Guernseycruiser

When purchasing any item with cash, just ask for the change in "English".

Yes you are correct, the buses are "no cash", this policy was instigated during COVID. Also unfortunately American Express is not accepted as a form of payment on the public buses. No progress on the steps to Clarence Battery, and sorry no news or timescale on when they will be repaired.

The bus day pass can either be purchased on the bus as you enter, or at the bus information centre, no need to purchase ahead of time. The bus to the Little Chapel (which is also the bus to the German Underground Hospital) is bus no 71.

If you have been to Guernsey previously, or are looking for something that is local produce orientated, Rocquette Cider have just released their 2023 tour dates for booking. Please note the nearest bus stop is approx 15 minute walk to the site (it is on the same route as The Little Chapel and The German Underground Hospital, but you need to be clear on where you are walking), therefore you may wish to pre-book a taxi or include this within an island tour. I highly recommend this tour, I have been on this a few times with different family, friends and work colleagues. https://www.rocquettecider.com/#home

As you mention, St Peter Port is a tender port. Approx 90% of the ships are able to tender in, although all weather dependent. You can have "one-off" rough seas in July, and yet have calm seas in late September/early October. Some of the time the Captain will cancel the visit the day before if they are absolutely certain that they will not be able to tender, however usually the pilot boat will sail out to the ship, discussions will then happen and the Captain will then make the decision at that time on the day with the most up to date and local expertise providing information. With regards to private tours, I would just ensure that if you ship is unable to tender, that they will refund in full (or the majority of the tour cost say less bank charges or a very small admin fee).

Must see port - Guernsey, but you may think I am a little biased 😆😉

Another heads up. Island Rib Voyages have released their April, May and June schedules for 2023, with the remainder of the season to be released shortly. https://islandribvoyages.com/ I have personally been on their Herm and Sark tours, and highly recommend them. Availability is limited so I would book early to secure your spaces. They usually meet on the "Crown Pier" which is the pier next one down from the tender pier, approx 5 minute walk.

Just a heads up for everyone, Hauteville House (the once home of the famous writer Victor Hugo) has now opened up their online booking system for 2023. The link is below https://www.maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr/en/museum-collections/house-visit-guernsey You need to scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Your visit in Guernsey", and everything should be straight forward from there. Please note at the moment, they are only offering English speaking tours every hour, and they are not open on a Wednesday. You can walk from the tender pier to the house, however as mentioned previously, it is a very steep walk, so not for those who have mobility issues (to be honest as the house has a number of stairs, inside is also not suitable for those with mobility issues) and you need to arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start of the tour. I highly recommend a visit, the interior decoration is "out of this world".

Hi I agree with DC that this is a nice cliff walk, however please note the following:- 1. This is a cliff walk, starting a sea level, climbing a number of steps to vantage points, before walking downhill to La Vallette. For guests who prefer to walk on the flat, this is not a recommended tour. 2. You will only see the tunnel entrances, unless you are actually visiting La Vallette Military Museum, which I don't think you are from the description provided. 3. Bluebells will not be in view in the woodlands at that time of year. They are only in view for a few weeks or so early in the season. 4 The views that you see over the other islands of Herm, Jethou, Sark and Brecqhou will be views that you will see from your cruise ship. Sorry if this appears negative, it is not meant to be. In all, as I say this is a very nice cliff walk that I have walked many times, however I think personally when I am visiting places around the world that I am unsure if I will visit again, I try to see as much as possible. With this tour, you will be transported approx 1.5 miles from St Peter Port, and then walk back along the east coast, with views across to the other islands that you can see from your ship/tender. The cemetery and Clarence Battery are worth a visit. If you have visited Guernsey previously, or will be visiting again, then this tour would be recommended. Whatever you choose to do, I wish you a wonderful time ashore.

For those of you who are interested in visiting Hauteville House (the one time home of the famous writer Victor Hugo) when you are visiting Guernsey, I confirm that their website is now open for online bookings from 1st May. At the moment, it looks like there is one English speaking tour per hour, max 10 people, however they may open up more tours in a few months time. Tour takes approx 1 hour, you are only able to view the house whilst on a guided tour. I highly recommend a visit. Please note you can walk from the tender pier to the house, it will take approx 10/15 minutes, however is all uphill, therefore not suitable for anyone with mobility issues (to be honest the house does not have a lift, therefore there are a number of stairs to negotiate inside, therefore again not suitable for those with mobility issues). They are closed on Wednesday's. https://www.maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr/en/visitor-information/your-visit-guernsey https://eppm-billetterie-hautevillehouse.shop.secutix.com/selection/timeslotpass?productId=101985657818&ot=1

