British Isles aboard Regal Princess 7/26, several questions

[smilesntravels]

2 hours ago, Mark_K said:

From what I read, Olympics coverage will be from Sports24. You’ll probably want to get a vpn set up, if you want to watch NBC or other US oriented coverage.

Thanks- do you mean set up a vpn to watch them on our computer?  If I have to watch the Olympics on a computer, then nevermind.  I shouldn't have said 'every minute,' lol.  

[smilesntravels]

2 hours ago, pompeii said:

I'm also on that cruise, jumping over to the Regal after 21 days on the Island from NYC.  Have you checked out the roll call yet?  

Also, I see interiors starting at $1399 and balconies starting at $1699, so the price between the two should be much less than $1450 for the two of you.  

Hi Pompeii- thanks, I did look at the roll call.  It's so hard to get my husband to agree and actually book a trip.  We book sort of last minute, so once we book it I'll go to the roll call. I'd love to join it now, but want to make sure we're booked first.  You're doing a 21-day cruise before the British Isles one?  How nice!

 

I've been looking at a different pricing.  It would be more doable if just $600, or so, more for a balcony.

[smilesntravels]

2 hours ago, Justpackingmybags said:

If you really want to watch full coverage of the Olympics, why not put save up and do the UK cruise next year?  Maybe the extra savings will pay for the balcony and the Plus package. There’s so much to see in our part of the world, it’d be so sad to spend it trying to find screens showing the sport. I often take holidays to avoid sporting events 😆

That is so true.  I don't know if I can wait another year, now that it's on my mind.  I'll just bite the bullet and not feel bad about missing a lot of the games.  For any other sports I would agree with you (except for the world series.).  I've watched the Olympics since a kid, and when my dad got tickets for the whole two weeks way back in 1984 when I was a kid that was exciting to go to them!

 

We normally don't have to save for a cruise, but hubby has gotten tighter with the money and the economy isn't good.  The last two cruises we took had the beverage package included for not much more.  At $66/day for 12 days for two people that comes out to approximately $1400 more.  Our TA for our last HAL cruise got us the package when it wasn't offered for $100/person!

[memoak]

6 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

Full disclosure:  I have never sailed in an inside cabin.  We love having a balcony and fresh air.  On sea days I love sitting out there reading, sometimes with a glass of wine to enhance the experience.  That said we also did a 12 day British Isles cruise last summer and barely used the balcony.  It is one of the most port intensive cruises that Princess does.  And at least for us the weather was miserable in late June / early July so even when we did have downtime the balcony wasn't that pleasant.  If you absolutely don't need a balcony and will use WiFi / have a couple of drinks a day it probably makes more sense to buy Plus.

 

As for the Olympics, Princess will have them on one or more of their sports channels.  It's anyone's guess whether they will get a US or UK feed but it's popular enough that you should be able to watch some of it.  If you are someone who watches the Olympics 24 X 7 I would agree that you should probably move your cruise to another time.  There's so much to see in each of the ports so I think you will miss a decent amount of the TV coverage on this itinerary.

Just an example we cruised during World Cup. About half the games were shown in cabins. Around the ship you needed to check the patter to see where they were being show. Some were on MUTS some in the Vista lounge and some at the casino bar 

[smilesntravels]

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions!  I should have maybe worded this question differently.  1) If you had the chance to do a cruise you've really been wanting to take, but could only get an inside cabin- would you do it or not?  It's not a great option for me to wait until next year, as I cannot wait that long.  Nor can I go in early fall, or early next spring as I'd have to take off too much time from work.  And 2) Do you know or know of people getting an inside cabin and being miserable, or feeling claustrophobic?  TIA 🙂 .

[memoak]

15 minutes ago, smilesntravels said:

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions!  I should have maybe worded this question differently.  1) If you had the chance to do a cruise you've really been wanting to take, but could only get an inside cabin- would you do it or not?  It's not a great option for me to wait until next year, as I cannot wait that long.  Nor can I go in early fall, or early next spring as I'd have to take off too much time from work.  And 2) Do you know or know of people getting an inside cabin and being miserable, or feeling claustrophobic?  TIA 🙂 .

