Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2005 (Golden Aug. 10, 2005)

Thinking of booking the Aug. 10 sailing - but ONLY if Princess will stay long enough in Port for me to see the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh (August 18 Port stop)

The itinerary now says in Port only from 7AM to 6PM --not enough time---would have to be in Port until at least midnight to see the Tattoo !... (the Royal is doing this Voyage #1419 this August 2004)

We would still have enough time for the next day (Aug. 19) is a sea day and then onward to get to Southampton to disembark on August 20th.

Princess - are you reading this???? Please dock from 7AM to midnight on August 18 and plan an excursion to the tattoo !!!

If anyone else is interested in this - perhaps we can all write to Princesss.....

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Gotto

Good Luck. Princess is well aware of the Tattoo times - and does offer it as an excursion on some departures.

Having watched the video several times, would love to see it in person.

Reference your Pacific Islands trip - we did variation of it on old Sky Princess, 2000, San Francisco to Sydney, and it was fantastic. We had guest lecturer Bob Reynolds, ex RAF and wheel on Pacific Battle Monuments Commission, and he arranged some wonderful excursions and ceremonies honoring our heroic veterans of the Pacific Campaign.

Michael

Thanks Michael ---

Hopefully they will "change" the Port time for Aug. 18, 2005 and we'll be able to see the Tatto.

Do you have any recommendations for us for excursions on any of the "Islands" on our July 25th sailing? ? Princess excursion offerrings seem pretty slim...I'll be anxiously waiting for a report from the Mah 17 (reverse) sailing..and hoping that they will report (and I can learn from) their experiences.

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The 2004 Edinburgh Tattoo

will take place from

6th - 28th August 2004

from

http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk/

The history of Edinburgh Military Tattoo

from

http://www.edinburghcastle.biz/edinburgh_tattoo.html

a drumbeat of bugle call that signals the military to return to their quarters

the practice of making a design on the skin by pricking and staining

from

http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/tattoo

How those got linked does anyone know?

USS Chilton APA-38 1966-1968

USS Guam LPH-9 1968-1970

Pacific Princess Oct 21 2001 Bermuda

Golden Princess Dec 7 2002 "Eastern Caribbean"

Coral Princess Dec 9 2003 "Panama Canal"

Carnival Miracle 17 Oct 2004

NOT UPDATED again 25 Feb www.geocities.com/fsbsdel

Gotto

Tried to answer your inquiry re tours from Islands of the Pacific - but afraid it disappeared into cyberspace. Not sure how many of the tours being offered are same as we had.

Saipan had excellent excursion to Battle Monument, where Governor of Island gave commemorative medals and certificates to WW2 veterans of that campaign, and later all vets received a similar certificate, thanking us for our service. I believe that it also was on Saipan where we visited a very well done Monument and Cemetery for War Dogs.

Guan had sevral options - we went to a small Naval Museum, which had a Japanese midget submarine.

Don't remember if your trip pulls in Rabaul, New Guinea - but aside from an active volcano spewing ash on us, there was an excellent Australian Memorial and Cemetery honoring those Allies who took that part of the world back from the Japanese. There also was a very good, albeit small, museum of war artifacts recovered from the jungle.

We didn't get into Guadalcanal, due to "native unrest", and went to Vila, Vanuata (formerly the New Hebrides I think) instead. Interesting talk by a "coastwatcher" of activities there during the war, including a trip to his plantation, and site of a WW2 US Naval hospital and air strip.

Having been stationed on Okinawa during my Army days, I would recommend a trip out to Shuri Castle and environs, scene of fierce fighting in the Battle for Okinawa.

At Pearl Harbor, a combined tour of the Arizona and the Missouri can be very moving.

Again, should you be lucky enough to have Bob Reynolds aboard (or someone as knowledgeable) there should be some excellent lectures and tours.

Michael

GottoCruise

This subject has come up many times on this board. The reason most repeated here for not be able to go to the Tatto is that Royal Princess could not leave any later and clear the bridge you have to go under because of the incoming tide.

Having sailed under the bridge I can tell you it is a really tight fit. The ship would have to spend the night to allow you to go to the Tatoo and to this point they have decided not to do that.

You will get to see the set-up for the Tatoo and where the Queen's box is, we were there while it was on also.

Jerry

Grand Princess 11/04; Coral Princess 11/03; Nordic Empress 3/03; Royal Princess 7/02; Inspiration 11/01; Ocean Princess 3/01; Galaxy 11/99; Destiny 11/97; Sensation 2/97

I see the Royal is going to the Tattoo this August 2004 ---but as "my" cruise will be on the Golden August 2005--- a Grand Class ship - I gues it will be too big to fit "under the bridge". - I'm sure Princess will not pay docking fees to stay overnight.....(Holland America does this however....but I'm not "Elite" on HAL - so I'm sticking w/Princess) I guess we'll view just the "setting Up" - and see the Tattoo sometime on a land trip. Thanks for all the information.....

