Britannia transatlantic to Barbados

[pj57]

Hi 

Has any one done Southampton to Barbados reposition cruise on Britannia.We fly back from Barbados on Saturday 14th November 2020 hopefully 😀 after a 22 day cruise. Would like a heads up on any tips and tricks for this cruise and your flight times and Airline home. What’s your experience on the day of docking and going to airport.

Thanks

Phill

Edited May 22, 2020 by pj57
Adding sip

[ccpm]

it is very good. You can use the ship until fairly late in the day, dependent on the time of your flight. They have screens around the ship that keeps you informed about the flight. Some go into Barbados on that day others relax on the ship. I do salon appointments to get me tidy for going home and fill my time. Then a last lunch in the Glass House. The hand luggage can be left in a secure place if you don't want it with you until you leave the ship. There is also an alternative to take a scenic trip that then drops you off at the airport. From the ship the bus takes you to the airport your bags are dealt with by the P O chartered flight. I usually book one of the airport lounges at Bridgetown airport free drinks and snacks and comfy chairs. You then get called and board the plane. 

[Eddie99]

Flight time + time difference means a fairly disrupted evening/night coming back

My top tip is to go against usual advice, do not adjust your watch as you board - stay on Barbados time, have supper on board, maybe a drink then watch a movie or two.  Arrive tired at your home airport and get a lift/taxi home.  It’ll be 6/7am GMT but will just feel like a really late night to you.  Nap in the car if the journey is long enough, otherwise a 2 hour nap as soon as you get in (leave the post and the unpacking; even picking up the pets).  Then a quietish day, an earlyish night and hopefully you’re fine and fully refreshed, with great holiday memories, the next day

It works for me

If you go, have a lovely time

[pj57]

Thanks ccpm and Eddie 99 😀

What time were your flights and would a last minute shower be possible somewhere on the ship before transfer to airport. Presume there would be no boarding of new passengers on the departure day

 

[Eddie99]

The new passengers come in on the planes you go home on!

 

You can use the spa for freshening up before you go.  Or you can get a day cabin.  Look out for news of when these are released in the Horizon - or pester Reception.  Bear in mind you are extremely unlikely to keep your own cabin - it’s Hobson’s Choice.

 

iirc the lights are due to take off about 6/7pm Barbados.  You leave the ship early afternoon, after lunch.  It’s all remarkably efficient.  If your plane is delayed coming out then your departure from the ship is delayed too.

[bee-ess]

We have done this several times, as others have said, P&O do handle the travel part very well, the best bit being not having the handle your cases at all coming home and as it is bonded you don't have to worry too much with weight limits - we have always taken 3 cases with no problem.

One tip if you haven't booked yet - if you book a balcony the port side gets sun all day and starboard the opposite.

If you fly back from St Lucia (it did in 2019) just be aware that it is a long journey to the airport.

[pj57]

G8 Thanks again  ccpm and Eddie 99 and have just realised it is St Lucia we are flying back from  lol

[Eddie99]

Ah

I’ve never done that, so beware my advice - it may not be 100%

[ccpm]

No sorry me neither I have done either 2 or 4 weeks starting and ending in Bridgetown. Hopefully someone else will pop along to answer re St Lucia. Obviously no Caribbean transatlantic for me this year. I haven't booked for 2021 yet just seeing how it goes but I do usually do the sail back if I can every year on Azura or Britannia. You will, I suspect, like it its a great winter break

[bee-ess]

3 hours ago, pj57 said:

G8 Thanks again  ccpm and Eddie 99 and have just realised it is St Lucia we are flying back from  lol

We did the St Lucia fly home in Nov 2019 - everything about was the same as a Barbados fly home with bonded luggage except the journey to the airport which is about 90 mins over quite minor roads. We left the ship about 4 hrs before the flight.

Another reason we prefer the sail out fly home is that you gain an hour for 4 of the days crossing over, you lose 4 hours on the sail home. We have found that the weather gets warmer each day from Madeira, sometimes even before Madeira, on the day before Madeira it is usually warm enough to sit out. I assume that the TA is going via Madeira I would not do one that goes via Ponta Delgardo as it is a more northerly route, we came home that one once and had a poor crossing back with little sun.

Edited May 22, 2020 by bee-ess

[pj57]

Thanks Bee-ess good info 😀

[sueandphil]

On 5/22/2020 at 6:39 PM, ccpm said:

No sorry me neither I have done either 2 or 4 weeks starting and ending in Bridgetown. Hopefully someone else will pop along to answer re St Lucia. Obviously no Caribbean transatlantic for me this year. I haven't booked for 2021 yet just seeing how it goes but I do usually do the sail back if I can every year on Azura or Britannia. You will, I suspect, like it its a great winter break

We have done the 22 night TA with a return flight from St Lucia 4 times now.  As has been said the Journey to Hewanora Airport in the South of the Island is around 90 mins.  You are gathered up in one of the main dining rooms around 1.00pm and escorted to the small shuttle buses in groups.  You have to take your hand baggage on board with you but now they will stow it at the front of the bus instead of on your lap as once was the case!  You main luggage is taken from your cabin overnight as in Barbados and you next see it on the carousel at Gatwick. The Journey to the airport is not ever so pleasant on bumpy old mini buses and the departure lounge is not what you expect from an International Airport. There is only one flight back to the UK from St Lucia and so only around 300 PAX.   It is, however, well worth the slight inconvenience to enjoy the extended stay in the Caribbean.