I have done insides cabins in the past. I would be fine if that is what you can do. I am more concerned that you will miss ports to watch a race you wanted to see 

Edited May 27 by memoak

[akaCruiser]

For my British Iles cruise in Aug 2025, I have an Interior cabin with the Princess Plus package. It makes more sense then booking a Balcony cabin given that you will be just using the cabin for sleeping given you will be spending most of you time being in port.

 

Alternatively, if I'm not in port, I prefer to be out of the cabin and spend my time throughout the ship during the day, so having an Balcony cabin is not that a big deal other than when you wake up you can go to the Balcony to check out the weather.

 

With the Plus package, I have unlimited bottled water, so I will be packing it when I go for excursions. All things considered, I think that this is the best way to stretch my cruise budget (if I do change my mind, I can always try to bid for an upgrade 🙂).

  

[MyriamS]

I would pick the inside cabin but then I always pick inside cabins. I find the lack of natural light to actually be beneficial for my sleep and, during the day, I'm not in my cabin much at all. 

 

Apologies if the suggestion is not welcome but since you are heading to Europe this summer and love the Olympics, why not fly to Paris, see them in person for a few days, then take the high speed train to Marseille for a 7 day Mediterranean cruise? I know you said you're not very interested in the Med but I think it's well worth a look (especially for a first timer in Europe like your husband) and you will have a choice of routes and cheaper prices. 

[insidecabin]

13 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thanks so much for your pictures and information!  This bottom picture is interesting.  It looks like the ship is so close to the shallow shore.  I'm sure some of the ports aren't that pretty, but once you get away from them that is where the scenery is.  I don't think I've heard of Moray Firth, but I'm not from Scotland or the UK.

 

I've looked at the monthly temperatures for the ports we'll be stopping at.  Too bad we can't go in May when it seems like it will be a little cooler.  Anyway, as long as it's not hot and humid that's a good thing!

We did Regal  round Britain 3-15 May it was very cold most days.

We were lucky with very calm seas 

 

We only used outside ship spaces one day.(south Queensferry where we did not get off)

 

The outside bar staff were in coats and hats all the other days.

 

The weather anytime can be variable even in the summer we get cool periods, wet periods, sometimes hot(25c+) spells.

[Cloudyrain]

We have previously been on a cruise during the Olympics around the British Isles (not Princess), and would personally go for balcony instead of the drinks package: but then we don't drink a lot and I am happy with tea and coffee provided in the room, and we sometimes take our own soft drinks and wine with us. 
 

Watching the Olympics on a sea day with the door open and the view was great. We love the Olympics too and watch as much as we can, and that time was such a great experience: especially if maybe there was a downtime in broadcasting we could sit and enjoy the sea for a bit, and leave the TV on and nip back in when something we wanted to watch came on 😊

[rattla]

15 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thanks so much for your input.  I might just have to bite the bullet and miss a lot of the Olympics, lol.  I never miss them since I've been a teenager.  I know some could care less about them.

 

What did you mean about the weather being miserable when you went last June?  I wish we could have gone in April or May when it would be a little cooler.  I think it late July/early August it might be a bit warmer.  I would love some cool air, while being away from the hot/humid Virginia summer.

We stopped at some of these places last year on an NCL U.K./Iceland cruise and are due on a Princess one around U.K. later this summer.  I’m not sure you will miss much not having a balcony as they are generally not the most scenic of ports in the world. 😊

also, living in the U.K. in respect to the weather, it may be a bit warmer, but in all honesty for places like Ireland and Scotland you’re more likely to below below 70F than above it in most ports.  Also if you don’t have rain 1-2 days you would also have been extremely lucky.  It’s hard to be certain, but best to start on that basis 😊

happy to answer any questions you may have if I can.

