British Isles Cruise

[CherryG]

Has anyone done this cruise? We're thinking of doing next summer but as the cost is on the high side for us as retirees, we will have to do much research. We would definitely take a balcony. I thought a cruise would be easier than travelling through Scotland which is the main place on my bucket list to visit. My husband is concerned the weather could be very stormy in June. Any comments or tips or suggestions?

[Astro Flyer]

Our British Isles cruise was very port intensive & cool so also being retirees we opted for an inside cabin & used the savings to fully enjoy tours in port. :)

[capriccio]

Has anyone done this cruise? We're thinking of doing next summer but as the cost is on the high side for us as retirees, we will have to do much research. We would definitely take a balcony. I thought a cruise would be easier than travelling through Scotland which is the main place on my bucket list to visit. My husband is concerned the weather could be very stormy in June. Any comments or tips or suggestions?

 

We did this cruise in August 2013 - it was one of our best cruises ever. I would recommend going in August so you can see the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh. That was one of my bucket list items.

 

Searching "British Isles Cruise" resulted in these two recent threads:

 

from this year: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1892640

 

what many consider the definitive BI cruise review that folks are still responding to a few years later: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1652129

Edited September 12, 2015 by capriccio

[TracieABD]

I did a "live from" for this cruise in June/ July of this year. We did all private excursions and saved a lot of money this way!

 

Here is the link...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2226507

Edited September 12, 2015 by TracieABD

[baggal]

No one can accurately predict the weather. We had great weather in late June/July 2014 but friends who sailed in August 2013 had awful weather - missing a 1/2 day in Dublin and one Scottish port due to high winds. You take your chances. If missing a particular port will greatly affect the enjoyment of your cruise, this might not be the itinerary for you.

[Lynnma3]

We just completed this cruise. Loved it. Sailed last week in August - first week in September Lucked out with weather. Overcast but not a lot of rain. Definitely need to prepare for it. We did all private tours and saved lots. Highly recommend paddy wagon tours in Ireland and cruising excursions in Scotland. Hired a driver and car for Normandy and split the cost with our friends. Didn't want to be on s bus tour for that city. Missed our first port, guernsey due to high winds but no problems at other ports. Many used hop on off busses in some ports. Loved every minute. Go for it and enjoy.

[MaChere]

We loved our BI cruise in 2014. We chose August in order to include the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh. Not to be missed. Port intensive and fabulous. We had a Caribe balcony and would do again. Our shore excursions were mostly small groups put together with other CC members on our roll call. Our one Princess excursion was to Normandy, and we used some on board credit for that one. If you plan ship excursions to the Tattoo or to Normandy, book them as soon as you can. Some waited to book on board and were very disappointed. Enjoy the planning!!

Edited September 12, 2015 by MaChere

[Shogun]

Hi There

 

Do in August so that you can go to the Edinburgh tattoo, pick cruise that goes to Orkney amazing port of call, buildings older than the pyramids, etc

 

Need any info just ask, done this cruise a few times

 

yours Shogun

 

https://www.edfringe.com/

 

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/tickets/

 

http://visitorkney.com/things-to-do-and-see

 

http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/

 

http://www.nationalwallacemonument.com/

 

yours Shogun

[ladikara]

I've done it....and it was the best cruise I have ever taken! Yes as somebody said, it's very port intensive but totally worth it!

[sunshine nana]

We just returned from our second UK cruise on Princess. First was 2011. Loved both of them. First time, we went in June and it rained a little almost every day, but with right jackets, we didn't miss a thing. This second time, we went to Cobh and Liverpool, not Wales. The weather was better. Only rained one day and that was a sea day. We spent a couple of days in London both times and weather there was perfect. I would suggest Overland Tours for Normandy-best excursion ever.The Princess Beatles tour in Liverpool was also good. One really nice addition was the local bands that would play bagpipes on the dock before sailaway at many ports.

[Bright1]

We just returned from our second UK cruise on Princess. First was 2011. Loved both of them. First time, we went in June and it rained a little almost every day, but with right jackets, we didn't miss a thing. This second time, we went to Cobh and Liverpool, not Wales. The weather was better. Only rained one day and that was a sea day. We spent a couple of days in London both times and weather there was perfect. I would suggest Overland Tours for Normandy-best excursion ever.The Princess Beatles tour in Liverpool was also good. One really nice addition was the local bands that would play bagpipes on the dock before sailaway at many ports.

 

Any advice regarding the local currency? Are U.S. Dollars welcome everywhere?

[fishywood]

Any advice regarding the local currency? Are U.S. Dollars welcome everywhere?

 

Of course most will say the best alternative is to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. But for cash you should buy British Pounds from your local bank before leaving home. Much better rate than you will get from currency exchange offices in the tourist areas of the UK or from any merchant willing to accept $US. Which will not be very many.

[SteveH2508]

Any advice regarding the local currency? Are U.S. Dollars welcome everywhere?

 

Er No - Euros for France and (southern) Ireland - Pounds Sterling for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Guernsey.

 

USD only onboard - IF you find anywhere that takes them, the exchange rate will NOT be in your favour.

