Contemplating a CRAZY trip idea ....

I have wanted to visit Ireland ... since I was a kid. My mom's family came over from Ireland. It's a big bucket list item.

I'm not superstitious, but there is a cruise, 2 weeks I think, to Dublin in April 2019 that arrives in Dublin on May 6, 2019.

There is a land tour, 13 days, that begins in Dublin on May 7, 2019.

The perfect timing of the dates almost YELL that I have to do this.

But I'm not superstitious. :D

The sheer volume of scheduling, COSTS, organizing, etc. is daunting. But this would be my once in a lifetime trip. The be all, end all of traveling, for me.

I am just considering this and my hands are shaking and my stomach is doing flip flops.

If it was a dream of yours, would you do it? Combine the 2 trips and make a blow out adventure? Pros / Cons everyone? Thanks.

sure

Plan one port at a time keep lots of notes paper as well as online

I have done longer cruises & find if you just do 1 port a week they will all get done by cruise time

If the land trip is an organized tour that takes some of the pressure off

if some of the land tour overlaps the ports then just do something different on port days

Enjoy

sure

Plan one port at a time keep lots of notes paper as well as online

I have done longer cruises & find if you just do 1 port a week they will all get done by cruise time

If the land trip is an organized tour that takes some of the pressure off

if some of the land tour overlaps the ports then just do something different on port days

Enjoy

The land tour is an organized, guided tour ... buses and different hotels/cities, etc.

Land tour actually ends in Kingscourt (?). I think that's about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Dublin. So there's figuring out a transfer for the last day.

The land tour is an organized, guided tour ... buses and different hotels/cities, etc.

 

Land tour actually ends in Kingscourt (?). I think that's about an 1 - 1 1/2 hours from Dublin. So there's figuring out a transfer for the last day.

the tour company will probably be able to tell you or may even have that option

just like cruise lines getting you to the airport when the cruise is over

I’m not sure why this is crazy or such a big issue . All of your accommodations, most of your travel and the bulk of your meals are prearranged by either the cruise line or the tour company. I did Ireland for 2 weeks, driving on my own on and it was a challenge to arrange but not something I considered difficult. Sure you have some things to plan, but you are talking about 11 months to do it in. If this is #1 on your bucket list, go.

I’m not sure why this is crazy or such a big issue . All of your accommodations, most of your travel and the bulk of your meals are prearranged by either the cruise line or the tour company. I did Ireland for 2 weeks, driving on my own on and it was a challenge to arrange but not something I considered difficult. Sure you have some things to plan, but you are talking about 11 months to do it in. If this is #1 on your bucket list, go.

It's crazy (to me) because it's a month of 'vacationing'/ travelling. That alone is giving me agita.

The cost ... I am a single female. I don't know anyone who can or wants to take a month to travel to and around Ireland.

The RT flight to/from cruise port in FLL.

The RT (is less $$ than 1 way) flight from Dublin to FLL.

Pre/post-hotel stays.

Transfers.

Laundry ...

It's a lot to organize, even with the bulk being on a cruise ship and then a guided group tour.

If you're still working, you might be better off just going on the land tour and not the cruise portion. I can't imagine being off from work for so long. Before I retired, the longest trip we ever did was 13 days. We had a great time, but I had a pile of work to catch up on when I got back. DH taught at a community college, so it was during his summer break.

Last summer we took our first 12-day cruise with five nights beforehand in England. This year we'll be gone for 21 days. That seems like a very long time to be away from home even without jobs to go back to.

only you can decide what works best for you

maybe step back take a deep breath & see what option is better for you

maybe do the cruise & do the land trip another time

It's crazy (to me) because it's a month of 'vacationing'/ travelling. That alone is giving me agita.

 

The cost ... I am a single female. I don't know anyone who can or wants to take a month to travel to and around Ireland.

 

The RT flight to/from cruise port in FLL.

The RT (is less $$ than 1 way) flight from Dublin to FLL.

Pre/post-hotel stays.

Transfers.

Laundry ...

It's a lot to organize, even with the bulk being on a cruise ship and then a guided group tour.

Just for your info. Aer Lingus fly Miami-Dublin direct.

Also, I think it strange that the tour ends in Kingscourt. I am sure the tour company will have transfers to/from Dublin or Dublin Airport.

Just for your info. Aer Lingus fly Miami-Dublin direct.

