Caribbean Princess - British Isles Cruise

[MOcruiserman]

My wife has proposed that, in 2018, we take the Caribbean Princess 12 night cruise of the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, with one stop in France).

 

We've been to London and southern Ireland so we know we'll love the different places we'll see. But we've never been on a Princess ship.

 

Does anyone have any words of advice about this cruise and the ship?

[tully07]

This is a wonderful cruise -- very port intensive, but very enjoyable. We had no complaints about the Caribbean Princess at all, and have booked this ship for another cruise in 2017.

 

You should look for the posts from Delorean Girl - she wrote a detailed commentary on this particular trip.

[MOcruiserman]

Thanks Tully07. I'll look for her review.

[WatchHill]

We did the British Isles cruise on the Royal Princess and thought it was one of the best trips we have ever taken. Of course, we also tacked on over a week pre-cruise to extend our time on land. We rented a car and drove to Wales, and then onto Cornwall and Devon.

 

Yes, it is a very port intensive cruise, so no late night in a lounge for us. While ashore, we often had full luncheons, so by the time we got back to the ship, refreshed ourselves, we only ate in the dining room one night, another two nights at either Alfredo's or Crown Grille, otherwise it was the buffet.

 

The shorex through the cruise line are very expensive so we did many of the tours with friends we met on CC roll calls and found the bottom line to be about half or le$$ than Princess. Using private vendors gave us greater opportunity to experience what we wanted to see, much more personalized with just a few fellow passengers.

 

We have sailed on the CB 3-4 times and enjoyed our time on the ship.

 

Lots of planning made it such an amazing trip.

 

Darcy

[Shogun]

Hi

 

This is the great cruise, if you get the chance do in August and go to the Edinburgh tattoo,

 

Kirkwall is offered only on a few cruises it is an amazing port of call,

 

no place like it.

 

If you have any questions just ask been to most ports many times,

 

yours Shogun

 

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets?gclid=CjwKEAjwubK4BRC1xczKrZyj3mkSJAC6ntgrNppHshNSjFRQxAoggB5vAckkkUwbCnIn89N6R7f9yRoCXBTw_wcB

 

http://www.orkney.com/about/history

[treesah]

Hi

 

This is the great cruise, if you get the chance do in August and go to the Edinburgh tattoo,

 

Kirkwall is offered only on a few cruises it is an amazing port of call,

 

no place like it.

 

If you have any questions just ask been to most ports many times,

 

yours Shogun

 

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets?gclid=CjwKEAjwubK4BRC1xczKrZyj3mkSJAC6ntgrNppHshNSjFRQxAoggB5vAckkkUwbCnIn89N6R7f9yRoCXBTw_wcB

 

http://www.orkney.com/about/history

 

Thank you, Shogun. We'll be visiting the British Isles in June. Looking forward to visiting Kirkwall. The Orkneys are truly fascinating.

[augies]

Hi

 

This is the great cruise, if you get the chance do in August and go to the Edinburgh tattoo,

 

Kirkwall is offered only on a few cruises it is an amazing port of call,

 

no place like it.

 

If you have any questions just ask been to most ports many times,

 

yours Shogun

 

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets?gclid=CjwKEAjwubK4BRC1xczKrZyj3mkSJAC6ntgrNppHshNSjFRQxAoggB5vAckkkUwbCnIn89N6R7f9yRoCXBTw_wcB

 

http://www.orkney.com/about/history

 

I'm not the OP but we are on the 6/1/16 BI cruise. Our itinerary includes the Orkneys. What do you think is the best tour to do there? Also, we are not sure about the best way to get euros and pounds. Can you please comment. I always enjoy your informative posts.

Augies

[Bright1]

My wife has proposed that, in 2018, we take the Caribbean Princess 12 night cruise of the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, with one stop in France).

 

We've been to London and southern Ireland so we know we'll love the different places we'll see. But we've never been on a Princess ship.

 

Does anyone have any words of advice about this cruise and the ship?

 

I strongly suggest you check the Caribbean Princess CC Roll Calls, especially The British Isles Cruises for 5/20/2016 and 5/8/2016. There is a wealth of info regarding planning and packing as well as excursions. It's time well spent on research. And, feel free to ask any questions on the board.

[Shogun]

Hi

 

Money Advise,

 

I like to use pre paid cards they come with chip and pin, exchange rates are

 

good as they are based on internet volume,

 

Quite a few companies do them I have used International Currency Exchange, have desks at most airports.

 

Once you have card you can use it at ATM for cash or as debit card,

 

As to Kirkwall, biggest problem just too much to see and not enough time,

 

however it is never warm, folks from Florida almost have heart failure when they see children swimming in the sea,

 

I have always used local guides,

 

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/eastmainland/italianchapel/

 

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ring-of-brodgar-p669061

 

http://www.maeshowe.co.uk/maeshowe/skara_brae.html

 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g190780-Activities-Kirkwall_Mainland_Orkney_Islands_Scotland.html

 

 

yours Shogun

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

We seriously are considering a 12-night British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess for July or August 2017. The prices currently are pretty steep ($2,299 for the least expensive inside stateroom). Do you think these prices will come down?

