Victoria2

As do I ever since we had a bit of a hiccup on the account. I find popping down after the late show a very quiet time at the front desk. No queuing involved.

If you're talking next month, QV is Ocean terminal on the 6th June. Mayflower on the 25th May.

It does, but if two of you have multiple devices to charge, it's more convenient to take a Universal multiple USB adapter.

I don't recall a specific area for Grills' folk to wait after check in but maybe we were in it and didn't realise. I find the Mayflower embarkation lounge a tad claustrophobic when it's crowded as it was last August when boarding was put back to 1pm. Masks 'r us in crowds like that.

No questions are dumb and newbies have no idea what's onboard. Yes, one can trawl and trawl through past comments but far quicker to ask. 🙂

I have two Universal travel adapters with 4 USB ports in each, Very handy and no, no actual ports in the cabins.

I guess that's one 'shop' the cruise terminal won't ever have! 🙂

and let's see if this new set up is here to stay or just temporary. If it's here to stay then Cunard need to alert everyone to it.

No boarding papers to refer to but an email gave new instructions or instructions I had taken no notice of before. The emboldened text is Cunard's. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Please proceed directly to your ship’s departure terminal at the ‘arrival time’, stated on your boarding pass.

Please report back. It will be interesting. We are occasionally the first onboard so it won't affect us other than a more pleasant atmosphere but it will affect many others and they deserve to be in the picture. 🙂

Oh don’t get me wrong. As an early boarder, I’m all for a less crowded environment especially as I felt the terminal last August was claustrophobically crowded but I feel for those who have no choice as to their arrival times and have to wait outside and slightly sorry for those who ignore times because historically, they have been allowed in the terminal. If this is a new policy, then I think it should be highlighted on Cunard's web site.

OK if you can walk that far. I would imagine many Cunard passengers wouldn't be able to do that or wouldn't be dressed appropriately if the weather is inclement.

We are always first tranche boarding but don't arrive too early if we can help it. The terminal is usually quite full with passengers waiting to check in when we get there so goodness knows how early some arrive. Of course, some can't help it if relying on transport other than own cars.

Goodness me, that's going to cause chronic congestion outside the terminal. Could be a bit of a H&S issue if hundreds turn up too early.

I'm a walker. There is a Promanade deck. I will be walking. I'm not anticipating disappointment. I'm anticipating 'different', but will wait and until I see the whole product before being disappointed. I don't anticipate being disappointed. 🙂

Whooo Hooooo Did it!

If I could post photos without 'us' in them [or post photos full stop 😁] I'd post some of a Marina suite at the Southampton Harbour and Spa hotel. This link might do instead. https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/southampton/rooms August temps were very pleasant to utilise the balcony [think small terrace rather than just balcony]. Not sure we'd bother early Spring/late Autumn or Winter. The beds are the most comfortable ever experienced in a hotel and the young staff are exemplary in all aspects. Not too keen on the casual dining restaurant, too noisy. Next time, we'll eat out.

We boarded 11.30am on QE once and were told to wait on deck 11. I dropped off hand luggage and the cabin was ready so we went down and settled in. Last August, the post check in lounge was so full, it was standing room only by 12.45pm and there were a few short tempers, which of course, gets you nowhere. That was at the Mayflower terminal. It's a bit claustrophobic and not my first choice of terminal! 👎

Sorry, I was referring to timed slots for guests, not embarkation Cunard time. eg, just because you arrive early, doesn't mean you will [necessarily] be allowed to board outside your 'grade slot'.

We bought one [basic] package [now $18 a day for the whole cruise] on the first sea day and used it on two devices. Saved a whole $18 in doing so but only used one lot of credit [bring back the old, I don't like the new 😁]. However, if you want to utilise both credits and are not able to combine the two [we didn't try so have no idea on that], buying the basic plan on a daily basis rises to $24 according to Cunard web site. You can purchase internet plans in advance, but not if status credits are involved. These can only be used and thus the plan bought, once onboard.

Allowing for traffic situations is why I think 'arrival time'' is a bit fluid. Embarkation time [usually] isn't.

We have an arrival time of 12.30pm for our next cruise. but in keeping with 'arrive earlier' mantra, we will arrive around noon as we don't want hours waiting in the embarkation lounge. I anticipate 1pm or later boarding, and we will be amongst the first to board, the same as last August.

and just to add, embarkation for us last August was 1pm [we were one of the first to board] and our arrival time for our next cruise is 12.30pm, which again, would signify a 1pm or later boarding time.

Well said Pushpit, my sleep pattern is appalling and if it wasn't for the fact I'd have to get dressed, I might have been a 4am'er if we hadn't the balcony to sit on. Last August, to be out on the balcony as dawn, dawned, smelling the pines as we glided up the fjord to Oslo, wrapped up in a cosy Cunard robe and clutching a cup of my coffee was magic.