AndyMichelle

Yeah, when you put it like that... 😂 I quite like the idea of the hole in the wall spitting out cases😂 Andy

Uh oh... Just read elsewhere that a passenger travelling soon on Britannia called P&O to ask if they could drop their luggage off a bit early and was told absolutely not, they would be turned away... If true, that's my solution of dropping the luggage and walking to Oxford Street for lunch out of the window... Andy

Unfortunately not... We have seen many an occasion where items are picked up by hand and put back in the buffet... In fairness, all pre lock down. Don't get me started on the notorious 'bun sniffer' who seemed to have an obsession with picking up items like bread and fruit, sniffing them, then putting them back!!! Also heard a story about someone licking utensils and placing back in the curry, but I never witnessed that. Staff observed this and said and did nothing... Andy

Yes, apparently so

Wanna swap😂

It was irony...

We have done Limelight a few times, booked early to get good seats and always had a great time. I don't really want to queue and I don't want to sit behind a pillar, so probably won't go. Another night in the Epicurean beckons... I will join the queue 😂 Andy

Just wondered if any of you have seen Kevin Simm and was he any good? I expect he has a great voice, but does he put on a good show and interact? In a nutshell, is he worth the extra 20 quid and having to queue early to get a decent seat as seems you have to do these days... Andy

I think that's Tiger and 'our lass' 😂

Still open now, local press say 'later this month' Andy

It closes at the end of this month, so you might just catch it Dai... Andy

Then, unfortunately, if you arrive early, your only option is to wait outside in the queue... P&O are not budging and this is how it is for now. If you can't physically walk for 10 mins to Oxford Street, won't get a taxi, are worried about getting robbed, then ask P&O for assistance or queue... It's not nice, but they must feel it is necessary. Andy

Just glad we are not boarding today... The IOW festival starts and one of the major roads near the port, Town Quay, is closed due to a police incident... Just an example of how things can go wrong, no wonder we all want to get there early... Andy

Unfortunately Dave, the Admiral is one of the 'Spoons' that is closing down at the end of the month. 😒 You might just catch 'last knockings' on your upcoming cruise. Andy

Hi Ian, They are available. Depends on demand in the town to how quickly you will get one, especially if there are multiple ships in, but they are constant. Prebooking is a bit difficult as you never really know how quick you will collect your luggage etc. Have a great cruise. Andy

If you are not able bodied, request assistance. I doubt they would leave you standing in a queue. Unfortunately, P&Os stance is arrive on time or be prepared to queue, we all just have to work within the rules the best way that suits us. Andy

Drop your luggage off at the port...

That's hit the nail on the head John. For us returning cruisers and newbies, we don't know, that's why we ask... We all have different requirements, so one solution that is supposed to fit all just won't work for many. The fear of getting stuck in the traffic in Southampton is enough to make us anxious, especially with a late boarding time... If we had priority or an earlier time, we wouldn't be worried. We have come up with a solution that suits us, but unfortunately won't suit everyone. There is no need to criticise passengers who do it differently or are trying to work a way that takes away the worry for them. If all the late boarders planned to arrive on time and Southampton came to a standstill for hours, which it sometimes does, either hundreds of people would miss their holiday or the ship would delay departure, which we know is not always an option... Everything will probably be OK, but that doesn't stop loads of us worrying and wanting to minimise our risk. I have changed my view on the queues and now feel most people in them are quite happy to wait, now it is clear you will have to, at least they know they are there. Of course they will be wishing for an earlier time, but at least they 'ain't missing the boat' 😂 This has nothing to do with people wanting to get in the buffet early, it's just about getting on board at all... Andy

Where is Zap and what have you done with him!!! 😂😂😂

Why do these threads go round in circles... It's simple, if you arrive before your boarding time, drop your luggage off and either be prepared to queue outside, or wander across the road for some lunch or a pint. You don't need to go right into town, Oxford Street and Ocean Village are a short, flat walk away... Assume traffic in Southampton is going to be horrendous, it often is. I live locally, but will be arriving early, but I don't expect to get on board early. Andy

From other reports, you join the queue and are called at your allotted time, (hopefully before) then leave the queue. If you are very early, do what we plan to do, drop your luggage off and walk across the park to Oxford Street for some lunch. It's only a 5-10 minute walk and has some lovely restaurants. We have been given 3.15 boarding time and although we are fairly local, are fully aware of what can go wrong with Southampton traffic, so won't be taking any chances... Andy

This thread got me thinking, always a dangerous thing😊 After many years of cruising with P&O with lots of different Captains, the only 2 I can remember are Neil Turnbull and Wesley Dunlop, and would happily sail with either of them again. I suppose that means the others cannot have been that memorable, or I just did not take any notice. We never crashed, so they must have been OK... 😂 Andy

Very jealous Barbara, have a great time. Andy

Food looks fantastic Graham, I guess that's mainly Epicurean? Glad you had a nice time. Andy

Yep, and surely understandably so? I want to take Michelle to the Epicurean on her birthday, of course I don't want to miss out... Andy