 

Thanks,

 

Chuck

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

I would also recommend visiting the City of Stirling either from Glasgow or Edinburgh,

 

Princess calls it Braveheart territory.

 

The Castle of stands in for Edinburgh in the movies so folks often recognise it,

 

Old part of the town is again often used for medieval movies .

 

http://www.destinationstirling.com/see-do/stirling-history/

 

If visiting Glasgow

 

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum-p246571

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Palace,_Glasgow

 

http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/riverside/Pages/default.aspx

 

yours Shogun

[MCEaton]

My wife has proposed that, in 2018, we take the Caribbean Princess 12 night cruise of the British Isles (England, Ireland, Scotland, with one stop in France).

 

We've been to London and southern Ireland so we know we'll love the different places we'll see. But we've never been on a Princess ship.

 

Does anyone have any words of advice about this cruise and the ship?

 

We are looking to do the BI also in 2018 can you tell us if this cruise has been released yet, we have been waiting for Princess to release there 2018 itinerary

and we only see Aussie and NZ being released in April

[NavyVeteran]

Hi,

 

We seriously are considering a 12-night British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess for July or August 2017. The prices currently are pretty steep ($2,299 for the least expensive inside stateroom). Do you think these prices will come down?

 

Thanks,

 

Chuck

 

Prices may come down or they may offer some other incentives. They offered several incentives for 2016 European cruises but not yet for the 2017 ones. If the prices come down before final payment or they offer other incentives, you can usually rebook at the new prices with the new incentives - so you don't lose anything by booking now.

 

If you are interested in the Edinburgh Tattoo, you would need to book the August 5th or August 17th cruise. You do not attend the Tattoo from the Edinburgh (south Queensferry) port, since it is a tender port with an early departure time. You attend the Tattoo from the Glasgow (greenock) port, and this port has a 2:00 am departure time because of the Tattoo.

[MOcruiserman]

Great information in this thread. Thanks, everyone.

[augies]

Hi

 

Money Advise,

 

I like to use pre paid cards they come with chip and pin, exchange rates are

 

good as they are based on internet volume,

 

Quite a few companies do them I have used International Currency Exchange, have desks at most airports.

 

Once you have card you can use it at ATM for cash or as debit card,

 

As to Kirkwall, biggest problem just too much to see and not enough time,

 

however it is never warm, folks from Florida almost have heart failure when they see children swimming in the sea,

 

I have always used local guides,

 

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/eastmainland/italianchapel/

 

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/ring-of-brodgar-p669061

 

http://www.maeshowe.co.uk/maeshowe/skara_brae.html

 

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g190780-Activities-Kirkwall_Mainland_Orkney_Islands_Scotland.html

 

 

yours Shogun

 

Thanks Shogun.

[Shogun]

Hi augies,

 

No problem, happy to help, if you need anything just ask,

 

yours Shogun

[jenng1976]

Hi,

 

 

 

We seriously are considering a 12-night British Isles cruise on the Caribbean Princess for July or August 2017. The prices currently are pretty steep ($2,299 for the least expensive inside stateroom). Do you think these prices will come down?

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

Chuck

 

 

We are travelling this May, I've been tracking prices for well over a year and they stayed more or less the same until after final payment. Then they dropped a few hundred / person about a week after final payment, then again after another few weeks.

 

Currently (less than a month out) you can get a balcony for less than the original price of an inside. Or an inside for about 1/2 of the original price.

 

Of course, you have to have nerves of steel to wait that long to book! Depends also if you are picky about room category / location or about preferred dining times to wait until the last minute.

 

Good luck!

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the information. This is very helpful.

 

Chuck

[TracieABD]

I did this cruise last June/July and wrote a pretty extensive Live From. All of our tours were privately booked. Here is the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2226507

 

 

It is not nearly as detailed as Delorian Girl's, but you can get some broad strokes from it.

 

Good luck and have fun planning!

Edited April 12, 2016 by TracieABD

[jsmac3]

Shogun:

 

I'm glad I caught you on this thread. I have a couple of questions. We are on the May 20th Caribbean Princess sailing of the British Isles. I have always imagined that when I visited Scotland I would buy a bit of cloth with the McDonald plaid or tartar pattern as a souvenir and perhaps a McDonald family crest. I imagine however, there are many patterns . . .can you improve my knowledge - I'm not interested in a kilt or anything but would like a souvenir from where my ancestors came from.

 

I prefer to buy something at Edinburgh which is where my ancestors are from.

 

 

 

Jerry

[D&N LUV 2 TRAVEL]

We are travelling this May, I've been tracking prices for well over a year and they stayed more or less the same until after final payment. Then they dropped a few hundred / person about a week after final payment, then again after another few weeks.

 

Currently (less than a month out) you can get a balcony for less than the original price of an inside. Or an inside for about 1/2 of the original price.

 

Of course, you have to have nerves of steel to wait that long to book! Depends also if you are picky about room category / location or about preferred dining times to wait until the last minute.

 

Good luck!

 

We booked our June 2016 British Isles cruise back in March 2015 using a future cruise credit as a deposit. We were very fortunate that on Aug 22/15 there was a great sale that reduced our Caribe balcony cost by $405 US per person or 13.5% + we received free gratuities + free specialty restaurant. There have been other specials since but none could top this one.