 

Edited May 27 by rattla

[Neil_c]

Hi

As another Brit. The weather can be anything from hot sunny 30C (86F) to cloudy/rainy16c (60F). on any day, changes within the day and day to day can vary a lot. It is also very localised. I have known it when it is raining in the front of the house but not in the rear (I do not live in a big house!) There are no guarantees what you will get at most times of the year. Weather forecast are estimates and are only accurate about 3 days out an. For all those coming from abroad you need layers and rain gear.

 

My only other advice is look at local excursions they are a lot cheaper than Princess could help with the budget

[jenjens1023]

Sitting in heathrow after disembarking from this cruise today. Consider betting on an upgrade. We placed a bid two weeks before the trip and went from an inside to a balcony for $255 per person.

[smilesntravels]

32 minutes ago, jenjens1023 said:

Sitting in heathrow after disembarking from this cruise today. Consider betting on an upgrade. We placed a bid two weeks before the trip and went from an inside to a balcony for $255 per person.

So if you just got off this cruise, do you have any comments about it?? I've never bidded on a cabin.  We just pay for our cruise in full with the cabin we picked, since we usually book 1-2 months out.  But, thanks for the tip.

[smilesntravels]

2 hours ago, Neil_c said:

Hi

As another Brit. The weather can be anything from hot sunny 30C (86F) to cloudy/rainy16c (60F). on any day, changes within the day and day to day can vary a lot. It is also very localised. I have known it when it is raining in the front of the house but not in the rear (I do not live in a big house!) There are no guarantees what you will get at most times of the year. Weather forecast are estimates and are only accurate about 3 days out an. For all those coming from abroad you need layers and rain gear.

 

My only other advice is look at local excursions they are a lot cheaper than Princess could help with the budget

Hello and thanks for the info.  Lol about rain at your house.  We get varying weather here in Virginia, also.  But I know it rains there a little more.  

I was thinking do 1-2 Princess excursions and the rest through local ones.  For Glasgow and Edinburgh, I was thinking no major excursions and possibly do hop on hop off bus and visit a pub or two, for some local food and to watch a little bit of the Olympics.  We're very excited to do a Lockness excursion, though!  

We will bring rain gear 🙂 

 

[smilesntravels]

7 hours ago, MyriamS said:

I would pick the inside cabin but then I always pick inside cabins. I find the lack of natural light to actually be beneficial for my sleep and, during the day, I'm not in my cabin much at all. 

 

Apologies if the suggestion is not welcome but since you are heading to Europe this summer and love the Olympics, why not fly to Paris, see them in person for a few days, then take the high speed train to Marseille for a 7 day Mediterranean cruise? I know you said you're not very interested in the Med but I think it's well worth a look (especially for a first timer in Europe like your husband) and you will have a choice of routes and cheaper prices. 

Thanks and danke for your response.  I understand about getting an inside cabin.  I do love to see the scenery though, even if it's just to pop in and out of the balcony in the morning, getting ready for dinner and before going to bed.  But it looks like we'll get the inside cabin and I'll have to suffer for 12 nights while on this wonderful cruise 🙂 .

 

That's a great suggestion flying to Paris.  I'm sure prices there for everything will be higher though, during the Olympics.  My husband isn't wanting to spend money 😞 .  I don't know why the Med has never appealed to me much.  I loved going to Germany many times, Austria once and want to see more of green Ireland, plus Scotland.  If we had both been to Europe many times, then I would want to see that part of the continent.  

[smilesntravels]

5 hours ago, Cloudyrain said:

Watching the Olympics on a sea day with the door open and the view was great. We love the Olympics too and watch as much as we can, and that time was such a great experience: especially if maybe there was a downtime in broadcasting we could sit and enjoy the sea for a bit, and leave the TV on and nip back in when something we wanted to watch came on 😊

That sounds like a great day at sea!  I agree with you.  With it being a 12-night cruise, I figured one day just relaxing in the cabin while watching the Olympics, on a sea day would be a great way to relax a bit during a port-intensive cruise.  

