On board British Isles cruise Royal Princess

[Colo Cruiser]

Whoops sorry about that folks, too much wine with dinner will try again to get it right way up.

 

Sue

 

Haha at least it posted! It still works that way. :D

[Jo and Rob]

Do you have your formal night tonight? I read it is the first sea day but wasn't sure if today counts as you leave Greenock in the early hours.

 

I'm really looking forward to this cruise with the children. How are you finding the amount of time in the ports? Do you feel under pressure at all? Are you ready for a sea day with such a port intensive cruise? Six ports before the first sea day is certainly the most port intensive cruise I think we will have done! I'm hoping that the proximity of the highlights to the ports will make it easier.

 

When we did the Mediterranean there was quite a lot of travel time needed (Rome for example) so I'm hoping this will be less exhausting (of course we will not have to contend with the high temperatures thinking about it which adds to fatigue).

[insidecabin]

Dublin:

 

Princess have decided they can get into the port if weather is OK rather than tender down in DunL.

 

The first attempt was on the 21May cruise(it is quite tight)

 

Princess knew they were going to try this before leaving southampton but did not tell their customers so people with plans had little time to make adjustments when they found out..

 

It might be something like the tides that is causing the change in scheduled timings with the docking.

 

All cruisers should check their cruise and plans.

[Jo and Rob]

Dublin:

 

Princess have decided they can get into the port if weather is OK rather than tender down in DunL.

 

The first attempt was on the 21May cruise(it is quite tight)

 

Princess knew they were going to try this before leaving southampton but did not tell their customers so people with plans had little time to make adjustments when they found out..

 

It might be something like the tides that is causing the change in scheduled timings with the docking.

 

All cruisers should check their cruise and plans.

 

We sail the same cruise on 1st August. The cruise personaliser still says Dun Laoghaire but we are listed as coming in to Alexandra Quay on their website. It looks like they are intending to go to Alexandra Quay but have Dun Laoghaire as a back up. Is Alexandra Quay a tender port please?

[insidecabin]

If they get into Dublin it is not Tender.

 

On google maps the actual dock is marked as Ocean pier at the end of branch road.

I think Alexander Quey is the whole basin.

 

I think the longer term plans are to develop terminal 3 as a cruise berth, much closer to the tram stop The Point(near 3arena).

[Jo and Rob]

If they get into Dublin it is not Tender.

 

On google maps the actual dock is marked as Ocean pier at the end of branch road.

I think Alexander Quey is the whole basin.

 

I think the longer term plans are to develop terminal 3 as a cruise berth, much closer to the tram stop The Point(near 3arena).

 

That's good as tendering always takes a lot of time. Do you buy the tram tickets on board the tram or do you go somewhere else?

[Nancy48]

Hi so we have established that photography is not my strong suit. Shan't waste internet minutes on that again. But it was beautiful, you will have to take my word for it. And today our first sea day, thank goodness, the sea is very very calm and we are sailing through islands, beautiful, although the sky is overcast. Lovely scenery, and thanks for the tip Shogun, will be sure to look out for the wildlife.

 

Re Dublin, as has been sad, they are trying to get us into port there, rather than tendering from Dun Laoghaire. The problem is this is a very big ship so they need high the to be able to manoeuvre, and that s why there are such variations on timing. From our experiences last week I would say that the lunch time arrival is probably right, but don't quote me on that. Will try to get one of the navigation officers on board and see what they have to say, but may be a while before I find one. Will get back to you all on that.

 

Yes it is our second formal night tonight. And re itinerary it is very port intensive, it's true, but we are limiting ourselves, because of my illness, to just doing one thing each day and it is working fine. Spoke to someone this morning who did an official tour to Stirling Castle yesterday and it sounded very "busy". But we are. Glad we have a sea day today, it's very relaxing.

 

Talk more later.

Sue

[insidecabin]

That's good as tendering always takes a lot of time. Do you buy the tram tickets on board the tram or do you go somewhere else?

