chismrules

I looked at the link for Avaldsnes to the Viking Farm, we will be there 7/30/20 from 9-5 on P&O. But it doesn't show that the bus runs that day leaving from the church, even though it says it runs when cruise ships are in. Is there a reason, are they closed? What has any others done while there. Thank you.

I have a question, never cruised on P&O but on others. IF I have a guarantee inside, on other lines it could be inside or better. Does P&O do this or only offer a inside somewhere.

Did you book ahead or at the information/tourist center? I'm worried that I'm going to book these and it will be raining or cloudy and we will not be able to see anything. But also worried if I wait they might be sold out. Off chance do you know the web pg. that list how many cruise ships are there on a certain day? Thank you

Scottbee about how long would that take, I was under impression with all the stops it would take a long time. Also how much are the lines, do you pay for each one, buy a day pass? We will be there Sun. and Mon. and then Tues. morning take the train down to Southampton. Because of our location, I didn't think we would use the tube much so wasn't going to buy something like an oyster card. 

Thank you for your help. I'm sure it would be easier to just do a pre-booked cab but trying to save where I can, don't mind just a little extra carrying or walking. If you have a link for a pre-booked cab that would be great in case I change my mind. Assuming it would be cheaper by booking ahead than just walking out. It just seemed too much to take the tubes and change etc. This trip is very expensive for us trying to do what I can lol. Hence the Hub by Premier, although I talked my husband into it, I feel like it would be fine. It has good reviews, looks clean, location, location which I think will save us time and money by walking. For such a short time, we will just be sleeping and shower and off we go.

Here is what I plan so far with few questions. 

Arrive 7/26 Sun. Term. 3 at 7:20am, will have 3 luggage because of cruise. Walk to central Station

Take Heathrow Express to Paddington Station, buy early for $11, around 15min.

Question- How much time should I allow to get off go thru customs from US and get luggage and get to Central Station?

Question - Should I buy train ticket on mobile app? If I buy online and print ticket do we have to go trade it in for a ticket?

Then I plan to take cab to Hub by Premier Inn Westminster Abbey at 21 Tothill St., hopefully about $10

Is this the best and reasonable way especially with big luggage? Any thoughts welcome.

Also being at that location for 2 days, will be doing typical tourist things around, do you think we need a oyster card or can we just walk to everything? From Buckingham to Tower of London, maybe boat to Tower of London. Thinking of buying the London Pass to save time in lines etc. 

Thanks

Thank you, they have a different site for P&OAmerica  and the select dinning is listed as Arcadian Rhodes and The Orchid. Are they just out of date, is this what use to be on the Arcadia? They only have one company that books P&O in America and the lady that booked me didn't know much. I believe I pd. more to the American site than the reg. P&O amount(after converting it). Also got cheapest, no cruise credit, can not pick room or dinner. When I asked if they had freedom dinning she said no. Also asked her if they had pre or post hotels or transfers and she said no they didn't handle that. So also looking for transfer back from Southampton to London, does the cruise ship book this? I know I saw a few companies that do privately, but didn't know if with cruise is cheaper. Sorry to ramble on, thank you for the info. and link.

Hey I have looked at this site as well as P&O and haven't found it. Will be on Arcadia in July 28 to Norway. Can you tell me how much the couple of specialty rest. are and do they run any discount nights like the first one etc. Or a 1/2 price wine for example.  Thanks Debbie

For the ones that went to the Briksdal glacier on the local bus, from what I can tell it is 2 times up and 2 times back. First how much did it cost? And can you book ahead of time and how, I didn't see a link or just have to take a  chance that you can get on the bus. And then I guess we would need to assume that we will be able to get on and book the troll car ourself. 

Also is the only other group that does this is Olden adventure? 

So I am looking at somewhere reasonable. We only have the day we fly in and the next to cram everything in. So what does anyone think about the Hub by Premier Inn London Westminster Abbey or Victoria. And would it be walkable to the Victoria station if staying at the Westminster to head to Southampton. It would be me and my husband. They seem to have good reviews and a cheap breakfast. Or should I stay at reg. Premier Inn Victoria or somewhere similar. 

