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Tips out of Southampton


2BACRUISER

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Thinking of going on Celebrity Eclipse out of s'oton this year.

When ships depart from UK is the currency on board still US dollars and do we tip in dollars or do the crew prefer sterling with s'oton being their home port?

Given we're upt North (good 6hrs away)are we better travelling down the day before departure and staying over?

thanks

2BAC

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Pretty sure the crew would take any currency you'd care to offer...sterling for the 'home port' or Euros for anywhere they visit. They'll be savvy enough to know they can exchange currency as they need to.

Do you not tip in advance by pre-paying your gratuities?

 

As regards travelling down on the day, just leave plenty of time for any potential disaster and you should be fine. We're only travelling down from the east midlands and will allow four hours....just in case

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Hi We have driven down to Southampton and it took us hours due to traffic on the motorways etc. So we now Fly Down from Leeds Bradford with Flybe - quite cheap and only takes 1 hr ! - drawback is luggage allowance but you can get an increase if you pay more. There is a train from the Airport which is very regular and takes you into Southampton C.C. go down the day before and then you can wake up to see your ship berthed ready for you. Lots of budget hotels in the center such as Ibis etc.

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Rarely need any cash on board as everything arranged through registering your bank card and all on board expenses registered through the card you are given by the cruise line.

We are also from Yorkshire and like to do most of the travelling the day before. As Southampton is quite long we are breaking our journey in July at Winchester so the bulk of the driving is done.

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When Sailing out of Southampton or Harwich, we have stopped the night before, IF we can get a good deal. IF the parking is free it has to be a very good deal. As for driving down, you are in Yorkshire we are low side Sheffield. Driving down is no big deal, leave enough time and take your time and plan your route and even an alternative.

 

When you disembark on self checkout, we can walk through the door at home and the Bus we would have been on might be 30 minutes out of the Docks. Then you have all the drop offs Driver break, bet you could be looking at 5/6 hours travelling.

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Thanks for the info, Flying out of Newcastle (we're just in North Yorkshire)to S'ton looks best option for us & cheapest (price of diesel LOL NOT) Theres an evening flight the day before & we are travelodge users.

As regards tipping we will do gratutities pre-paid but i meant for little extras;)

Bit worried about sea being rough out of UK down to med, now to try and sort out kennels for dog, somebody to mind the farm and convince ever suffering that he needs to go away!

Thanks again

2BAC:)

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Thanks for the info, Flying out of Newcastle (we're just in North Yorkshire)to S'ton looks best option for us & cheapest (price of diesel LOL NOT) Theres an evening flight the day before & we are travelodge users.

As regards tipping we will do gratutities pre-paid but i meant for little extras;)

Bit worried about sea being rough out of UK down to med, now to try and sort out kennels for dog, somebody to mind the farm and convince ever suffering that he needs to go away!

Thanks again

2BAC:)

 

Sounds like you have a good plan ! - We liked flying down, it was fun especially when they asked a couple of passengers to change seats to balance out the plane !! When we arrived back after the cruise we booked a day room at the Ibis which was great because we just got a cab back there and dumped our luggage had a cuppa went for a walk and a bit of lunch - back to the room for a rest before a cab back to the airport for our 17.00 flight worth the £35 or so it cost, As for the Bay of Biscay it can be rough but then again it might not be - we got a smooth outward and a bit choppy back ! Tell Every Suffering you deserve the break ! Enjoy your Cruise

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Thinking of going on Celebrity Eclipse out of s'oton this year.

When ships depart from UK is the currency on board still US dollars and do we tip in dollars or do the crew prefer sterling with s'oton being their home port?

Given we're upt North (good 6hrs away)are we better travelling down the day before departure and staying over?

thanks

2BAC

If travelling by car and do not have free parking, use Parking 4 Cruises (http://www.parking4cruises.co.uk) rather than Cruise & Passenger Services or ABP (Associated British Ports) if you are parking for a week or more. Parking 4 Cruises provide a full valet parking service at a highly competitive price. I have used them on numerous occasions and always been delighted with the personal service received. Your vehicle will be collected and returned within 100 yards of the terminal building. Alternatively, if staying over, some hotels offer parking for the duration of your cruise.

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When driving long distance.

 

Look at staying outside Southampton upto 2hrs away is fine as there is time the morning of the cruise no point getting to Southampton before about 10:30-11:00.

 

Depending on route.

Once south of Oxford/MK there are plenty of places to stay and often cheaper than Southampton. a load of Devere around the M25(M1 M40 M4) area often £20 around 1.5 hours. If wanting to be closer then Winchester is a good stop.

 

Parking look at park on my drive/at my place type places often cheapest of the options and some will do transfers.

 

The port parking can be worth the extra cost for the convenience and fast getaway on return

 

Another option is one way car hire from around £50 each way saves on parking and wear on own car.

 

For hotel in Southampton Ibis budget has good rates there are also holiday inn express around the outskirts(look for the family&friends rate).

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Thanks for the info, Flying out of Newcastle (we're just in North Yorkshire)to S'ton looks best option for us & cheapest (price of diesel LOL NOT) Theres an evening flight the day before & we are travelodge users.

As regards tipping we will do gratutities pre-paid but i meant for little extras;)

Bit worried about sea being rough out of UK down to med, now to try and sort out kennels for dog, somebody to mind the farm and convince ever suffering that he needs to go away!

Thanks again

2BAC:)

We fly this route regularly and apart from the luggage restrictions, it is a great service. There is a Premier Inn at the airport if you don't want to go into town the night you arrive. The train station is right next to the airport, one stop to Southampton Central. The Ibis and the Novotel are very close by the station. If you prefer to be nearer the port then the Holiday Inn is your best bet.
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