Scottish Tattoo

[georgiacat]

I have been looking at the July 31, 2016 sailing of the Caribbean Princess. I very much would like to attend the Scottish Tattoo, but I notice that the posted time for the Caribbean Princess to be in port is only until 7 pm. I thought that the Tattoo lasted longer than that. Does anyone have ideas about this? What is a good sailing for the Tattoo? (other than Pacific Princess)?

[campolady]

I have been looking at the July 31, 2016 sailing of the Caribbean Princess. I very much would like to attend the Scottish Tattoo, but I notice that the posted time for the Caribbean Princess to be in port is only until 7 pm. I thought that the Tattoo lasted longer than that. Does anyone have ideas about this? What is a good sailing for the Tattoo? (other than Pacific Princess)?

 

I assume that you mean the Edinburgh Tattoo.

 

For 2016 there are no daytime shows - the earliest is on a Saturday at 7.30 with weekday shows not starting to 9 p.m. See this site for full details. http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/performance-dates-and-times

[campolady]

For 2016 there are no daytime shows - the earliest is on a Saturday at 7.30 with weekday shows not starting to 9 p.m. See this site for full details. http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/performance-dates-and-times

 

Unless there is a special performance not open to the general public/shown on the website of course.

[Mostonian]

The Edinburgh Military Tattoo runs from the 5th August until about the 27th. As far as I am aware there are no daytime performances. However excursions to the Tattoo will depart from Greenock which is the port for Glasgow and not from Edinburgh, as this is usually a tender port. The ship's departure time from Greenock will be late, maybe even during the early hours of the next day to allow for passengers to attend the Tattoo. It is an event not to be missed. We went on one of the ship's tours, and although it was expensive it was well worth it. It will be manic in the vicinity of the castle before and after the the show, and although we have been to Edinburgh many times and know our way round, we didn't want to leave it to public transport to find our way back to the ship. As an aside, when you dock in Greenock many Local Interest Groups conduct tours of the surrounding area. These were free (donations welcome) and the one we went on was extremely interesting.

[georgiacat]

Thank you for the information. I thought Princess was advertising that this was one of the cruises for the Edinburgh Tattoo. It does not seem to qualify. I will keep looking. Do you recommend a particular cruise line that regularly calls for this performance?

[Mostonian]

Georgiacat, I have just looked at the itinerary for the 31st July 2016 sailing and the ship is indeed in Greenock on the 5th August 2016, which is the first day of the Tattoo. However I would check it out with Princess first just to make sure.

[Bob++]

I would imagine that the Tattoo in daylight would lose a great deal of its impact.

[tartanexile81]

The tattoo is held on the esplanade (the forecourt) of Edinburgh Caste and cannot be held during the day when it is full of tourists. It is also very much a night-time experience and even the early show on a Saturday is a bit too early in Scotland to get the full impact.

 

Caribbean Princess will be at anchor in the Forth, under the rail bridge and it is a tender operation. Princess tends to organise excursions to the Tattoo from Greenock for Glasgow. That may seem a bit strange to you as Greenock is further away but that's how it is. It does tend to be very very popular and if you check availability of tours for that cruise it may even be sold out.

 

On the other hand a smaller Princess ship usually does a British Isles cruise and I think it is Pacific Princess next year. It has an overnight stay in Rosyth for Edinburgh usually twice during August, specifically aimed at people going to the tattoo. Or you could just organise a day or two in Edinburgh before or after your cruise if the tattoo is a priority. Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and well worth an extended stay.

[cole]

The tattoo is held on the esplanade (the forecourt) of Edinburgh Caste and cannot be held during the day when it is full of tourists. It is also very much a night-time experience and even the early show on a Saturday is a bit too early in Scotland to get the full impact.

 

Caribbean Princess will be at anchor in the Forth, under the rail bridge and it is a tender operation. Princess tends to organise excursions to the Tattoo from Greenock for Glasgow. That may seem a bit strange to you as Greenock is further away but that's how it is. It does tend to be very very popular and if you check availability of tours for that cruise it may even be sold out.

 

On the other hand a smaller Princess ship usually does a British Isles cruise and I think it is Pacific Princess next year. It has an overnight stay in Rosyth for Edinburgh usually twice during August, specifically aimed at people going to the tattoo. Or you could just organise a day or two in Edinburgh before or after your cruise if the tattoo is a priority. Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and well worth an extended stay.

