gunnywife

So far I've booked several tours.  But I need help on some of these ports

Portland   -   Is there any thing to do there or should we book a tour?

Dublin  --  Is the port near the city center?  Is it walkable or can we take a cab?

Invergordon  -   Same question as above

Edinburgh  -   Seems like quite a distance from port to town.  What is the best way to get to town?

I'm finally ready to book our  transfer from Heathrow to Southampton hotel in June for 7 passengers..  I've reviewed several transfer companies and feel Blackberry Cars seem to be the best.

If anyone has any other suggestions I would appreciate it.  And if you have any personal knowledge of Blackberry Cars that would be appreciated as well.

Please give me suggestions on no surge power strips allowed on Princess.  

On looking on Amazon I see some were rejected by various cruise lines.  I just want to get the right one.

I'm 86 and love my independence,  But I sure welcome help with heavy things like luggage and I gladly will be happy for help getting off and on the ship.  But I wouldn't want my kids to tell me what to do insofar as everyday things, like what to eat or not eat, or suggestions when I should get rest. etc.

Let the elders be grateful for help but the younger people have to know there are limits on what they can do for them.

Just my humble opinion

if your husband was in the military I think he would be interested in the tour that goes to the Normandy Landing Beaches.  This is on your last port day.  It is a 10 hour trip, but my husband did it when he had mobility issues and he was very touched by being there.  

I'm doing this same cruise next June with my adult children and their spouses and they choose to go to  Paris, which is fine with me. Again this is a 10 hour bus trip, but not much walking.

Have a great time.  I know I'm hoping to enjoy this cruise with my kids.  It will be my first cruise since my husband passed so the memories will be bittersweet.

I think there's a land tour before the Princess British Isles cruise and that seems to focus on Ireland.

Onessa:  So sorry that  trip with your sister and family was so bad. Those things happen, unfortunately.  But remember all the good times you had on your other trips with your mom and dad.  I am looking forward to this cruise.  And I will say some of the fun is the planning --- making the arrangements for all of us to  get to the Tampa airport, arranging the transfer from Heathrow to Southampton, reserving the hotel the day before the cruise and most of all planning the excursions.

Don't think I mentioned it before, but old friends of mine are joining us on this trip.  So  that will be fun.  

Hope you have many more cruises with family  

I just ordered 3 excursions for our June cruise.  I was charged full price on my credit card.  When and how do  I receive the 10% discount for Elites?

I'm in the US and the phone numbers are for England.  At my old age I'm pretty much computer illiterate.  So if there's a way to call them without high charges I don't know it.  Besides I don't mind keeping in touch with them the way I do.  It's no problem.  They get right back to me.

wowzz:  Don't know why I said text I meant e-mail.  

I've been researching private transfers from Heathrow to Southampton for a June cruise.  

I can't help you with Empire Limo because I have never heard of them.

But I have texted Twelve Transfers, EC MiniBus, British Express Cars, Blackberry Cars, and Heathrow Shuttle.  All texted me right back with information and prices.  There is a wide range of prices.  They all seem very helpful.  The downside is you pretty much have to contact them by text because they do not have a way to call them from the states.

From what I read on Cruise Critic Blackberry seems to be a favorite.

Thanks for your suggestions.  I'm thinking of taking a collapsible walker that my husband used on cruises.  We're not flying first class, but have premium seating which gives us more leg room.  Service is good too.  And we are going a day early.  I already have reservations at a hotel in Southampton.  Now I just have to make arrangements for a private transfer from Heathrow to Southampton since we're going in a day early.  I do dread the Heathrow airport, but I'm getting a wheelchair for that. We leave from Tampa which is a great airport so going into LHR is tough.   

My  husband and I have been to Europe many time both on cruises and land tours.  Those cobblestone streets were difficult, even when I was younger.

Thanks again for all your suggestions and if you think of anything more, just let me know.  

Thank you John Bull.  I can always count on you for an answer.

What is the distance between the cruise port and Dublin City Center?

Invergordon port to city center?

Edinburgh port to Edinburgh city center?

Trying to decide whether to take tours or go into the cities.

Several years ago I broke my ankle in Hawaii and needed surgery.  We had Allianz. They covered everything including  my stay at a hotel in Hawaii and sent a nurse from New York to accompany my husband and I home.  We were very satisfied.  But again that was years ago so I don't know how they are now.

There will be 7 of us traveling, 2 with collapsible walkers.  I'm looking for a private transfer from Heathrow to Southampton.  Has anyone had any experience like this?  Would we need 2 vehicles or would one van be adequate?  If you've experienced this what transfer company did you use and were you satisfied?

Thanks Thrak.  That's just what I wanted to know. Plain and simple.

This questions has probably been asked many times but I haven't seen it.  Can a couple each bring one bottle of wine plus a 6 pack or 12 pack of soft drinks?  Or is it one or the other?

I'm not on the ship.  Only  know what I was told by friends.

Just talked to friends on the Alaska cruise on the Grand.  It's rainy and cold.  They said the food is good and the crew are wonderful.  Helpful and friendly.  Tomorrow they  will be in Skagway.  So that port is open again.  But no train ride. while there.   So far there aren't shows as we knew them.  And some of the amenities are gone. but those are just little things.  They are enjoying themselves and having a good time.

There are 7 of us booked on June 13 British Isles cruise.  We're going in a day early so need to find private transportation.  I contacted Blackberry and they said it was too early to give prices.  I got a written price from Eddie Manning Limo Service.  And on line I've gotten "quick quotes" from 12 Transfers, Marble Cars and London Heathrow cars. So far 12 transfer had the best price.

I would say the main port you would want to book an excursion would be the Paris/Normandy port.

My husband and I did one of the Normandy tours a few years ago and I'm glad we did.  He was a retired Marine and that tour meant a lot to both of us.  In June I'm traveling with my son, dau in law, my dau and her husband and we will probably do one of the Paris tours.  The cruise is wonderful. You will enjoy.. Just remember it's port intensive.  My husband and I  did most of the ports ourselves and will probably do the same this time.  But  I will say my son wants to do the Guinness  tour and the girls want to see castles.

Just got a quote from them and the price was pretty much the same as other companies that take people from Heathrow to Southampton.  They also included  very detailed information on their cars and what they do.  I'm still disappointed that no one on this website has used them. So far they look good to me.

Has anyone used Eddie Manning Transfer to go from Heathrow to Southampton?  They seem to have good reviews.  Any information would be appreciated.

We're booked for June 13 cruise.  I just looked and the Normandy tour looks open to me. So you might want to check again.  My husband, a retired Marine, and I took this tour a few years ago on Princess and it is wonderful.  If your husband is retired military he would be especially touched to be there.  I know it was that way for my husband.