First evening

Anything about Cunard cruises

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Lazysusan
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First evening

#1

Post by Lazysusan »

When do the cases normally arrive at your room?

What happens if they don't arrive before you go to dinner and you are still wearing your travel clothes?

Also another question please ( only travelled P & O and RCI before) can you turn up any time to get on board as per other cruise lines or do you have to stick to the time on your documents?

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barney
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Re: First evening

#2

Post by barney »

My experience has been that the cases turn up pretty promptly.

Last time on Oriana, one case was a bit delayed for some reason but was still delivered well before dinner.
They are usually stockpiled at a stairwell nearest to your cabin so if you want, you can always go and fetch it yourself.

Ref arrival at port, again my experience is just get there when you fancy.
It's virtually impossible to judge your journey if you are travelling any great distance.

We usually arrive anytime between about 12 and 2 and have never had a problem getting on board.
A friend of mine on RCI recently was given a specific time as they said that they loaded by decks
He got there about an hour early but still boarded ok.
Empty vessels .. and all that

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Meg 50
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Re: First evening

#3

Post by Meg 50 »

generally before muster - we always go and collect ours from the stairhead if they haven't arrived before we come down from lunch.

for ease you might consider packing a change of clothes for dinner in your hand luggage - particularly if you are on 1st sitting - you don't want to waste exploration time unpacking!

I always pack a change of shoes - since the time we travelled down by train on a hot day and I was desperate to change my trainers for a pair of sandals- and couldn't!
Meg
x

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GillD46
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Re: First evening

#4

Post by GillD46 »

Occasionally it can take a time. Once, the case containing ALL our shoes and my bags didn't arrive until well after sailing. Somehow it was still in the bowels of the ship, and we eventually got it about 8pm - I was very anxious by then I can tell you. Since then, I take a change of clothes and especially shoes in carry on bags.
Gill


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Lazysusan
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Re: First evening

#5

Post by Lazysusan »

barney wrote:
My experience has been that the cases turn up pretty promptly.

Last time on Oriana, one case was a bit delayed for some reason but was still delivered well before dinner.
They are usually stockpiled at a stairwell nearest to your cabin so if you want, you can always go and fetch it yourself.

Ref arrival at port, again my experience is just get there when you fancy.
It's virtually impossible to judge your journey if you are travelling any great distance.

We usually arrive anytime between about 12 and 2 and have never had a problem getting on board.
A friend of mine on RCI recently was given a specific time as they said that they loaded by decks
He got there about an hour early but still boarded ok.
Hi I wouldn't worry if we were sailing P & O but as Cunard are more strict about the dress code I was concerned. The last 2 sailing on Oceana and Adventure of the seas we didn't get our luggage until late, it was nowhere around when we went to look.

Do Cunard let you turn up any time as well?


Boris+
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Re: First evening

#6

Post by Boris+ »

Recent embarkation at Southampton has involved having to show e-tickets to the staff before joining a queue for check-in. Apparently this is to try and ensure that people with a later check-in are checked in more or less at the check-in time shown on the e-ticket. An early check-in time allowed us straight through, but other people were moved aside.

Staff were heard to comment to passengers with a 3pm check-in that 'they would try and fit them in sooner'. Things in general seem to have been tightened up a bit - but you can't help it if you arrive at the terminal earlier than the check-in time on your ticket - always best to be a bit early just in case of surface travel problems.

If you are using Dock Gate 4 - the new system is very good, it is an improvement. Arriving at Dock Gate 4 around 10.30 gave us a quick smooth drop off of the car with C&PS, and we were checked-in by11am, and onboard time for us was before 12.

Luggage was in before going for lunch which was at 1pm.

Em


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Re: First evening

#7

Post by Quizzical Bob »

They are going to have to change this system with fixed check-in times or they are going to lose a lot of loyal customers.

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towny44
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Re: First evening

#8

Post by towny44 »

Quizzical Bob wrote:
They are going to have to change this system with fixed check-in times or they are going to lose a lot of loyal customers.
I thought they already had, didn't they propose allowing passengers to choose their own check in time?

We find 2 major problems with Ocean terminal, the queuing in the car park waiting for sufficient valets to move other cars, and the tediously long queues through security.

