Changes at Southampton
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Changes at Southampton
Talking to one of the baggage porters on Saturday I was told that Ocean Terminal is currently having another air-bridge installed and when that is done then Mayflower Terminal is to be extended into berth 105 - both of which are to allow for the likes of Iona.
Another interesting fact is that even before Iona arrives Southampton is struggling to handle the amount of baggage, especially with the likes of Britannia and there is no way that they could cope with Iona and Britannia in port at the same time.
Another interesting fact is that even before Iona arrives Southampton is struggling to handle the amount of baggage, especially with the likes of Britannia and there is no way that they could cope with Iona and Britannia in port at the same time.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
I think P&O will have to keep those two and the new ship apart or change and extend the boarding procedure. Maybe a much later depart time.
Empty vessels .. and all that
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Re: Changes at Southampton
That is a lot of luggage. But presumably enlarging the terminal should also increase baggage capacity too. And I'm not sure how big ships on completely separate terminals such as Ocean and Mayflower affect one another for baggage handling unless it's a staffing issue. Traffic will be another headache though. Britannia plus Iona and another smaller one or two starts approaching the passenger numbers coming and going that they had for the 7 ships 175 event and they only managed that with remote check in for some.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
Or maybe they could just pop over to City Terminal and take advice from RCI as to how they manage embarkation and disembarkation far better than P&O. As regards volume of luggage, they need to increase the capacity somehow, its a while since I was in city terminal but its luggage hall must be a lot bigger than Mayflower as it never feels as crowded, and it has easily accommodated Anthem OTS which can have 4900 passengers.
John
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
Trainee Pensioner since 2000
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Re: Changes at Southampton
Well he would say that wouldn't he!
But seriously our last couple of embarkation on P&O have been flawless.
As for luggage, we noticed there was a lot less on our Princess trip last year. No doubt because more than half the passengers were fly cruising and thus limited. No doubt it is similar on the other lines that attract significant numbers from across the pond. By contrast most of the P&O psssengers are Brits, with no flights to worry about, bringing the kitchen sink. Us included!
But seriously our last couple of embarkation on P&O have been flawless.
As for luggage, we noticed there was a lot less on our Princess trip last year. No doubt because more than half the passengers were fly cruising and thus limited. No doubt it is similar on the other lines that attract significant numbers from across the pond. By contrast most of the P&O psssengers are Brits, with no flights to worry about, bringing the kitchen sink. Us included!
Last edited by Mervyn and Trish on 25 Mar 2019, 10:47, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
Mervyn and Trish wrote: ↑25 Mar 2019, 10:42Well he would say that wouldn't he!
But seriously our last couple of embarkation on P&O have been flawless.
As for luggage, we noticed there was a lot less on our Princess trip last year. No doubt because more than half the passengers were fly cruising and thus limited. No doubt it is similar on the other lines that attract significant numbers from across the pond. By contrast most of the P&O psssengers are Brits, with no flights to worry about, bringing the kitchen sink. Us included!
Unless some people had done a back to back, they made us look like light weights with their five plus cases.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
That was the impression that I got. The port can cope with their own staff when there is one or two "medium" sized ships in but anything else warrants using agency staff many of whom are not too keen on starting work at 06:00 in a morning so many of those who do turn up are not over enthusiastic.
One thing that I noticed about the baggage handling on Aurora was that it was loaded/unloaded via a conveyor unlike most other ships where it is loaded/unloaded in cages.
I am not sure how the process could be improved/automated but it does seem to be a primitive system
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Re: Changes at Southampton
For a fortnight we'd usually have three medium suitcases, a proper case-like suit carrier and a couple of carry ons. Plus her indoors handbag and a small jewellery case. And the sink.Stephen wrote: ↑25 Mar 2019, 10:56Mervyn and Trish wrote: ↑25 Mar 2019, 10:42Well he would say that wouldn't he!
But seriously our last couple of embarkation on P&O have been flawless.
As for luggage, we noticed there was a lot less on our Princess trip last year. No doubt because more than half the passengers were fly cruising and thus limited. No doubt it is similar on the other lines that attract significant numbers from across the pond. By contrast most of the P&O psssengers are Brits, with no flights to worry about, bringing the kitchen sink. Us included!
Unless some people had done a back to back, they made us look like light weights with their five plus cases.
Last edited by Mervyn and Trish on 25 Mar 2019, 12:38, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
We're going for the shipping container next time.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
I've heard those Maersk cruise liners are very nice.
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Re: Changes at Southampton
But not overcrowded with riff raff