Tak8

I did it on the Caribbean Princess in 17. It had an overnight in Dublin. NCL has some Ireland cruises with two days in Ireland. I'm looking at the May 8th sailing. They do show an end time for the first day, but you may be able to overnight in a hotel and enjoy the night life.

I did a similar trip on the Caribbean Princess in May of '17, but two days were in Dublin rather than Belfast. It was a nice taste of Ireland, Scotland and France. I want to get back and have been looking at land vs. cruise. I'm not sure I want to pack and unpack so many times for hotels and I wonder how much of the trip will be in a bus. Princess is my favorite line, but for the right itinerary I will look elsewhere. NCL has an entire Ireland cruise on May 8th of next year. It hits the Irish ports you list above and Waterford, Dingle, Galway and Killybegs.

The Star is doing the Ireland itinerary on May 8th.

I'm also looking at the May 8th cruise. There was a terrific live thread from the Star in May doing that exact itinerary. Do a search to read it.

I did a tour on Princess a couple of years ago that went to an apple liqueur place, think it was Calvados. then to Honfluer. Ate at a cafe and visited a church on free time. Nice half day excursion.

Thanks for the info John Bull. I'd prefer Heathrow to avoid extra flight stops.

I'm looking at NCL for an Ireland cruise next May. The cruise leaves/return from Portsmouth. Port arrival time is Saturday 5am. What would be the earliest comfortable flight time from Heathrow? Is Heathrow the best option to return to US.

Enjoy the last night. Safe travels home for all on board.

I Insidecabin I see from the photo they have Angry Orchard. Does O'Sheehans not carry Magners?

The gardens look great. I'd be interested on knowing how much time folks had in Kinsale for the NCL or tour companies that offer Blarney and Kinsale.

Beautiful pics.

Thanks for the replies. I did a British Isles cruise on Princess in '17. Had 2 days in Dublin, 1 in Belfast, missed Cobh due to weather, plus hit Scotland for 3 and Le Havre for 1 day. The all Ireland aspect is what draws me to this itinerary. I'm just comparing to the land based 10 day I found. I love to cruise, but figuring out which way to go for this type itinerary is difficult.

Especially for those on board now, thoughts on a cruise vs.a land Ireland vacation? In reading through all the posts so far, my one concern is the tendering/waiting for the return tender. Do you feel you lost potential port time in the process? How much of a negative was the process for you? I keep going back and forth between this itinerary next May or a 10 day tour of Ireland with 2 nights in each hotel that cuts down on the packing/unpacking issue.

Thanks for all the great info. I'm looking at this exact itinerary for next May.

A nice option and I like the Caribbean Princess.

I enjoyed my Princess British Isles cruise. This is one destination that I feel the itinerary is the most important rather than cruiseline.

I would go black or grey for formal nights. Jeans are fine.

I'm a big seafood person, so The Catch interests me.

It's a fair price. I enjoy Club Class. I'd take it.

If your concerned about missing ports due to weather conditions, consider doing a land tour. I've looked at both options, but not sure I want to unpack several times in a week to 10 day trip.

I was on the Caribbean Princess in May for 2 weeks. I enjoyed the ship. Fourth time on her. An older ship, but maintained well and great staff. Thermal suite instead of Enclave.

1.Breakfast at Sabatini's 2. 1st night specialty dinner 3. Thermal suite on ships that have it After top 3, hard to decide.

Annoying. Over 30 minutes it's an open chair.

Another vote for Crown Grill. Congrats and enjoy.

If they dont have the special dessert, let passengers have one of those gourmet ice cream sandwiches.