Prior to travelling, we created many lists and packed as much as we could in advance to avoid last minute issues and forgetting items.
We were very organised and gradually packed and assembled everything in our spare room. Somehow we managed to remember everything which was quite the feat. In all honesty we probably packed too many clothes. We allowed our daughter to pack herself and discovered she had likely taken way more than needed.
Prior to sailing, you need to complete pre boarding checks by supplying passport and traveller information online via the P&O booking website. You also need to print off luggage labels so you can attach to cases.
On the day of travel, we had arranged a coach to get us to Southampton. Our coach pick up was for 2pm from Warwick M40 services and was a smooth journey which departed on time and got us to the port for 4pm. Only a 2 hour journey to get us to Southampton.
On arrival at the port, it was exciting to glimpse sight of our new home for the next two weeks with the impressive sight of our massive ship in dock.
Quite a few coaches all arrived at once around 4pm and we appeared to be the last in the coach queue. It took about 30 minutes before we could disembark the coach and work our way through the terminal.
The great thing about going by coach is that you don’t handle your bags again and do not see them until they arrive outside your cabin door on ship.
Our first look at the ship from the coach and we were impressed. You just cannot get your head around the size of the ship.
Before boarding we headed to check in and were greeted by P&O and port staff. Passports and boarding cards were checked and then our photos taken for our cruise cards. We were then handed our cruise cards that had a barcode which we would then use for getting into our room and for purchases over the next two weeks. Make sure you have these with you at all times and I used a lanyard around my neck and hid it under clothing.
Next stop was security by port staff and this was very fast. Walking through scanners and passing electronic items through x-ray.
After clearing security you finally get to go onboard your ship after a short walkway connecting you to the boarding deck. One scan of your cruise card and you are free to board. This ship is amazing with so much to explore.
For safety, we were instructed to go to our muster station. A safety requirement to go to the station and check in. After making ourselves known, we were then required to watch safety videos, in our cabin.
While watching the video, the ship also announced over the tannoy that they were going to do a test and proceeded with a series of beeps that would sound throughout the ship in the event we were required to report to your muster station. Being a test, we did not have to report to the agreed point.
(See the separate post about the cabin via the cruise page).
As one of the last passengers to board at 5pm, many will have already been sampling all the ship had to offer as onboarding started from around 1pm. It does appear that many coaches are now timed to report to the terminal later in the day. Bear that in mind if you use the coach. Also, just double check your coach departure time and keep this in mind for your return date. I am highlighting as we were given a 10am time to leave the ship despite a 9am coach.
The ship is fairly easy to navigate around. Stairwells at regular intervals with supporting sets of lifts. Each clearly advising you what you can find on every deck and electronic screens with maps to help you find your way around. I will go into this in more detail in later posts.
You also get a “Horizon” magazine waiting in your cabin that helps with what’s on and where to go.
As the ship departed from Southampton to the Med, you are of course required to cross one of the choppiest sections of sea being the Bay of Biscay. The size of the ship means that the crossing is fairly smooth. However it was quite choppy with high winds and you could feel some rocking. Some decks then being closed off on the outside due to high winds.
I was fine and it did not bother me. My wife Nadine suffered a little sea sickness in the evening of day 2 before reaching our port. Nadine took tablets to help which we had brought with us. If you are going to feel any sea sickness, it will likely be departing and arriving back via the Bay of Biscay. However, as soon as she started wearing a travel band, she felt much better.
Do bring travel sickness tablets and bands with you. Purchasing tablets via the medical centre will work out costly.
Keep an eye for further posts that will appear between now and mid June by monitoring the cruise page. Many subjects to cover.
Below is an info screen about the ship when we sailed.
