Southampton departure time ?

[Archipelago]

I haven't been on Cunard from Southampton in decades . I am flying back to the states the same day and have done that before many many years ago . My flight departs from Heathrow at 2:10 ..I have a Cunard group transfer to Heathrow. Does anyone know when they typically depart if there are no delays ? Is 2:10 enough time ? My TA said after 2 and there are no other nonstop flights . I could get a 2:45 with a layover but would rather not . Anyway any help would be appreciated . I wouldn't want to miss my flight .Thank You !

[rog747]

The Cunard group coach transfers normally are away around 9am-9.30am so it's only just over an hour to LHR Terminal 5 (closest off the M25) and around another 15 minutes to the Central area for T2 and T3, or round to T4.
They will allocate you a coach relevant to your flight time (so let them know on board).

Even if the coach does not leave until 10am you will be fine.
Minimum (latest) check-in time for your flight is 60 minutes so I would not be too stressed.

The alternate is to book a chauffeur driven car transfer.

(which is what I would do if my flight was 2pm)
The driver will meet you kerbside after disembarking, and bingo you're on your way PDQ.
The kind folk on here will supply you with some local SOU Taxi firm names....

You could self-disembark (carry all of your own luggage off the ship) at almost anytime (the ship is normally cleared by 7.30am) and book a car to suit you.



 

Edited January 20 by rog747

[BigMac1953]

Hi

 

We've been using https://www.tmrchauffeurs.co.uk/pricing.html for years..

 

They show the price to be £160 for a limo.

[david63]

One other thing to factor in is that there is always a possibility that the ship could be late arriving into Southampton.

2 hours ago, rog747 said:

(latest) check-in time for your flight is 60 minutes

Are you sure about that? Currently there is a trend for international flights to require a longer check-in time.

[Pushpit]

13 minutes ago, david63 said:

One other thing to factor in is that there is always a possibility that the ship could be late arriving into Southampton.

Are you sure about that? Currently there is a trend for international flights to require a longer check-in time.

There is often a recommendation for 2 hours, and it does vary by airline, but if you have checked luggage it is usually 1 hour at LHR for about 90% of LHR's flights.

 

There is sometimes a distinction between checked in, and baggage drop, and get to security. So you can check-in online, via an app etc, that's usually 1 hour. Then baggage drop can be as low as 45 minutes for domestic and European services, security is 35 minutes, taking British Airways which operates around half the services from Heathrow. United has a baggage deadline of 45 minutes for Heathrow. 

[Pushpit]

8 hours ago, Archipelago said:

. My flight departs from Heathrow at 2:10 ..I have a Cunard group transfer to Heathrow. Does anyone know when they typically depart if there are no delays ? Is 2:10 enough time ? My TA said after 2 and there are no other nonstop flights . I could get a 2:45 with a layover but would rather not . Anyway any help would be appreciated . I wouldn't want to miss my flight .Thank You !

Normally Cunard wants you off their ship by around 09:00 hrs, and by about 09:30 hrs they are sending out messages on the PA system that it's the last time for disembarkation. It is about 70 miles to Terminal 5 and Terminal 4, a bit more for Terminal 2 and 3 - you have to add another 10 minutes for T2 and T3 since that's got a few miles off the motorway, whereas T5 and T4 are motorway the whole way. The last section is the London Orbital Motorway, M25 and that can get congested, so another big factor is day of the week here. But usually it's fine.

 

Cunard's own coach service requires - for their benefit really - a minimum departure time for the flight, and I believe it's usually 13:00 hrs (so they anticipate getting to Heathrow around 11:00 hrs). This is bookable on board and the leaflet explains their deadlines. I can't see it being later than 14:00 hrs, but if it is, then a private car, own taxi booking or Uber will get you to T5 in just over an hour.

 

Note that if you can self disembark, you can be among the first off the ship, often around 07:30 hrs or so, but as you can see, you don't need to do this.