 

Princess option is a $16 shuttle,

 

The tram is a good walk from the current dock never used it.

http://www.luas.ie/

[FritzG]

I read on one of the boards that Princess has a shuttle from Invergordon to Inverness. Do you know if this is different from the $49 Inverness on Your Own tour? If so, do you know the cost of the shuttle? We don't need a tour of any kind; we want to tour Inverness on our own.

[Shogun]

Hi

Very good local bus service, only a few pounds local tourist guides will give you details bus stop only yards from were ship docks. Yours Shogun

[cruiser3256]

Hi Nancy. I just stumbled across your roll call. My question is that I can't seem to find when your ship sailed in the roll call? It doesn't seem togo back that far. Any suggestions? I'm on the June 26th sailing, and still trying to figure out excursions, clothes, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

[Jo and Rob]

I read on one of the boards that Princess has a shuttle from Invergordon to Inverness. Do you know if this is different from the $49 Inverness on Your Own tour? If so, do you know the cost of the shuttle? We don't need a tour of any kind; we want to tour Inverness on our own.

 

 

Here is what I have researched for our upcoming trip on Royal.:)

 

BUS 25x goes from Invergorden to Inverness 45 mins trip 9.19 then every 30 minutes. Buses return on the hour.25x NOT 25 PRICE £3-4. Bus route will take us through the Scottish Highlands.

[Boston Accent]

Hi Nancy. I just stumbled across your roll call. My question is that I can't seem to find when your ship sailed in the roll call? It doesn't seem togo back that far. Any suggestions? I'm on the June 26th sailing, and still trying to figure out excursions, clothes, etc. Any help would be appreciated.

 

 

Post #1 explains and refers to the original roll call if that would help you, cruiser3256

[Boston Accent]

Promise I won't quote you and I will thank you for the info on Dublin. Gives us time to rebook or look to do something else. Thanks for all the posting - makes it more exciting as we wait for August!

[jones721]

Here is what I have researched for our upcoming trip on Royal.:)

 

BUS 25x goes from Invergorden to Inverness 45 mins trip 9.19 then every 30 minutes. Buses return on the hour.25x NOT 25 PRICE £3-4. Bus route will take us through the Scottish Highlands.

 

I have a feeling that the price of the bus was more than that (from memory from the last couple of years). More like £11-13 return. Maybe someone else can help?

 

Stagecoach website will give all the timings but not the price.

 

And yes, very easy to find from the ship. Local tourist officials will guide you - literally just across the road to the bus stop.

 

Nothing to do in Invergordon - but the local church lays on tea, coffee and biscuits for cruise passengers and wifi for crew only. All that is free and staffed by volunteers :-)

 

I always love the sign just for cruise passengers as you come into Invergordon which says something like, "Guaranteed sighting of Nessie - tomorrow!" !!!

 

Tracey

Edited June 9, 2015 by jones721

[jones721]

Princess option is a $16 shuttle,

 

The tram is a good walk from the current dock never used it.

http://www.luas.ie/

 

My mum and I have walked it twice - and she is nearly 80! About 20 mins but a very boring walk. Any member of staff in the port will guide you in the right direction.

 

It's also probably cheaper to use a taxi if you are in a large party.

 

We walked in a couple of years ago with two families (travelling together) and they reckoned that just by walking the 20 mins walking and then paying for tram tickets, instead of the $16 shuttle, they spent something like 40 Euros instead of $128! Actually, probably less than that as children were cheaper than adults on the tram.

[Nancy48]

Hi everyone, well not a lot more to report. Quiet day on board today and formal night this evening. Interestingly the Captain took us outside the British waters (think it's twelve miles) on a couple of occasions so that they could open the casino. This cruise, because of various time limits, restrictions etc., the casino hasn't been open much so I'm guessing they are trying to make up some revenue. Quite a calm day, although a bit of a swell at lunch time.

 

Will answer questions about Invergordon, as best as I can, tomorrow, after we have been ashore.

