Cruise tour for Ireland and British Isles

[sabrefan]

Considering a cruise tour which has the land portion  for 4 nights in Ireland then transfer to London for a cruise around the British Isles. Regarding the land portion just wondering if anyone has does this cruise tour. Part of the land tour does the Ring of Kerry and wondering how much time is spent there? The description from Princess does not give that much detail

[geniesue]

We are also considering this cruise tour.  My major concern is the limited  flight

options from Detroit.  The shortest flight available on EZ air is 16 hours.    We are considering the TA cruise tour eliminating return flight home

 

[jean s]

We are also looking at this cruise tour.  I am wondering if it is possible to add two additional days to the land portion in the hotel used by Princess.  I can't find the answer and gave up waiting on hold with Princess.

[Cruisinggal67]

We are booked for this cruise tour later this month. Rather than suffer through the long flight to Shannon, we are going into London for of several days and booked tickets on Aer Lingus out of Heathrow to Shannon. Princess covers the flight back to the cruise ship. 

 

[geniesue]

20 hours ago, jean s said:

We are also looking at this cruise tour.  I am wondering if it is possible to add two additional days to the land portion in the hotel used by Princess.  I can't find the answer and gave up waiting on hold with Princess.

No reason why not, you can book it yourself will be cheaper than using Princess. Alternatively  you can always book a different hotel and taxi to tour hotel at tour start.

[McCool98TA]

Did anybody end up taking this trip? We are considering going in 2023 but would like to know more info on the land portion.

[Coral]

On 5/19/2022 at 2:03 PM, jean s said:

We are also looking at this cruise tour.  I am wondering if it is possible to add two additional days to the land portion in the hotel used by Princess.  I can't find the answer and gave up waiting on hold with Princess.

Here is a delayed answer. No - you can not book the hotel through Princess for 2 additional days. You can book it on your own though. They used Limerick Strand Hotel. The land tour is handled by Globus.

Edited September 16, 2022 by Coral

[Coral]

3 minutes ago, McCool98TA said:

Did anybody end up taking this trip? We are considering going in 2023 but would like to know more info on the land portion.

I know someone who did this tour one month ago. If you have questions - feel free to email me directly and I will contact them and get answers.

 

FYI - they loved the tour and had an excellent time.

[Coral]

I found info about this tour last month:

 

ITINERARY

Get ready for an exciting voyage by viewing your itinerary. Here you'll find a list of your ports of call. Plan your day ashore or onboard with the convenient arrival and departure times.

 

ITINERARY FOR THIS BOOKING

DATEDESTINATIONTIME

 

Tue 08/09/22Shannon, Ireland
TRANSFER: AIRPORT TO HOTEL

Transfer: Shannon Airport to Limerick Hotel Welcome to Shannon, Ireland. Upon arrival please claim your baggage and pass through customs. If you have purchased transfers with Princess, coaches are scheduled to depart at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Make your way to the Information Desk at these times where a Princess representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel. If you have a flight delay and cannot locate a Princess representative, please take a taxi to the hotel and save your receipt for reimbursement. If you are in need of assistance, please call +44 8614 7273 (between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.).   Shannon Airport is located 17 miles from Limerick. A taxi takes approximately 25 minutes from the airport and costs about 35 Euros.

Tue 08/09/22Limerick, Ireland
AFTERNOON AT LEISURE

Afternoon at leisure After checking in, enjoy free time to relax or sightsee. You may wish to visit St. Mary's Cathedral, King John's Castle or the Hunt Museum.

IRISH MEDIEVAL BANQUET 

Irish Medieval Banquet Step back in time with a trip to historic Bunratty Castle for an Irish Medieval Banquet. Enjoy your meal and wine before sitting back and letting the hosts entertain you on an unforgettable evening.

LUGGAGE INFORMATION 

Luggage information All of your luggage will travel with you throughout your land tour. Your Tour Director will provide further instructions. Your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom within a few hours of embarking the ship.   Remember to keep all documents, valuables, medications, and your camera in your hand-carried bag.