On our recent Eclipse cruise we parked our own car and porters were waiting with vans in the car parks to take your luggage, security was before check-in and therefore not subject to large groups descending on it all at once as they called each check in letter, and as soon as you had checked in, all except new passengers and first 2 tier Captains Club members could board immediately.

We parked the car at 11:30 and were having a coffee on the open aft deck of the Ocean View cafe at 11:55, now that's what I call civilised.
John

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david63
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Re: First evening

#9

Post by david63 »

towny44 wrote:
I thought they already had, didn't they propose allowing passengers to choose their own check in time?
From memory that is something that P&O are planning trailing early next year with one ship with a view to rolling it out later if it is a success.

(Cynical hat on - this will involve the IT department so we all know where this is going :moresarcasm: )

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oldbluefox
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Re: First evening

#10

Post by oldbluefox »

Not really sure what the problem is. What is wrong with arriving when you arrive since not everyone will arrive at the same time? If you arrive with the masses you will just have to wait but the ship is not going to leave without you.
Just relax, take it easy and go with the flow. My holiday starts the moment I arrive at dockside and hand over my car so from my point of view as long as there is somewhere to sit (as in Ocean Terminal) it is not a problem. I can't believe the impatience of some to get to the booking-in desk, then through security etc.
For those travelling any distance you cannot always predict what time you will arrive so any attempt to book a time is an imponderable further complicated by the vagaries of P&O's IT department who don't exactly have a good track record.


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Re: First evening

#11

Post by Quizzical Bob »

oldbluefox wrote:
Not really sure what the problem is. What is wrong with arriving when you arrive since not everyone will arrive at the same time? If you arrive with the masses you will just have to wait but the ship is not going to leave without you.
Just relax, take it easy and go with the flow. My holiday starts the moment I arrive at dockside and hand over my car so from my point of view as long as there is somewhere to sit (as in Ocean Terminal) it is not a problem. I can't believe the impatience of some to get to the booking-in desk, then through security etc.
For those travelling any distance you cannot always predict what time you will arrive so any attempt to book a time is an imponderable further complicated by the vagaries of P&O's IT department who don't exactly have a good track record.
For those in the upper tiers of loyalty there is a welcome lounge on board with complimentary drinks. These stop the second that the cabins are ready.


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Re: First evening

#12

Post by Boris+ »

Hi QB,

We've always simply headed straight to our suite and then after a brief check etc we go straight up/down (depending on the ship) for lunch. I bow to your experience and knowledge, and would like to know which lounges are used for these free drinks - is this on Cunard? On the scrounge really, but I wonder, if this is on Cunard, could we get away with trying to find this lounge and get a free coffee, especially as we would already have been in our suite?

Obviously the situation doesn't apply on QM2, but for the other two - well it might just be handy to 'be in the know'.

Em

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oldbluefox
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Re: First evening

#13

Post by oldbluefox »

If I'm there in time for complimentary drinks then all well and good but I am not going to be stressing myself to get onboard for the sake of a drink or two. However I can see it is a motivation for some, just not for me.


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Re: First evening

#14

Post by Quizzical Bob »

Boris+ wrote:
Hi QB,

We've always simply headed straight to our suite and then after a brief check etc we go straight up/down (depending on the ship) for lunch. I bow to your experience and knowledge, and would like to know which lounges are used for these free drinks - is this on Cunard? On the scrounge really, but I wonder, if this is on Cunard, could we get away with trying to find this lounge and get a free coffee, especially as we would already have been in our suite?

Obviously the situation doesn't apply on QM2, but for the other two - well it might just be handy to 'be in the know'.

Em
Hi Em,

This is on P&O. The lounge that is used depends on the ship. On Arcadia recently it was the upper level of the MDR. On Aurora sometimes they use Carmens. It's supposed to be one of the perks of Caribbean and above. It's not so much the free drinks, more the feeling of getting some sort of perk that's a bit more useful than slippers or decorative pins. Since we live close to Southampton there's no stress involved in getting there but we don't want to be sitting at home for a few hours watching the clock. In our early days of cruising I used to go to my business at Hamble and not leave there until after 1 o'clock. There was even one cruise when we went to M&S in the morning, bought some shirts and then my wife washed, dried and ironed them before we left home. Nowadays we just want to get on as soon as possible because we feel that the holiday starts as soon as we are on board.

