it was obviously a Health and Safety issue but there was nowhere to go except to stop checking priority pax in or start embarking the ship.

Just after 1 on they opened up the security area and we were on board for 13:30 but on boarding we were told that cabins were not ready so to go to the Meridian for canapés and drinks.

It actually turned out that cabins were ready but the entertainment staff were telling everyone that they were not ready.

Totally shambollic and the worst embarkation experience we have had since becoming priority a few years ago.

Hopefully they have learnt from this experience as friends on the World Cruise have just messaged me to say that their embarkation was first class and they were on board and in the priority lounge for 12:05. That is despite disembarkation being as big a shambles as embarkation was.

Sue

[qbman1]

Can't disagree with that, Sue - disembarkation was dreadful - the worst we have experienced. It has been fine for the past few trips so why change something that was working ?

The "new" process seemed fine in principle but the problem was lack of supervision resulting in people heading for the exit as soon as possible regardless of their allocated time with obvious results. There was no one on duty with sufficient authority to direct the alien hoardes !

[Stephen]

The same old story. Rules, rules and more rules but no one to enforce them.

[The Tinker]

Totally agree the priority lounge area in the terminal is too small for all the suite and liguarians - and why should they have to stand and wait!!! whilst everyone else has a seat

Luckily for us although embarkation was 30 mins late - everything else was fine.

Our disembarkation was fine - but to be honest we just joined the end of a queue and got off when we wanted - haha

[qbman1]

Our disembarkation was fine - but to be honest we just joined the end of a queue and got off when we wanted - haha

...and it's people like that who cause the problems for the rest of us. What is needed is a burly chap, stripped to the waist, greased up and waving a bullwhip - that'll keep you lot in line !!

[Stephen]

Our disembarkation was fine - but to be honest we just joined the end of a queue and got off when we wanted - haha

...and it's people like that who cause the problems for the rest of us. What is needed is a burly chap, stripped to the waist, greased up and waving a bullwhip - that'll keep you lot in line!!

OK, where did you get my picture from

[qbman1]

It was pasted to Tink's cabin wall - right over the bed !

[Mervyn and Trish]

Given the choice at disembarkation we loiter and join the back of the queue. Happy to get off last - easier to find the luggage and the car! It's those who fight to get off first who cause the problems and bung up the exits.

[towny44]

Being last(ish) to disembark is OK but it can be bl***y difficult to find a trolley.

[Quizzical Bob]

Being last(ish) to disembark is OK but it can be bl***y difficult to find a trolley.

And there's more chance of somebody taking your luggage before you get there!

[qbman1]

Have to say, I was once again impressed with the priority embarkation procedure on our recent cruise. Arrived at about 1:30 and was through check-in and security (no queue there at all) and in our cabin in well under half an hour AND our luggage (all 6 bags of it !) beat us there.

[Dancing Queen]

Being last(ish) to disembark is OK but it can be bl***y difficult to find a trolley.

Just use the porters, worth the tip not to have the hassle and they help you look for your luggage

[Mervyn and Trish]

Have to say, I was once again impressed with the priority embarkation procedure on our recent cruise. Arrived at about 1:30 and was through check-in and security (no queue there at all) and in our cabin in well under half an hour AND our luggage (all 6 bags of it !) beat us there.

I'll be trying it as a steerage peasant next month so be interesting to see how it goes. We have a 2.30 arrival time. We're staying at the Hilton the night before so when we check out at 12 we'll loiter in the lounge there before we drive down.

As an aside we're just back from a QM2 trip (full review when I've got over the jet lag from the flight back) and boarding was a shambles. We arrived exactly when they expected us and waited almost 2 hours before we could check in. And disembarkation in New York was dreadful for the peasants too.