¡Live! Regal 12 Night UK Cruise (6/25-7/7)

[kttraveler]

3 minutes ago, Sulialto said:

 

Thanks! That may be the option for us - the only thing that we might be interested in walking around is the little chapel - I think most of the WWII sights may be accessible by just walking..?

The military hospital would require a different bus (71) or a long walk from the 91/92 bus. It sounds like it is worth the visit though.

[Sulialto]

25 minutes ago, kttraveler said:

The military hospital would require a different bus (71) or a long walk from the 91/92 bus. It sounds like it is worth the visit though.

👍🏻

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

On 6/24/2023 at 5:46 PM, KarmaCruisers said:

we literally were GO GO GO. We seen Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Parliament, and The London Eye!

I’m so pleased you are visiting when, after 5 years of work, the scaffolding around Big Ben is finally down so you can see it properly.

& the bongs are back 🔔 London was weird without those

 

For those interested, it’s officially Elizabeth Tower but no one says that really. Big Ben is the bell.

 

originally it was St Stephens Tower but renamed Elizabeth when it was our late Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012

 

i’ll stop with the history lesson now sorry!

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

On 6/25/2023 at 11:40 AM, KarmaCruisers said:

Damn traffic sucks!

they accounted for it though because they said they’ll have us there at 1; and google maps agrees.

this traffic rivals my Bay Area california commute.

Ah, the M25. Hate it

 

Sometimes called The magic roundabout (circles around London) 

 

Often known as the largest car park in the UK because you can be stuck in one place for flipping ages 😬

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

I don’t know if you are planning on going to Blarney Castle from Cork?

 

Anyone who is, decent footwear for those steep castle steps is a good idea. I’ve seen people try it in flip flops. Not ideal

 

if you want to kiss the Blarney Stone, be aware that you kiss it upside down, holding onto iron railings. I didn’t realise when I went lol 🙈 it was a bit of a surprise! Did it though. 

they do sanitise it between people

 

It’s meant to give you the ‘gift of the gab’ and some think it’ll make your wishes come true! I hope it works for anyone on your cruise who gives it a go 😃 

 

I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise! Loving the food pics 😋 

[nini]

 

 

@Sulialto : We loved our walking tour with Annette on Guernsey. She is a native there and extremely knowledgeable. She also has a great sense of humor. I loved walking by Victor Hugo's house (Les Miserables was required reading for me in high school; yes all 1500 pages). He was exiled there for 14 years and this is where he wrote Les Mis. There is also a bronze statue of hi on a park bench, and yes, DH took my photo.

 

https://annettehenrytours.gg/

 

 

[Tyskie]

6 hours ago, JG&Lcruisingnewbies said:

I’m so pleased you are visiting when, after 5 years of work, the scaffolding around Big Ben is finally down so you can see it properly.

& the bongs are back 🔔 London was weird without those

 

For those interested, it’s officially Elizabeth Tower but no one says that really. Big Ben is the bell.

 

originally it was St Stephens Tower but renamed Elizabeth when it was our late Queens Diamond Jubilee 2012

 

i’ll stop with the history lesson now sorry!

 

 And, the tour to the Big Ben tower is 334 steps and is now open to book !  I was waiting patiently but 334 steps is a bit too much for me.  Sigh........................

[KarmaCruisers]

So after our nap; we went to the Lecture about the next five ports (Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, and Glasgow) by Ken Broadhurst.

Then we headed to Horizon Court buffet to get some dinner.

It was Italian night, so I got every pasta they offered, plus a salad and a nectarine.

After dinner my wife decided to donate some more into the Princess C-staff fund (Aka: casino). Another $500 loss at Heads Up Hold’Em.

Now we’re in bed..tommorow is only mildly early with a 9am docking. 
We’re going on the PaddyWagon excursion to Blarney Castle and Kinsale.

 

ALSO; I just want to add..it seems to me that folks on this ship who don’t speak English are RUDE! Either that or have odd elevator etiquette…there’ll be already like 6 people in an elevator..doesn’t matter, these folks will PUSH IN! 
like WHAT*!? We’re fat Americans! We need a little breathing room! We don’t need to ride nuts-to-butts while we’re on vacation!