 

Personally if it was me, with a 14:00 hr deadline, I would take the train to Woking and RailAir bus, but I know the system, have a Senior Citizen railcard, don't take masses of bags and I'm usually only flying domestic. It usually takes just under or just over 2 hours, all told, from Mayflower to T5. Some people find the trains unreliable, but I've not had a problem. My earliest arrival into LHR T5 using train and bus off the QM2 was 09:15 hrs, it would have been 08:30 or earlier with Uber.

[rog747]

45 minutes ago, david63 said:

One other thing to factor in is that there is always a possibility that the ship could be late arriving into Southampton.

Are you sure about that? Currently there is a trend for international flights to require a longer check-in time.

The recommendations are of course to be at check-in 2-3 hours before departure, but the very minimum (close-out) time is 60 minutes on most International flights, and on some Domestic and European it can be 45 minutes as mentioned above.


PLEASE PLEASE do not even consider taking the trains unless you really know what you are doing as Pushpit says  - These days we are plagued with daily events of delays and cancellations on this line from SOU, plus constant Strikes and work to rule - NO NO NO LOL  !!!

Edited January 20 by rog747

[D&N]

The only flight I see today from LHR at that time is with AA.

Their recommended arrival times for check in outside the U.S. are at least 3 hours.

Minimum to check bags or check in at the airport  outside the U.S. at least 60 minutes.

 

I'd opt for self disembarkation and book a taxi for 7.30am, ensuring the taxi company will adjust that time in event of a late arrival.

 

Google taxis Southampton and you'll get lists of cab companies.

I'd book Aero Taxis, who we have used before or West Quay. They are two of the bigger operators. Or use one of the exec hire companies recommended by others.

[Pushpit]

21 minutes ago, rog747 said:

PLEASE PLEASE do not even consider taking the trains unless you really know what you are doing as Pushpit says  - These days we are plagued with daily events of delays and cancellations on this line from SOU, plus constant Strikes and work to rule - NO NO NO LOL  !!!

I knew someone would say that! Yes, with 18 months of on-off (mainly off) industrial relations strife it doesn't give a positive impression does it? But I see it as something you can take in your stride - so if the train runs a bit late I'd take a taxi or Uber for the Woking-Heathrow section, that's only £30 or so. No trains? Oh well, I'll have to summon a taxi or Uber from Southampton station instead (there are now 2 taxi ranks on both Up and Down platforms). Ah, there is a train to Basingstoke, that will do.....

 

The other option is the National Express coach service from Southampton to Heathrow (they crawl around the terminals). Their tiny coach station is close to Mayflower. There's a 09:45 service on most days that gets to T5 for 11:30 hrs, £19 per adult.

[Archipelago]

Thanks for the replies . I may decide to change my flight to a 2:45 one with a stop in Raleigh . Yes we won't know until that morning if the ship will be late and this is in first of December . I had booked the transfer when I booked the voyage . Thank You !

[Archipelago]

Addendum ..this is the same flight that Cunard quoted me to book for me . I used my miles and booked the same one . Will see how it goes and hope for the best . I would stay one night post cruise but I am Caregiving an elderly parent and have to get back .

[Pushpit]

1 hour ago, Archipelago said:

Thanks for the replies . I may decide to change my flight to a 2:45 one with a stop in Raleigh . Yes we won't know until that morning if the ship will be late and this is in first of December . I had booked the transfer when I booked the voyage . Thank You !

Well RDU airport is a superb airport to arrive into the USA, I would actually pay extra to go through there since there are typically only a few international arrivals, and mostly from Cancun, which arrive much earlier in the day compared to AA's flight to RDU, which arrives mid evening. There's sometimes an Icelandair flight too but that won't mess up your day. So you should sail through there and have an easy connection into a particularly pleasant and modern airport. That said, CLT isn't bad either, just a lot bigger. But the 45 minute difference here isn't a big deal, ultimately a 14:00 hrs departure means you must leave Southampton by 11:30 hrs latest, and in the absence of an unusual event, Cunard will have escorted you from the premises by that stage.

[Archipelago]

Thank You ..makes me feel better . I hope fellow passengers are as nice and helpful as you and others here are !