The games are great, and so many different things to watch.  I swam in high school and college, so love to watch the swimming.  Then you can watch white water rafting, gymnastics, cycling, etc. etc.  I'll pass on the wrestling and boxing though 🙂 .

I guess I shouldn't complain and be happy that we can take this cruise.  It's just bugging me most likely not getting a balcony cabin.  And I can't decide if we should just go and get the inside cabin, or wait until next year which is too long for me to wait.  Thanks for your input!

Edited May 27 by smilesntravels
Added a paragraph

[smilesntravels]

Thanks again for all of the responses, on this Memorial Day.  I did mention that I can't make up my mind.  So, what are your thoughts on if we go for the next sailing, which leaves on Aug. 7th?  We'll lose Invergorden (Lockness,) which both of us are really excited to see, and Dublin (which I've been to.)  But, we'll gain Northern Ireland (yes, Giants Causeway!) and the Orkney Islands (which we could either see or use an extra sea day.)  Also, it looks like temperatures are possibly two degrees cooler in mid-August.

 

Plus, during this cruise it will be my husband's 50th birthday.  So instead of going out to dinner with friends at home, we can have it on the ship.  Plus, I won't be thinking about watching the Olympics.  And if we have an inside cabin, I won't be depressed as much wanting to watch the games for a little bit, in the room without a window or balcony.  

 

We would have to fly back to the states the same day after the cruise, with a stop at Stonehenge and I'll have to go back to work at school the next day after missing Monday (it is a staff workday though w/o students.)  

 

And, does anyone know if it would be impossible to do a Lockness cruise from either Glasgow, Edinburgh or Orkney?  I assume it's too far away, but thought I'd ask 🙂 .

Edited May 27 by smilesntravels
Added a question

[azbirdmom]

2 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thanks again for all of the responses, on this Memorial Day.  I did mention that I can't make up my mind.  So, what are your thoughts on if we go for the next sailing, which leaves on Aug. 7th?  We'll lose Invergorden (Lockness,) which both of us are really excited to see, and Dublin (which I've been to.)  But, we'll gain Northern Ireland (yes, Giants Causeway!) and the Orkney Islands (which we could either see or use an extra sea day.)  Also, it looks like temperatures are possibly two degrees cooler in mid-August.

 

Plus, during this cruise it will be my husband's 50th birthday.  So instead of going out to dinner with friends at home, we can have it on the ship.  Plus, I won't be thinking about watching the Olympics.  And if we have an inside cabin, I won't be depressed as much wanting to watch the games for a little bit, in the room without a window or balcony.  

 

We would have to fly back to the states the same day after the cruise, with a stop at Stonehenge and I'll have to go back to work at school the next day after missing Monday (it is a staff workday though w/o students.)  

 

And, does anyone know if it would be impossible to do a Lockness cruise from either Glasgow, Edinburgh or Orkney?  I assume it's too far away, but thought I'd ask 🙂 .

With that itinerary there isn't any way you could do Loch Ness.  I do think you have an overnight in Glasgow but it's still quite a long distance and even if you rented a car I'm sure it would be very expensive as well as exhausting.  It's somewhat closer to Edinburgh but you're not in port long enough to do this.

 

One other thing to think about.  If your plan is to return to work the following day keep in mind that airline cancellations do occur.  It happened to the friends we traveled with last summer and they were delayed until the next day when United cancelled their flight from LHR at the last minute.  You will most likely be fine but just keep in mind that it could happen to you.

 

If going to Loch Ness and returning to work the day after the cruise are primary objectives then I'd stick with the original cruise you were looking at.

Edited May 27 by azbirdmom

[KKB]

@smilesntravels We just got off the Regal Princess UK cruise & it was GREAT!

Room--for us, while we like a balcony, we really do find we don't use it much. You have a very port intensive cruise, so you won't have much time to use it anyway.

