MawganTr

One thing is for sure, boarding times don't relate to the relative cost of your trip other than for suites. Choosing to book far in advance is a choice as is booking nearer the time and doesn't mean priority boarding. We all book in different ways for very good reasons!

We sailed on Ventura at Easter. Coloured, lettered cards were given out as we arrived based on e-ticket times. I have no issue with that. We were on board way before 'our time'. With the amount of people in the terminal I can see why cruise lines would want to stagger it!

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Sounds similar to wearing bands in an all inclusive hotel - children and adults. It may not be ideal but necessary.

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We have booked a quad inside room for Emerald in August - 14 nights to Norway. We have two sons, 11 and 14. Having only ever sailed with my husband (in a range of rooms) I know that this year will be fairly tight. Mind you, it was that or no cruise so I'll put up with it!! Luckily we do all get on and I hoping that our humour continues. We are already beginning to set ground rules!! On our list of what to take I've included shoe deodoriser and air freshener! Apart from sleeping, we won't be in there too much.

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We were there last week and used the hop on/hop off bus. (€18 each). It was a good way of getting an overview of the city. We got off at Belem for a wonder around & cafe).

It's a pretty city that's enjoyable to look around - especially if the sun shines!

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We were on Ventura too and echo everything said so far. A chap mentioned the you tube clip so I've searched to no avail!

The worst was at night though so how would it be clear? There is a clip from a couple of years ago. We did wonder how oceana was managing as she is smaller than us.

Another question...were the stabilisers on? We didn't feel that the ride was as comfortable as other ships we've been on.

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The times are usually on the final details for the trip but having done the fjords a couple of times I can say that you are usually docked by about 8 and all aboard by 4:30/5. Fairly standard timings really. I think it's vague until nearer the time to allow for port movements etc.

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We are on the current Ventura cruise and can say with some confidence that there's not a problem at the moment with noro. The other day the captain thanked us for our understanding with extra precautions but now stepping down the 'threat level'. Library - couldn't take books out, washing seating a lot, salt in sachets etc. It's more seasickness that troubling many as it's been quite rocky!

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That's funny as last year on Azura another passenger told us they saw Liz Dawn boarding our cruise - but we never saw her so wasn't sure if she was mistaken!

Could well have been her - her husband said they cruised a lot. She used to do the QE2 as a speaker/guest but now just holidays. When I first saw her in the bar I thought she was someone that looked like her but then sat with them at dinner.

Ooh are you going to share?? [emoji4]

A former Corrie favourite!

I'm Ventura right now and have been wondering about how Britannia and Oceana managed in Storm Katie. We all left Southampton on Sunday and headed straight into it. It was awful - I feel sorry for the 1st time cruisers (more than 1000 on here according to the Captain) who may think it was normal!

Enjoy Ant n Dec...I'd have been happy to meet them have had my own celeb dinner mate this week though so am happy!

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Currently we are on Ventura...well, in Madeira's Mcd's for free wifi actually. Sunday night was truly horrid. Captain has said its the worst he's known in 16 years. He came on the tannoy at 23:23- into the cabins - to reassure us that the listing was ok & this is as bad as it'll get. The next day he said that the forecast was wrong & force 8/9 ended up as force 12. We did about 8knots to ride it out. It's been fairly rocky all the way here.

The captain was excellent & reassured us regularly - can't fault him. Phew...glad it's over though.

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We were on in about an hour total time. Sat eating lunch now, at what should be our check in time!

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As someone that is currently sat in Mayflower I can confirm that they are giving coloured & lettered cards out according you our time slot. It's yet to be seen whether we get in early or not but to be fair, we knew that we'd be early but 'due to personal circumstances' this couldn't be avoided. We'd have to wait somewhere and here is warm, there's a seat & a chance we'll be on early! It's really busy but there are seats despite some people standing up rather than walking along to look for a spot. There's a cafe - not that we need it right now. Having spent 7 hrs in an A&E waiting room last Sunday I can tell you that this is much more pleasant!

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This has been such a joy to follow both on here and periscope. I've never been on RCI - Cunard & P&O only, but this has given me a real sense of what it's like. Safe travels home and here's to your next trip..I'm off on mine today! :-))

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It looks like a day of bobbing up and down the channel was the order of the day today!

As for Guernsey, it may be that it was way too rough for tendering. Last Easter on Oriana it was just about ok to tender but it was dodgy getting on the tender.

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I'm on the Ventura tomorrow too...it's become a running joke with my husband that every time we cruise the wind picks up!

I notice that Ventura hasn't docked in Cherbourg today. My guess is that it's wind related.

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Slightly more crucial when booking a 'school holiday cruise' is that those of us that are teachers check the dates!! Absolutely no chance of taking time off in term time for holidays!! (Cue the comments about us getting more than enough holiday anyway etc. Yes. We do. Have no intention of trying to go during term time...id get more than a fine!)

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Just my opinion but if I was paying a load of extra money for the special dining experience is dress up a bit more!

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Funnily enough, I'm watching the programme right now and hopped on here to make the same observation!!

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Have a great trip. I've stumbled across you on here while trying to find out why Allure returned to port (pure nosey-ness!) I watched your scope (1st time round!) last night as you left. Was also keeping an eye on 'Billy's' scope of the ships leaving.

UK seems a long way from the Caribbean but we do have some sun promised, if not the temperatures to match!

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Maybe I was being flippant on my earlier post but it was because this thread is a non argument. P&O do give a time to arrive (just like Cunard). This does not offend me in any way, indeed I totally understand why they do it.

They key thing is though that they also say that you could turn up early and they will try to board you. Turn around day is manic for the staff - don't forget that they'll have only just waved off 3000 passengers and luggage before others arrive.

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To be honest, you are quibbling over an hour or two. Holidays are meant to be relaxing so go with the flow over boarding times.

First world problems, eh?

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I really think this has been blown out of proportion. For our trip at the end of March the tickets ask us to arrive at 2:30 but if we are early we may still board early but they can't promise. There are lots of factors that affect arrival times from train times, traffic, coaches, transfers and I'm sure P&O are flexible. At least there's a terminal with seats and coffee shop if we do need to wait.

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As far as I understand it, the free shuttle depends on the security requirements of the port. Zeebrugge would not want people wandering around the expansive port area whereas Amsterdam (& many others including the Fjords) are smaller and easy to escort passengers by foot out of the secure area.

For what it's worth take the Blakenburg shuttle (free last Easter on Oriana) as it takes you to the station. Beware though the trains run 1 an hour so check times and try for a bus to get you there. We had minutes to spare last year but waiting a full hour would be a pain.

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We sailed n Azura in August last year to the fjords. Not normally known as a 'hot' trip but the weather was gorgeous and it was very much a sunshine holiday. As we were child free we treated ourselves to a week long retreat pass. If I'm honest, I wouldn't bother again. We hadn't realised that the adult pool was not part of the retreat and therefore free. It was never busy and there was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. There is plenty of seating nearby that you wouldn't pay for yet away from noise. Stewards were around for ordering drinks and were probably quicker than the 2 in the retreat. There were no more than 4 other couples using the retreat which meant it was quiet but no atmosphere. Enjoy - a super ship!

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