Silver Cloud docking position in London

[salizzard]

Has anyone had experience with the berthing location for the Silverseas ships when they are in London. It seems that they are tied up next to another museum ship. How do you disembark and embark. Which side of the ship, port or starboard would have the best views or any views of London?

[PhillyGirl2]

We did the Iceland to London during last year's Olympics--spectacular sight going under the Tower of London Bridge at night with the skyline lit up and hearing the noise of the crowd in Olympic stadium. Since we docked at night there was no view of London to speak of accepet the bridge and any buildings nearby. We did dock next to a museum ship. We had to get up very early in the morning, right at dawn, so that we could get to Heathrow (five hours before the flight), but, again, it was the day after closing ceremonies and they anticipated the largest crowd in Heathrow history. To get off of the cloud, they had small tenders that took the 1 minute or less trip from our ship to the dock, where buses were waiting to take us to Heathrow. Considering the daunting trip ahead of us (anticipating crowds and herendous traffic, we were pleasantly surprised at how smooth the trip to the airport and check in was and we got to enjoy seeing some of the Olympic teams from various countries. You will have a great time!

[jpalbny]

You tie up next to the HMS Belfast, just upriver from Tower Bridge. The Belfast is tied up on the Southwark side of the Thames, BUT... you embark from Tower Millenium pier which is on the Tower side of the Thames, and you tender across, walk up some steps to the Belfast, walk across the Belfast, and onto the ship. It's really neat!

 

Since the ship steams up the Thames to reach the docking point, and at that point the river is NOT wide enough to turn around, leaving is interesting as well. The Tower Bridge opens fully, and your ship gets pulled out by a tugboat - under Tower Bridge, facing backwards, and down the Thames a good ways until at least Greenwich. Somewhere after that the river widens, the ship can turn around, and steam away under its own power.

 

Side doesn't matter much; just go out on deck and enjoy the view of both sides. Almost all of the iconic London landmarks (eye, Big Ben, etc) are upriver from your docking point, so you will not see them on sailaway. Greenwich is on the south side of the Thames which would be starboard if sailing downriver, BUT since you're being pulled backwards, you need to be on the port side to see it. Confused yet?

 

I tried to post a link to Google Maps showing the location, but can't make the link work - sorry!

[duct tape]

Just be behind the Panorama @sail-away and enjoy!

[Seafairer]

How fortunate to be on the Cloud for this voyage. Larger ships are relegated to docking in Dover, Tilbury, Southampton. Your departure from London will be something to remember for years!

[Stumblefoot]

How fortunate to be on the Cloud for this voyage. Larger ships are relegated to docking in Dover, Tilbury, Southampton. Your departure from London will be something to remember for years!

 

Sure wish we'd get to experience that. Unfortunately our Cloud voyage departs from Southampton.

[juli2020]

You tie up next to the HMS Belfast, just upriver from Tower Bridge. The Belfast is tied up on the Southwark side of the Thames, BUT... you embark from Tower Millenium pier which is on the Tower side of the Thames, and you tender across, walk up some steps to the Belfast, walk across the Belfast, and onto the ship. It's really neat!

 

Since the ship steams up the Thames to reach the docking point, and at that point the river is NOT wide enough to turn around, leaving is interesting as well. The Tower Bridge opens fully, and your ship gets pulled out by a tugboat - under Tower Bridge, facing backwards, and down the Thames a good ways until at least Greenwich. Somewhere after that the river widens, the ship can turn around, and steam away under its own power.

 

Side doesn't matter much; just go out on deck and enjoy the view of both sides. Almost all of the iconic London landmarks (eye, Big Ben, etc) are upriver from your docking point, so you will not see them on sailaway. Greenwich is on the south side of the Thames which would be starboard if sailing downriver, BUT since you're being pulled backwards, you need to be on the port side to see it. Confused yet?

 

I tried to post a link to Google Maps showing the location, but can't make the link work - sorry!

