ColoradoMom!!

What I love about CC is all the info people are so kind to share to help make these types of decisions! The more info, the easier to make the decision that works best for your particular circumstances! So here is my input for info purposes for others that may see this in the future too: I posted this in the thread linked below (great info there) about our advanced tickets for Saturday Aug. 3rd, 2024: "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!" We took the 10:30 am train - and our ticket was time specific. Regular tickets were probably $5 less each? First class probably wasn't worth it - just a separate small compartment with 8 seats total - tables in between parties of 4 on each side of the train. We thought the train was great and easy. We walked from our hotel near Waterloo pulling one each suitcase approx 48 lbs. We are 59 and 61 years old. There were no elevators or escalators for us to navigate from our entrance into Waterloo station from Waterloo road southern end, and I don't recall any to our platform. It's true that there are no dedicated spaces for luggage on the train, so we had to put them near the door and just keep an eye on them at the very few stops before reaching Southampton. You will need to lift your bag onto the train - less than I foot maybe, which I did with no problem. I didn't know/or remember that before we boarded the train. Taxi from train station to pier was about $10 USD. Would I do it again? Yes, but a bus/coach may be slightly easier if I was close to Victoria station. And I was worried about the time and traffic on a Saturday in August with the coach option, and chose my hotel (Hampton Inn Waterloo) based on our multiple use of Waterloo station.

Yes, Yes, a thousand times Yes! Sorry -channeling my favorite British based movie. I answered your post on the Princess forum, but YES - we hand carried 2 cases of 8 cans each onto the Sky Princess on August 3rd, 2024. Probably could have done more.

Thanks for giving me an excuse to post my picture! This is on Sky Princess out of Southampton Aug. 3, 2024. I was so happy to be able to carry on these 2 cases of 8 regular size cans each - that is what they sold at the Tesco at the Southampton train station before we took a taxi to the ship! Probably could have brought more - but this worked. We don't do packages so this was great! Only wish they had my favorite Diet/Zero Dr. Pepper - but better than paying by the can ship price - or even the 6 can package. Just looked it up - came out to $6 USD each case of 8 cans.

Yes, I did this on my recent cruise Aug 3-10th on Sky Princess. I waited a day (not sure I had to) and was able to go to the Future Cruise Desk and book a cruise for 2026 using the 2 FCD's I bought the day before on the App. Bonus I was not given the pitch for the promotion !

Depends on the port true - but more on the time for us. On Saturday, Aug. 3rd we arrived at Southampton/the Mayflower terminal to board Sky Princess about 1:15 with no medallions. Because we were a little later it was great. Drove up via taxi from train station, and handed our luggage to the guys who put it directly on the shoot conveyer belt, no line to check in, she walked about 10 steps to get our medallions out of a box behind her podium and we boarded with no wait. Buffet still open for lunch - Easy. Now if you need to check out of your Southampton hotel at 10:00am or you arrive early, you may want it in hand; I will concede. We did this in Boston too actually, with great results and I am starting to really like checking in after noon - that time I wanted a full Lobster lunch at Yankee Lobster before boarding though 😆

I was thinking about this as well. What are the reviews on the upcharge steaks ?? I am trying to talk my husband out of SD 😆. We don't cruise with any package as we total about 3 beverages we pay for per week total (share 1 wi-fi and we do pay CA in full).

Bumping this as I have the same question. Is there any way to get from port to the IMAX without an excursion. Any more feedback about other options? Thanks!

I hope so! Went today to reserve dining for the Coral in late Feb 2025 - we are over 6 months out, and I can't get a private table for 4 anytime after 5pm until 8pm. Traditional dining is only 5 pm and 7:30pm. So I reserved for 6pm for party of 4/ willing to share. They make it very clear that you will be sharing your table with others outside your complete party of 4. Really? They have that many huge tables they can't fill? I will keep checking, or hope we can get a private table for 4 around that time.

Thank you @Dohmacc and @LINDAE3213 this is exactly the info I was looking for. Unfortunately I woke up ill on the morning we had planned to go. Even scouted out Waterloo train station the night before since our hotel was close by. I rallied by mid afternoon, and we took the train to Richmond and enjoyed a few familiar locations from Ted Lasso. I was SO disappointed in missing Windsor and hope we can return someday. Ironically I had canceled the International Friends Tour we originally scheduled for our embarkation day on Sat August 3rd to save some money and get more time at the castle. I had instead purchase advanced tickets (in May) for the train from Waterloo to Southampton Sat Aug 3rd, and it wasn't worth it to try to rearrange. My only consolation was we were able to make the Abbey Unlocked tour at Westminster Abbey the next morning at 8:30 - it was a semi private tour (only 6 of us) before the Abbey opens to the public, and was spectacular. This was where that saved money went. The tour is offered through the Abbey itself on their special events page if anyone is interested.

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!