Belfast - failure to dock

Has anyone had experience of a Ship not being able to dock at Belfast as per itinerary.

Don't want to pre-book tickets in case this might happen.

I think it is highly unlikely. The port area is well away from the open sea. Its almost a river port!

We were on the Royal in May of this year and even though the ship picked up the pilot shortly after 6:AM, we were unable to proceed up-river to dock due to wind gusts. So, instead of getting off the ship early for our full day tour, we sat at anchor until 3:30PM whereupon we resumed inbound towards our assigned berth., secured about 4:30PM.

Lots of irate and disappointed passengers. One of our group called our private tour guide as soon as we found out we were not going to be at the pier - he was aware of the situation and would stay in contact throughout the day.

Princess of course cancelled their tours, but offered a couple short, limited tours and at premium cost as substitutes. Most guests simply did not go ashore, it was also approaching the dinner hour.

The six of us grabbed a sandwich at the In't Café [risky? didn't see any food doggies], good use of those baggies, and left the ship to find our private guide waiting for us. Well, we were so lucky to have a great guide/driver/owner who got us to the Causeway, a castle, quick highlight of the city and photo op, rope bridge, a few spectacular sun sets. We missed the scenic drive, lunch, etc., but were able to enjoy the time ashore.

The final cost was modified due to the shorted time ashore, but given how we got in every major site, we all went with the original am't plus generous tip.

Darcy

The weather has been pretty miserable the last few days, gales and rain. The Queen Elizabeth was unable to dock yesterday and made a detour to Iceland!

Gutted for the passengers but also I would have loved to have seen the Queen Elizabeth in dock.

I would pre book a tour that guarantees money back or was able to accommodate any delays in docking. Saying all that though, there have been numerous ships in so far this season with lots more due in, so the chances of you not docking are slim.

I too would pre-book with the understanding if your ship doesn't arrive that you get a full refund.

Keith

It's really unusual for ships not to be able to dock in Belfast - quite often other ships detour to Belfast if the weather is bad. (I live in Belfast)

Have had Belfast on 3 different Princess cruise itineries and have not been there once. All 3 times we had to skip Belfast due to weather. Overnighted in Dublin on one cruise. We will make it someday. Might have to plan a land trip just to make sure!

Have had Belfast on 3 different Princess cruise itineries and have not been there once. All 3 times we had to skip Belfast due to weather. Overnighted in Dublin on one cruise. We will make it someday. Might have to plan a land trip just to make sure!

Here I will take you to the port.

Titanic Museum straight ahead.

The lovely pier we docked:

Just came back from a 14 day cruise.

We missed four ports due to unseasonable weather.

The ports we missed were tender ports because due to winds running tender service would have been unsafe.

Belfast not a problem since we were docked there and actually they added an overnight at Belfast to make up for one of the missed ports.

Keith

Unusual but does happen from time to time depending on Captains and the costs of Tugs. There is a turning circle in the inner port which is the hard part in Gales plus the added factor if moorings lines give way in strong gusts.

Unusual but does happen from time to time depending on Captains and the costs of Tugs. There is a turning circle in the inner port which is the hard part in Gales plus the added factor if moorings lines give way in strong gusts.

On our British Isles cruise this August our arrival time in Belfast was changed from 8am to 12.30pm, this was announced well into the cruise, 3-4 days before we were to get there. The reason given was "tides", surely they knew this beforehand:D

Anyway, it didn't really affect our tours as the ship was in port till 10pm, we just started our tour at 1pm instead of 8.30. Most tour operators were aware of the change, Celebrity also helped people send out emails free of charge.