 

Not sure the Pacific does this itinerary any longer that allows people to attend the Tattoo, but the Caribbean Princess does with the port being Glasgow. You can book the Princess excursion or search for private tour companies that will escort you to other sight seeing options in addition to the Tattoo.

Cole

[tartanexile81]

I knew Pacific was coming into Rosyth because I've seen the port schedule but it is actually visiting Rosyth for Edinburgh as part of a trip to Norway. It is billed as being suitable to visit the Tattoo on the Princess website.

 

Another option is the Celebrity Silhouette which this year had an overnight stay and was anchored at Newhaven, Edinburgh.

[realnice46]

I have been looking at the July 31, 2016 sailing of the Caribbean Princess. I very much would like to attend the Scottish Tattoo, but I notice that the posted time for the Caribbean Princess to be in port is only until 7 pm. I thought that the Tattoo lasted longer than that. Does anyone have ideas about this? What is a good sailing for the Tattoo? (other than Pacific Princess)?

 

We are on the Celebrity Silhouette British Isles cruise sailing August 6, 2016 it has an overnight in Edinburgh perfect for attending the Tattoo.

[georgiacat]

Thank you for pointing out that the Tattoo opportunity with Princess leaves from Glasgow instead of Edinburgh where I would expect it to be. Does anyone know why it does not do the Tattoo expedition from Edinburgh?

I will also look into the Celebrity cruise. Thank you for the information.

[tartanexile81]

Thank you for pointing out that the Tattoo opportunity with Princess leaves from Glasgow instead of Edinburgh where I would expect it to be. Does anyone know why it does not do the Tattoo expedition from Edinburgh?

I will also look into the Celebrity cruise. Thank you for the information.

 

I said in my post that the reason why the tattoo is not available on Caribbean Princess when it is in South Queensferry fro Edinburgh is that the ship is at anchor in the Forth (that means you will be moved between the ship and the shore on a boat) and Princess doesn't do the tender operation at night. Celebrity will also be at anchor just off Newhaven in Edinburgh and they do the tender operation at night after the Tattoo.

 

And also as I said Princess offers the option of the tattoo when you're in Edinburgh but next year it will be part of a Norwegian cruise

Edited December 6, 2015 by tartanexile81

[seniorladycruiser]

We have booked the July 29th sailing on the Pacific Princess which has an overnight in Edinburgh(Rosyth). This cruise goes all the way around Great Britain and the Military Tatoo is listed as an excursion.

 

It is expensive and we are debating whether we will attend. Everything I have read about it sounds wonderful and it is often described as magical. Since we just booked this cruise I really haven't had a chance to check everything out and it is still too early to book excursions.

[tartanexile81]

We have booked the July 29th sailing on the Pacific Princess which has an overnight in Edinburgh(Rosyth). This cruise goes all the way around Great Britain and the Military Tatoo is listed as an excursion.

 

It is expensive and we are debating whether we will attend. Everything I have read about it sounds wonderful and it is often described as magical. Since we just booked this cruise I really haven't had a chance to check everything out and it is still too early to book excursions.

 

It's one of those once in a lifetime things. If you're in Rosyth, it seems a shame not to go. You could probably pre-book a taxi at the port on the day to take you there and back that evening, if you bought your own tickets. A round trip by taxi costs about £80 and here's a link to the OFFICIAL website where you could buy tickets.

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk

 

You can pay as much to s little as you want for tickets but you get a good view from pretty much anywhere in the arena

[wowzz]

We have booked the July 29th sailing on the Pacific Princess which has an overnight in Edinburgh(Rosyth). This cruise goes all the way around Great Britain and the Military Tatoo is listed as an excursion.

 

It is expensive and we are debating whether we will attend. Everything I have read about it sounds wonderful and it is often described as magical. Since we just booked this cruise I really haven't had a chance to check everything out and it is still too early to book excursions.

 

As I get older, I am tending towards the 'You Only Live Once Approach' to life. In 20 years time would you prefer to say 'I'm $500 better off because I didn't go to the tattoo' or 'I'm $500 worse off, but I have great memories of the tattoo'

In our particular case, we had a once in a life-time trip to Australia, and obviously went to Sydney. Everyone of course asked - 'Will you be going to the opera?' Well, the tickets were $150 each, but we went ahead and booked, and we now have fantastic memories that will stay with us for ever.

