pizzalady1

7 hours ago, nini said:

 

Thank you so much for the info. I have read so many horror stories about people barely

making it back to the ship on time or actualy missing it, because they did not book through

the ship which seems pretty spendy.

I think it is the cruise lines that put out those warnings. Think about it--if a vendor is late getting back to the ship, even once, they would be out of business. I would, of course, never take a new, untried vendor when timing is critical. With regards to the Tattoo, many reports/reviews say that they have gotten back to the ship 30 miles to 1 hour before the buses.

Well dang, I'll have to keep thinking about how to spend that OBC. Thanks for the information.

Have you checked your roll call to see if someone has already started a tour group? If not, look at some of these: Exquisite Scotland, goscotland tours, Sláinte Scotland Tours.

Does the Regal sell any Apple products on board? OBC to burn!!

In FL the porter said "We will make sure your bags make it onto the ship. Would you like to make a donation?"  I really wanted to ask if they are a charitable 501(c)3 and how much does the charity get from my donation. My husband almost had to sit on me to stop me!

Thanks everyone--exactly the info I needed. Ell52--I'll look at Paris first, then London. The catch was that we were going to stop in Bayeux on the way to Paris from Le Harvre.

So what is the process? A letter to Princess, a phone call, an email? Is there a form to complete? How soon is "as soon as possible"?

4 hours ago, hlperez said:

We did this last year.  You have to get permission from Princess to disembark in Le Have and the French authorities only allow a certain number, so put in the request to Princess as soon as possible.

 

We hired a car from Le Havre, toured around Normandy with it, drove to Paris and returned the car on arrival in Paris in the evening.  The one day hire was not expensive, around EUR 70 for an automatic transmission.  Manual transmission was much cheaper.  There are a few car hire companies a five minute taxi ride from the port.

 

 

I love your photo of all the colorful umbrellas. Whee was this taken?

How far in advance should this be requested? How did it work? Did all of the people with this request have to leave the ship at the same time?

Princess has a 12 day 8 port cruise leaving Southampton on September 1, disembarking in Southampton on September 13. You would just have to find a way to Dover.

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

A quick Google search (Dublin Hop on Hop off) shows a stop close to the port, named "Dublin Port".

 

https://www.dublinpass.com/dublin-attractions/dublin-hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour.html?aid=489&aid=598

 

Google searching is an amazing thing...👿

I checked out the link above and did not see anything about a stop near the port. Also, when you go to  the BigBus website, it does not show a stop near the port. Can you help me find that information? Thanks.

6 hours ago, FredZiffle said:

Why not rent a car in Le Havre, visit Normandy, and then drop it off in Paris?

We will be dong something similar. We will be renting a car from Hertz in Le Havre and dropping it off in Bayeux. Bayeux Shuttles have 1/2 day and full day tours of the beaches. They also have a shuttle to MSM. We will then take one of the frequent trains to Paris.

Instead of guessing about a health problem, email the access department to get a correct answer. A customer service employee won't know and will give any answer they feel like at the moment.

Thanks all. I am just thinking ahead--we will be in London and taking a bus to Southampton. It might be a pain to deal with luggage and a 12 pack of cans. There is one advantage of schlepping cans is that I could get Pepsi.

Is Princess Coke or Pepsi? Can you buy cans, not fountain drinks at a bar? If so, how much is a can? Thank you.

1 hour ago, DrivesLikeMario said:

Be careful who you go with.  One of our private tour guides was not the best.  He was reading signs as we toured a castle so he knew what to say.  Just not very knowledgeable or anxious to please as Great Scot Tours who were excellent.

Who was the company so no one here makes the same mistake?

There is also excuisitescotland.com, www.tours-from-edinburgh.com, slaintesctland.com,  www.wowscotland.com, www.getyourguide.com,  www.goscotland.com, https://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/private-tours/

OP when are you going?

Thanks GuernseyCruiser, your post is very helpful. Is there a list somewhere of private guides/drivers? Does the Visitor's Bureau have a list? Or do we just google then check with TripAdvisor?

4 hours ago, MrSchwump said:

Here's my tip.  As soon as you get to your room, turn the TV on and let that mandatory safety video play.  It runs about 10-15 minutes and you can't watch anything else until you let that play.  It's the same info you get at the muster drill.

Why do you need to let the safety video play when you have t go to the muster drill anyway?

1 hour ago, crawford said:

Curtain, like all the Princess balcony cabins I've been on.

 

Are they the "friendly" curtains or are there bones to keep them straight?

Yes, to shorts and yes to Hawaiian shirts. Enjoy your cruise, it is amazing.

A few you can look at are

Slaintescotland.com

 www.tours-from-edinburgh.com

 greatscot-tours.com

 www.discoverscotlandtours.com

On 1/20/2019 at 11:56 PM, styme123 said:

I booked a tour to take me to the Tattoo in Aug. from the Glasgow port. Before we get to the Tattoo we will visit Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Trossachs Park before heading to the Edinburg Castle. We have some time in Edinburgh before the performance. How much time do you think we would need to see the sites in the town in Edinburgh? A few days later we port in Edinburgh at South Queensferry. Do you think I will need to dedicate the whole day just to see the sites in town or should we take a tour of the sites in the countryside? TIA      

I am planning for next year. Who is your tour with--can you give me their website? What time do they pick you up at the pier? Thanks.

I would say that the best view would be on the beautiful lawn behind the Hotel National

It is a road, partially scenic, that is next to the water. You will see all kinds of cars, taxis, coco taxis, etc driving on it. Parts are scenic, such as behind Hotel National, and the Christ statue. Did you want to walk it? If you really want to see it, and aren't taking a tour, get a taxi.