John Bull

Ooops.🙄 Sorry about selling Ontario to your troublesome neighbours 😃 JB 🙂

Don't be silly - that would make me 462 years old 🤔 I'm only 312 years old, but about 100 years older than your Uncle Sam Here's my biopic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bull JB 🙂

Public transport in the UK is used by all folk, especially going to airports and London, so it'll be a mix of people - no worries. A taxi to the coach station (small, clean, modern) won't cost more than £10 from any cruise terminal. Nat Express coaches are very similar to touring coaches, the same as those chartered by cruise-lines. All Nat Express coaches have a bathroom and free in-seat wifi. Drivers load your luggage, same as ship-sponsored coaches. At Heathrow they visit T4 & T5, which are remote from the other terminals, then go to the Heathrow Central bus station - from there it's a 10-minute walk to T's 2 & 3 (there's no longer a T 1). Ship-sponsored coaches are allocated to individual terminals - avoiding the scenic tour of airport terminals, and avoiding the walk to T2 or T3. Nat Express' timetable doesn't suit all flight-times, but probably for two people & certainly for more than two a pre-booked private transfer is cheaper than ship's transfer as well as better. I kinda understand some folk paying a lot more to be the cruise-line's responsibility to get them from airport to ship in time, but I don't understand it in the opposite direction cos if their ship-sponsored coach is held up their aircraft won't wait. Your problem in checking out Southampton's shops etc will be your luggage. There are a couple of places which will hold them, but is it worth about £5 - £6 per bag just for a bit of shopping ? With a 7pm flight time you could consider a coach tour-transfer https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/shore-excursions-and-cruise-transfers.html JB 🙂

Harbour to Capri town is fairly easy - short walk, funicular, & you're there. Little streets & paths, quite spread out, undulating but not steep. But as I posted, we never got to Anacapri. There are buses but apparently not frequent. It's only 2 - 3 miles, best take @euro cruiser's advice. JB 🙂

Day Two https://maps.app.goo.gl/WnAXqwMZ5o33Kmd7A If you didn't have the time last night, drive to Omaha Beach Memorial, Probably via Av.de la Liberation, but depends where you lodged. Various monuments here and elsewhere on your route. From the Monument, follow the beach road west (the sea on your right), in about a mile it then turns inland & in 1/4 mile turn left at the T-junction onto the D514 (by the end of the day D514 will be imprinted in your brain 😏) for the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer. It's about 5 miles on the D514 to a roundabout, where it's signed to your left. For the moment, ignore the Overlord Museum at the roundabout. The American Cemetery is a must-see. Not just the immaculately-maintained cemetery, but the peaceful grounds & the visitor centre. There used to be a path down to Omaha, but it's now closed. Now consider how well you're keeping up with the clock, and put Longues Sur Mer into your sat-nav. Back at that roundabout, the Overlord Museum is pretty decent if you have the time. Continue on the D514, in 1/4 mile is The Big Red One museum (I've not visited), and in about 8 miles in Longues sur Mer turn left by the pedestrian crossing for the Longues Battery, a couple of minutes off the D514. Worth 15 minutes. Return to the D514 toward Arromanches-sur-Mer In about 4 miles decide if you want to go to the harbour at Arromanches or skip it & stay on the D514. Arromanches was the site of the Mulberry Harbour, floated across from England after D-Day. If the tide is right you can walk right up to some of the remaining caissons. There's an excellent waterfront museum, and a selection of shops, bars & eateries, but if the car park is full parking can be difficult. Sat-nav to Juno Beach Centre If you skip Arromanches centre, definitely stop off on the D514 at the top of the hill beyond the town (360 cinema but don't bother with it) for a panoramic view of the Mulberry Harbour remains. Pay-parking, even for a photo-stop, but worthwhile. Continue on the D514 for 8 miles to Courseulles-sur-Mer. Just before the town, Juno Beach Memorial is poorly-signed to your left. At the memorial follow your nose east (right) and you'll come to the Juno Beach Centre, worth an hour if you've got the time. (if time is short, direct from Juno to Caen station is 17 miles, 30 mins but longer in rush hour) Set your satnav to Lion-sur Mer, The road layout in Courseulles-sur-Mer has changed since I was last there, so you'll need it. It'll send you cross-country - no worries, the villages on the D514 are slow-going, only a few hundred yards are waterfront and lots of little dead-end residential roads to Sword Beach and nothing to see. At Lion-sur-Mer set the sat-nav to Ouistreham, 4 miles - a couple of museums on the road (yes, D514 again) from Lion-sur-Mer to Ouistreham, the eastern end of the D-Day beaches. I've taken the cross-Channel ferries to there many times - pleasant, but no longer much D-Day about the place. Next head to Pegasus Bridge (Benouville if your sat-nav doesn't recognise it), about 5 miles. Mebbe a coffee at Cafe Gondree, first building liberated on D-Day. If time is short head from Juno Beach straight to Pegasus Bridge (14 mls, 30 mins). Pegasus Bridge to Caen train station is about 9 miles, 15 mins -but longer in rush-hour. You'll notice I started you in Bayeux & you ended up in Caen 😄. They're about 22 miles, 30 minutes apart - probably best to choose the one or the other 😏 French rental agencies don't like long hours, most close around 6pm. So choose one with an out-of-hours drop-off & key-drop. Take photos when you leave the car. Bookmark your lodging address and the car rental address in your sat navigation device - that way, wherever you are you can easily check how long it'll take to go straight there - the timing isn't generous. Bon Voyage JB 🙂

