bhambamacruiser

Thanks to each of you for your feedback and supporting images! This trip and the TA crossing is the last of my Mom's bucket lists trips. We've worked hard the past seven years to make her top five trips a reality. I am working hard to make this trip special. Your input helps me back a good decision for Mom. We are currently booked on an eastbound crossing, but we are changing our TA direction to accommodate our Ireland tour dates. Again, thanks for the timely response to my inquiry!

I'm planning my Mom's 80th birthday trip to Ireland. She wants to return home on a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York. My research shows the port side of the ship is the best side to enjoy the view of the Statue of Liberty upon our arrival in the New York harbor. We are considering booking two sheltered balcony mid-ship cabins. Deck 5 is our preferred location, but port mid-ship seems to be booked. I see adjoining cabins on Deck 4 located above Sir Samuels. The cabins are 4104 and 4106. The other cabins I'm considering are 4110 and 4112. I know Deck 4 is directly over some of the public spaces and want to find cabins that are located in a quiet area. 1. Has anyone sailed in one of these cabins on Deck 4? If so, did you experience any or much noise from Sir Samuels? 2. Is it worth it to be port side on arrival in NYC harbor? How early do you typically arrive? I don't see my mother getting up and dressed in the early hours to make her way up on deck to enjoy the view. That is why I'm considering a cabin that allows her the convenience of seeing the view from her balcony. If not worth it, then there are starboard side cabins on Deck 5 I want to consider. Thank you for the feedback!

My family enjoys cruising and have sailed often with Princess and Holland America. We've been on two river cruises in Europe, but have not done an ocean cruise in Europe. Our mother turns 80 next year and wants to visit Ireland. She has some limited mobility, so we feel a British Isles cruise is an ideal way for mom to visit Ireland. Has anyone booked private drivers as an excursion in Ireland (Cork, Dublin, or Belfast) or even Le Havre for an excursion in Normandy? Princess offers a private driver for 1/2 or full day excursion in multiple ports. I know you can also secure these on your own. We want mom's trip to be accessible and easy. We are also researching a land tour in Ireland, but keep coming back to a cruise. The Princess cruise to the British Isles (May 15-27, 2024) aligns closely with the Queen Mary 2 crossing from NYC that we are also considering, so that is why were are narrowing our search to Princess. I guess I'm trying to compare a cruise vs. land tour to Ireland. Thank you for the feedback and input!