So my advice is - Go for it!!

[gui888]

We are booked on the July 31st Caribbean Princess cruise. The Tattoo excursion will be on Aug 5th from Greenock. The ship will be in port till 2am to wait for returning busses.

[dogs4fun]

We have booked the July 29th sailing on the Pacific Princess which has an overnight in Edinburgh(Rosyth). This cruise goes all the way around Great Britain and the Military Tatoo is listed as an excursion.

 

It is expensive and we are debating whether we will attend. Everything I have read about it sounds wonderful and it is often described as magical. Since we just booked this cruise I really haven't had a chance to check everything out and it is still too early to book excursions.

 

The Edinburgh Tattoo is absolutely magical and the city is lovely - in my personal top 5. Given the opportunity, I would not miss it. I have had the good fortune to have attended 4 times during various trips to Scotland but never from a cruise ship. However, it may be that DIY (booking your tickets through the official website in addition to pre-booking a round-trip taxi - http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/) would be a less expensive option than booking your excursion through the cruise line. I would check-out all options. Whatever option you choose, the experience is, IMHO, definitely worth the expense.

Edited December 13, 2015 by dogs4fun

[john watson]

I have been looking at the July 31, 2016 sailing of the Caribbean Princess. I very much would like to attend the Scottish Tattoo, but I notice that the posted time for the Caribbean Princess to be in port is only until 7 pm. I thought that the Tattoo lasted longer than that. Does anyone have ideas about this? What is a good sailing for the Tattoo? (other than Pacific Princess)?

 

As has been said on this listing the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is often scheduled from different ports. Remember Edinburgh and Glasgow are relatively close together and a coach can cross between the two in not that long a time.

 

Regards John

[tartanexile81]

As has been said on this listing the Edinburgh Military Tattoo is often scheduled from different ports. Remember Edinburgh and Glasgow are relatively close together and a coach can cross between the two in not that long a time.

 

Regards John

 

 

The ships dock in Greenock not Glasgow and it would take a minimum of 90 minutes if there were no hold-ups. It is one of the busiest routes in Scotland and there are often traffic issues on it, including getting through / around Scotland's two major cities so it's not straightforward. If I was docked in Greenock I honestly would not consider doing anything other than a Princess excursion.

[california mike]

If any of you have been to the Tattoo are you glad you went? Why?

[2theship]

The Tattoo is a once in a lifetime experience. When you hear it described, it sounds like a bunch of bagpipes performing but in fact, there are performances from every country where Scotland has had a military presence. So, yes, there are bagpipes but there are also Maori war dances. It's so hard to explain - just go.

 

If you have not already, join the roll call for your cruise. We were fortunate enough that one member arranged a bus tour to the Tattoo. She was so dedicated that she was on the phone to Scotland the minute the tickets went on sale and we had the best possible seats for the performance.

 

I don't think I'd try to DIY it, there are too many variables. The cruise ship tickets are expensive but consider it the Super Bowl of concerts.

[seniorladycruiser]

Just booked the Military Tatoo through Princess. We will be sailing on the Pacific and decided that no way did we want to miss this opportunity. I do realize that we could have set this up on our own for less money but we decided that we would be more comfortable going through the ship and we do have a lot of onboard credit.

 

Over the years I have booked many private tours for cruises. In fact last September we did a Baltic cruise and toured privately for all our stops including St. Petersburg. However for this tour we felt booking through the cruise line was the best option for us.

[tartanexile81]

you will be docked in Rosyth for Edinburgh and I do think a Princess tour is best on this occasion. I mainly DIY when I cruise but live very close to the Rosyth port and it's not the easiest to navigate. Happy to help if you need anymore info about it as I'm a cruise volunteer. Have a look at our website- http://www.cruiseforth.com.

[1billh@comcast.net]

Thank you for the information. I thought Princess was advertising that this was one of the cruises for the Edinburgh Tattoo. It does not seem to qualify. I will keep looking. Do you recommend a particular cruise line that regularly calls for this performance?

 

I have booked this and I bought tickets for the Tattoo on my own, I went on to the roll call and with other passengers joined a private tour for site seeing and transportation. The ship is in port until 2:00 a.m on the following day.

August 5, 7:00 am - August 6, 2:00 am