Trip Report: The Royal - British Isles June 26

[paddingtonbear]

CRUISE

We were on the June 26 British Isles cruise on the Royal. It was our first cruise so I wasn't very savvy about how the ship worked. We did a tour of Ireland, Scotland and England before the cruise.

 

At the end of this post I have given a run down of each port but for a detailed report and photos on the Ports see my blog from 26 June: atinybitlost.blogspot.com

 

EMBARKATION

While my DH and I were debating whether to give our bags to a porter which we thought would require the quandary of a tip, the porter took our bags and sent us off into the terminal. We were given the health survey by a very nice lady and proceeded to fill it in on the way to the next line where we were given a map of the ship, our cruise cards and our boarding number. We had a seat for about 10 mins and we were called through security. It was just like airport security and we were on the ship.

 

We took a tour of the spa. This was the only thing about our whole cruise that I was really annoyed about. We did the tour with another couple and we both thought the guide told us we cold book a massage until 2pm the next day and get 10% off and an extra 20 minutes. At 10 am the next morning the staff denied this. DH booked a massage anyway for the first sea day. Not a good idea because everyday other than a sea day they advertise in the patter that you can get 30% off a massage. Plus, they automatically put a 15% tip onto your account even if you tip the person doing the massage. The massage was great but DH can get three from a physio at home for the same price.

 

DRINKS

We bought a coffee card for DH – He’s an addict but he managed to make it last the whole 12 days. I got the Ultimate drinks package for me and discovered the Quay West Cooler (passionfruit, watermelon and cranberry juice) which was better at different venues but was fantastic overall because as I wasn’t allergic to it which is not generally the case with soda drinks. The bar people also made a show of mixing it everytime even though it was a mocktail.

 

INTERNET

I bought 240 mins of the ships internet time prior to the cruise so I got extra minutes. This is equivalent to (because of the speed) about 60 mins of internet time that you are used to at home. In our cabin it was slow downloading and uploading documents and photos but the real problem is that it is also slow connecting and disconnecting and it drops out regularly and all of that time is taken out of your internet minutes. It took me ages to work out that it worked better to sit in one of the cafes on the internet cafe level and work from there as it was more reliable and uploading was a bit quicker down there.

You really need to go to the internet cafe when you arrive and get the crew there to put a connect and a disconnect button on your phone so you can easily and quickly connect and disconnect from the internet.

 

I tried to make my work (and uploading photos to my blog : )) as undisruptive to my dh's holiday as possible so I bought a Three UK mobile phone package with Unlimited internet data and free UK calls and sms (pretty useless) for 30 GBP for 30 days. It worked in every port (including Ireland) except France and sometimes along the coast. I found it great when we got into port early as I could do my work before dh woke up and before we went ashore. Then in the evenings before we departed I could use it again for an hour or so while he was relaxing or watching a show or getting a coffee. Initially it took 15 mins to set up and I went to a Three store.

 

The free wifi on buses etc is generally only for 15 mins and by the time you do a search all the time is gone. I didn't want to spend our limited time ashore looking for wifi and then spending an hour or two working in a cafe. Starbucks in London had free wifi and it was really unreliable. It's also not very private or conducive to work to be doing stuff in a cafe (no paperwork etc).

[paddingtonbear]

THE WEATHER AND CLOTHES

Look at the averages for UK and then subtract 5 degrees Centigrade. It is cold. Wear layers and take the layers on every trip off the ship.

 

Yes it was cold for June/July but not too much rain on days that we were out and about. Even on the days it poured in the morning it generally cleared by the afternoon. We wore layers and took the layers (including a jumper and a raincoat) every time we left the ship. Lots of people were caught out wearing shorts and no raincoat when it was freezing and poured half way through the day. You can’t predict what the weather will be in the afternoon even if it is sunny in the morning.

 

I took a few tops that I could wear for dinner but the problem was it was cold enough at night to require a cardigan/jacket and scarf. Next time I’d take 2 different cardigans/jackets and 2 scarfs/jewellery to mix it up a bit.

 

THE SHIP

The ship was gorgeous. The balcony cabin was gorgeous with huge amounts of storage. The steward and just about all the crew we encountered were lovely.

 

I got lost constantly on the ship. I worked out how to get from the lower floors to the top floors and just stuck to the same plan which meant many trips through the casino as club 6 was often closed. It’s not just the annoyance of no central stairs. I found the spiral marble stairs in the piazza difficult to negotiate and they made me dizzy so I didn’t use them. When you use the stern stairs you can’t get to all levels. I much prefer to use stairs when I can but found myself catching lifts just to get back to a level I knew.

I was very grateful for the picture of the ship in the lift lobby that showed you which way the bow was.

 

I was really worried when we booked the Royal because I am basically not a people person and I was really amazed at how uncrowded it was.