 

We found it to be quite spectacular to sail on the Silver Cloud from the Tower Bridge. It was pretty cool. We departed in the late afternoon for a British Isles Cruise back in 2010. One of the highlights of sailing on the Silver Cloud leaving from London.

Our return to the Tower Bridge was very early in the morning. Easy to get on and off...very well organized.

[joefromchicago]

Thanks to everyone for this information.

We will be on the Cloud August 4th and this will be a great way to start our trip.

 

Joe

[FFMilesJunkie]

I made a video of this sailaway last year on our Baltic cruise that started from London. It was definitely something special!

 

[jpalbny]

Figured out how to post the map / picture with a screenshot... :)

 

You tie up just "above" the Belfast in this picture. Your tender is at the Tower Millennium Pier, at the top. The Thames is flowing left to right; Tower Bridge on the far right where you go out to sea. Most of London's sights are off the map to the left - except for the Tower of London itself, which is right across the Thames from your ship.

 

Have a great time - this sailaway is a real highlight, as others have mentioned. For us, it was worth getting up at 4AM to be on deck - from that point of view, it looks like you're barely going to fit under the bridge!

 

[UKCruiseJeff]

In fact the Thames is tidal ie it flows both ways. That's why we have the Thames Barrier.

 

I hope people thoroughly enjoy this unique view of London - which remains the finest capital in the World - and I say this with no hint of bias.:)

[unfathomable]

If you are getting to Tower Millennium Pier by car or taxi, please be aware of one complication. You can only get into the approach road to the pier (Lower Thames Street) from the westbound A100 (Byward Street), making a very sharp left turn. You cannot make a right turn from the eastbound A100. And the junction is on a left-hand bend, so it is easy to miss. You cannot make a u-turn, so you have a long detour to return!

[jpalbny]

If you are getting to Tower Millennium Pier by car or taxi, please be aware of one complication. You can only get into the approach road to the pier (Lower Thames Street) from the westbound A100 (Byward Street), making a very sharp left turn. You cannot make a right turn from the eastbound A100. And the junction is on a left-hand bend, so it is easy to miss. You cannot make a u-turn, so you have a long detour to return!

 

Hm. I was pretty sure that our taxi driver made a right from the Eastbound road onto Water Street, which connected to Lower Thames Road leading to the pier. The little piece of Lower Thames that connects to Westbound A100 was one-way, leading out to the Westbound A100, I thought... But, you've been there much more than I, and it's been over 2 years for us - so I must be remembering something wrong... Too much cask ale the night before has that effect!

[unfathomable]

It is two years since I last did this, so it might have changed.

[joefromchicago]

We are scheduled to leave at 12:30 AM.

Should be nice in August to sit outside and enjoy the view.

 

Joe

[Mr Luxury]

It is two years since I last did this, so it might have changed.

 

You have always been able to turn right at Customs House travelling east along lower and upper Thames Street into Sugar Quay to get to Tower Pier.

[Stumblefoot]

I made a video of this sailaway last year on our Baltic cruise that started from London. It was definitely something special!

Thanks for sharing your video FFMilesJunkie! It looked like you and your Queen had a marvelous start to your voyage.

[Bramcruiser]

Looking forward to our sailaway out of London this July.

[farbster]

Let's just hope the Silversea airport transfer knows the way!

[salizzard]

jpalbny and ffmilesjunkie,

 

Thank you SO much for the pix and the video. They are fantastic and so helpful. I've changed my cabin to the starboard side to have a Tower of London view. Your efforts and comments are truly appreciated.

[salizzard]

Thank you SO much for your replies. The photo was really helpful and I've changed the cabin to starboard for a Tower view. Thanks again!

[WesW]

ffmilesjunkie/John, thanks again for sharing Tonya and your Cloud sailaway vid--again a delightful view of what we have to look forward July 17th--can't wait.