Princess interior rooms are laid out nicely--and you will sleep SO well at night. 
I did an interior for 20 days last year in UK & Norway. 

Personally, I'm rarely in my room (especially on port intensive criuses).

I know people who COULD NOT do interiors (tho have they tried?); we find them fine. You can turn the TV to the Bridge cam to create a "window" of sorts if you choose.

 

As far as Princess Plus goes, I'm a fan. IF the numbers make sense--which they do, imo, for anyone who likes even the occasional drink.

$60pp/day

Breaks down:

$16pp/day gratuities

$25pp/day internet (this could be halved if you share)

That leaves $20pp/day ($30 if you share internet) for specialty coffees, sodas, alcoholic drinks--2 of those alone will be a breakeven!

 

Generally, we find Princess excursions typically overpriced...and I'm a bit over the large bus tours.

 

DO NOT stay on the ship in Portland! Weymouth s a lovely sea side village.

(I'd skip Holyhead or Glasgow over Portland!)

 

I recommend Overloard Tours for a Normandy tour out of Le Havre (the best choice for Le Havre...it's kind of a "meh" port)

 

I recommend https://www.invergordon-bustours.com/ --I have done Tour 2 twice!

 

Edinburgh we hired a van & driver & went to St. Andrews--a must do for any golf fan. 

There were 6 of us & it ran about $200 each. TripAdvisor, Viator or Get Your Guide

Best part is we got to go where we wanted & stay as long as we wanted.

But it meant missing Edinburgh, boo--another time.

 

Cobh is a lovely little town--you could wander there in the AM, then come back to watch Olympics. (you dock RIGHT in town...you truly can get off a bit, come back, go back out--it's that close)

 

Dublin was a fav but be sure to get up early to get 1st tender tickets. Since you have to tender in, then take a train to Dublin, you are looking at a bit of travel time on each end. 

Not much was open that we wanted to do with that early arrival, so we did the Hop On Hop Off bus to start--funny, great way to get the lay of the land. TOO many things to do there, you will have to be selective! We wandered Trinity College/Temple Bar area, had Irish lunch, then hit the Irish Rock N Roll Museum--loved it, but U2 IS my fav band! (DH really enjoyed it as well and he's not the music junky that I am)

 

Glasgow was OK. We wandered all over city center. Lots of shopping. Most places didn't open until noon for lunch (we were peckish by 11--had to settle for a pint at a pub, which WAS open, lol) We got RT bus tickets at the port. Nice 30 min. direct bus in, but it was about 90 min. back as it was a traditional bus that stopped numerous times. I recommend the train.

 

 

Edited May 27 by KKB

[KKB]

3 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thanks again for all of the responses, on this Memorial Day.  I did mention that I can't make up my mind.  So, what are your thoughts on if we go for the next sailing, which leaves on Aug. 7th?  We'll lose Invergorden (Lockness,) which both of us are really excited to see, and Dublin (which I've been to.)  But, we'll gain Northern Ireland (yes, Giants Causeway!) and the Orkney Islands (which we could either see or use an extra sea day.)  Also, it looks like temperatures are possibly two degrees cooler in mid-August.

 

Plus, during this cruise it will be my husband's 50th birthday.  So instead of going out to dinner with friends at home, we can have it on the ship.  Plus, I won't be thinking about watching the Olympics.  And if we have an inside cabin, I won't be depressed as much wanting to watch the games for a little bit, in the room without a window or balcony.  

 

We would have to fly back to the states the same day after the cruise, with a stop at Stonehenge and I'll have to go back to work at school the next day after missing Monday (it is a staff workday though w/o students.)  

 

And, does anyone know if it would be impossible to do a Lockness cruise from either Glasgow, Edinburgh or Orkney?  I assume it's too far away, but thought I'd ask 🙂 .

OK, Lochness ISN'T that exciting. 

It's just a lake. 

Lovely, but...