Muster was crowded (Why don’t people listen to the instructor and NOT put their life jacket on until instructed?) as was anytime dining on the first night. Everyone wanted to eat straight after the sailaway. Lots of angry people. I don’t know why they didn’t get a drink and sit for ten minutes and chill! The first ten minutes of disembarkation at ports was crowded, tendering was crowded, customer service was crowded but we chatted to a lot of nice people in the queues at these times! : )

 

It was cold so there weren’t many people outside (although quite a few hardy types used the pool!) but they weren’t inside either so I don’t know where they hid. Someone said they like to rug up and watch MUTS. DH did this once with his beanie, outdoor coat and two blankets but I didn’t feel so inclined.

 

A lot of the things to do during the day were upsell things - once your learnt to avoid these there were some good things to do. The clay pigeon shooting was fun (we won prizes) and the navigation lecture was the best thing DH did on the whole cruise. (I am still hearing about it!) Somehow we missed the stargazing.

 

I try to be organised but I didn’t take some info with me that I should have. We missed the roll call get together because I didn’t take the info with me and couldn’t get access to the internet on the first day. I organised a tour and didn’t take note of people’s cabin numbers so I had to go to customer service and leave messages for the people on the tour.

 

I have to say that I love food that I don’t have to cook. I am a fussy eater but there was always something lovely to eat in the MDR and at the horizon court. We never made it to the MDR for breakfast or lunch. We had breakfast in the horizon court (brown tables) every day. The food was different in the bistro and the court. I toured both every day to check them out. Never a time I couldn’t pick up something wonderful.

 

We had anytime dining in the Symphony. Carlos was our favourite waiter. We asked for a table for two or a table for 6. Once we had a table for 10 but it was too slow. Some people order 2 entrees, 2 mains and then 2 desserts and you have to sit through them eating all those courses even if you only have one of each. We found the smaller tables were quicker and sometimes we just wanted to eat alone. I took a glass of wine from out cabin to the dining room and empty it into a wine glass. DH was horrified and he ordered for himself at the table.

 

One formal night DH didn’t want to dress up so we went to Alfredo’s and really enjoyed it. Most people were in very nice formal gear. Most men wore suits, some black tie, women wore very nice dresses with shawls. I didn’t see anyone in short sleeves or shorts.

Make sure you get to Entertainment venues 15 mins minimum before the show to get a good seat (no one’s head blocking your view). The shows were good, the singing was good. I think I expected a story to the shows but it was just a collection of songs with great dancing. Some of the comedians were good. Princess theatre acts were very entertaining and well worth attending. We really enjoyed the classical music bands.

Lisa Ball was the cruise director and she was great. Lots of things to do. The dancing classes were disappointing because they seemed to be for advanced dancers to start with. I was really looking forward to dancing classes (despite the fact they were in the piazza) but I need a bit of a slower start.

 

We loved the Captain’s (Nick Nash) announcements about the ship’s course.

Of course we will have to go on another cruise because, I don’t know what we were doing but we missed trivia, the gym, the library (saw the book I wanted though the locked glass doors but never made it to the library when it was open), speciality restaurants, BOGO, afternoon tea and all the “must do” things that I thought we would do.

[paddingtonbear]

PORTS

Guernsey:

Tendered to St Peter Port and took the local bus to The little Chapel and around the island.

 

Cobh, Ireland:

Walked around town and visited St Coleman’s Cathedral.

 

Dublin, Ireland:

Docked at Dublin Port took Princess bus to town for $8 per person each way ($16 return) which dropped us near Trinity College. We walked around town from there and took the Luas to the Art Gallery and walked around St Stephens Green then returned to the ship via the bus.

 

Liverpool:

One of my roll call friends organised the Pool of Life tour of Wales (58 GBP per person). This was an excellent tour, reasonably priced and well orchestrated that catered to our special wishes and requirements. We went to Conwy, Chester and Snowdonia on a perfect sunny day. We had Tim the Beatles Guru and he took us through Liverpool at the end of the tour to John Lennon’s house, Penny Lane and Sunshine.

 

Belfast, Northern Ireland:

I organised this before we left on the Oddessy bus tour 25 Euro per person. We were on a big bus (34 passengers) and the company had a bit of a problem with the guide (not enough commentary) who no longer works there. We were offered a full refund. So, despite the problems the tour went to all the fantastic places we wanted to see – Carrick-a-rede rope bridge, Giant’s causeway and all the castles along the way. We stopped for lunch and had a quick tour of Belfast before returning to the ship. It was a full day tour and really worthwhile.

 

Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland:

We booked the 9:45 Inverclyde Tourist Group Free Gourock Tour. Great tour by locals who told us a lot of interesting local history. We were back to the ship for a late lunch.

 

Invergordon (Inverness):

I organised a tour eight of us from our roll call (a wonderful group) with Invergordon Shore Excursions for 50GBP each. Our guide, Elaine (Nigel’s wife), was fantastic. We had a tour of Inverness, visited Cawdor Castle, visited Clava Cairns, visited Culloden Battlefield, Lunch at a tiny local restaurant on the shores of Loch Ness and we saw tall ships on the Loch and a photo stop at Urquhart Castle. This was the best tour we did and I was so worried because it poured with rain at the start of the tour but it was absolutely fantastic thanks to the wonderful organisation and driving of Elaine!