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Druke1 - Michael - Thank you so much for all that good info. - I have printed out..and yes - we will be stopping in Rabaul, should be an interesting stop....I hope I'll get a chance to purchase some "Masks" - we saw some at the Victoria Market in Auckland in Jan and they were really wonderful - albeit expensive - the dealer said will be much cheaper in Rabaul. My husband was a very young 17 and in a Navy uniform in the Pacific Theatre during World War 2....this should be a wonderful cruise for him......

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Why don't you leave the ship in Edinburgh? Then you could do almost all the cruise and stay long enough to see the Tattoo. You could fly home from Scotland or spend the night and take the train into London and either meet the ship there or fly home.

We were on the Royal Princess July 2003 and they did offer the Tattoo, and it was wonderful! Be sure to book it online as soon as it appears because it did sell out, and people were upset. Scalpers were also selling tickets on the street but they were few and far between. Maybe a call to Princess would answer whether or not this will be an option?

Checking the Tattoo website, they are almost entirely sold out for the 2004 season. Amazing!

'Vegas Jim

Looks like both the Aug. 20th, 2005 sailing and the Aug. 10th, 2005 sailing will be able to take in the Tattoo ---2005 dates are Aug. 5 to 27 . Aug. 20th Sailing will be in Greenock (Glasgow) on August 27th until 2AM (the 28th) -- and the Aug. 10th Sailing will be in Greenock on Aug.15th until 2AM (the 16th) -- It will be possible to get from Greenock to Edinbugh - see the Tattoo and be back to the ship by 2AM -- I believe it's about 1 1/2 hrs. drive. - and now I see (looking closely) Princess has the option of going to Edingurgh from Greenock on their excursion lists. So it's a GO for me - I only have to decide if if want to do July 31 back to back with Aug. 10 or Aug. 10 back to back with Aug. 20. Anyone up for this adventure with us???? These Ports are great fun - (done some of them 2 years ago on the Royal and had a blast!!)

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[This message was edited by GottoCruise on 04-10-04 at 10:09 PM.]

Hi Renee!

Jackie sent me to this thread. I may be interested in this cruise, along with either Eila, or maybe Debbie and Christine. Gary isn't interested, so need one of the gals to go with. I also emailed Patty the info.

Are you doing a back-to-back? Or just the 10th? I just checked out the travelbritain.org website. Wow! I'm going to the British Isles someday, for sure!

Nita

Hi Nita - It would be great if you could join in here...I haven't made up my mind about back to back yet---but leaning toward NOT...We've booked the Aug. 10th - I wish it were longer - but as for hooking on the back end or the front end - well - I'm really not happy with the Aug. 20 (6 sea days crossing the Atlantic - Whew!) and as for the July 31, we have been to most all of the Ports (more than once)- the only one I really would like to visit (again) is LeHavre (Normandy) ....I'm also waiting to see if perhaps the Sea Princess comes out with a good alternative (14 day ??) itinerary - I could switch ships ! Been e-mailing Angie & Roy - they are interested in Aug. 10, but wishes it were a bit longer and stopped in LeHarve too!

I am disappointed that Gary doesn't want to do this --who will be Lyman's drinking (Guinness) buddy in Dublin??? (Last British Isles cruise - I did my share of "belly up to the pub" - Yum!) Try to convince him - the Ports are really great fun --- and it's an "easy" cruise - no language or food problems !!! e-mail me if you have any questions.....Renee

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We're interested in the Aug 10, 2005 Golden sailing. I contacted our travel agent this morning, and they said it was not available yet for booking. Has anyone already booked this cruise?

Cunard Princess'83 - Caribbean

Royal Cruise Line '86 - Asia

Disney Magic Millenium Cruise

Sun Princess '00 Alaska

Golden Princess01Mediterranean

Grand Princess '02 W Caribbean

Grand Princess '02 E Caribbean

Mercury '03 Ca. Coastal

Constellation '03 Baltic Sea

Disney Magic '04 W. Caribbean

On some of the circle the Isles cruises, the ship ports in Glasgow overnight. It's about a 2-hour train ride over to Edinburgh. If we end up sailing on August 10, 2005, that's likely what we'll do so we can see the Tattoo. My TA has provided a price for this cruise. Didn't say anything about not being able to book it yet. Just that it was too early for promotional discounts other than the standard early booking.

'Vegas Jim

We saw Beating Retreat in London in the mid-80s. Is Tattoo much different?

I'm SO excited that there are responses to this Aug. 10 sailing. (My July sailing seems like I'm going ALONE!!)