Yes, you could walk Mourants Rd South, but as you say it is not a short walk, and would not save that much time. For cruise ship guests, I really do not recommend trying to fit everything in, using the public buses, especially if the last tender is 3pm (which it usually is for Princess). Definitely second the "must" of tasting Guernsey ice cream. Martyn Guille Silversmiths near to The Little Chapel sell small individual tubs. If you are going to Castle Cornet, there is a kiosk close by that sells Guernsey ice cream. Personally I would not visit both La Vallette Military Museum and the German Occupation Museum, as these sites both contain material from the Occupation (whereas the German Underground Hospital is completely different from both). In my opinion the German Occupation Museum is far superior to the Military Museum, but agree the Military Museum is easier to access if you are arriving from a cruise ship. Please note the steps to Clarence Battery are still closed due to a land slide. You can still access Clarence Battery, however from the path which starts at the bottom of Le Val des Terres.

Just had another look at google maps. I am not sure that you can access The German Underground Hospital from Rue des Buttes. The only way in from my understanding is from La Vassalerie road, therefore that is why I am thinking the walking would take much longer than the approx 25 minutes quoted, you need to walk past The Last Post, therefore you are looking at least 35/40 minute walk.

DC has very clearly answered your question with some extra bits of info. I will just add a few comments:- 1) To go to the German Occupation Museum you can take either the 91, 93, 94 or 95. I would not take the 92, as this goes anti-clockwise and will take quite some time. Personally I would not take 91 as it will be busy. Please remember to purchase an entrance ticket you need to have pounds sterling cash, they DO NOT accept any debit or credit cards. 2) You can transfer between the 2 sites using the 71, please note the 71 stops at the airport, which is about an 8 minute walk from the German Occupation Museum, whereas the 91, 93, 94 and 95 come from a different direction, therefore you would disembark at the bus stop before the airport, therefore a 5 minute walk 3) I would definitely not walk between the 2 sites. I see that google quote 20/25 minutes. In my opinion the walk would be much longer. Both sites do not open until 10am. 4) You may wish to consider visiting The Little Chapel, this is on route 71, and also reasonable walking distance from the German Underground Hospital 5) To be honest, whilst this is all possible, I would really say only for people who are staying on the island, who have flexibility with their time. With the 71 bus only going every hour, you will need to be extremely organised and very fixed to your timings to ensure you see everything. You may end up rushing your visit to these places just to make sure that you catch the bus, this seems stressful when you are on vacation. You could hire a private guide to take you to these attractions and provide a tour inside? Or there is an operator who offers a small group tour to these sites plus the Little Chapel, www.toursofguernsey.com Whatever you choose to do, I wish you a wonderful time ashore. If you have any more questions, please feel free to post and I will do my best to help.

Yes, I have taken both the Herm and Sark Rib tours, and would highly recommend. I am not sure what time the first trip is, I went on their website a few days ago, but could not see any times listed, perhaps you could email them to see when they will start advertising their 2023 tours. Favourite passage grave - probably Le Dehus, but as this is a little off the usual routes, I would recommend Le Creux Es Faies

Sorry D C for being so lapse in my response. To be honest, I probably more of a "connoisseur" of scones/cream tea onboard cruise ships than I am here in Guernsey!! I have had afternoon tea at La Barbarie Hotel, which was beautiful. If you are looking within walking distance of the tender pier, I would recommend The Old Government House Hotel or Moores Hotel for scones/cream tea. Cafe Emilia is a favourite of mine, they advertise Gache and tea cakes on their website, however usually have an amazing selection of delicious cakes,

Hi PattyCakes I am still following the posts, but have been a little bit lapse over the last couple of months, with holidays and other matters. I have had a look at the Sark Shipping timetable and re-confirm the times you have quoted. To be honest, I am not sure they will change, you could email them directly to ask. Personally I would see whether there is a tour from your ship, as they may have a separate ferry with guaranteed times around your port visit parameters. With regards to a bike ride around Guernsey, you have two choices:- 1) Pick up the bike from the tender pier or close by. There is a cycle path starting around 400 meters from the tender pier going north towards St Sampsons, otherwise you are on the road with other traffic. 2) Join a bike tour, where you are picked up from the pier in a mini-bus and then taken to the west coast where you pick up your bike, for a guide led tour, where there will be less traffic. Whatever you choose to do when you are visiting our beautiful island, I wish you a wonderful time ashore.

