KarmaCruisers

Honestly if you’re an American Citizen; it couldn’t have been easier! literally just que up on your own and place your passport in a kiosk..it scans it, take a picture of you; then the kiosk gate opens and you walk through. Easy peasy the longest part is the WALK from gate to underground tube platform at Heathrow..like 15 minutes walk! Haha they literally have traffic lights for walkways at LHR, it’s THAT big, haha.

They’re still blue; the pattern is just reverse (instead of blue background with White Sea Witch; it’s a white background with a blue sea witch)

So we got up today at 8:30; got cleaned up and had breakfast in the buffet. While we were eating, Capt Tim came on the loudspeaker and said because we were in a pretty good storm cell, water tenders would be paused until it passed. (Fine for us because we had just sat down to eat) so now, about 45 minutes later, he came back on the loudspeaker and announced that the cell had passed and the sun was back out and tenders were re-commencing. So we’re going to go down and head into Dublin via the DART train. Our plans include: Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Jameson Distillery, Guiness StoreHouse, and maybe a lunch somewhere (I’d like to try some real authentic Irish Stew) On another note; we got a note today that they completely changed our Edinburgh tour. Originally it was Royal Mile, Hollyrood, and the Castle…but this morning it was changed to Royal Mile and National Musuem (which we have no interest in) so I requested a refund, and booked Edinburgh Castle tickets on my own (£15.50 each; because the crown jewel room is closed on 4 July). Well catch the X99 from Queensferry to Edinburgh for £1.25 each, then walk the Royal Mile up to the castle. The princess tour was £90 each.

Ahh ok; maybe my eyes deceive me then and what I’m thinking are different colors are just blue sea witch’s…

That can’t be right; because I’ve seen different color sea witch’s on them (blue, red, and black)

I wish it were leg cramps..amazingly my legs never cramp up..it’s my midsection, almost feels like someone is sliding a knife in my side.

So after we got back from our excursion; at 5:45, we took a nap, which we just got up from, haha. So it was really interesting, the Irish history lesson our bus driver gave us. He told us about the history all the way back from Brian Boru, until todays Sinn Fein Party. It’s crazy that even TODAY, there’s a “peace wall” in Belfast! I never knew just how bad in conflict Ireland has been! From the sounds of it; come the new general election in 2024; they may have an all out Civil War! Now it really makes us wish we would have taken the “Black Taxi Tour” in Belfast; to continue this “education”… But on a LIGHTER note; we’re going to get some food at the buffet at 9:30’ish (it’s open until 10!) We had RSVP at the MDR for 8pm; but having ate such a big meal in Kinsale, we’re were hungry quite yet. Weve tracked our steps and have been walking an average of 2.5 miles for the last few days! This is coming from someone who literally walks maybe 500 FEET in a day! (Yes I’m a lazy lout, literal jello-human; And this exercise is making me cramp like a mofo!)

As “Blue” cruisers; it makes me wonder..more apt that these people are the ones who spend a grip for their first roll and then end up bashing on princess. I always start our small and grow into things; because if I’m not impressed, it means I might be at the next level…if you start out at the top (full suite) and aren’t impressed then you’ve got nowhere to go but down

Fish & Chips from Dino’s plus their crazy take-away menu

So we’re in Kinsale now; eating at Dino’s; although their take-away menu is a lot more crazy than their sit-down is. (We chose to sit down because there wasn’t anywhere really to sit outside)

Kinda yeah…but there are places you can’t get to without joining the que, unfortunately

We got in line at 10:50am and we kissed the stone at 12:38pm. The trek up the castle stairs wasn’t too bad, actually. (And I’m out of shape and overweight) Now we make our way to Kinsale; where we’re going to get some lunch

We are past the “one hour to go” sign with 90 minutes left..so; we just may make it!

POOP! we may NOT be able to kiss the stone! the bus leaves at 1; and they said from where we’re at in line is “about 2 hours” were going to stick it out until noon, and see if we’ve made it to the sign that says “one hour from here”; if not we’ll unfortunately have to turn back. On another note..DAMN there’s hella Suite guests on our ship! We’ve seen a TON of the “white” medallions (most with Blue Sea Witch!) I can’t even imagine that cost..daaamn our BB was $4400 on SALE (casino offer for 35% off)

Announcement was made just after I posted lol. Short ride over to Blarney Castle. just got in and time to get in line to kiss the stone.

Well here it is 9am and as far as we can tell, the thrusters are still running and no announcement has been made about having clearance to go ashore…

Good morning Cobh! getting breakfast at the buffet, as usual. I was happy this morning, because they had Chicken Adobo with rice; i was tired of just bland eggs/potatoe/sausage.

So after our nap; we went to the Lecture about the next five ports (Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, and Glasgow) by Ken Broadhurst. Then we headed to Horizon Court buffet to get some dinner. It was Italian night, so I got every pasta they offered, plus a salad and a nectarine. After dinner my wife decided to donate some more into the Princess C-staff fund (Aka: casino). Another $500 loss at Heads Up Hold’Em. Now we’re in bed..tommorow is only mildly early with a 9am docking. We’re going on the PaddyWagon excursion to Blarney Castle and Kinsale. ALSO; I just want to add..it seems to me that folks on this ship who don’t speak English are RUDE! Either that or have odd elevator etiquette…there’ll be already like 6 people in an elevator..doesn’t matter, these folks will PUSH IN! like WHAT*!? We’re fat Americans! We need a little breathing room! We don’t need to ride nuts-to-butts while we’re on vacation!

To be honest; for Kris and I, the £10 each day-pass wasn’t worth it..and this is why.. - We live 90 mintutes away from California beaches (so the beach here wasn’t no thing) - Fruit..well…see above; California is known for its agri-abundance. - Wife doesn’t eat seafood so stopping off at one of the little restaurants along the bus route wasn’t an option. Now; if you live someplace where there is no ocean..or good fruit, or you like seafood..a day-pass may absolutely be for you. the single ride pass for £1.25 would have served us better, because we just rode the 91 around the island and never got off. we ended up giving our day passes to a couple who was getting off the ship when we were in line to get on (paid it forward)

lol, no blue?

Whew! What a day! took the 91 bus around the island; which took 90 minutes. then we caught the NoonDay Gun cannon fire from Castle Cornet; which we toured afterwards. now we’re waiting on a tender back to the ship to get some lunch and take a rest until 7:15; when there’s a lecture about the next few Irish ports.

Thanks for this tip! We just used it. little convenience store next to the bus station for us some interesting candy and crisps and some Gatorade. Now we’re waiting on the 92 bus that’ll come in 20 minutes; to ride around the island. We definitely want to see the Canon’s fire off at Castle Cornet at noon