Princess boarding times in Brisbane

[PJOZ]

I asked a couple of days ago about getting to Brisbane for our cruise on the Sea Princess next Sunday, thanks to those who offered advice.

 

Based on that, and our trial run last night going up to Brisbane on the train for the cricket, I am tending towards getting a transfer, but the only ones I can find that are reasonably priced get to Brisbane at 11am. We have an allocated boarding time of 2-2:30.

 

Not sure whether it is worth having to be ready early and paying extra for the transfer to sit and wait in the terminal for three hours. Has anyone had any experience with being able to board earlier than their allocated time in Brisbane? It's the start of a long cruise (though not for us sadly) so thinking there will be lots of people with status also wanting to board early.

 

If it's unlikely that we would be able to board before 2 is there anything to do around the cruise terminal? Two kids with us so anything to occupy them would be good.

 

Thanks again, Penny

[rkmw]

I asked a couple of days ago about getting to Brisbane for our cruise on the Sea Princess next Sunday, thanks to those who offered advice.

 

Based on that, and our trial run last night going up to Brisbane on the train for the cricket, I am tending towards getting a transfer, but the only ones I can find that are reasonably priced get to Brisbane at 11am. We have an allocated boarding time of 2-2:30.

 

Not sure whether it is worth having to be ready early and paying extra for the transfer to sit and wait in the terminal for three hours. Has anyone had any experience with being able to board earlier than their allocated time in Brisbane? It's the start of a long cruise (though not for us sadly) so thinking there will be lots of people with status also wanting to board early.

 

If it's unlikely that we would be able to board before 2 is there anything to do around the cruise terminal? Two kids with us so anything to occupy them would be good.

 

Thanks again, Penny

 

Princess arent strict on their boarding times so i'd join the queue when you get there, priority, suites and disable people go on first then you are given a number to board so hopefully you could be onboard by 12 noon if their on time

[MMDown Under]

Dendy Theatre is at Portside (cruise terminal), so your children might like to watch a movie. Otherwise there are a variety of eating places, if you are hungry.

 

Another option might be a ferry ride across the river to Bulimba and back.

[OzKiwiJJ]

There are shops, restaurants and a movie theatre, but I bet you'll be on the ship by 12:30 at the latest. :)

[Aus Traveller]

When you arrive and check in you will be given boarding numbers. To keep the kids entertained during the waiting time, you can walk around to the shopping area, then maybe go upstairs to the viewing deck. There is a superb view of the ship. This will keep the kids entertained for a while and help build the excitement. To find this, walk out of the embarkation lounge and head towards the west about 100m. Turn left and walk past the shops towards the movie theatre, then two floors up on the escalator.

Edited January 4, 2017 by Aus Traveller

[Oriana1]

Hi Penny,

 

As far as I know check in commences at 10.30 am on Sunday with a possible boarding time of then 11.30 am.

 

I would get there at 11.00 am.

 

Kim

[PJOZ]

That all sounds great thanks so much everyone. Transfers booked - getting excited now!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Chris86]

This is good to know! Our flight arrives at brisbane 10.30am. We were not made aware of boarding times when we booked. Yay to not following this rule

[happysnapper]

Be mindful the allocated boarding time "rule" can be enforced when necessary. We did a short pre Christmas cruise out of Brisbane and our boarding time was 12.30pm (1st boarding time) with preferred check in. Hundreds of Px arrived hours ahead of their allocated time and due to the congestion many where told they would have to wait. Most times it is not a problem and you can be lucky and board early but just be aware.

[linanles]

We've sailed out of Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland and Singapore and at all of those terminals the Bag Drop opened at about 8:30 - 9:00am so you can drop off your non-carry on bags from then on. The are two stages to getting on board, check-in and boarding. We've found that check-in opens about 11:00am. When you check-in they will give you a boarding number and you have to wait until that number is called. Once the ship is ready for boarding those with priority boarding will be called first then within about 15 minutes the numbers will be called progressively.

 

So far, we haven't encountered a situation where we have had to wait until our allocated boarding time. I think if you did wait for your allocated time you would find that there would be no waiting as most people would already be on board giving the buffet a hammering.

[crochetcruise]

We've sailed out of Brisbane, Sydney, Auckland and Singapore and at all of those terminals the Bag Drop opened at about 8:30 - 9:00am so you can drop off your non-carry on bags from then on. The are two stages to getting on board, check-in and boarding. We've found that check-in opens about 11:00am. When you check-in they will give you a boarding number and you have to wait until that number is called. Once the ship is ready for boarding those with priority boarding will be called first then within about 15 minutes the numbers will be called progressively.

 

So far, we haven't encountered a situation where we have had to wait until our allocated boarding time. I think if you did wait for your allocated time you would find that there would be no waiting as most people would already be on board giving the buffet a hammering.

 

When I sailed-Blue Card on the Golden Princess 11/11/2016-from the OPT, my cousins helped me lodge the main suitcase then we went further up for me to board, where we said goodbye as they couldn't escort me. Check in was quick, 1 of the staff suggested Assisted Boarding would be easier for me, judging from the bumps I felt in the wheelchair he was right. Check in, Cruise Card, Embarkation Photo, taken aboard and straight to my Window Suite, then the helpers-I had a carry on suitcase and my handbag and Rollator so someone pushed the Rollator with the suitcase and I held my handbag-wished me a good trip and returned to their duties. My Boarding time was 1.30pm, and I had priority in a Suite.

 

I found it very confusing, LOTSof friendly staff with polite directions to guide you where you needed to go, but it was my 1st time at the OPT so everything was completely new to me.

 

Please is there a lift at Brisbane, I don't feel safe getting on and off escalators due to the ridge at the start and finish snagging my Rollator wheels and I've almost fallen the only time I dared to try an escalator.

[OzKiwiJJ]

Brisbane cruise terminal is a bit odd in design. There is a very short flight of stairs with the alternative of a ramp at one point, then after another short walk a longer stairway and also a lift. I don't recall any escalators.

[Aus Traveller]

Brisbane cruise terminal is a bit odd in design. There is a very short flight of stairs with the alternative of a ramp at one point, then after another short walk a longer stairway and also a lift. I don't recall any escalators.

Correct. A ramp as an alternative to a very short flight of stairs and a lift as an alternative to a two-flight set of stairs. No escalators.

 

In our many cruises departing from Brisbane, the check-in has been open well before 10am. Depending on how smoothly disembarkation of the previous cruise goes, boarding of the new cruise can start as early as 10.45 but usually by 11am or so.