ROWSE

May 11, Port of Cobh/Cork Ireland continued...

We still had time to do something else and we noticed the Heritage Museum, which is right next to the ship port area.   It was $10 euro each for cruise ship passengers.  Their website says:  The “Queenstown Story” is the story of Irish Emigration.

This was so well done!  

Entrance area

Here we were also given a name of someone to connect with and I had Anne Bonny

She was amazing!

These displays really brought it to life!

I can't even imagine the hardships they endured!

After a big day in Cobh we headed aboard as we had booked our perk of a Specialty restaurant tonight.  We would have preferred Sabitini's but it was closed for this cruise.  No explanation, just closed!   The Crown Grill was amazing just the same.

Started with Riesling!  

An incredible tiger prawns appetizer!

Black and Blue Onion Soup

Salad

My side was asparagus

and Mushrooms 

DH chose Apple & Rhubarb Cobbler for dessert.

I had the Triple Chocolate Treasure!  YUM!!! 

We caught a little of the music as we passed by.  With these big days we are so tired and head to bed after dinner!  It was a fantastic day!!!   

May 11, Port of Cobh/Cork Ireland continued...

It had been more than a couple hours since we ate, so of course we needed some food! 

I had read that the restaurant at the Titanic Experience was great so we tested that out.  Then it was on up the hill to see that beautiful St. Coleman's Cathedral!

We got a lovely table outside.  This was the first, if not one of the first, ships that had come in to port and they were just opening things back up here.  

Restaurant sits just below the Titanic Experience

First some drinks, beer for DH and a Bailly's for me!

I had fish and chips and DH had a Veggie burger!  We split it to taste it all!  

We had going to Spike Island on our radar, but it was only taking people over to it a couple times a day at 3 1/2 hour intervals.  This did not fit into the day.    Word to the wise, if you want to do this, probably book through the ship.  Or it could be with more ship traffic they will get this moving better.

We headed on up to the Cathedral on a lovely walkway.  

A view of how they build houses on a hill in Cobh!

Just takes the breath away!  So beautiful!  

Coming back down,  we come upon this lovely Lusitania Memorial.

 During World War I the Lusitania was sunk by a German torpedo.

May 11, Port of Cobh/Cork Ireland 

So before I start on our port day, I must correct a couple things after reading my notes.  With so many days, sometimes I forgot.  We did go to the production show on Guernsey night, and it was called Sweet Soul Music.  It was very good!

The other thing in my notes was that they took our passports that afternoon of Guernsey day, and did not give them back till after Ireland visits.  I am sure others have had this happen on cruises but this was our first experience of this.  It was very unsettling to hand our passports over.  We usually guard those with our life, or at least in money belts!!!  😂

Back to Cobh, pronounced Cove.  My notes say we were late getting off, and I had read this is often the case in this port so I booked our Titanic Experience tickets for 10:45.  

Coming in to Cobh

We had the beverage package, which includes all specialty coffee, so we often had those.  It was a cold morning!!!

We tie up very close to the town and it was an easy walk.  Love how cute everything 

looks from the ship!!!  

We take our time strolling in and there is a lovely park!

Another look up at that beautiful church!  Called St. Coleman's Cathedral.

Upon entering the Titanic Experience you are given a card with a person who sailed on the Titanic to hold and see if they were a survivor.  I had a gal and she made it through the Titanic sinking April 14, 1912, only to die in 1918 of the plague.  My DH's guy did not make it.

The tour was just "okay".  We had a hard time hearing the young lady as she did not have a microphone.  We notice some other guides do have one.  Still, it was something worthwhile to do!  

This is the kind of lodgings way below deck for where our two people would have lived.  

Very nice replica of the ship.  

It was a sad experience as well, knowing all those people had such high hopes for a wonderful new life in America.

13 hours ago, rurn0321 said:

Love reading your review as we are on the same cruise August 25th.   Looking forward to it even more now.

Thank you for reading along!  So glad it helps to heighten your anticipation!  

14 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

How does the Holiday Inn compare to your hotel?

TIA

We usually stay with airbnb's so haven't been in a Holiday in for years.  Sorry I can't compare.  

Maybe someone else will answer.  

23 minutes ago, dockman said:

So lucky you are...i was on the trans atlantic and then the may 1-9 version in spite of being super cautious tested positive covid on may 2 so was quarantined on deck 12 with lots of others and missed every single port on the second leg.  There were a lot of covid cases ; masks were few and far between on passengers on May 1 sailing with busloads of people having to further quarantine  May 9 and up to a week or so in London before flying back to usa...not a lot of fun...more like the cruise from hell

 

glad your's worked out.

 

 

Thank you for sharing your experience.  I am so sorry that happened to you!   We were also extremely cautious and obsessive with our mask wearing, but I know in the end it was pure luck that we made it without Covid.  So sorry to anyone that had your experience!  

I sincerely hope you will have a wonderful time if and when you go cruising again!  

