Embarkation

We have been given a boarding time of 3:00 pm. Is it worth getting there earlier with the hope of being onboard in time for lunch? Our journey to Southampton is about 3 hours so we could comfortably be their for 12ish.

We have been given a boarding time of 3:00 pm. Is it worth getting there earlier with the hope of being onboard in time for lunch? Our journey to Southampton is about 3 hours so we could comfortably be their for 12ish.

If you are prepared to wait in the Terminal, for and hour or two, then yes, however boarding usually starts but not always around 12noon (Has been known earlier and later) Passengers already cruising with the ship will board first when embarkation is allowed, then Queens and Princess Grill suit passengers, followed by Priority boarding for the Diamond and Platinum World Club members. Boarding is then followed by that shown on your e ticket. With Cunard Arranged Coach passengers given priority over the rest. You may be lucky or you may not be, However the times shown on your e ticket is to try and eliminate overcrowding in the terminal.

here is what Cunard say about boarding

https://ask.cunard.com/help/before-you-sail/latest_checkin

and

https://ask.cunard.com/help/before-you-sail/when_embark

You should get there just before the boarding time you have been given.

You will probably get straight on the ship with little or no waiting at that time.

Thanks again for your help

Unless you are in Princess or Queens Grill, your lunch will be in the Kings Court buffet, which is, frankly, a buffet. You may have to wait around for a long time to board in order to get an earlier crack at the buffet. IMHO, it's not worth it. Have a lovely stress-free lunch in Southampton or wherever and arrive at your appointed time. That is my recommendation.

Thanks. That was the conclusion we had just about arrived at.