On 1/6/2020 at 9:38 AM, WatchHill said:

Hello JB

 

I'm in dire need of your expertise. We 4 [adults] will be arriving LHR, T3/Virgin Atlantic, at 10:35 and doing egate passport control, then heading directly to Southampton, Novotel for 5 nights with one of the car services. DH will pick up the rental at Alamo near the hotel for our travels in the immediate area.  We are heading to a wedding at Remedy Oak on the 4th, and also planning a day in Portsmouth, Titanic walk, Tudor House, and whatever.

 

Now the return to LHR becomes the issue. Post cruises we have used Discover the South [part of Westquay] to arrange custom transfers and have been very pleased with the ability to come up with unique experiences beyond the usual tourist stops. Now, I find that Discover's website no longer exists. Is this a seasonal issue or has the service ceased? 

 

My post travel plans were to be picked up early on the 6th, [adding a 5th adult] travel directly to Hampton Court for about 3 hours, then onto LHR to check in for our early evening flight to Boston. Do you know of any other reliable van services that would offer something to accommodate this plan? 

On 1/2/2020 at 1:20 PM, John Bull said:

 

 

You'll certainly have the time - but it'd be relatively expensive.

 

Anticipate about 90 minutes from LHR touch-down to meeting your driver in the arrivals hall.

From LHR the direct route to Southampton is about 65 miles,  85 minutes depending on day-of-the-week / time-of-day, and should cost a little under £100.

I guess last-registration time for the ship is around 5.30pm to 6pm, but that's something you should check.

From that you should have some idea of the time you'll have available for diversions and stops. 

 

 

Sadly the direct route (M3 motorway) is remarkably boring, with few worthwhile places on or very close to the route.

There are more-scenic (but not particularly scenic) routes such as the Meon Valley, but I don't rate the benefit worth the extra cost

 

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/visit/#gs.p7ju0z 

Henry V111's Hampton Court isn't on the route, but is only about 6 - 8 mils from LHR. Worth a couple of hours, plus about 30 minutes driving-time.

 

https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle 

Windsor Castle is high on the must-do list for visitors to England and only 6 - 8 minutes from LHR (opposite direction to Hampton Court - so it's the one or the other, not both).

Worth up to 2 hours, and perhaps another half-hour to explore the compact town centre. Add 20 to 30 minutes to the driving-time.

 

https://www.milestonesmuseum.org.uk/ 

At Basingstoke, is about half-way, and only a couple of miles off-route. Not iconic like other places, but easier to reach and worth an hour or more.

 

https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/

Highclere Castle (not actually a castle, more a Country House) has an interesting history. It was the home of Lord Carnarvon, who funded Howard Cater's discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen (and was a victim of its subsequent curse), but is better known as the location of Downton Abbey. I'm no fan of Downton Abbey, never even managed to sit thro one episode, so I've never visited. But I guess it's worth 90 mins to 2 hours. If your partner is a Downton Abbey fan you'll earn brownie points if you arrange to go there.  Off-route, adds about 45 minutes driving time.  

 

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

and / or https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury

Stonehenge is top of many folks' list, though I'm a pleb and see it as just a stack of stones. If it appeals, get back here for advice on booking cos of the admission timings. Allow about 90 minutes for a visit.

From Stonehenge, Salisbury is about 20 minutes closer to Southampton. Known for its glorious cathedral, but its laid-back historic city centre is also wonderful. A favourite little city of mine. Perhaps a couple of hours in the city.

Off-route - one or the other or both, adds about 45 minutes to the drive-time

 

https://www.visitwinchester.co.uk/ 

Winchester is close to Southampton and just a mile off-route. The ancient cathedral is worth an hour, and the compact city centre mebbe another hour.

 

I don't know the effect on costings - waiting time shouldn't be too drastically expensive, diversion costs will be variable.

 

Can I suggest you ask for quotes for no more than two of those options (you can always negotiate a change later).

