Drive through or terminal testing? UK

[ellie1145]

APOLOGIES FOR ASKING MORE TESTING QUESTIONS 

Has anyone experienced the terminal testing at Southampton?

 

Some say it’s quicker but what time does it start? 
 

Does anyone know what time the drive through testing starts?

 

We are ‘app-less’ so very fraught about embarkation today as we’ve spent the last 6 weeks trying to check in without success despite calling Princess UK and USA numerous times (and yes we have deleted the app and reloaded it several times, and I have a new iPhone 11) 

 

sorry if this has been asked before but would appreciate some help 

 

many thanks 

Edited August 14, 2021 by ellie1145

[wowzz]

I think Princess and P&O both use the same drive through facility, which opens at noon. If you arrive too far in advance of your  allotted time, you are turned away. 

[helpthejuggler]

The drive through testing is only for guests using CPS parking.

 

All other guests use the terminal tests

[Gettingwarmer]

10 minutes ago, helpthejuggler said:

The drive through testing is only for guests using CPS parking.

 

All other guests use the terminal tests

This has now changed and it is for any guest who is driving and parking at the port. 
 

1. Will testing be carried out at the terminal?

   All guests will be required to undergo testing (complimentary in the price of your holiday).

2. If arriving by car with parking booked

   To start your Princess Cruises holiday check-in, if arriving by car you will need to arrive via dock gate 20 and head to our drive-through COVID-19 testing centre (complimentary in the price of your holiday) adjacent to Mayflower Cruise Terminal, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton SO15 1HJ. The testing centre is accessed via West Bay Road. Look for signs directing you to the prenetics testing site. You will head to your embarkation terminal after you have completed the drive-through testing at Mayflower Cruise Terminal. Don’t worry, we will have staff on hand to guide you through. Please arrive at your allocated time. Please have your health declaration confirmation, travel insurance and vaccination statuses available as these are checked for all guests.

3. If arriving by another means

   If arriving by coach, on foot, by taxi or being dropped off by friends or family, to start your holiday please proceed directly to your ship’s departure terminal. Please arrive at your allocated time. Please have your health declaration, travel insurance and vaccination statuses available as these will be checked for all guests. Once these checks have been satisfied, you’ll enter the walk-through terminal testing centre where you’ll have your COVID-19 test (complimentary in the price of your holiday). Don’t worry, we’ll have staff on hand to guide you through.

Edited August 14, 2021 by Gettingwarmer

[debsjc]

I have used the drive through option for P&O, and for us it was quick. However, there are reports of people waiting upto 2 hours in a queue in their cars, and apparently there are no toilets in that area (there was a video made by someone in the queue, which mentioned that a few times)
 

[MBandJSinUK]

We used the drive through facility last Tuesday for our 4 day Regal seacation and the testing opened at 11:00 sharp, we arrived about 10:45 and had to wait at the overflow car park until there was space in the queue at the test site. You can easily find the test site from Gate 10 or Gate 20 (it's in the same car park where you collect your car from at Mayflower if you've done that before)

 

We joined the main queue at 11:00 (They use separate lanes for different cruise companies) and the queue moved slowly.

Stage 1 - They check passports/covid test status whilst queuing.

Stage 2 - They check your booking and mobile numbers, send a welcome text message 

Stage 3 - You drive forward to the swab the inside of the nose bit 

Stage 4 - You drive to the terminal and drop off the car, then drop off your bags then go in for confirming details from your app check-in 

Stage 5 - Sit and wait for the 2nd text

Stage 6 - If you're in the green lane, you then do the full check-in (really just to collect medallions) 

Stage 7 - Wait for boarding

Stage 8 - Security screening then boarding

 

In our experience, the whole thing was rather quick and efficient, certainly nothing like the way it's been portrayed by others. From the welcome text at the drive in site to the result text was 23 minutes. We waited until they allowed boarding at 12:00 exactly. There was no priority queuing/boarding for Plat/Elite/Suite.