I would check out the timetable for the Sark ferry to see if it works for you. The bicycle rental is a great idea by D C as you will see much more of the island. They do have E-Bikes for rent as well it you prefer, these are probably limited in availability (my friends rented the last 3 that were available on the day earlier this week, it was not a cruise ship day, and even then ended up renting from 2 different providers). https://www.sarkshipping.gg/timetables The timetable sometimes varies, so you are best to check the date you will be arriving by starting a "dummy booking" which will provide the exact departure times.

It is more an issue of timing rather than choice:- 1) Victor Hugo's House - you will need to book a tour in advance via their website (you cannot walk around the house on your own), they are not open on a Wednesday, and on cruise ship days they are busy, so I would look now for availability. The house is a 15/20 minute walk from the pier, mostly uphill, not suitable for those with mobility issues. 2) The Castle is a 15 minute walk on the flat from the pier, however I recommend that you arrive no later than 11:45am so that you can watch the firing of the noonday cannon. There is also a short 20 minute play by local amateur dramatics which maybe of interest. 3) German Occupation Museum - would be my recommendation if you are interested in WW2 or the Occupation, I consider this the best Museum on the island. Unfortunately their opening times are 10am to 1pm, with last entry at midday. You will also need to take a bus to reach this museum, approx 25 minutes from St Peter Port, any of the buses that are going to the airport are fine, 91, 93, 94 or 95. The bus station is a 2 minute walk from the pier, the Museum is a 5 minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Could you change your walking tour to the afternoon, which would provide more options?

Not really much more I can add to the detail provided by D C. I am not sure if the ships excursions use the same Sark ferry or whether they go directly from the ship, therefore if there was an issue with the Sark ferry, it may be a concern. Yes, they have a new ferry, unfortunately it does not go that much quicker than the old vessel, a friend travelled on it earlier this week and said 45 minutes for the transfer.

No problem, happy to help. Just noticed that the number 71 bus is not currently going past the Underground Hospital or the Little Chapel due to roadworks. I think this is due to be in place until mid August. Please check www.buses.gg for up to date information.

You can either take the 91, 93, 94 or 95 to the German Occupation Museum. They all take the same route to at least the airport, and the stop for the museum is the one before the airport. Yes, you are correct, the 71 is the bus back to town from the Little Chapel or The German Underground Hospital. Personally I would say it is a long walk from the Museum to the other two sites. The other thing to take account of is that the best time to visit The Little Chapel is early in the morning before the cruise ship coaches arrive. Therefore, if it were me, I would:- 1) Take the 71 bus to The Little Chapel (allow 30 minutes at the site) 2) Then walk to The German Underground Hospital (google says the walk takes 15 minutes) (allow 40/45 minutes at the site) 3) Take the 71 bus then to the airport and walk to the German Occupation Museum (still only 5-7 minutes) (allow at least 1 hour at the site, preferably a bit longer) 4) Take the 92, 93, 94 or 95 back to St Peter Port from the Museum You would need to look at the bus times to see if it works, I have put in brackets how long I think you could spend at each location. Please remember you need to arrive at the German Occupation Museum no later than midday, as the museum closes around 1/1:15pm each day. I hope this helps.

The Underground Hospital is very interesting, it is difficult to choose, and to be honest, I would try and see if you could visit both.

I would allow at least 1 hour 15 minutes to walk around the Museum, although as I see your subsequent post that you are particularly interested in WWll stories, perhaps you should allow 1 hour 30 minutes.

Yes you are correct, you cannot book tickets for the Petit Train in advance. When you arrive on the pier, you can book tickets for a specific time later in the day, you do not have to wait and queue. To be honest, suggestions for a toddler are limited if you are going to stay in St Peter Port. There is a children's library (within the public Guilles Allez library), which would have things to amuse. Guernsey Museum at Candie Gardens may have something, currently there is a Lego exhibition but this is due to finish shortly. There are some small farms etc and beaches, soft play areas, parks etc but these are "out of St Peter Port" therefore you would need transport.

Yes, you can take a taxi from the port to either the Underground Hospital or German Occupation Museum. There are limited taxis at the port, there is a rank approx 100 meters away, again could not guarantee that there will be taxis waiting when you arrive. The taxi would wait (for a fee), otherwise it would be difficult to obtain a return taxi. Cash is acceptable, some may have credit card machines, but not all. I would not have any idea on costs. If you were only to visit one, I would say the German Occupation Museum. You could access both sites by using public transport if you wish. see www.buses.gg Otherwise there are accredited tour guides who could arrange tours to both sites and more. Tours of Guernsey (who are 5 star rated on TripAdvisor) do offer a Highlights of Guernsey tour which takes in The Little Chapel, the Underground Hospital and The German Occupation Museum. These are private tours. see www.toursofguernsey.com/tours I hope the above helps. Whatever you choose to do ashore, enjoy your day.