BennyBrun

Embarkation Day Atrium

Embarkation Day Lunch at O’Sheehan’s

Embarkation Day Atrium Area

Embarkation Day It took about 10 minutes from the terminal to the room. Inside Cabin… not a lot of room to move around but enough space to store everything for me. I can’t even imagine sleeping 4 people in this room. The plus side is that there is no nightlight in the bathroom so it is like a cave perfect for sleeping.

Embarkation Day Port Terminal - check in was easy and painless every efficient!

Embarkation Day It took about 2 hours to get from LHR to SouthHampton as we encountered a traffic accident and lots of congestion. When they pick you up you drop off the checked luggage and they will bring it to the ship for you. You just have to worry about your carry on. Make sure that everything is tagged because you won’t see the checked luggage again until you get to your room. Excellent service!

Embarkation Day So they picked up at terminal 3 first and then terminal 2 then terminal 5… around 10:20 we got on the bus and 10:45 we were at terminal 5. The actual ride is about 90 minutes!

Embarkation Day They have slots machines at the airport 18+ to play but first you have to figure out how to play…. There are way too many buttons to push and wait for the music to tell you how much you lost 😂

Embarkation Day This is where you meet the NCL greeters for prearranged transport to the cruise port! Terminal 3 arrivals … you will see them as you exit custom. Boots is there for last minute drugstore needs and M&S Food hall is there for quick snack purchase for the bus ride 😂

Embarkation Day… Breakfast at the inn…I particularly enjoyed the coco pops … I am used to Corn Pops 😂

I have looked at all the options too…. NCL charges $75.00 but that’s USD. I looked at private transfers and it’s about £189 to £200 for a basic car. National Express is about €50 after after you select a seat and add a luggage and then you have to take a cab to the port so I figure it’s less hassle to pay NCL a little more for cruise day. If I had an extra extra day then I would use National Express to head down to SouthHampton.

Thank you so much! I am so glad you like the pictures of this virtual cruise so far… I have to admit it was a lot of people even for me but I don’t think it’s the norm though…

Thank you so much for your input… I can’t wait get get on the Dawn. Not to worry a full picture report will follow… I had my mask on at all times because a little voice in my head kept screaming and will be screaming at me to remind me that I need a negative test to get back home!!! If you book in advance it’s about $150 Pounds. It is the highest in the Hilton brand family of hotels at the airport LHR. The other Hilton Garden Inn is less expensive but you have to use shuttle or bus to get back and forth. In my case I booked a transfer to SouthHampton with NCL $75.00 so I have to come back to terminal 3 arrivals to meet the greeters and it’s just much easier to use the cart to push my luggage back using the walkway for me. I don’t want to deal with getting the luggage onto a bus and then off the bus….

Marketing techniques… we just have to play around with it to find the best deal !! I really appreciate your input on this because it gives it a different perspective!!

Ahahahhahahahahahaha… I have to tell you that I will never look at a trifle the same way again… I will continue my spot check around the British Isles 😂

Pre Cruise Its official … the trifle should be made with jam and not jello… M&S said so and I am a fan of Mark & Spencer

Pre Cruise If you are staying at Hilton Garden Inn LHR Terminal 2 don’t miss the rooftop bar… fantastic views! Great wine selection!

Pre Cruise… I have gotten this email 4 times … asking you to watch the same safety video on you tube from like 10 years ago…the TV in the stateroom is not a flat tv 😂

Pre Cruise… Being the nosey person that I am … I have heard that from the UK you don’t have to pay the gratuity on the free at seas offerings when the cruise is booked from the UK… BUT looking at the UK website… you have to pay to upgrade to free at sea … so it comes out about the same as the US Free at Seas except you can’t decline just the drink package and pay less to upgrade … remember that about $1.26 USD is 1 pound sterling. Marketing techniques to get around the advertising requirements.

Oh no!!! I am so sorry to hear that. I hope your 13 year old get better soon!!!! It’s terrible you guys are missing my favorite Oasis Class ship Symphony! Love that ship ! I will not disappoint with good pictures… don’t you worry!!! I have not had any issues with food on Royal but again I eat late and find the slow time to dine so that might have a different experience too… but we shall see how it goes on NCL. I know that I won’t be getting salmon and escargot at MDR but will be able to have pub food and Chinese food as complimentary options so it’s a trade off!

Pre Cruise Walking back to the Underground to go back to base… Of course I always get distracted and wonder off the beaten path …

Pre Cruise Piccadilly Circus Video IMG_8148.MOV

Pre Cruise Piccadilly Circus… it was like a circus… think NYC Times Square NYE except at the day time that’s what today reminds me

Pre Cruise Chinatown … every place was packed due to the two day bank holiday…

Book your excursions if want to do them using the $50 credit… the good ones disappears quickly!