Edited June 26, 2023 by KarmaCruisers

[beshears]

That's a shame that you find some of the people there on the ship that do not speak English, seem to be rude. 😞 Everyone on this ship should be on there to ENJOY what is going on and "trying" to get along with each other, but it sounds like some people are being more selfish, and not thinking of anyone else, other than themselves. 😞

[KarmaCruisers]

Good morning Cobh!

getting breakfast at the buffet, as usual. I  was happy this morning, because they had Chicken Adobo with rice; i was tired of just bland eggs/potatoe/sausage.

[KarmaCruisers]

Well here it is 9am and as far as we can tell, the thrusters are still running and no announcement has been made about having clearance to go ashore…

[KarmaCruisers]

Announcement was made just after I posted lol.

Short ride over to Blarney Castle.

just got in and time to get in line to kiss the stone.

[KarmaCruisers]

POOP!

we may NOT be able to kiss the stone!

the bus leaves at 1; and they said from where we’re at in line is “about 2 hours”

were going to stick it out until noon, and see if we’ve made it to the sign that says “one hour from here”; if not we’ll unfortunately have to turn back.

On another note..DAMN there’s hella Suite guests on our ship! We’ve seen a TON of the “white” medallions (most with Blue Sea Witch!) I can’t even imagine that cost..daaamn our BB was $4400 on SALE (casino offer for 35% off)

Edited June 27, 2023 by KarmaCruisers

[KarmaCruisers]

[KarmaCruisers]

We are past the “one hour to go” sign with 90 minutes left..so; we just may make it!

[KarmaCruisers]

We got in line at 10:50am and we kissed the stone at 12:38pm. 
The trek up the castle stairs wasn’t too bad, actually. (And I’m out of shape and overweight)

Now we make our way to Kinsale; where we’re going to get some lunch

[KarmaCruisers]

[kttraveler]

I am planning to visit the castle but I don't want to kiss the stone. Will I still be able to explore inside the castle without joining the line? 

[KarmaCruisers]

1 hour ago, kttraveler said:

I am planning to visit the castle but I don't want to kiss the stone. Will I still be able to explore inside the castle without joining the line? 

Kinda yeah…but there are places you can’t get to without joining the que, unfortunately

[KarmaCruisers]

So we’re in Kinsale now; eating at Dino’s; although their take-away menu is a lot more crazy than their sit-down is. (We chose to sit down because there wasn’t anywhere really to sit outside)

[georgemoe]

Thank you for the reports! Following. We are sailing in August stopping in Cornwall and Orkney vs Guernsey and Liverpool. A bit disappointed as we were originally going to Guernsey but were changed due to congestion. Glad you were able to do Blarney! Enjoy the rest of your day!

[KarmaCruisers]

Fish & Chips from Dino’s plus their crazy take-away menu

[phabric]

Following along.  Enjoyed seeing your pictures.

[c-boy]

4 hours ago, KarmaCruisers said:

POOP!

we may NOT be able to kiss the stone!

the bus leaves at 1; and they said from where we’re at in line is “about 2 hours”

were going to stick it out until noon, and see if we’ve made it to the sign that says “one hour from here”; if not we’ll unfortunately have to turn back.

On another note..DAMN there’s hella Suite guests on our ship! We’ve seen a TON of the “white” medallions (most with Blue Sea Witch!) I can’t even imagine that cost..daaamn our BB was $4400 on SALE (casino offer for 35% off)

  😄 that's okay, they can afford it.

[KarmaCruisers]

9 minutes ago, c-boy said:

  😄 that's okay, they can afford it.

As “Blue” cruisers; it makes me wonder..more apt that these people are the ones who spend a grip for their first roll and then end up bashing on princess.

I always start our small and grow into things; because if I’m not impressed, it means I might be at the next level…if you start out at the top (full suite) and aren’t impressed then you’ve got nowhere to go but down