Hi, Arch, Didn't happen to us on Carnival last year. If you're sailing NCL, they seem to add taxes where other cruise lines don't. If indeed it is NCL, it's worth mentioning that on this thread, and also asking on the NCL forum https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ JB 🙂

Southampton Radio Taxis has been around for as long as I can remember, hence the rather dated name. Must admit I didn't know about the tie-up with West Quay. I've always known West Quay for taking on the more-distant jobs, it may be that they're over-committed on your date. Since Covid and the fuel & cost-of-living increases, the fare between LHR and Southampton seems to have settled at about £140 - £160. For starts at LHR, some operators add waiting time if you're late into the Arrivals Hall and / or LHR parking. A direct Southampton to central London seems to be around £190 - £240. Via Stonehenge adds 40 miles / 45 minutes to the journey time, plus waiting time at Stonehenge (90 minutes does the job) All of which makes £500+ OTT, and £290 a little bit south of what I'd expect. Did you (or they) specify how long you'd be at Stonehenge? Were the higher quotes from London-based operators? JB 🙂

Interesting question. The summer solstice (20/21 June in 2024) is a big deal at Stonehenge, because that's when the sun rises beside the heel stone & shines into the heart of the circle. It also disrupts visits the previous day and the following day. But I 've never been aware of any mention of ceremony for the Autumn Equinox, and I'm not sure it has any great significance to Stonehenge. You've probably found on the web that the equinox sunrise (pretty irrelevant ?) is celebrated there, but the numbers are small. Sunrise is 6.55am. The booking site is showing availability for all arrival slots from 9.30 (usual opening hours) on both the sunday & the monday. So I doubt the equinox will have much, if any, effect on your visit. But your best move would be to e-mail customers@english-heritage.org.uk Be sure to head it Stonehenge - English Heritage looks after dozens of heritage sites. JB 🙂

That's not the Premier Inn near the cruise terminals, it's on the opposite side of the city centre in New Street. With luggage you'll need a short taxi hop - should cost no more than £10. But an easy & pleasant walk from there across a park to the city centre. Alternatively Maynard's News & Food (Londis), in my post #6, is more convenient. And a 10-minute downhill walk to the station for frequent trains to the airport - follow this route https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgb8ygGR127DiM7b6 to be on the right platform Another option, though with moderately-limited time, is train to the airport (10 mins, about £5 single), either store or check-in your luggage there, then any train in the same direction to Winchester 10 minutes, £7 return. Winchester station is a 15 minute walk from the cathedral & compact city centre. Train back to the airport. JB 🙂

I don't know, but they're a private company so not hidebound by regulation timetables. But rather than rely on probabilities, the best bet is to e-mail them and ask. Quote your date, arrival & sailaway times, and your ship's name (more likely with a big ship than with a tiddler) Other choices will include ship's "Bruges on your own" transfer (drops at the same place as the Cruise Express) or ship's shuttle for the 2 - 3 miles to Blankenberge station for the hourly direct train (12 minutes, under €10 return) Bruges station and the bus drop point are both an easy 15-20min walk to the cobbled centre. JB 🙂

