Edinburgh Military Tattoo

[maximus217]

Does anyone know if they have the Edinburgh Military Tattoo every year? if they do, was the itinerary the same each year?

 

We are planning to go on 2017, and I am hoping that they are offering this trip with the same itinerary of 2016.

 

Thank you.

[cheriooo]

Does anyone know if they have the Edinburgh Military Tattoo every year? if they do, was the itinerary the same each year?

 

We are planning to go on 2017, and I am hoping that they are offering this trip with the same itinerary of 2016.

 

Thank you.

 

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

 

Yes the military tattoo is a yearly event. The attached link shows the dates. It is also held I believe in Australia and New Zealand. Celebrity seems to be trying new things every year to enhance the cruise experience with things like extended stay, river cruises which makes the cruise just a part of an extended vacation package. I havent seen enough history yet to see if continuation of these special event cruises will continue. Currently they have sold out their ticket allocation for the 2016 Tattoo and have folks on a wait list to see if they can acquire more tickets. Tickets go on sale for the event in 2016 in November and December this year.

[Suzy Smith]

According to the Edinburgh Festival City site (edinburghfestivalcity.com) the dates for 2017 will be 4 - 26 August. As the 2016 trip has proved so popular, hopefully Celebrity will offer this itinerary again, but if it does become available for 2017, you will clearly need to snap up the Tattoo excursion right away!

[maximus217]

How soon can you book the shore excursion? It has been awhile since I was in a cruise.

 

Thank you again.

[David Owl]

I don't suppose that you will have the option, but I think the Saturday night tattoo ends with a firework display.

 

A great experience, but remember your raincoat.

[Missus Makkem]

The ship might sell out of its Tattoo tickets but you can buy them from the sales office in Edinburgh no problem.

[Keith1010]

They offer it every year.

 

It is an absolutely wonderful event.

 

Keith

[socreader]

According to the Edinburgh Festival City site (edinburghfestivalcity.com) the dates for 2017 will be 4 - 26 August. As the 2016 trip has proved so popular, hopefully Celebrity will offer this itinerary again, but if it does become available for 2017, you will clearly need to snap up the Tattoo excursion right away!

 

Or you can purchase the tickets directly- and very much less expensive- from the Tattoo and work with your CC Roll Call to arrange inexpensive transport into Edinburgh. If you become a Friend of the Tattoo you can purchase your tickets early in November.

[Beanb41]

The Edinburgh Tattoo will be in Wellington New Zealand over weekend of 20th February 2016. Unfortunately no cruise ships are in port that weekend

[uktog]

The ship might sell out of its Tattoo tickets but you can buy them from the sales office in Edinburgh no problem.

 

But you have to do it online to be sure of a ticket. They are usually sold out well in advance.

It is every day except Sunday with two shows on a Saturday

It is a very busy time for Edinburgh then and traffic is not good so allow time to get to and from the Castle if you are making your own travel plans

[NorbertsNiece]

The Edinburgh Tattoo will be in Wellington New Zealand over weekend of 20th February 2016. Unfortunately no cruise ships are in port that weekend

 

Wow.

Actually the dates are 18th - 21st Feb..... and I'll be there on the 18th on Solstice!!

Unfortunately we'll have sailed away by the time it starts....

 

I've been to Edinburgh to see this and it's awesome. Did not need wet weather gear that evening. Unforgettable.

[Kristal Blade]

The tattoo is on every year but the itinerary changes, there are guest appearances from different countries but there are somethings which are always there such as the lone piper. Sometimes there are motorbike display teams, sometimes police dogs, sometimes dancers, marching bands. Whatever you see will be spectacular! Enjoy it.

[hvsteve1]

Tickets on their web site for the tattoo go on sale the beginning of December. For $40 you can become a supporter and get a jump of a few days to make sure you get tickets for the exact day you need.

 

Though Edinburgh is the iconic tattoo, there has developed a sort of circuit on which most of the same acts perform. Though they don't usually coincide with cruises, the two big ones in North America are the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax which is for the eight days including Canada Day on 1 July every year. There are one or two matinees which might work for a cruise ship in port. The other is the Virginia International Tattoo in Norfolk four days at the end of April. There are also similar tattoos in a number of European countries at various times. However, Edinburgh seems to be the only one that works with cruise lines.

 

As I said, it is a sort of circuit with the same performers appearing in various countries every year. The main difference in tattoos is each country features its own military bands along with the visiting bands. And all but Edinburgh are in arenas so you are not likely to get rained on.

 

For anyone in Washington, DC during the summer, the Army has a Twilight Tattoo on Wednesday nights at Fort Myer, Virginia and the Marines have the Evening Parade at 8th & I on Friday nights. Both are based on the European tattoos but with no visiting bands. The Twilight Tattoo is fairly easy to get into but the Evening Parade requires going on line and getting free tickets. Unlike other countries, our military is not allowed to charge for their performances. The four "premier" bands, Army, Navy Air Force and Marines, also give free performances during the week. In the summer they are usually at the Capitol, Washington Monument, Navy Memorial or at Arlington. In the winter the bands give many indoor performances either at their band halls or several other concert locations. Again, they never charge admission.

 

If you're in London during June there are a number of performances for which you need to purchase tickets. The Trooping the Colour, also known as The Queen's Birthday Parade, takes place on three consecutive Saturday mornings...two dress rehearsals and the real thing with the Queen. The real deal sells tickets by lottery. The dress rehearsals are much easier to buy tickets for on line. At the same time, during the week, the Guards Division massed bands have a "Beating Retreat" for two nights. On even numbered years the Royal Marines also do the same. If you're in London during those times, and don't get tickets, watching the bands march to and from Horse Guards Parade for the events is worth seeing and free.