Peregrina651

We were among the 20 independent travelers who made it into Dublin. We knew before the first (and only) shuttle bus left to take us into Dublin that tendering had been cancelled. The shuttle parks right in front of the National Gallery. We took off for our first destination, The Little Museum of Dublin, with a stop at Boots along the way. It was a 5 min walk back to the shuttle bus and our next stop, the National Gallery. We checked in with the bus driver for an update and learned that the last shuttle would be at 2pm. The museum opened at 11 and in spite of timed tickets we went right in to see the "Turning Faces" exhibition. We did not get to see the "Lost Caravaggio" because it is in the Ulster Museum in Belfast until September. Back to the bus to wait. At 1pm, the first shuttle returned to Dun Loaghaire (pronounced Dun-lerry). About 20 minutes later it was announced that we were being bussed to a nearby hotel to wait. We were fed (soup, tea, scones); we had nice clean toilet facilities; there was plenty of seating. And all of this put together in just a few hours. Many thanks to the Royal Marine hotel for their gracious hospitality. At 6pm, the return to the ship began. By 7pm the first tender was unloading.

Don't just looks for ATMs on the maps, I believe that the post offices also have ATMs. Liverpool may be your best bet for an ATM close to the ship.

I'm on board now. I made sure to pack enough clothing to get us through our post cruise days when we won't have access to laundry facilities. We can dress for five days without having to do any laundry. For planning purposes, sending laundry out takes 2 day -- in by 9 am back the next day at dinner time. If your steward gets to your cabin after 9am, it will be yet another day before you get it back.

In addition, I always travel with an antibiotic for bacterial infections -- such as sinusitis and reactions to the local germ pool -- just in case. Most of the time, they go unused but when needed, it is good not to have to go looking for a pharmacy.

I found the missing post. Operator error. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2891694-may-9-2024-british-isle-explorer/?do=findComment&comment=67370177

Internet is not my friend. Just wasted an hour typing posts that never got posted covering our precruise. I give up. Yesterday was Dover. We skipped all of the Viking tours and spent the day at Dover Castle. LOVED IT. Even though the Viking Shuttle was available we took cabs there and back. I can only say about the Shuttle that it stops in the town center and Dover Castle. However, we were never told how frequently it runs. Also, if the Castle stop is where I think it was, it is a long walk to get to after you have spent the day at the Castle. LOTS OF WALKING.

Looking for a show in London. Check out OPERATION MINCEMEAT. Avoid seats in the Upper Circle. No knee room for the tall. Obstructed view potential for the short.

Ever the contrarian, I wonder if there is more to it than just high vs low season --such as seasonal changes in depth of the river, times of day of the high tides and other cruise lines beat them to the punch.

B2B with Baltic Homelands or Midnight Sun and maybe others.

There is at least one more sailing in 2024 that is scheduled to sail from/to Tilbury and 3 in 2025. It is clearly on the Viking website whether a sailing will be using Greenwich or Tilbury.

Pam, they used space in The Old Royal Naval College for check in. From Gipsy Moth pub, turn right crossing the stern of Cutty Sark and continue straight through the fence and into the building.

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As soon as we boarded, I signed us up for each of the menus using Viking Voyager. We ate at CT, last night and it was wonderful, as DesertCruiser said. They made a few changes for me because of allergies and a consultation with the chef to assure him that there wasn't enough garlic in his recipe to bother me -- and it was just as delicious as Mom's.

No problem! SWEET! A visit from the upgrade fairy!!!

Call back and find someone who knows rhe system better. If that doesn't work, email tellus@vikingcruises.com and explain your situation. Or, if it is cheaper, book your own one-way flight. Also, one way may not necessarily be half the price of a round trip, no matter how you book it.