Try

http://www.smithsairportcars.co.uk/

https://westquaycars.com/

http://www.aquacars.co.uk/

(all based a the Southampton end)

https://www.blackberrycars.com/

(airport-based)

 

If you can make a bus at LHR for 12.20pm I can suggest a much cheaper way to visit Salisbury -  and Stonehenge if your ship registration time allows.)

 

JB 

 

Thank you

 

Darcy

Hello I guess I have a question, most are talking about getting from airport to Southampton. But we are going to be staying in London for a day or two first so what is best way and reasonable from a hotel. We will be going out on a P& O cruise in Southampton on a Tues. I do not know the port or anything yet. This will be in JUly. Thanks Debbie

On 1/24/2020 at 1:54 PM, adstz said:

We stayed at Park Plaza Victoria. There are 5 or so Park Plazas very close to each other so be careful which one you book. 

We were very pleased with this hotel. Super modern rooms. Go to bed and hit a button to close the curtains or turn off and on lights. Buffet breakfast can be included in your price when you check in. Very clean. It is very walkable. We walked to Buckingham Palace and Churchill's War Room. A good number of restaurants within a few blocks.  Very close to Victoria bus and train station. There is also a theater about 2 blocks away that had Wicked while we were there.

Hello, I am looking also, only have a couple of days so want to be closer but reasonable priced. When I look at the map it seems far to me to walk to say Buckingham. Can you tell me about how long it took. And did you get on any subs to get to anywhere?

Thanks Debbie

19 hours ago, the english lady said:

Arcadia has 2 main dining rooms. 1 freedom and 1 set dining with 2 sittings. Anytime dining equates to freedom dining on pando (turn up anytime between 6.30-9.30pm..i think those are the times) If you didnt book freedom dining on booking you are highly unlikly to be able to change to it. It is very popular. So your TA isnt very knowlegable about pando ships..or even the line itself. When you booked the cruise what did they say about the dining options?

 

We are from the states and only one company will sell P&O, and I found it thru much searching, most have not heard of it. And she told us that it only has set times and the buffet, but I know most have freedom dining. We did the cheapest, only way we can go so can not pick. We do not like to eat late because my husband has acid reflux problems etc. She told us probably not a problem because most English like to eat late, like she knows. But we try to go with the flow so we will see. We are doing a Norway fjords trip and normally leaving port 5:30-6:30 so will prob. want to be on deck watching so prob. will not be wanting to be in dinner at 6:30 either. 

We are going on Arcadia and first time with P&O.  Is there anytime dining on the ship? We are doing the Fjords this summer and don't want to have to be in a dining room instead of enjoying the view lol. But also don't like eating late, the travel person told me there wasn't except the buffet. Can someone tell me definitely. Thanks Debbie

No I don't mind buying from home, I was just thinking it would work better out of country if I bought from the cruise I was on. Thank you for the info. , I really have not bought before so didn't know. 

Debbie

Does anyone know any travel insurance we could get in US that would cover over there?

Thanks everyone. Debbiie

I am new to P&O and from US. Does P&O have insurance you can buy thru them like other cruise ships. Also is it good and how much. If not any companies I should look at to purchase. Just want to make sure we have proper coverage for any medical issues out of the country and no problems. Trying to decide what cruise to take and can't find much info on P&O site. Thanks Debbie

Yes it was the mangrove tour. And I had already told them that I was wanting to do it so he just called ahead and told him about what time we would be there and he was waiting. And I pd. for the boatride to the guy who drove the boat. It does take a little while to get over there, plus he went very slow around pot holes in the rd. but we just enjoyed seeing the area and getting to know our driver.

