ms Eurodam - 11 Aug 09 Sailing - Edinburgh Tattoo

[trashhauler]

Has anyone been able to find an independent way to attend the Edinburgh Tattoo on the evening of 13 Aug 09, other than via the ship's package tour? The ship's tour price is, in my opinion, outrageous...$169. USD pp for a 1.5 hour outdoor show, in any weather! I notice that seats are available independently from approx. $21. to $42. pp.

Would like to hear from anyone who has found a solution to this problem or who is looking for others to share in transport to/from the performance.

trashhauler

[flgolf]

I don't know if this will help but we had a great time using a company called Ocean links last year when in Scotland.
cyd@ocean-links-golf.com. try emailing them.

[Harry1954]

It may seem overpriced, but we found it well worth it. The ingress/egress to the actual castle is horrendous as there is a sea of people coming from everywhere and the policy hurry you along. HAL got us good seats and took care of everything, making it a stress-free trip and well worth it.
harry

[jrblueblue]

Try this web site www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk (http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk)
Where are you docked, are you docked overnight?
Edinburgh has a good bus service covering the city, but after the tattoo you might have to get a taxi back to the ship.

[takemewithyou]

I have heard the seats are small and uncomfortable at the tattoo?

Harry mentioned he went with HAL....how were the seats? Is it like bleacher seats or stadium seats?

[jaspersmycat]

FYI: I saw this on the web. For some reason HAL has not posted it on its web Site:

"Featured on August 11, 2009, ms Eurodam, Northern Isles Adventure

SEATTLE, May 5 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line announced today that it has
reserved some of the best seats on the floodlit Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle
to provide booked guests a bird's-eye view to one of the most celebrated
events in the world: The Edinburgh Military Tattoo. With more than 1,000
performers, featuring Tongan musicians, an all-male Canadian choir, the Indian
Navy and entertainers of the Royal Academy of Music and Drama, the Edinburgh
Military Tattoo will celebrate its 60th anniversary while also paying a 250th
birthday anniversary tribute to Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns. The
Edinburgh Military program, which takes place on Aug. 13 while the ms Eurodam
overnights in Edinburgh, Scotland, will be available on the 16-day, Northern
Isles Adventure, departing Aug. 11 from Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Holland America Line's commitment to providing our guests with unique
and memorable shore excursions is demonstrated once again with this
one-of-a-kind shore opportunity," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice
president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "And guests will be able to
experience this incredible event from the vantage point of the best reserved
seating available."

[trashhauler]

Harry,

I took your advice and "bit the bullet". I have secured two tickets to the Tattoo through HAL and consider myself lucky, as there is little left for that night through ticket sales in Edinburgh. Thanks for the advice and 'Happy Cruising'.

Trashhauler

[trashhauler]

jrblueblue,

The ms Eurodam is anchored off Port Edgar (tendering ashore). We drop anchor at 0700 on 13 Aug and weigh anchor at 1600 on 14 Aug. We are a Canadian couple and we were in Edinburgh/Stirling for 3 days last May and had a wonderful time. We experienced the pipes, Highland dancing, haggis and a lengthy reciting of Burns poetry. We lamented at the time that since it was May, we were not going to be able to see the Military Tattoo!

Problem solved now...thanks to you and others.

Trashhauler

Thanks for your suggestion re the Tattoo website but I've determined that that performance is virtually sold out. We now have good seats through Holland America's Excursions Office. A taxi from Edinburgh (if indeed available) to South Queensferry would also have been quite pricey!

[trashhauler]

jaspersmycat,

Thanks a million for the long write-up on the Tattoo. I'm sure we'll enjoy it immensely. Happy cruising...this is our 14th with HAL.

Trashhauler

[SDHALFAN]

Hi trashhauler:

I was born in Edinburgh and remember well, as a little girl, going to the Tattoo several times - it's quite an experience and even though you had to pay top dollar for your excursion I don't think that you will be disappointed.

I now live in San Diego and tend to take the Asian, Australian/New Zealand or Central/South American cruises so a Tattoo experience is not in my immediate future. However, my brother who lives in Australia is able to get the Tattoo on T.V. there and always sends me a CD. They have had some really amazing talent lately. I'm pretty sure that you are going to have a great time.