2 minutes ago, cruisen JJ said:

I was wondering the same!

Really enjoying your review. We were supposed to have been aboard but got covid on our previous TA cruise on the Wonder of the Seas so had to spend some time in Barcelona. Now I can see what we missed.

Thank you for chiming in!  I was so sad for you guys when you wrote you had to cancel.

Hope you didn't have too bad a time!  

8 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

Ok, so I just have to ask......what's with the toilet paper roll on the table?  (In the video of the beautiful woman playing the violin?)

LOL!!!  I did not notice it!  So funny!  Maybe it was part of a game or something before the violin show.  

4 minutes ago, MissSBS said:

Enjoying reading your recap. I'm on the August 25 trip and will be staying at the Moxy in Southampton on August 24. Looks like it is close to the terminal. 

Thank you for reading!  The Moxy was right beside our hotel.  It is close to the terminal, but with luggage we felt it would beat up our wheels on our rollers too much.  Taxi was so easy and so inexpensive!  Enjoy your cruise!  

Guernsey port continued...

After saying goodbye to Annette we had more time before boarding so we did a walk out to Castle Cornet.  It is called a castle but really more of a war fortress.  We were lucky enough just to gain entry before the 12:00 noon cannons.  

The procession of the guard to fire the cannons.  I missed the real shot as I had my hands over my hears.  

The procession out.

There were many areas in Castle Cornet to explore and museums too.  

Flags flying!

The light house from above. 

We walk out to the light house. 

Some fishermen were trying their luck out here. 

I wanted to touch the water of the English Channel.  It was cold!

It was time to head back to the ship.  This is where the line was long to get on the tender but they were very well organized!

Tonight was formal night!

Appetizer 

Salad

Shrimp meal 

DH also had some fettuccini.

Followed by the Chocolate journey dessert.  

We were tired and did not attend the show but popped into Club fusion when we hear this amazing music.  Another wonderful day in the books!  

Guernsey St. Peter Port continued...

We had booked with a few others off our Roll call with Annette Henry Tours.  We met her at the tender drop off.  Just a FYI, there is a bathroom here that we used before the tour.

We met Annette, who I can't praise enough.  She brought all the history of this place to life and while she is not a fan of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society movie, as she says they did not film it here at all, I loved the movie and was fun to know a little of Guernsey's history of the German occupation before we came.  

Annette's walking tour is filled with wonderful drama, and intrigue!  

This is Annette pulling a lot of us in to her stories 

We walked up up up

The view was lovely.

This has to be the skinniest building I have ever seen.  

Telling us of the tragic history and gory details of the past!  

Just too horrible to imagine!!  

Later we walked through some of the shops in the area.  Can you guess what this shop may have sold???

Note the scales on top, it was FISH.

These steps were not there at the 1500's but this was the hill to climb to be executed. 

The donkey is one of the national animals of Guernsey.  

Another narrow building. 

Annette  (she may be a magician also) described how they would severe the arms of soldiers for insubordination and fighting with someone with a higher rank than themselves when talking about Castle Cornet.  

Despite all the tragic stories, we had so many laughs and fun along the way.  

Loved her tour!  

May 10, 2022-Port of Guernsey St. Peter Port

Slow but sure we found ourselves getting on the current time.  We woke to a glorious sunny day with only a tiny bit of spittle once or twice today.   Grabbed some coffee and a couple things from the International Cafe for breakfast today.

Then it was off to the Michelangelo Dining room to get on the shuttle.  There was only us waiting.

We were up quite early so I am sure it was more full later.  

We got on an open deck on the shuttle.  It took about 15-20 minutes over to the port.  

Thank you for the welcome Guernsey!

Thanks to our roll call we found out about a walking tour and booked that ahead of time but we had some time before meeting time.  We walked around the port for awhile.

There was a lovely church to visit there called the Parish Church of St. Peter Port.

What an amazing stained glass window!

On one of the higher streets we took this interesting cut through to get back to the water front.

This was a view of Castle Coronet 

And a look back where the ship is anchored. 

Loved this harbor area!  

2 hours ago, cruisegal415 said:

For some reason I am so excited about shopping at the woolen mills, even though we live in sunny south Florida and would NEVER have a chance to wear them! Maybe if we get some at the beginning of the cruise we'll be able to wear them during the cruise but we're going in August, so...

Enjoy your August cruise! 

3 hours ago, mike&elena said:

Could you tell us about the showtimes (Princess Theater and lounges)?  Any long lines on the ship?  How well did the water shuttle process work?

We only went to a few shows and I will report along the way.  We were never in any lines to speak of. The water shuttle is my favorite (said no one ever)!  Being elite, we were lucky to get to go on the water shuttle whenever we were ready.  Will be reporting on that soon.  Getting back on the ship some of those lines WERE long.   