THE STRAND LIMERICK 

The Strand Limerick Ennis Road Limerick City, Ireland Phone: 353 061 421 800

Wed 08/10/22Limerick, Ireland
BREAKFAST

Irish Breakfast

COACH: LIMERICK TO CLIFFS OF MOHER 

Motorcoach: Limerick to Cliffs of Moher Travel time is approximately 1 1/2 hours (45 miles).

8:15am - 9:45amWed 08/10/22Cliffs Of Mohr
CLIFFS OF MOHER SIGHTSEEING

Cliffs of Moher sightseeing Situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Natural ramparts against the might of the Atlantic, they rise in places to over 700 feet and stretch for almost 5 miles. O'Brien's Tower, which was constructed in the early 19th century as a viewing point for Victorian tourists, is located on Moher's highest cliff. From its vantage point, you can view the Clare coastline, the Aran Islands and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara.   Visit duration is approximately 45 minutes.

COACH: CLIFFS OF MOHER TO KILLARNEY 

Motorcoach: Cliffs of Moher to Killarney Reboarding your coach, enjoy panoramic views of the Clare coastline, passing through the sleepy villages of Kilkee and Kilrush, before arriving in Killimer for the car ferry crossing to Tarbert. This pleasant, 20 minute journey across the Shannon Estuary, provides a staging point for County Kerry.   Killarney is the town on the lakes and is famous for its lively pubs and open cheerful atmosphere, full of what the Irish call 'craic' - Gaelic for fun.   Travel time is approximately 4 hours, including lunch stop. (100 miles)

Wed 08/10/22Killarney, Ireland
DINNER

Dinner will be served at your hotel

KILLARNEY PLAZA HOTEL 

Killarney Plaza Hotel Kenmare Place Killarney, Co. Kerry Ireland Phone: 353-64-21100 Fax: 353-64-21190   The Killarney Plaza Hotel reigns over the town of Killarney with grace and glamour and has an incomparable location adjacent to Killarney's National Park. There are two restaurants, piano bar, swimming pool, sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and spa for you to enjoy. Guest room amenities include air-conditioning, television, direct-dial phone, iron/ironing board, coffee maker, hair dryer, in-room safe, and complimentary toiletries.

Thu 08/11/22Killarney, Ireland
BREAKFAST

Breakfast

RING OF KERRY SIGHTSEEING 

Morning and afternoon sightseeing Follow the road known as the "Ring of Kerry" for a spectacular 100 mile panoramic drive around the island's southwestern tip. Take photos of the vistas of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Here mountains, valleys, lakes, and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Tour duration is approximately 8 1/2 hours.

MUCKROSS HOUSE SIGHTSEEING 

Afternoon sightseeing Muckross House is situated close to the shores of Muckross Lake, amidst the beautiful scenery of Killarney National Park. The house was built for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife. This was actually the fourth house that successive generations of the Herbert family had occupied at Muckross over a period of almost two hundred years. Building commenced in 1839 and was completed in 1843. The Muckross Gardens feature a sunken garden, a rock garden and a stream garden. Tour duration is approximately 1 hour. A ride by "Jaunting Car" back to your hotel is a pleasant and traditional form of transportation.

AFTERNOON AT LEISURE 

Afternoon at leisure The remainder of your day is free to explore the fun town of Killarney and meet the locals at your own leisure.

DINNER 

Dinner Join your Tour Director and traveling companions for dinner and traditional Irish entertainment at a local pub.

Fri 08/12/22Killarney, Ireland
BREAKFAST

Breakfast

COACH: KILLARNEY TO GLENGARRIFF 

Motorcoach: Killarney to Glengarriff Today enjoy your travel to County Cork.   Travel time is approximately 1 1/2 hours (40 miles).

Fri 08/12/22Glengarriff
FERRY: GLENGARRIFF TO GARINISH ISLAND

Boat ride: Glengarriff to Garinish Island At picturesque Glengarriff board a private boat for the short crossing to Garinish Island, whose warm waters attract colonies of seals.   Boat crossing is about 15 minutes.

Fri 08/12/22Garinish Island
GARINISH ISLAND SIGHTSEEING

Morning Sightseeing Follow the winding paths between the strong-scented flowering trees and shrubs of this lush tropical island garden. Bequeathed to the Irish people in 1953, Garinish Island and its once privately-owned garden was created some 70 years ago.