 

Belfast is AMAZING--the best Hop On Hop Off bus tour I've ever taken (London a close 2nd, Dublin 3rd). Titanic Museum fantastic...but, yes, the Causeways...choices choices.

 

Orkney Island are AMAZING--they dropped it from ours the last minute & I was SO sad.

Take the free shuttle into Kirkwall (LOVELY seaside town) earlY & get in line a the travel center. For 25lbs you get an AMAZING tour of the area. HIGHLY recommend. 

Plus time to wander Kirkwall after your several hour tour.

 

I loved Dublin but with the travel time in (tender & train), it is very limiting. 

 

Much better itinerary, imo.

[KKB]

@smilesntravels

I would NOT fly to Paris during Olympics--flights & hotels are certainly OUTRAGEOUS, if you can even get bookings.

London is WONDERFUL if you can go a few days ahead. We stayed at the Marlin Waterloo last Oct. Highly recommend.

 

Bidding for upgrades: we do this A LOT. 

For our UK Regal last month we booked an interior. Then bid $185pp (so $370 total) for a deluxe balcony & got it! 
NOW--NO GUARANTEES. We would have been fine in an interior. But it was nice. 

(we usually say $500 total for interior to Balcony bid on a 7 day...so we felt good about this one!)

 

Have a wonderful cruise--did UK cruises last May & this April. 

Friend & I head to Dublin this Oct. 

UK is my fav place I've cruised--history, landscape & LOVELY people. 

So great.

[NavyVeteran]

3 hours ago, smilesntravels said:

Thanks again for all of the responses, on this Memorial Day.  I did mention that I can't make up my mind.  So, what are your thoughts on if we go for the next sailing, which leaves on Aug. 7th?  We'll lose Invergorden (Lockness,) which both of us are really excited to see, and Dublin (which I've been to.)  But, we'll gain Northern Ireland (yes, Giants Causeway!) and the Orkney Islands (which we could either see or use an extra sea day.)  Also, it looks like temperatures are possibly two degrees cooler in mid-August.

 

1 hour ago, azbirdmom said:

With that itinerary there isn't any way you could do Loch Ness.  I do think you have an overnight in Glasgow but it's still quite a long distance and even if you rented a car I'm sure it would be very expensive as well as exhausting.  It's somewhat closer to Edinburgh but you're not in port long enough to do this.

The August 7th cruise does not have an overnight in Greenock (Glassgow). It is scheduled to leave Greenock at 2:00 am, which isn't really overnight. The only reason it is scheduled to leave at 2:00 am is to allow excursions to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Glassgow. They don't do Tattoo excursions from south Queensferry, because South Queensferry is a tender port (Water Shuttle Required), and they don't want to be tendering most of the passengers back to the ship after midnight.

The Tattoo would be the highlight of any British Isles cruise in August. However, Tattoo excursions usually sell out and you might not be able to book the Tattoo (either Princess or on your own) if booking the cruise this late. Edinburgh will be very crowed because of the festivals during both your South Queensferry and your Greenock port days.

[cr8tiv1]

Flying West is much easier on me than flying East.  LHR to the East Coast "shouldn't" be that bad.  I fly LA/HNL all the time.  It's coming back to California with DST that's a killer for me.

 

Disclaimer, I was once a teacher....And you know how first days work.  It's how many days before the weekend?  If you get everything in order before you leave, it will be a cakewalk.

 

For me, I would take an inside with Plus or use the money for excursions.  I've done Hawaii (10 sea days) in an inside. 

[LeeW]

Since you mentioned Stonehenge, fly in two days early and stay in Southampton (We use the Leonardo Royal Grand and eat mostly at the mall).  Walk 15 minutes to the train station on the other side of the mall and take a westbound train to Salisbury (around 20 minutes).  Get off and the HOHO bus leaves from the train station basically on the hour (book online in advance, with Stonehenge bus access).  Ride bus to Stonehenge, then park bus to the stones.  Very easy to do.