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oldbluefox
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Re: First evening

#15

Post by oldbluefox »

Boris+ wrote:
Obviously the situation doesn't apply on QM2, but for the other two - well it might just be handy to 'be in the know'.
Hi Em
What situation do you mean on QM2 which is different to the other two - you've lost me there? :problem:


Boris+
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Re: First evening

#16

Post by Boris+ »

Hi OBF,

The difference I was referring to is this - on QE and QV we have often waited in the lounge prior to going in for that very first lunch of the cruise. However, on QM2 in the lounge there's a selection of suitable light refreshments prior to lunch.

Em

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Dancing Queen
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Re: First evening

#17

Post by Dancing Queen »

They have complimentary coffee ( Latte etc ) in the grills bar on QE and QV Em.
Jo

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Anne D
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Re: First evening

#18

Post by Anne D »

Hi Jo

I know you can get complimentary coffees in the Grills lounge during the cruise but didn't know it was available on embarkation day prior to lunch.

Anne :)


Boris+
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Re: First evening

#19

Post by Boris+ »

Hi Jo,

Yes, that's a favourite thing with us - (coffee in the Grills lounge on QV and QE) - but the point I am trying to make is that whilst we haven't been able to have a cuppa in the lounge before lunch on embarkation day (just when I fancy one), you can get one in the Concierge lounge on QM2 before lunch.

We also noted that all the 'doings' are there on disembarkation morning too - on QM2 - so that a nice cuppa before breakfast is a definite possibility. Very civilised.

However, still need another outing on QM2 - didn't make it to the Casino, Pub, Sir Sams or the Spa!!!! Must try harder!

Em


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Re: First evening

#20

Post by Boris+ »

Hi Anne,

So just to clarify - we haven't been able to do that on QE or QV, but have done it on QM2.

Em

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Anne D
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Re: First evening

#21

Post by Anne D »

Thanks Em

I thought that is what it was. We have had drinks in the Grills lounge { sadly not complimentary } before embarkation lunch but never seen anyone having coffee at that time. I wonder if they would provide it if asked ?

Anne :)

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Dancing Queen
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Re: First evening

#22

Post by Dancing Queen »

Anne D wrote:
Hi Jo

I know you can get complimentary coffees in the Grills lounge during the cruise but didn't know it was available on embarkation day prior to lunch.

Anne :)
I don't know if it is Anne I just assumed it would be, ahhh I will have to check that one out.
Jo

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Re: First evening

#23

Post by Dancing Queen »

Boris+ wrote:
Hi Jo,

Yes, that's a favourite thing with us - (coffee in the Grills lounge on QV and QE) - but the point I am trying to make is that whilst we haven't been able to have a cuppa in the lounge before lunch on embarkation day (just when I fancy one), you can get one in the Concierge lounge on QM2 before lunch.

We also noted that all the 'doings' are there on disembarkation morning too - on QM2 - so that a nice cuppa before breakfast is a definite possibility. Very civilised.

However, still need another outing on QM2 - didn't make it to the Casino, Pub, Sir Sams or the Spa!!!! Must try harder!

Em
I think the difference is and correct me if I'm wrong but on QM2 you help yourself in the Concierge lounge where as on QE/QV you are served by the bar waiters as the coffee comes from a machine behind the bar, anyway no problem I will check it out next cruise and report back.
Jo


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Re: First evening

#24

Post by Boris+ »

Hi Jo,

Sometimes I get fed up waiting for a steward to offer me a hot drink, and even more fed up waiting for it to arrive, and it's never exactly as I want it. When it comes to tea or coffee I'm a real fuss pot - sorry!

Anyway, one of the things we do like about QM2 is the Concierge lounge, and the ability to have my hot drinks just as I like them. I note however, that steps are now being taken to ensure that only Grills passengers avail themselves of the Concierge facility with light refreshments.

Em

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Re: First evening

#25

Post by david63 »

I'm loosing the plot here - what's all this tea and coffee business. I thought this was holiday time :clap: :thumbup: :lol:

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