Cruise from Southampton to Spain

[Piglet_the_brave]

I’m booked on the August 27th 5 night on the Dream stopping at La Coruña and Vigo. It was very last minute, only booked last week. Even though I’m in the UK I’ve never sailed from Southampton, only from Port Canaveral.
It will be just me and my 2 teenage daughters.

1. How straightforward is the check in process at the port? My husband is dropping us off, it looks like there’s a drop off area on the map, but is there anywhere to wait if we’re there early(our port arrival time is 2.30)

2. We’re planning on exploring La Coruña on our own. I currently have an excursion booked in Vigo (not sure if I’m keeping it), how much is it customary to tip the tour guides?

3. I’ve requested a private table in the dining room as we’ve not had the best experience with table mates. Has anyone here had that request met before

 

[cjkeating]

1. How straightforward is the check in process at the port? My husband is dropping us off, it looks like there’s a drop off area on the map, but is there anywhere to wait if we’re there early(our port arrival time is 2.30)

I cruised from Southampton on the Dream a couple of weeks ago. There is nowhere to wait (other than standing in a line which is shaded) so I'd suggest you arrive no more than half an hour early.

3. I’ve requested a private table in the dining room as we’ve not had the best experience with table mates. Has anyone here had that request met before

From speaking to the crew on board the shorter cruises from the UK have been busy and they are classing them as 'full' so I'd say your request is 50/50. As you are a 3 then you could get lucky and get a table of four but likewise they may have to put you with another family.

Are you on the second dining as that is the quieter one? You can always check your request when you are onboard and if you have been paired up ask again they separate you if they are able to do so.

 

[Piglet_the_brave]

I cruised from Southampton on the Dream a couple of weeks ago. There is nowhere to wait (other than standing in a line which is shaded) so I'd suggest you arrive no more than half an hour early.


From speaking to the crew on board the shorter cruises from the UK have been busy and they are classing them as 'full' so I'd say your request is 50/50. As you are a 3 then you could get lucky and get a table of four but likewise they may have to put you with another family.

Are you on the second dining as that is the quieter one? You can always check your request when you are onboard and if you have been paired up ask again they separate you if they are able to do so.

Thanks for the reply. I won’t get there too early then, I don’t want to be one of those people that just gets in the way. I have managed to modify my arrival time to 1.15, so a bit better. We’re staying in Winchester the night before now, not driving down in the morning, so will be easier.

We do have second dining and are planning to go straight to speak to the dining team when we board, so hopefully we will be on our own