FERRY: GARINISH ISLAND TO GLENGARRIFF 

Boat ride: Garinish Island to Glengarriff

Fri 08/12/22Glengarriff
COACH: GLENGARRIFF TO CORK

Motorcoach: Glengarriff to Cork Travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours (70 miles).

Fri 08/12/22Cork, Ireland
AFTERNOON CORK CITY SIGHTSEEING

Afternoon sightseeing Visit The Queenstown Story at Cobh Heritage Centre, about 30 minutes outside Cork. Cobh is Gaelic for "cove" and is Cork's ocean port. It was from Cobh that thousands of Irish left their land, many for America and Australia. There were many reasons for emigration, beginning in the mid-19th century, including oppression by the British, overpopulation, and, finally, the potato famine. Between 1848 and 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland. Over 2.5 million departed from Cobh. From Cobh travel on to Cork, Ireland's second largest city.

DINNER 

Dinner

CLAYTON HOTEL 

Clayton Hotel Cork City Lapp's Quay Cork, T12 RD6E, Ireland Phone: 011-35-3-214-224900

Sat 08/13/22Cork, Ireland
BREAKFAST

Breakfast

TRANSFER: HOTEL TO AIRPORT 

Transfer: hotel to airport Travel time is approximately 20 minutes (7 miles).

GRATUITY INFO 

Farewell to your Tour Director Today you will say goodbye to your Tour Director and conclude your Princess escorted tour. As traditions and customs vary widely across the globe, we often have guests ask what gratuity guidelines are appropriate for the region they are touring. It is our belief that gratuities are a direct reflection of the level and quality of service received. It is customary to extend gratuities as a sign of appreciation on the last day of your land tour. The recommended industry standard for Europe is 4-5 Euros per person per day. Gratuities for the motorcoach driver, local guides and hotel porters are already included.   Extending gratuities is a personal matter and should be distributed on an individual basis without solicitation and not on behalf of any group.

Sat 08/13/22Heathrow
COACH: HEATHROW TO SOUTHAMPTON

Motorcoach: London Heathrow to Southampton Upon arrival at Heathrow International airport in London, follow the signs to immigration. Following immigration formalities, you will proceed to the luggage collection area. Please collect all of your checked luggage, proceed through customs, and exit the customs area. A representative will meet you outside customs and assist with your transfer to the pier.   Travel time is about 2 hours.

[McCool98TA]

Thank you very much for the information. That is a lot more helpful than what princess has on its website. 

[Coral]

40 minutes ago, McCool98TA said:

Thank you very much for the information. That is a lot more helpful than what princess has on its website. 

Glad I was able to help. I helped someone plan their trip recently for 2020 and it finally happened last month. They absolutely loved it. Raved about the land trip and raved about their tour guide on the land portion.

 

I later asked "would you have done the land on your own" as I have been to Ireland and driving on the opposite side is not something I would ever do and she said "never" - she also said she often looked the wrong way just when crossing the street. Ireland is stunning and IMO - it is the country side that is so worth visiting and you can't do that on a cruise.

 

I had been worried about luggage as they had the flight from Cork to Heathrow. I sort of warned her inter-European flights have different luggage requirements and was worried her luggage maybe over weight for that flight. It turned out - they transported the luggage separately to the ship so they didn't have to worry about that (they kept their carry ons with them). 

 

If you haver any more questions - feel free to email me and I can contact this person.

Edited September 17, 2022 by Coral

[sabrefan]

Coral, thank you very much for the detail on the land trip in Ireland. We booked the tour on Princess a few months ago. We go on this in August 2023. Looks very interesting.

[Coral]

2 minutes ago, sabrefan said:

Coral, thank you very much for the detail on the land trip in Ireland. We booked the tour on Princess a few months ago. We go on this in August 2023. Looks very interesting.

This information was in their Cruise Personalizer. Not sure when it showed up (immediately at booking or closer to the tour).

 

I hope you have a great trip!

[Leelove]

Can someone confirm that the flight from Cork to Heathrow is part of my cruise tour and I do not have to arrange or pay extra for it?  Thank you!