Repositioning

[tracie17]

Hi, we are considering a cruise on Azura, flying into Barbados sailing back to Southampton.

Couple of questions to ask.

Has anyone purchased wine at Barbados airport to take on board?

If so, was it expensive?

We normally drive down to Southampton and leave our car at CPS.

Thinking of flying from Gatwick. Can we still leave the car with CPS in Southampton?Then making our way to Gatwick.

Has anyone done this.Is there an easy way?

Ideally we would like the car in Southampton when we arrive after the cruise.

[rojojacko]

There may be more recent information from others but, in my experience, you will not get the chance to purchase anything at Barbados airport as you will get off the plane and immediately board the bus to the port without going near the terminal. You won't even need to clear customs or immigration and your cases will be delivered to your cabin for you so no need to collect hold luggage.

 

Also, your package may well include a coach transfer from Southampton docks to your departure airport to collect your car. Ours certainly did.

 

If you have time before sailing, you should be able to buy alcohol, wine and/or spirits, ashore in Barbados before sailing.

 

Rob

[CCFC]

There is a "duty-free" shopping area right by where the ship docks which sells wine.

[tracie17]

Do anyone know if we can park the car at Southampton CPS when going , then make our way to Gatwick.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

When we did the repositioning cruise from Southampton to Genoa last year we were told to go to Gatwick and they would provide a coach to take us to Southampton. As we live in Oxford, this seemed a long winded affair, so we went to Southampton on the train (easy) and got the coach back to Oxford on our return. We so enjoyed the train we have done it twice since on Southampton to Southampton cruise

 

I suppose if you park at Southampton you would have to make your own way to Gatwick on your return. Not sure if you can park there though if the ship is not leaving from Southampton.

[tracie17]

Will need to check with CPS if we can leave the car at Southampton if we don't depart from there. If we can, we will get the train to Gatwick from Southampton then pick up car when we are back at Southampton. Fingers crossed.

[john watson]

Will need to check with CPS if we can leave the car at Southampton if we don't depart from there. If we can, we will get the train to Gatwick from Southampton then pick up car when we are back at Southampton. Fingers crossed.

 

I should have thought this would be possible, the problem as I see it is on the day you deposit your car, are the staff going to be there to take charge of your car and drive it to the compound? Presumably they can advise on this point as well as on collection day. So that needs looking into with the CPS office. Another way round this is to ask people like Holiday Inn about parking there in the hotel car park without staying a night, about £7.00 a day I believe is the parking rate. Just tell the hotel how many days parking you require. Then get the West Quay taxi transfer back to the car at end of cruise and a transfer to railway station at start. Of course you could still stay one night at hotel.

 

The standard plan for most people is to drive to Airport, park there for duration of cruise and at the end of cruise take the free coach transfer service from Southampton to Gatwick Airport. The free coaches; which you have to pre-book go to the various regional airports as appropriate.

 

Regards John

Edited August 7, 2016 by john watson

[tracie17]

Thank you for your replies.I am going to look into the various options.

[fue-fue]

One year when we flew out of Heathrow & cruised back to Southampton, We left the car at an Heathrow hotel. We used the taxi firm SMiths for Airports to get us from Southampton back to our car. Would def recommend them.