[SteveH2508]

Of course most will say the best alternative is to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fees. But for cash you should buy British Pounds from your local bank before leaving home. Much better rate than you will get from currency exchange offices in the tourist areas of the UK or from any merchant willing to accept $US. Which will not be very many.

 

Best rate will probably be from ATMs (of which we have many!)

[as19111]

We did this cruise in early June, 2015. We were so fortunate to have outstanding weather in every port...sunny and cool but not cold and warm but not hot and humid.

 

There were some confusing port times and changes due to the tides, but nothing to spoil the port (unless you were late returning to the dock and the ship had sailed). We made every port.

 

We had a balcony and used it mostly only in port. Sea days were cool and not really poolside pleasant.

 

As mentioned, it is very port intensive but since the time zone is consistent except for LeHavre, we didn't feel like we were cheated on sleep.

 

The ports were full of things to do and see and the scenery is beautiful.

 

If you like the casino, this cruise was very short on casino time, even on sea days. Nice way to save some money!

 

As mentioned, private tours are easily booked and recommended. The ship tours are pricey but I think that is also due to the dollar/pound value.

 

Overall, it was a terrific cruise itinerary. Next time, I'd like to see Kirkwall, but it was nice to see Liverpool.

[caribill]

Best rate will probably be from ATMs (of which we have many!)

 

But not at LHR where it appears bank ATMs have been replaced by currency exchange company ATMs.

[flamomo]

Are British pounds the currency for Wales?

[TracieABD]

Are British pounds the currency for Wales?

 

Yes. Brithsh pounds for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Euro for France and Southern Ireland (Dublin and Cobh/ Blarney). Also, just to confuse matters a bit, there are also Scottish pounds which seemed to equate on a one to one basis with British pounds.

Edited September 13, 2015 by TracieABD

[SteveH2508]

Are British pounds the currency for Wales?

 

Yes.

[Darcy15]

http://www.milesfaster.co.uk/information/uk-currency.htm

 

This might help :)

[phabric]

I did the 12 day British Isles cruise in 2013. Here is the list of private tours I had and organized for our Roll Call, many were joined by others from our Roll Call. I would suggest joining your cruise's Roll Call and see if others have tours planned and list the ones you have planned.

 

Cobb - http://www.ecoach.ie

Dublin - http://www.hop-on-hop-off-bus.com

- http://www.dublinsightseeing.ie

Liverpool - http://www.busybus.co.uk (For Wales)

- http://www.pooloflifetours.com

Belfast - http://www.odysseycoachtours.co.uk

Invergordon - http://www.shorexcursions.co.uk

Le Havre - http://www.overlordtour.com

 

Would suggest going in August to see the Edinburgh Tattoo and if staying in London the staterooms of Buckingham Palace are open to the public.

 

In August 2015, I did the 8 day British Isles cruise.

 

Check out the Port of Call - Britain, great place to ask questions.

 

I had a oceanview cabin for the 12 day cruise and did not miss not having a balcony with only 2 sea days, we would leave early and did not return until late in the afternoon.

 

On the 8 day, I had paid for an upgrade to a balcony, I did not use the balcony much. I would save your money and take an oceanview.

 

If you plan on using the self laundry, go early as most people use them on the sea days.

[CruisingObsessed]

Has anyone done this cruise? We're thinking of doing next summer but as the cost is on the high side for us as retirees, we will have to do much research. We would definitely take a balcony. I thought a cruise would be easier than travelling through Scotland which is the main place on my bucket list to visit. My husband is concerned the weather could be very stormy in June. Any comments or tips or suggestions?

 

We did this in May. Great trip. We had a balcony also; an upgrade which was nice. We enjoyed watching bagpipers greet us at the ports (go portside for this), seeing lighthouses go by and such. That being said, we often do the inside then spend the money on shore excursions, it's a nice compromise. You won't be on board much on this trip.

 

We are not retirees nor are we immobile; we opted for this because of the variety and value rather than ease. We wanted to get a sampler of Ireland, England and Scotland--and we specifically wanted to go to Orkney, which this cruise did. Only some of them do, if Scotland's your priority, look for the cruises that have this port, it was the BEST! Our favorite of the entire trip.

 

That being said, Scotland would be really easy to do on land. If that's specifically what you want to see, consider it. There's no language barriers, things are set up pretty much like you would expect, most of it is somewhat rural. They do drive on the left, but otherwise I would say it's "Europe light" for those of us from USA or Canada. Have fun no matter what you choose! :)

[Shogun]

Hi cruisingobsessed

 

I keep telling everyone to visit Orkney and folks do not seem to believe me what amazing port of call it is.

 

yours Shogun

[Shogun]

Hi All

UK money is not hard to understand, Reserve bank is Bank of England prints money, Scotland has 3 banks that can print money Royal Bank of Scotland, Bank of Scotland and CLYDESDALE bank,

 

Yours Shogun

[phabric]

On my 8 day cuise, our table mate told us, they went to a small restaurant on one of their excursions to find out that they did not take US$ or credit cards only cash. They told him to go to the post office to exchange his US$ into £ then go back to restaurant to pay the bill. He was upset that they did not take US$.

 

It is also good to take a small amount of the country's money.

Edited September 13, 2015 by phabric