We have no cruise-line loyalty, we sail on itinerary, price and value-for-money (which too many folk equate to "cheap" but means that we'll buy something at twice the price if it's twice as good. To use @Lee Jones Jnr's analogy, we don't compare Mercedes with Kia - so we don't consider cruise lines like Cunard, Oceania, Seabourn, Azamara, Celebrity or even Ambassador to be P&O competition because of the price differences This has been out experience..... Nearest equivalent is probably Princess, a former subsidiary of P&O, though more stylish and a little more expensive - and with some Brit touches. RCI and MSC sailing out of Southampton are competition, especially for those with kids, RCI tending to be a little more expensive and MSC usually significantly less expensive but with higher on-board costs. RCI crew very friendly and interactive (to the point of being-in-your-face, which you may like or dislike). MSC crew, like P&O crew, are more reserved than most cruise lines. Both have more glitzy ships, MSC in particular have the most modern & stylish ships in the business, far better than many of the more expensive cruise lines. But we wouldn't sail MSC or Costa except from the UK. Marella (a TUI cruise line) is in the same price bracket as P&O after allowing for the included alc & non-alc. drinks, and like P&O ship's currency is sterling and no daily charges. Very British clientele, very friendly passengers & crew. And often unusual itineraries like Columbia, Cuba and until recent conflicts the Red Sea. Second-hand ships but much more modern than some of the rust-buckets they used to sail. Fred Olsen has some tired but well-maintained ships. Small & friendly, none of the whistles & bells friendly atmosphere, most passengers are recently-retireds, prices compete with P&O. We don't feel that we're ready yet for Fred Olsen, but that day will come and we';; be happy to give them a try. P&O can't be beaten for a Caribbean fly-cruise (or I'm told Mediterranean fly-cruises) on either convenience or value-for money - P&O charter aircraft for direct flights from a number of UK airports. Seamless transfers - direct from aircraft to transfer bus to the port without even entering the airport terminal, none of the usual grief of immigration, security, baggage carousel or customs. You check in your luggage at your UK airport & won't see it again until it appears at your cabin door. And on the last day the freedom of the ship incl dining, bars, pools, etc (but not your cabin) until your return transfer bus is called - that's important because west-to-east flights are overnight, so when you disembark a US ship in Florida at about 9am you're stuck with your bags all day. Fred Olsen have a very few similar Caribbean fly-cruises, Marella (TUI) have quite a few - transfers aren't quite as smooth because aircraft passengers are a mix of cruisers and resort-bound TUI holidaymakers. All just MHO as always - and different horses for different courses JB 🙂

We stayed in Ravello for a few days on a road-trip. Beautiful, quiet (can't be sure about that in daytime), and truly glorious views from much higher up than the coast road. Sorrento we found "pleasant", but - dare I say it - rather bland. That said, you know it & like it - so go by your own thoughts rather than mine. Your cruise tenders into Positano, so need to caution you that "Positano" on bus tours means no more than a photo-stop on the high coast road overlooking the place 😟 You'd need a tour of some sort - can be done by local bus but you start with a bracing (😏) uphill walk to the coast road where you catch the hourly bus to Amalfi, then a reasonably-frequent bus up to Ravello - and that might be pretty time-consuming. Since you've not been there, I think Capri your best choice. There are inexpensive little ferries which run between Positano & Capri (they actually start their route in Salerno), or your ship might offer a tender service to Capri. I agree with the others that on Capri itself is the way to spend the day. From near the harbour you can take the funicular up to the town - behind the town there are spectacular vertical views down to the sea. We never got to Anacapri, where there's a chairlft. Hint. Leave your credit card in your cabin safe & take your partner's card to Capri. When you stop for a coffee or a beer you'll thank me for this little piece of advice 😏🤣 JB 🙂

You'll need transport to the end of the road near the glacier, it's about 14 miles. There's a local bus, but the service is infrequent and there's only one return bus that suits most cruise passengers - it can't be booked in advance so it's a big risk. Best to take a "tour" which is actually just a two-way transfer but its a guarantee that there'll be seat to take you back to Olden. Trollcars from the bus turnaround spot seem to book-out early, so the cancelled ship tour has done you no favours 🙁. But if you're tolerably fit and enjoy walking that shouldn't be a problem. JB 🙂

Agreed, but I've only seen one previous mention of a boat service from Oia back to Skala (the ships' tender pier) - probably the same mention that you've seen. So it's well worth digging a lot deeper JB 🙂

Some cruise lines offer a tour-transfer from ship to LHR (or central London) via a stop at Stonehenge. The only independently-operated coach tour-transfers that I'm aware of from Southampton cruise terminals to LHR (or into London for those taking a few post-cruise days) are by International Friends, a long-established & trusted coach tour operator. They service all but the smallest cruise ships arriving in Southampton and are well-received on Cruise Critic. They offer - Stonehenge-only for those who need to be at LHR at 1.30 to 2pm, - Salisbury + Stonehenge + Windsor for those who need to be at LHR by 4.30 - 5pm, - Bath & Windsor for those who need to be at LHR by 5 - 5.30pm - Cotswolds villages for those who need to be at LHR by 4.45 to 5.15pm https://www.internationalfriends.co.uk/shore-excursions-and-cruise-transfers.html#tour-tab2 If you choose one which includes Stonehenge it is important to book your Stonehenge admission with your tour - Stonehenge operates restricted numbers and pay-at-the-gate can be significantly delayed or even declined at busy times. Tickets issued by coach operators (this includes ship-sponsored coaches and the Stonehenge ho-ho) permit entry at any time. (Their simple direct cruise terminal to LHR transfers are no better value than most ship-sponsored transfers, and for 2+ passengers a private transfer using one of a number of taxi operators is actually cheaper.) JB 🙂