P&O new check in procedures

[qbman1]

Well it has been interesting reading what's been happening. Our arrival time is 14:00, can't remember what our friends' time is, but we're on the same deck, so same time?

Not sure that applies. SueK is on the same deck and same cruise as us but they have 12:30 and we have 3pm. Doesn't sound right to me !

[Mervyn and Trish]

Are suites on decks different from steerage cabins? Just asking....

[qbman1]

I thought suite and mini-suite passengers and Goldies enjoyed the same privileges. I feel like a second-class citizen. Pass me the 'phone - I shall exercise my God-given right as a Goldie........and complain !!

[Silver_Shiney]

I still think that some are making a mountain out of a molehill

We'll just arrive when we do, and if we have to wait to embark, we'll wait.

Our allocated time is 2.00 pm but we'll probably get to Southampton nearer to 1.00, traffic allowing.

An hour wait in the terminal for a lovely cruise won't kill us.

One thing is for sure, P&O are not going to turn you away after you've arrived and I can think of worse places to wait than the cruise terminal.

[towny44]

I still think that some are making a mountain out of a molehill

We'll just arrive when we do, and if we have to wait to embark, we'll wait.

Our allocated time is 2.00 pm but we'll probably get to Southampton nearer to 1.00, traffic allowing.

An hour wait in the terminal for a lovely cruise won't kill us.

One thing is for sure, P&O are not going to turn you away after you've arrived and I can think of worse places to wait than the cruise terminal.

I just worry that sitting there watching the old ladies from the WI acting as check in staff I might begin to day dream that they are posing for another naked Calendar shoot.

[Suekersh]

Well it has been interesting reading what's been happening. Our arrival time is 14:00, can't remember what our friends' time is, but we're on the same deck, so same time?

Not sure that applies. SueK is on the same deck and same cruise as us but they have 12:30 and we have 3pm. Doesn't sound right to me !

I read somewhere that only suites and Ligurian tier get the earlier embarkation time but that Caribbean level and above get priority at their check in time which doesn't sound right, as the priority drinks and canapés closes at 3:30. I will get extra drinks and have them waiting for you, but don't be late or I will have drunk yours as well. Lol.

Sue

[Mervyn and Trish]

Makes sense. On some cruises half the passengers are Caribbean. They probably don't dare to redraft the loyalty scheme again, as they did when there were too many Goldies looming, so they'll dilute the perks instead and hope no one notices.

[Princess]

So all the future Caribbean passengers will find they have very limited benefits by the time they get there!

[Silver_Shiney]

I just worry that sitting there watching the old ladies from the WI acting as check in staff I might begin to day dream that they are posing for another naked Calendar shoot.

Nurse, quick!!

[Mervyn and Trish]

See other embarkation thread. It seems Caribbean can turn up from 1pm irrespective of what Eticket says.

[qbman1]

Well it has been interesting reading what's been happening. Our arrival time is 14:00, can't remember what our friends' time is, but we're on the same deck, so same time?

Not sure that applies. SueK is on the same deck and same cruise as us but they have 12:30 and we have 3pm. Doesn't sound right to me !

I read somewhere that only suites and Ligurian tier get the earlier embarkation time but that Caribbean level and above get priority at their check in time which doesn't sound right, as the priority drinks and canapés closes at 3:30. I will get extra drinks and have them waiting for you, but don't be late or I will have drunk yours as well. Lol.

Sue

Hmm, warm Prosecco and even curlier canapes. Thanks, but think I'll stock up at Macdonalds on the way !!

[qbman1]

Looks like Goldies - 1 P&O - 0

"all Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests will be given an early Arrival Time of 1pm. You may find that there is a different time on your e-ticket, but we're working to correct that by early next year. In the meantime, Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests are welcome to arrive at the cruise terminal from 1pm, regardless of the time on your e-ticket, and we will check you in straight away."

I'm happy again now - my true status and worth as a Goldie has been recognised ! You see, a good moan does work sometimes !!

[Mervyn and Trish]

All I need to do now is reach Caribbean now before they move the goalposts again.

[Suekersh]

Looks like Goldies - 1 P&O - 0

"all Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests will be given an early Arrival Time of 1pm. You may find that there is a different time on your e-ticket, but we're working to correct that by early next year. In the meantime, Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests are welcome to arrive at the cruise terminal from 1pm, regardless of the time on your e-ticket, and we will check you in straight away."

I'm happy again now - my true status and worth as a Goldie has been recognised ! You see, a good moan does work sometimes !!

Power to the people. Are you still going to stock up at Mac D or will you be suffering the warm prosecco and curly canapés? The food in the priority lounge in September was a hot buffet and very nice it was too with plentry of fizz going round.

Sue

[Mervyn and Trish]

This is the bit I don't quite get. We've only done the priority bit once when we had a suite and frankly I wasn't over impressed. Okay no free fizz but there's a pretty good buffet upstairs too. So the elite can avoid the riff raff for an hour but they have to mix for the rest of the cruise so why the excitement?

[towny44]

For those people still a little confused, this is what P&O's advice centre says about embarkation.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/befor ... mbark_work

[Gill W]

The real point of the 'onboard embarkation lounge' was that it was somewhere to sit, with your luggage until your cabin was ready, not to avoid riff raff

They are now saying that the cabins will be ready when we get onboard.

If we get on at 1pm, I think we'd put our hand baggage in the cabin, then go to the buffet for lunch - which will be much better than the canapés they are now going to be serving in this welcome reception thing. But we might pop in after our buffet lunch to get a glass of fizzy wine.

[Suekersh]

It's the free fizz that tempts me although since the curly sandwiches were replaced with hot buffet we have been very happy with the food. If when we reach the cabin our cases are there I would rather unpack than go to the priority reception.

[Mervyn and Trish]

We never carry huge amounts of stuff aboard so never had an issue with somewhere to put it. And of course if you boarded at or after 2pm cabins were usually ready anyway. It seems that only priority boarding really created a need for a priority boarding lounge!

[Manoverboard]

We have also had priority boarding a few times but rather than go to the ' curly n fizz ' jolly we opted for a quick trip to the buffet and then to sit out in the sunshine on an upper deck .... thus avoiding the riff raff AND the Noro carriers .

[qbman1]

Looks like Goldies - 1 P&O - 0

"all Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests will be given an early Arrival Time of 1pm. You may find that there is a different time on your e-ticket, but we're working to correct that by early next year. In the meantime, Baltic and Caribbean Tier guests are welcome to arrive at the cruise terminal from 1pm, regardless of the time on your e-ticket, and we will check you in straight away."

I'm happy again now - my true status and worth as a Goldie has been recognised ! You see, a good moan does work sometimes !!

Power to the people. Are you still going to stock up at Mac D or will you be suffering the warm prosecco and curly canapés? The food in the priority lounge in September was a hot buffet and very nice it was too with plentry of fizz going round.

Sue

Yes we had a good hot buffet on Adonia in August too but I think they have changed to canapes since then. Even so, it's nice to sit quietly and enjoy the freebies before the unpacking frenzy.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And avoid the riff raff?

[qbman1]

Well, that, too but before we reached the dizzy heights of Caribou status, like Moby, we would pick up some food and eat out on the open deck whenever possible

[Mervyn and Trish]

That's our normal routine too. Once we are Caribou of course we'll be at the curly sandwiches with the rest of the posh people before we go to the buffet to top up

[qbman1]

...and you'll be arriving at the terminal at noon then demand to be allowed on board no later that the appointed hour of 1pm. Blimey, there's going to be a crush at Christmas !!