 

Edinburgh:

Tender from Queensferry. We walked up the stairs to the train station and caught the train to Edinburgh. We walked to The Museum of Scotland and had kebabs from a shop close by on the steps of the museum. Toured the museum then shopped along the Royal mile for a few gifts. Then caught the train back to the ship.

 

Le Havre:

We walked from the ship to Europcar to rent a car for 50 Euro and spend 30 Euro on petrol. DH drove to Giverney and we had lunch at La Capucine and visited Monet’s Garden which was fabulous. The Musee d’art modern Andre Malraux wasn’t open on the day we were there.

 

Southampton:

We disembarked at 7.45 and found our cases wonderfully organised shoreside. We found the International Friends Bus tour which took us to Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and to Heathrow. They had a driver and a fantastic guide. It was pretty expensive (79 GBP pp plus entry fees) but it was a really easy way to see these sights and easy transport to the airport.

[jsmac3]

Nice review - thanks for posting.

[Jojiboy]

Thank you for sharing.

[sammybonny]

We were also on this cruise and really enjoyed it .We thought the ship was excellent.This was our first Princess cruise and our 2nd will be in 2 days on Caribbean Princess to the Norwegian Fjords.cant wait!!

 

Regarding the weather, we are from the North West of England if you thought it was cold then you should have been here the week before - colder and windy!

We thought the weather was quite good for most of the cruise (apart from Invergordon when it rained a lot) and the warmest temperatures we have had all summer.

 

We were also on the free trip to Gourock at 9-45am so we were probably on the same bus.

[margeg]

Very nice review. Thank you.

Marge

[Grego]

Welcome to the Princess family and hope to have you sailing with us again soon.

 

Thanks for information about the ports you visited.

[paddingtonbear]

We were also on this cruise and really enjoyed it .We thought the ship was excellent.This was our first Princess cruise and our 2nd will be in 2 days on Caribbean Princess to the Norwegian Fjords.cant wait!!

 

 

 

Regarding the weather, we are from the North West of England if you thought it was cold then you should have been here the week before - colder and windy!

 

We thought the weather was quite good for most of the cruise (apart from Invergordon when it rained a lot) and the warmest temperatures we have had all summer.

 

 

 

We were also on the free trip to Gourock at 9-45am so we were probably on the same bus.

 

 

Hi,

We started in Ireland on May 17 so we did experience the cold snap.

 

The temperatures on our cruise were equivalent to our winters in Oz where I live so even though it was warm for you for me it was still chilly. I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather, I must admit!)

 

Some people were happily swimming and some were happily wearing shorts and tshirts. But others, on tours especially, when they were caught out for the day didn't seem prepared for the changeable weather or the cold.

 

It didn't bother us as we had the right clothes and took them with us on tours. Isn't it the English who say: there is no such thing as bad weather just inappropriate clothes!

[paddingtonbear]

Welcome to the Princess family and hope to have you sailing with us again soon.

 

 

 

Thanks for information about the ports you visited.

 

 

It was a fantastic trip and a wonderful cruising experience.

 

We are going to Alaska next year on Princess too!

[emmak8]

Thank you for posting.

[Mom33]

Thanks for your review.:) Glad you enjoyed your cruise.:D

[need2cruisesoon]

It was a fantastic trip and a wonderful cruising experience.

 

We are going to Alaska next year on Princess too!

 

The Royal (beautiful ship) in Dublin Port from the 7.20.2015 BI cruise:

 

[paddingtonbear]

The Royal (beautiful ship) in Dublin Port from the 7.20.2015 BI cruise:

 

Nice photo. I tried to take one like that but could never get far enough away without obstructions.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts and pictures on your recent cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Blondilu]

Great review, thank you for sharing.

 

My sister and I did the same itinerary on the Royal (departure date 8/1/2015) and had similar experiences, especially regarding the weather. But, it's so subjective. Sis was colder than me based on where we live and what we're each used to. Layers are definitely the way to go.

 

I also get lost on cruise ships and in hotels, as well. After a half dozen cruises I finally figured out to check the plaques that have the location info on them. They are near every elevator. So, I wasn't as lost as usual, but it is so easy to get turned around!

[paddingtonbear]

My DH took a warm jacket/coat. He's never going to travel with it again. He understands what layers mean now - that you can take them off, carry them with you and put them back on again at the drop of a hat.

 

His jacket was useful for MUTS as was his beanie but the jacket just took up too much space and was too heavy to carry around.

 

So glad to hear I wasn't the only one checking those plaques!

 

We never did work out why they had a horizon bistro and a horizon court so close to one another. Unless it was to try and differentiate the areas so it didn't seem so huge. Or maybe do they could close one section completely.

[JuliaNicker]

what a lovely review.

Many thanks for taking the time to share with us here on CC.

Its much appreciated to read such lovely comments.

[pascalburns]

thanks for the review:)

[texasgirl29]

Thanks for your review, especially the activities in the ports. We are considering this trip in 2017. We also took the same trip with International Friends (did you have Antonio for your guide?) at the end of our Baltic Cruise last summer. Too bad you didn't get to go inside Windsor -- we didn't get inside Salisbury Cathedral except for the cloisters which was disappointing but it was a great way to finish off our cruise and get to the airport.

 

JoAnn