Please say "Hi" to Edinburgh for me. She is a beautiful city and the difference in the architecture between the "old town" (Medieval) and the "new town" (Georgian) is quite striking. Princes Street Gardens separates the two and the gardens themselves are well worth a visit. If you get to the gardens be sure to check out the Floral Clock - it was always a favorite visit when I was but a bairn (little kid).

Valerie:)

[fairfax cruiser]

We got a great tip last year when looking for tickets. Go to where the tour buses park - down the street from the venue about a block. The bus drivers always have extra tickets for sale due to people who didn't show for their tours. The seats were pretty good, and the prices were not bad. If I remember correctly, we paid around 30 pounds ($50) per ticket
Of course, availability is not guaranteed. For that, you may have to pay the ship's outrageous pricing.
It's a great show.

[takemewithyou]

I have heard the seats are small and uncomfortable at the tattoo?

Harry mentioned he went with HAL....how were the seats? Is it like bleacher seats or stadium seats?

Does anyone, who has been before, have an answer to this question?
Thanks :)

[RuthC]

Does anyone, who has been before, have an answer to this question?
Thanks :)
I wasn't there, but had been very interested in going. I was put off for the same reason. When tablemates returned from the Tattoo I had a lengthy discussion with them. It was very tight seating, in their estimation. She was short, and said her knees didn't fit without hitting the seat in front of her.
They also said the line to get in went on forever. It was a long, slow, walk to enter.

[takemewithyou]

Thanks, Ruth, that sort of goes along with what I had heard. Some one said anyone tall would have problems. Doesn't apply to me (LOL, but would be a problem for DH).

[Harry1954]

Harry,
I took your advice and "bit the bullet". I have secured two tickets to the Tattoo through HAL and consider myself lucky, as there is little left for that night through ticket sales in Edinburgh. Thanks for the advice and 'Happy Cruising'.
Trashhauler
You won't be disappointed, believe me ... and when onboard, those who have not already gotten tickets will be in a first come/first serve waitlist with a few lucky ones getting tickets just before d-day.
Regarding the seating - it is very, very tight. Dont take anything with you except camera and a parka or rain gear. Plan on uncomfortable seating and you won't be disappointed - but everyone has the same uncomfortable seats. The only issue is whether or not one is inclined to this type of activity - for those such as my DW and me, it was well worth every minute of it - and we thank HAL for accommodating us.
harry

[letsgonow]

As others have reported, the seats are very small. They do rent cushions for 1 pound each - they are thin, but they help a little. Once the Tattoo starts, you will quickly forget about how uncomfortable you are. I was in Harry1954's group last year on the Prinsendam. I am glad to hear that HAL has secured better seats for this year, as we had the cheapest seats in the house. A few years ago we saw the Tattoo on a Princess excursion, and the seats were much better. It does make a difference.

[Harry1954]

As others have reported, the seats are very small. They do rent cushions for 1 pound each - they are thin, but they help a little. Once the Tattoo starts, you will quickly forget about how uncomfortable you are. I was in Harry1954's group last year on the Prinsendam. I am glad to hear that HAL has secured better seats for this year, as we had the cheapest seats in the house. A few years ago we saw the Tattoo on a Princess excursion, and the seats were much better. It does make a difference.
Hope all is well with you ...
BTW, the reason we had the seats we did last year was because HAL was able to wrangle seats at the 11th hour - we were scheduled to leave Edinburgh at 11pm and once they got word they had a block of seats, they changed it to 1am to pull it off .. they did not even have the excursion posted until about 1 1/2 weeks before cruise. As you may recall, one of our more observant fellow CCers (wonder who??? ha) noticed it, signed up and then let us know about it on the Roll Call thread .. that was when DW and I immediately signed up. While it was a very tight fit, we thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it again if/when opportunity affords itself.
harry

[wegolf2]

Have you uncovered any reasonable option for attending the Tattoo performance on August 13th? We'd go, if we can find tickets at a realistic price.
wegolf2 - sailing from Copenhagen 8/11

[DFD1]

Very tight seating, bleachers, but a great evening.

When we were there, we were seated next to a lady from England. We began talking and learned she had dated one of my father's best friends from Chattanooga while both were stationed in Spain during WWII, many years ago.

You'll get to know whomever you're seated next to!

This thread brings back wonderful memories of one of the cities I love the most. I hope you all have a wonderful time in Edinburgh. I can't wait to get back again soon.