 

Weather calm, cloudy skies, and quite cool, but then we are in the very North of the UK. Not bad at all.

 

Just a word on dress on formal nights (and I know I am sticking my head above the parapet here) but it seems, on this cruise, that anything goes. We are seeing the full thing, from DJ and long dress through to denim shorts and T-shirts, although the shorts and t shirts weren't in the dining rooms. Honestly folks,whatever you feel comfortable with seems to be ok. If you have weight restrictions on your luggage, then I would be more inclined to pack the layers you might need in Britain, and just pack one nice outfit for the formals.

 

Well the Ancient Mariner has brought me my cocoa, and it is a very early start for us tomorrow, so time to turn in. Will report back tomorrow evening. Cheers,

Sue

[melody hounddog]

Sue

 

I am really enjoying your posts. Thanks so much for doing this.

[Nashuagirl]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel in London. Would you rent a car there and drive around or take public transportation? we are planning on spending two days before the cruise leaves.

 

:)

[GolfMom321]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel in London. Would you rent a car there and drive around or take public transportation? we are planning on spending two days before the cruise leaves.

 

:)

 

Public transport in London is pretty good. Are you comfortable driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Will you be able to park? Do you plan to stay within the city, or travel farther out? If you're staying in town the whole time, I'd go with public transport, if you're going farther afield and think you can hande the driving, then a rental might work. NOTE: if you can't drive a stick shift car, make very certain that the car you rent is automatic! It's a special request and an extra expense, but quite necessary if you don't know how to drive a stick!

[insidecabin]

Does anyone have a suggestion for a hotel in London. Would you rent a car there and drive around or take public transportation? we are planning on spending two days before the cruise leaves.

 

:)

Don't even think about a car in London.

 

check out the posts on the regional boards.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233

[Nashuagirl]

Public transport in London is pretty good. Are you comfortable driving on the "wrong" side of the road? Will you be able to park? Do you plan to stay within the city, or travel farther out? If you're staying in town the whole time, I'd go with public transport, if you're going farther afield and think you can hande the driving, then a rental might work. NOTE: if you can't drive a stick shift car, make very certain that the car you rent is automatic! It's a special request and an extra expense, but quite necessary if you don't know how to drive a stick!

 

I think we will stick with public transportation and stay within the city. We may only have one or two days there. Is Southampton the best area to stay in because the cruise leaves from there? I am a bit overwhelmed already.

 

:)

[Nashuagirl]

Thank you for the advice. No car in London for us.

[Nashuagirl]

I did the 12 day British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess, August 16, 2013. Check out our Roll Call, post #2965 shows all the private tours listed for our cruise.

 

Here are the private tours I took with others from our Roll Call (we had a very active Roll Call). I saved over $1,000 doing private tours vs Princess.

 

Check out your cruise Roll Call, there might be others wanting do the same tour. Our private tours were filled within a few hours of posting on the Roll Call.

 

Cobh - http://www.ecoach.ie

Dublin - http://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com

- http://www.dublinsightseeing.ie

- http://www.dublintourguide.blogspot.ie

Liverpool - http://www.busybus.co.uk (tour to Wales)

- http://www.pooloflifetours.com (Beatle & city)

Belfast - http://www.odysseycoachtours.co.uk

Invergordon - http://www.shorexcursions.co.uk

Edinburgh- http://www.greatscot-tours.com

Le Havre - http://www.overlordtour.com

 

This is perfect. Thank you so much. We have always used private tours rather than those through the cruise ship.

[dickinson]

I think we will stick with public transportation and stay within the city. We may only have one or two days there. Is Southampton the best area to stay in because the cruise leaves from there? I am a bit overwhelmed already.

 

:)

 

We used the HOHO bus to get around and see the sights. We were in London for two days. You can also contact International Friends about getting transport to Southampton with sightseeing at Stonehenge. they pick you up at your hotel too. Just check with them to make sure your hotel is one of the approx 200 they pick up from. We used them to go from the ship to London. They were wonderful.