Edinburgh Tattoo, an excursion option?

[janmcn]

We're taking the Aug. 19, 2010 Amsterdam to NYC repositioning cruise and I notice that we will be overnighting in Edinburgh. Does anyone know if the Tattoo is an option we'll get? Nothing on the HAL site about it. Otherwise I'll try to book tickets independently.

[RuthC]

It was an excursion when I was there on the Prinsendam in '07. But I never saw it publicized. It must have been very limited, and sold out quickly.

A tablemate had booked it privately, and spoke highly of the experience. I do know, though, that I would not have enjoyed it, as I would have been most uncomfortable. The chairs are small, with little knee room, and the walk in/standing in line can be daunting.
If you have any mobility problems, consider it carefully. If not, then good luck getting tickets, and have a great time.

[DFD1]

I would hope you will do whatever is necessary in order to see the Tattoo. It is not to be missed. IMO, the Tattoo is Scotland at it's best.

I believe there is a website that will give you information about tickets which are not expensive, but need to be purchased well in advance.

As I understand it, transportation from the ship to the city centre is not complicated, but be careful to be sure there is plenty of time to return well ahead of sailing.

Also, I believe the Tattoo was offered as a ship excursion on one HAL cruise last season. I don't remember details.

I hope you can work it out. We were there as part of a month long trek thru Ireland and Scotland two or three years back.

[luckysadie]

The Tattoo will be held August 6-28, 2010. Performances are Monday thru Friday at 9:00p.m. and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and 10:30p.m. There are no performances on Sunday. The performances last approximately two hours.

The website is www.edintattoo.co.uk

You can order tickets online now on the website.

We have been to the Tattoo twice. It is a wonderful experience. Most performances are sold out, so if you want to attend, I wouldn't wait too long to order tickets.

[riz]

Book it independently and book it now. I wouldn't wait to see if it is offered through HAL.

I have lived in Edinburgh and never had the opportunity to see it. I could hear it every night and see the fireworks from my kitchen window but was never able to get tickets...they are that hard to get.

[tjcox9]

We had the opportunity to see it when we were on the Prinsendam in August 2008. All I'd read about it was true.

Just be prepared for extremely small seats, large crowds entering and departing and potential showers.

We were fortunate that we had no showers until the very end of the Tattoo when it only misted a bit. But, the seats are definitely cozy.

If you are going to be there and have the opportunity, don't miss it!! I'd love to do it again.

[janmcn]

OK, if I book independently, how difficult is it to get to and from the ship?

Also, for the Sat. night we're there, is it better to go to the early or late show?

Our ship doesn't leave until noon the next day so either is OK, though we usually are not into staying up late.

Thanks for all the help. I'll definitely order tix now.
Jan

[Jemima]

Yes. Read Retired Mustangs post on the Aug 09 Eurodam. I don't know how to post another thread and think I'm not doing it right
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=20802277&highlight=tattoo#post20802277

It is the post right above that one.

[janmcn]

Thanks for the heads up about "Retired Mustangs"...read several bits of his blog...nice. It gave me the info I wanted. Sounds like I'll have to bug HAL about when to get those excursion seats!
Jan

[RetiredMustang]

Thanks for the heads up about "Retired Mustangs"...read several bits of his blog...nice. It gave me the info I wanted. Sounds like I'll have to bug HAL about when to get those excursion seats!
Jan

Jan,

I saw this thread, and thought to myself, "I might be able to help" but I see someone has already sent you to my blog. Thanks for the compliment.

Some additional points that may help:

1. I watched the HAL web site for booking shore excursions soon after booking the cruise, and kept checking often, as I knew the Tattoo tickets would sell out fast. I just checked my files, and discovered that I was able to reserve two tickets for the Aug. 13, 2009 Tattoo on Jan. 26. So, if you want to go with HAL, keep checking!

2. If you want to go on your own, you might get better seats, but it may be more difficult to get back to the ship. This year, Eurodam had buses running from South Queensferry landing to Edinburgh and back, but I don't know how easy (or filled up) they might be after the Tattoo; with the HAL excursion, we had separate buses waiting for us at the bottom of the hill. There is a train station about a half mile or so up the hill from the tender landing and the train runs to/from Edinburgh, but I don't know the schedule or ease of use at night. Taxis would work, but it's several miles from the central city.

3. Take a light poncho -- even in August, don't forget this is Scotland we're talking about, and you might need it for the weather. I seem to remember that umbrellas were banned.

4. Spend a pound and get the seat cushion! There are hawkers all around the entrance, and are again available at the end to drop off the cushion. You will be thankful to have it! The seats are hard, and quite small.

5. Don't forget to tingle, at the thought of being in that beautiful, gorgeous place and watching that massively impressive display!

Dave

[janmcn]

Dave, many thanks for the PERFECT advice...especially thanks for checking on your dates of when you were able to book tix...that's very helpful! I shall check in January...nothing now. Also, appreciate the info about using HAL's transportation...sounds like the best way...and the cushions, etc.
Looking forward to it! It's a bonus for us since we just planned a "repositioning cruise" with not much thought as to any particular ports. My ancestors all came from this area, so I'm looking forward to seeing where they came from...ggggrandmother worked in the castle.

[edinburghgirl]

if you really want to see the tattoo and intend to do it independently i would book your tickets as soon as you can as it usually sells out with 1/2 weeks of tickets going on sale.
as advised previously get the cushion for the seat and dress in layers as it can get very cold on the castle esplanade.
does the ship dock in leith(buses tec no problem) or south queensferry(a bit trickier would probably require a taxi at night but if there are a few of you it will cut down the cost)
you may also want to consider a trip down the east coast taking in gullane north berwick and dunbar ( great scenery golf courses )

[tjcox9]

If you plan to do this independently, using the ship's shuttle, be aware that it is a pretty good hike from the drop off point to the Castle, but by doing the excursion, the buses will be at the bottom of the hill as previously stated.

We've been to Edinburgh twice on cruises, once on the Prinsendam and once on the Rotterdam. The Prinsendam was at Rosyth and the Rotterdam at South Queensferry, a tender port as I recall. The shuttle drop off points were different both times, but either could present a challenge for some walking to the Castle.

I doubt the port would be Leith. If it is, it's a breeze to take the local bus into the city and it would get you closer to the Castle than the ship's shuttle.