ColoradoMom!!

Oh my gosh! More fun to come - that's awesome! We are touring Windsor on our own from Waterloo before our cruise - can't wait to hear all about it! And the bonus of more time in Norway!

Huge thanks for your wonderful review! I've enjoyed following along and appreciate all the pictures, details and information! I hope your journey home is/was a smooth one.

Your pictures are wonderful and worth waiting for! Thanks for all your effort to share them with us!! You mentioned the RIB boat being a bit disappointing. I have one scheduled for Stravanger that I independently booked. Can you tell me a bit more about what you thought? TIA

Loving the pictures and your review! Bergen looks great. We're thinking of doing the Funicular too - I need to look into advanced tickets! I have one sort of odd question. Can you tell me how much earlier the all aboard vs the time listed on our itinerary ? I know from experience it is usually 1/2 to 1 hour before - but I have an excursion on a RIB boat - 5 minute walk from cruise terminal - I am considering for Stravanger that ends at 3:45 for a 5:00 posted departure which is the same time as yours on the 18th. I am assuming the all aboard will be at 4 or 4:30. (It is not a princess excursion) I know you can't tell me for sure until Thursday for Stravanger, but I didn't see it on the Patter you posted for Bergen - I probably missed it.

Following along! How was London and the show?

What an incredible trip and wonderful review! Thank you so much for all your time in putting together such a detailed and helpful account. For those of us, enjoying it now, and those who find it insightful in the future, we really appreciate it!

I’ve been looking forward to hearing about your cruise! Thank you for taking the time to post your review and gorgeous pictures too!

@Dohmacc Good point about the London Pass. I’d love to hear how it goes for you, please come back and let us know!

I've searched and read a lot on visiting Windsor Castle, and hoping for some feedback from recent or busy summertime visitors. I'm trying to decide what time for the timed entry ticket to purchase . Apparently in the busy time of early August, they are very strict on the entry times, and the queues are long. I have seen folks say there is a separate line for those who have already purchased tickets, while other recent feedback says the line is the same until you get near the front. Some say go early, and others say the days tours that jam up the lines are there early, but clear out after 1:00. We will skip the dollhouse and want to see St George's chapel but heard it may close early in the day. We will be there on a Thursday . Any recent or busy time visits? I would love to hear your experience. Thanks!

Glad to hear it's been great so far!! Can't wait to read your review. Had to laugh - you are just like me - I prefer Diet Coke - hubby loves Coke Zero, so he'll be happy. In my perfect world, they would have Diet Dr Pepper! I'm actually thinking about buying some soda at the Tesco Express at Southampton Central (train station) before we grab a taxi to the ship. We don't do a package so we're usually hauling stuff on. Have a wonderful rest of your cruise!

@karatemom2 Do you recall what the choices were? Copied from the site for Sky Princess August 2024: Choice of six cans: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, orange soda, soda water, tonic water, ginger ale. Are these the choices you encountered as well? How is your trip?? I sure have appreciated your feedback on your previous Norwegian Fjord cruise. Hope you have a wonderful time!@

Thanks. It is a replacement for Nicaragua on the full Panama transit for Princess now.

A search produced nothing about this port. It is a substitution for Nicaragua on a Princess cruise next February . I'd love any information or recommendations. Thanks!

@rudechuck We did and loved this excursion in March of 2023. We walked in our excursion group directly off the ship, and onto their boat. On the boat ride out, they come around with a brochure of the extra activities - and I would assume you could use a credit card for that. We didn't buy any extra experiences or any gifts on the island, however the servers who bring you drinks ( we "set up camp" on the beach) are awesome, and we did tip them $10 US - we saw a lot of people leaving US cash on their table after the lunch as well. Not necessary - and we aren't huge tippers - but we felt the service warranted it for us. We felt we had a great experience without purchasing extras - the time does fly by - so my advice would be not to overbook yourself.

We are staying near the Waterloo station, and are going to try the direct train. With an advance ticket (you must pick a time) it was only £14 which is about $18 per person. 1 hour 17 minutes I am also aware to check if there is a strike - they must notify 2 weeks ahead of time - and it is unlikely from what I understand.

@Ramblin Wreck Cruiser Thank you for sharing this as I too have been waiting and was able to book for August 3rd, Waterloo to Southampton . @ThejugglerOk mister, you owe me £5 times 2 - ha ha. You were in my head along with the great @John Bull who wisely says for such a short journey, first class not really necessary, but considering all the money we are saving by taking the train - it's Thejuggler for the win! The difference of £28 vs £39.60 for 2 tickets. We used LNER and paid £39.60 (for first class) 2 adults total - $50 and change USD - that's only $25 each for 1st class for hubby and me! Very Happy and grateful to all this wonderful information shared here!

@MeHeartCruising Good point! Thanks!

@kaisatsu Wow I just found a video - gorgeous. Are we really allowed to just hike along the trail next to the farm and animals? Do the owners mind? The video continued on to an overlook, but the trail looked very rugged and through a stream. I wonder if it is one in the same. I'll keep investigating but really appreciate the suggestion - I'm glad we can combine it with seeing the Fjord Center. I'm thinking we should walk the road up to the Fjord Center and on past the Hotel Union, and take the water lined staircase back down from the center when we are done for the day. Any flaw in that thought?

Although I have searched, I was hoping to get some recent feedback on possibly hiking from the cruise port to the Fjord Center, and then on to Flydalsjuvet. Has anyone tried this? It's listed as 3km and 52 minutes from the Fjord Center. We are in port from noon to 7pm. The Ho Ho bus would be perfect as it does the same route, but the reviews are so terrible. We don't want to do a full bus tour. Also may consider the E-cars

@Rorolopollo Welcome to Cruise Critic! I hope you enjoy reading up and anticipating your cruise as much as we all do!! Also -just to double check - I believe the Aug 3rd sailing will have Stavanger but no stop at Skjolden

It looks like E437 is BW which is a regular balcony obstructed. It does not have a couch. The deluxe balconies do have a couch. Credit Cruise deck plans . com on the pic

Thanks @gumshoe958 So if I were to take the tube from Waterloo, is it considered outside of London proper - would it have contactless payment? And that entrance would be different than where I would access the trains - like underground probably- no pun intended.

I am doing the same for August, although I have yet to purchase my tickets. Would you mind posting your experience after your cruise in June? Thanks in advance! Edit - I see @MeHeartCruising said it went smoothly - can you tell me details for dummies? Like since you have a purchased ticket, I assume the area in Waterloo where you board wouldn't have a tap in entrance for payment then??

If your room is D725, I have a few pictures to share that might help. The second picture from cruise deck plans site. Bump out has a different meaning to some of us here on CC - which I won't get into - but your TA or CVP may have been eluding to the unique curved balcony. Also, looking at number of reviews for this room, some are concerned with no cover, and others were thrilled with the ability to see aft because of the curved balcony. I apologize if this is not the correct room - but the info may be helpful to a future person looking for info on Coral Princess D725.