Also, I think it strange that the tour ends in Kingscourt. I am sure the tour company will have transfers to/from Dublin or Dublin Airport.

I did see the transfer on their website. For $130 dollars to get a transfer to (I believe) the dublin airport. It's an option, and I'll certainly think about it.

Just for your info. Aer Lingus fly Miami-Dublin direct.

Also, I think it strange that the tour ends in Kingscourt. I am sure the tour company will have transfers to/from Dublin or Dublin Airport.

Thank you. That's good to know. I'll see if there is a cost savings to do it that way. The cruise is out of FLL.

If it works for you then get it all booked. You will be looked after on the ship and you will be looked after on the tour........do it!

If I were 10 years younger, I'd go with you in a heartbeat! It's IRELAND!

I did a 14 day cruise around Ireland 4 yrs. ago -- my dream! However, I'd have preferred a land trip, but have mobility issues -- on/off a bus for 2 weeks is too much. A cruise works much better for me.

I hope you work-out the details & GO!

I did a once in a lifetime trip to the USA and I think you've got lots of time to plan it so go for it. I booked cruises to the USA and back on QM2, Amtrak across the USA to LA, stop-overs in Santa Monica. LA, Vegas, Denver and New York. i also arranged a 10 day coach tour without any help from a TA. The internet is an amazing tool and you can do lots of research. I even booked tables in restaurants!! As long as you allow time to do it, go for it and you will not regret it. You will always have amazing memories. However be prepared. That once in a lifetime trip may well become twice in a lifetime :)

Everyone has their own comfort level, personally, I would forego the land tour, & arrange my travel through Ireland which would be much cheaper, you can find an airbnb for bargain prices throughout Ireland.

That was you would not blow your travel $$ on on big, expensive trip & could return again in a year or two.

We took our first big, "one time only" trip to Europe in 2009, we've been back almost every year since. :) Prepare to be hooked & enjoy yourself.

I did see the transfer on their website. For $130 dollars to get a transfer to (I believe) the dublin airport. It's an option, and I'll certainly think about it.

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Kingscourt/Dublin-Airport-DUB

Looks like bus might be $22 to $29

https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Kingscourt/Dublin-Airport-DUB

 

Looks like bus might be $22 to $29

Thank you. That looks like a really good option. I only do carry on luggage, so it would be easy to take the bus.

My sister did a land tour (solo traveler) and said it the most wonderful trip. Everything was planned for her, she didn't have to manage the roads and she felt safe going with a group. She was accepted by the whole group and did things in the evening with them. Do it you won't be sorry.

My sister did a land tour (solo traveler) and said it the most wonderful trip. Everything was planned for her, she didn't have to manage the roads and she felt safe going with a group. She was accepted by the whole group and did things in the evening with them. Do it you won't be sorry.

Thank you! (y)

You never know what is around the corner, book and enjoy

You never know what is around the corner, book and enjoy

I agree ... it is definitely a motivating factor. Thanks. :D

Put it this way, if you dodn't do this, to what extent would you regret not taking the opportunity?

Is such an opportunity likely to recur?

I know what I would do. The month will just fly by because you'll be enjoying yourself so much.

Put it this way, if you dodn't do this, to what extent would you regret not taking the opportunity?

Is such an opportunity likely to recur?

 

I know what I would do. The month will just fly by because you'll be enjoying yourself so much.

Thank you. I agree. I am pricing the cruise and looking around for the best OBC or offers. It's still so far away ... putting $450 deposit down is a bit much right now. I have a cruise in October ... but I am really thinking of doing this April TA cruise. I would regret it so much.

If you are able to get that time away and off of work DO IT! I have gone to Ireland twice in the past five years and we are often talking about what additional things we want to do on our next trip when we go back again.

CruiseGal999, just do it and enjoy! When working we never took more than 2 weeks at a time, but are now retired and have more freedom. We just returned from our longest trip--a 2 week Baltic cruise followed immediately by 2 week drive around Ireland. The Ireland part was something my daughter and I had talked about for a long time, and the planets aligned so we had to go. No escorted trips visited Wexford, my goal for genealogical interest, so it had to be self-drive, but it was not a problem. The escorted tour and cruise will be totally easy! All the people we met were beyond friendly and helpful. Study up, enjoy the excitement of research and anticipation, pack light (wash easy items in the sink when you have 2-3 days in a hotel), and have a wonderful time! Your only regret will be that you only have a month.

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