We came in on Carnival Sunshine, we chose to hire Rony's tours for the day. It was my husband, me, son age 22 and daughter 26. They were very easy to deal with, I had brought cash and paid him at end of day the $25 per person plus tip. When you get off boat go to the left and out then up the hill, then you will see everyone with signs. We just asked and someone pointed him out. We had Hector, who was great. We were not sure if going to rain or not so just went with what we wanted to do.. We went to see the sloths and monkeys first, $10 a person, pd. there. I am so glad we did, I LOVED holding the sloth, who can say they have done that? They were clean, the area was not smelly at all. Then we headed to otherside of the island The boatride was $15 pp and we pd. the guy cash. The guy driving the boat was a little quiet but he was also by the engine. We just enjoyed being on the water a little bit. Afterwards we were going to get some lunch, I mentioned a restaurant called Temporary Cal's cantina , which happened that we passed on the same rd.coming. He had not been there but had heard about it. If you are on that side of the island, go here. It was not crowded, had a gorgeous view. They have their menu on a board, price is $20 to our $1. The food was very good, we had two appetizers, 5 meals, 6 alcoholic drinks and a pepsi. I think it was around $125/140, can't remember. We pd. for Hector's food, because we didn't go to a cheaper local, not sure what others do. But enjoyed talking to him and others at the next table, and we wanted to. We then went back and he took us to the westside for us to look in a few shops etc. but didn't have much time at all and started raining. He came down the rd. for us so we could jump in the car. When he brought us back to the ship, they are allowed to go into the port area so it is closer than where you had to meet them. We had a great day, and would hire them again. It was great having someone take us around. He even stopped at a store to buy my daughter some roatan coffee, two bags for $5, not the touristy stuff.

We used Rony's tours, had a great time. The fee was $25pp for 4 of us and I tipped $40. Plus bought his lunch.

First I was very unsure , we had been to Belize 15 yrs. ago and went cave tubing which we enjoyed but did not feel very safe. It has changed a lot since then. We had decided my husband and dght., age 26 was diving and son, age 22 and myself was going to Caye Caulker. We had reserved Coral Breeze to take us to the island and back, but they cancelled on us last minute. So we had planned on trying to get on tender and get the water taxi. We were on Carnival Sunshine, was told we needed to get tickets for the tender. Tried first thing in morning around 7am and told only pick them up when your ready to leave. Husband went a little later around 8:30 and it had jumped to tender #7 and they were only on #3.It was around 9:45 when we got on one which was an hr. earlier in Belize. So we were concerned Husband might miss his dive and we ended up missing the 9am water taxi so had to wait till 10:30. And it takes about 40min. to get there by boat, so we didn't have much time. We had to leave on the 1:30 coming back. First when you get off ship, go all the way down on the left then go out and back to left and left again and that is where the water taxi's are. It was $28 round trip. Our daughter decided to go with us because she was having sinus problems. Just a warning the taxi was fast on the water, and if you have long hair try to sit inside. My hair was everywhere and it was very bumpy also. I think it would have been too much for my parents, so if you have any back issues. But the water taxi coming back was better and a different boat. So after we got there, there are a few people in golf carts that you can hire as taxi, but we told them we wanted to rent one. So he radioed in and someone showed up in couple min. and took us back to the office to pay. It was $12us hr., I asked if they would do 11/2 hr. he said sure, $18. And gave us the key and told us to come back to the office, and they took us back to water taxi afterwards. We just drove around and there was people cooking off the street. The island is not big, about 3 streets deep. There is sandy rds, and no cars only bikes and golf carts. We ended up eating lunch at the sip and dip, food was good, we got nachos and I got their special curry jerk chicken with rice and beans not too hot, very good. I couldn't finish it. It is a very laid back island, even thou we were not there very long, both of my kids loved Caye Caulker over any of the other stops. Sorry this is very long and detailed, but I couldn't find much before I left so I thought I would try to give a little info.

How old are your children, we just got back and took the water taxi to Caye Caulker. My kids are in 20's but they would of enjoyed this years ago also. You have to watch the times and make sure you get back in time. We wented a golf cart and drove around and ate on the water.

We are using Ronys personal tour so will have a car. They are calling for 70% rain. I'm not sure which monkey/sloth animal place they are going but can you do it in rain. What else would be good. Anybody gone to the chocolate factory?

They said they didn't have enough people to make it worth while for the boat trip.

Help, they cancelled on us for Jan. 3. We just wanted to go to Caye Caulker. Is there any other companies that do this. We are on Carnival Sunshine and they do not go either. I know there is the water taxie, but a little concern about doing it on our own and trusting it after reading some reviews.