 

 

[wowzz]

34 minutes ago, MBandJSinUK said:

We used the drive through facility last Tuesday for our 4 day Regal seacation and the testing opened at 11:00 sharp, we arrived about 10:45 and had to wait at the overflow car park until there was space in the queue at the test site. You can easily find the test site from Gate 10 or Gate 20 (it's in the same car park where you collect your car from at Mayflower if you've done that before)

 

We joined the main queue at 11:00 (They use separate lanes for different cruise companies) and the queue moved slowly.

Stage 1 - They check passports/covid test status whilst queuing.

Stage 2 - They check your booking and mobile numbers, send a welcome text message 

Stage 3 - You drive forward to the swab the inside of the nose bit 

Stage 4 - You drive to the terminal and drop off the car, then drop off your bags then go in for confirming details from your app check-in 

Stage 5 - Sit and wait for the 2nd text

Stage 6 - If you're in the green lane, you then do the full check-in (really just to collect medallions) 

Stage 7 - Wait for boarding

Stage 8 - Security screening then boarding

 

In our experience, the whole thing was rather quick and efficient, certainly nothing like the way it's been portrayed by others. From the welcome text at the drive in site to the result text was 23 minutes. We waited until they allowed boarding at 12:00 exactly. There was no priority queuing/boarding for Plat/Elite/Suite.

 

 

Could I ask what boarding time you were given? 

[MBandJSinUK]

Hi - We booked Group A (11:45-12:15) on the app. It wasn't clear if that was time at the terminal or time at the test site so assumed that was the time at the terminal and went early enough to be there at 11:45 (which we were).

The staff at the overflow car park did ask if we were Group A and we were let through to go to the test site queue just before 11:00 so our assumption seemed right. The overflow car park, where they line cars up before you before you can go to the test site, seemed to be creating lines for each boarding group 

The pre-cruise info wasn't clear at all but it all worked out pretty smoothly in the end.

[wowzz]

25 minutes ago, MBandJSinUK said:

Hi - We booked Group A (11:45-12:15) on the app. It wasn't clear if that was time at the terminal or time at the test site so assumed that was the time at the terminal and went early enough to be there at 11:45 (which we were).

The staff at the overflow car park did ask if we were Group A and we were let through to go to the test site queue just before 11:00 so our assumption seemed right. The overflow car park, where they line cars up before you before you can go to the test site, seemed to be creating lines for each boarding group 

The pre-cruise info wasn't clear at all but it all worked out pretty smoothly in the end.

Thank you.

[Splice the mainbrace]

4 hours ago, MBandJSinUK said:

We used the drive through facility last Tuesday for our 4 day Regal seacation and the testing opened at 11:00 sharp, we arrived about 10:45 and had to wait at the overflow car park until there was space in the queue at the test site. You can easily find the test site from Gate 10 or Gate 20 (it's in the same car park where you collect your car from at Mayflower if you've done that before)

 

We joined the main queue at 11:00 (They use separate lanes for different cruise companies) and the queue moved slowly.

Stage 1 - They check passports/covid test status whilst queuing.

Stage 2 - They check your booking and mobile numbers, send a welcome text message 

Stage 3 - You drive forward to the swab the inside of the nose bit 

Stage 4 - You drive to the terminal and drop off the car, then drop off your bags then go in for confirming details from your app check-in 

Stage 5 - Sit and wait for the 2nd text

Stage 6 - If you're in the green lane, you then do the full check-in (really just to collect medallions) 

Stage 7 - Wait for boarding

Stage 8 - Security screening then boarding

 

In our experience, the whole thing was rather quick and efficient, certainly nothing like the way it's been portrayed by others. From the welcome text at the drive in site to the result text was 23 minutes. We waited until they allowed boarding at 12:00 exactly. There was no priority queuing/boarding for Plat/Elite/Suite.