3 hours ago, Kenosha Cruiser said:

Kitty & Jim, thanks for doing your review! I'll be following along as we board the Emerald Princess August 25th to the British Isles with Liverpool. Like you, this will be our first time overseas and we have completed 40 cruises with Princess mostly throughout North America. It was funny to see we have the same obstructed oceanview cabin booked for August (E702) as you. We are also flying Delta booked with Princess EZ-Air. Milwauke to Minneapolis and then to London. Loving your thoughts and pictures, thanks for doing this. 

 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

 

Thank you for reading along!  Small world sometimes isn't it!!!  We loved E702.  No obstruction other than a walkway below window which really didn't count to us.  August should be amazing!  

11 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Interesting that the Elite upgraded bathroom amenities are only by request.

Thank you for chiming in!  I did not even notice it said that on that paper, as we got a little bundle of items.  Sleeping mask, fingernail file, some lotion, scrubber pad, and two lip chap.  A little hint on those horrible automatic night lights that go on whenever you get up at night.  The sleeping mask  can  be place over the top of the hall way one's sensor.  That is if you are tall enough.  Thank goodness my husband was.  That was the worse one of all.  The others we could put something in front of them. 

I am sure there are some who need those night lights, we  rather stumble around in the dark.  LOL 

12 hours ago, insidecabin said:

Jumping on Emerald 14th June trip(round Britain are local/regular for us) 

 

love to follow a recent experience.

 

A first timer to the UK gives us a fresh perspective enjoying a lot..

 

Some info for those following and thinking about a trip out of Southampton.

 

That Premier inn west quay is a cruise favourite, worth following pricing because they have sales where you can price down.

Another good budget option is the Travelodge Central even closer to the Mall and town, often a bit cheaper, compact rooms not been since they did some updates.

(check for discount codes 5% is regular for the TL)

 

Loads of other options from budget to $$$$,  Ibis/Novotel are handy for the coach, train and some terminals(walkable) but a bit further away from the mall/town 10-15 mins walk 

 

For those looking at pubs, a couple of starter options 

Duke of Wellington, Red lion are the nearest "british pub", 

for good cheap ale(and other drinks) is The Standing Order(big chain),

there is also a quirky small bar on the high street, near the Red Lion & next to the Stein Garten, Below Bar(was Crammed Inn),

Dancing Man Brewery is also very popular more modern(.

 

 

  

So happy to see you on here!  You gave some great information on our roll call and I appreciate it!!  I loved the Premier in's staggered pricing.  We went with the "non refundable" and got it for 33.50 pounds for the night.  WOW!!!  

Thank you for listing some pubs!!  

12 hours ago, Lucky TGO said:

Hi kitty and Jim,

Thanks for sharing I loved seeing all the photos. BTW Jim is starting to look as old as me 😳 😁😁

love Ya, 🥰

Tony

 

 

We ARE  looking old!!!  So glad to see you are on here reading along!  Love you and Marge!!!  

16 hours ago, nini said:

So sorry, we did not save the Patters. Usually I do, but not this time. BTW- we loved Scotland and my wool scarves, throw and hat arrived today from the Blarney Woolen Mills!!! It was FREE shipping to USA with a purchase of 250 Euros. So............ easy to spend for me and two daughters!

 

P.S. I was able to purchase a Campbell Clan scarf at Cawdor Castle (my family clan). It was made with local wool, "just up the road"!

Lucky family to get all those wonderful gifts!  

16 hours ago, 1emerald1 said:

I had a Nelson as Club Class Manager on the Discovery, who was wonderful!  Wondering if it's the same guy, would you mind asking him if he opened the Discovery.  My Nelson is from Portugal.

Thank you for reading along but we are home now.  We believe this Nelson was from Philippines.  

2 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Just ask your cabin steward for a Princess bag.  They usually have them.

I will remember to do that next time! 

9 minutes ago, coo359a2 said:

So nice to read an "smiley" review - so far.  Hope good times continues for both

Thank you for reading along!  It was a wonderful cruise! 

20 minutes ago, mike&elena said:

Wonderful review!  We're going to be taking this cruise on the Emerald in July.  If you can post photos of the Patters, that would be fantastic.  Looking forward to reading the next installment!

Thank you so much!  

Sorry, we did not take pictures or save them.  @nini Did you save the Patters?   AND if anyone else from the cruise comes on here and can help out feel free to do so!!!  

3 minutes ago, GloriaF said:

So enjoying your review, the details and the photos!  I am in the beginning stages of planning a British Isles cruise for my cousin and I in 2023.  I will have to let her see your review when we visit - she's happy not to be on the 'net.  We are in our mid 70s and leaving my husband behind for this trip.

I am so happy to hear you are enjoying it!  You will have a wonderful time and hoping Covid is a thing of the distant past by then!!!  Girl only trips are SO fun!!!  

19 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Kitty, great report!  Glad to hear Nelson is still on ships. i adore that man, he’s one of the very best. 

Nelson was wonderful.  There were other times (breakfast) that he was in the dining venue and happen to always make sure we had a secluded table.  Bless him for that!!!  We tried especially hard not to have you and G's last experience!!!