Anyway --to all interested - we are booked - Caribe Deck - Mid-ships - Cat. BA - (would have done a Mini- but it's a bit "pricey" for now...) if there are "sales" I'm sure my TA will "adjust" our price - we got a group price, with T/A shipboard credit added to our On Board Future Booking credits -

Look at the information about Princess excursions on this itinerary -on the website - it says Glasgow 1 1/2 hrs. from Edinburgh - Closer to sailing - I'd like to try to find out about the train scheduale - and maybe do this "ourselves" - but there's plenty of time for that kind of planning---I haven't even boarded my NEXT cruise yet.....

Lets keep this "thread" going....because we've booked so far ahead, maybe we can set some kind of records for posts!! Please post when/if you were able to get reservations.....Renee (aka GotToCruise) Jules1 - When are you sailing on the Disney Wonder? - we have sailed w/Disney a few times and just love it! We've done this with and without kids---(We're just a couple of kids ourselves!!) LOL!!

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We've sailed the Disney Magic twice, the first time we were on board for the Millenium. The New Year's Eve celebration was phenomenal. What a memorable way to spend the turn of the century. We cruised the Magic again last month, and although very enjoyable, we probably won't go back to Disney for a long time for a number of reasons.

Cunard Princess'83 - Caribbean

Royal Cruise Line '86 - Asia

Disney Magic Millenium Cruise

Sun Princess '00 Alaska

Golden Princess01Mediterranean

Grand Princess '02 W Caribbean

Grand Princess '02 E Caribbean

Mercury '03 Ca. Coastal

Constellation '03 Baltic Sea

Disney Magic '04 W. Caribbean

Jules 1 - Yes - the Millenieum was pure MAGIC - It must have been fabulous on the ship - we were at DisneyWorld---What a celebration!! I cried it was so beautiful!! - I'll never forget it!! We have been on both the Magic and the Wonder---but yes - we'll wait to cruise again with Disney until they change the itinerary ---I'm waiting for the new ship - and rumours say it will sail from the West Coast??

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The Royal Princess is offering 2 departures for the Edinburgh Tattoo on August 28, 2004. The first departs the ship at 5:15PM, and returns at 10:30PM. The second excursion departs at 6:00PM, returning at 11:15PM.

Will we be "missing" any of the experience by choosing one departure over the other? Or perhaps it doesn't matter much?

Thanks.

Happy cruising!

Bill

Coming Attractions:

8/23/04 Royal Princess, 12 Day British Isles/Western Europe

3/6/05 Legend of the Seas, 11 day Ensenada to Honolulu

3/17/05 Legend of the Seas, 10 day Honolulu to Ensenada

As I've booked a British Isles Cruise for 2005 - it's interesting to note that a Military Tattoo Princess excursion to Edinburgh for 2004 is for JUST the Tattoo....Does Princess have an all day excursion to Edinburgh that includes the Tattoo? I know the performance starts at 9PM......Perhaps it's a plan to stay around Glassgow during the day ----see the Tattoo in Edinburgh w/Princess tour at night --and then tour Edinburgh from the Port of Southferry (3 days later on our 2005 cruise)..Does your cruise (2004) have 2 Ports from which you can tour Edinburgh? (Glassgow & Southferry an/or Roseyth (sp?) ?? That might be a "Plan"....otherwise it would make for a VERY long day touring Edinburgh and seeing the Tattoo at night all in one day....

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Our 8/23/04 Royal Princess cruise has only one Scotland port, South Queensferry. We're in port on Saturday 8/28. According to the Edinburgh Tattoo website http://65.215.192.195/scripts/tattoo/tickets2002_page_5.mv , the performance starts at 7:30PM on Saturdays (at least for this year, not sure about 2005).

I agree it will be a long day, but I think we'll be glad we did it.

Happy cruising!

Bill

Coming Attractions:

8/23/04 Royal Princess, 12 Day British Isles/Western Europe

3/6/05 Legend of the Seas, 11 day Ensenada to Honolulu

3/17/05 Legend of the Seas, 10 day Honolulu to Ensenada

Bill - In 2005 - We will be (near) in Edinburgh on a Fri. Aug. 15 and a Mon Aug. 18- our Tattoo performance (excursion) will have to be on Aug. 15, Fri. @ 9PM performance....

I understand SouthQueensferry is only approx. 45 min. from Edinburgh - so your excursion on a Sat. to the 7:30PM Tattoo performance should be a cinch compared to ours (We will probably go from Glassgow (1 1/2 hrs. train ride?) On our cruise, the ship leaves Glassgow at 2am . On Aug. 18, 2005, the ship leaves SouthQueensferry @ 6PM ( so the time frame will give us a day tour only, from South Queensferry to see Edinburgh sites. - (I inquired and there are NO matinee Tattoo performances )... Let us know please how you enjoyed the Tattoo..... I know you will love the British Isles cruise - we did it a few years ago. Renee

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