 

 

 

How much did they scrutinise the travel insurance documentation? I've read somewhere that they only check that you have travel insurance not the details of cover behind it.

[MBandJSinUK]

I think you have to confirm that you have insurance in the app in the days before you go but when you get to Southampton, it was not asked for at all. The only docs we needed were passport and vaccination form (it's easier to print the NHS confirmation as all they check is the name & date of birth - not the QR). 

[Lisa-UK]

Thanks for that helpful info MB.....

 

We have a Seacation booked for next wk and so it is great to hear your first-hand experience and answered some questions we had in mind like timings etc.

 

thanks again

 

[wowzz]

Just as a matter of interest, a passenger on a coach transfer to Iona (P&O) ship tested positive at the port yesterday. Therefore everyone else on the coach were unable to board due to the risk of cross infection.

Edited August 15, 2021 by wowzz

[DropThePuck]

Thank you for the information.  I haven't seen the insurance bit in the app.  We do have insurance with the endorsement letter from the company.

[yamanid]

18 hours ago, MBandJSinUK said:

We used the drive through facility last Tuesday for our 4 day Regal seacation and the testing opened at 11:00 sharp, we arrived about 10:45 and had to wait at the overflow car park until there was space in the queue at the test site. You can easily find the test site from Gate 10 or Gate 20 (it's in the same car park where you collect your car from at Mayflower if you've done that before)

 

We joined the main queue at 11:00 (They use separate lanes for different cruise companies) and the queue moved slowly.

Stage 1 - They check passports/covid test status whilst queuing.

Stage 2 - They check your booking and mobile numbers, send a welcome text message 

Stage 3 - You drive forward to the swab the inside of the nose bit 

Stage 4 - You drive to the terminal and drop off the car, then drop off your bags then go in for confirming details from your app check-in 

Stage 5 - Sit and wait for the 2nd text

Stage 6 - If you're in the green lane, you then do the full check-in (really just to collect medallions) 

Stage 7 - Wait for boarding

Stage 8 - Security screening then boarding

 

In our experience, the whole thing was rather quick and efficient, certainly nothing like the way it's been portrayed by others. From the welcome text at the drive in site to the result text was 23 minutes. We waited until they allowed boarding at 12:00 exactly. There was no priority queuing/boarding for Plat/Elite/Suite.

 

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to post these details.   We are parking Meet & Greet independently and are assuming that we will go straight to Ocean Terminal as normal and then follow your steps from Step 4 onwards, as I believe that our testing has to be done at Ocean T  -  Princess instructions not very clear though

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, yamanid said:

 

Thank you for taking the time to post these details.   We are parking Meet & Greet independently and are assuming that we will go straight to Ocean Terminal as normal and then follow your steps from Step 4 onwards, as I believe that our testing has to be done at Ocean T  -  Princess instructions not very clear though

I believe you are incorrect. All passengers arriving in their own car are expected to use the drive through facility,  and then you proceed to the terminal to await your results. This is to avoid congestion at the terminal testing centre, as so many people use CPS or Parking4cruises.    

[Gettingwarmer]

5 hours ago, yamanid said:

 

Thank you for taking the time to post these details.   We are parking Meet & Greet independently and are assuming that we will go straight to Ocean Terminal as normal and then follow your steps from Step 4 onwards, as I believe that our testing has to be done at Ocean T  -  Princess instructions not very clear though

1. If arriving by car with parking booked

   To start your Princess Cruises holiday check-in, if arriving by car you will need to arrive via dock gate 20 and head to our drive-through COVID-19 testing centre (complimentary in the price of your holiday) adjacent to Mayflower Cruise Terminal, Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton SO15 1HJ. The testing centre is accessed via West Bay Road. Look for signs directing you to the prenetics testing site. You will head to your embarkation terminal after you have completed the drive-through testing at Mayflower Cruise Terminal. Don’t worry, we will have staff on hand to guide you through. Please arrive at your allocated time. Please have your health declaration confirmation, travel insurance and vaccination statuses available as these are checked for all guests.

2. If arriving by another means

   If arriving by coach, on foot, by taxi or being dropped off by friends or family, to start your holiday please proceed directly to your ship’s departure terminal. Please arrive at your allocated time. Please have your health declaration, travel insurance and vaccination statuses available as these will be checked for all guests. Once these checks have been satisfied, you’ll enter the walk-through terminal testing centre where you’ll have your COVID-19 test (complimentary in the price of your holiday). Don’t worry, we’ll have staff on hand to guide you through.

[yamanid]

9 hours ago, wowzz said:

I believe you are incorrect. All passengers arriving in their own car are expected to use the drive through facility,  and then you proceed to the terminal to await your results. This is to avoid congestion at the terminal testing centre, as so many people use CPS or Parking4cruises.    

 

Thank You for this and also to Gettingwarmer.

 

We were given this information from Princess last week.  They told us to drive to Ocean Terminal as normal, offload the luggage and me (husband then drives the 2 mins to the short stay, leaves the car) then comes over to the terminal and we then go to have our Tests.

Sometimes  I wonder why I waste the time holding on the phone for them  -  to be given the wrong info!!!!

[yamanid]

9 hours ago, wowzz said:

I believe you are incorrect. All passengers arriving in their own car are expected to use the drive through facility,  and then you proceed to the terminal to await your results. This is to avoid congestion at the terminal testing centre, as so many people use CPS or Parking4cruises.    

 

 

We were told by Princess only people parking with CPS had to go to the Mayflower Terminal  -  our Meet & Greet Parking always ask us to drop the car off at the Short Stay carpark at Ocean Terminal

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, yamanid said:

 

 

We were told by Princess only people parking with CPS had to go to the Mayflower Terminal  -  our Meet & Greet Parking always ask us to drop the car off at the Short Stay carpark at Ocean Terminal

But that was pre-covid. Now you drive to the test centre, get tested, and then drive to the terminal to drop your car off.

[Gettingwarmer]

11 hours ago, yamanid said:

 

 

We were told by Princess only people parking with CPS had to go to the Mayflower Terminal  -  our Meet & Greet Parking always ask us to drop the car off at the Short Stay carpark at Ocean Terminal

The part that it only applied to CPS was originally stated in the Q & A on Princess but was changed to the above later. 
I’ll admit it is ambiguous as you could say that you are are arriving by foot. 

 

Edited August 16, 2021 by Gettingwarmer

[yamanid]

9 hours ago, wowzz said:

But that was pre-covid. Now you drive to the test centre, get tested, and then drive to the terminal to drop your car off.

 

Appreciate your help  -  Princess only told us this last week, so she knew we were not talking pre-covid cruise.  Think they need to train staff more on up to date rules. Thank you

[yamanid]

13 minutes ago, Gettingwarmer said:

The part that it only applied to CPS was originally stated in the Q & A on Princess but was changed to the above later. 
I’ll admit it is ambiguous as you could say that you are are arriving by foot. 

 

Thanks again,  as I said to Wowzz,  I think there is a training need with Princess.  We will probably just follow what you guys are telling us   Cheers much appreciated

[wowzz]

2 minutes ago, yamanid said:

Thanks again,  as I said to Wowzz,  I think there is a training need with Princess.  We will probably just follow what you guys are telling us   Cheers much appreciated

Have a good cruise. Perhaps you could let us know how the test procedure went.

[dides]

We were on the first Regal Princess seacation and the first boarding group and had to wait half hour for the actual testing to start and then were out the other side within 20 minutes. However, since then i have heard of 2 hour plus waits especially when there was P&O Iona and Regal departing on the same morning - the test centre had to split the queue into 2.  So keep an eye out on the port listing for other Carnival departures on your cruise day.