travelbuds

My wife and I are doing this river trip from east to west and starting off a day early with the Hells Canyon boat trip. Looking for a list of shore excursions for the remainder of the week. Do passengers do any excursions independently from the ship, or just stay with ship offerings? Thanks.

Do you have a recommendation for taxi service to pre-book? Thank you.

Do you recall if the taxis were at cruise terminal as soon as you got off the ship? A queue for both passengers and taxis? Thanks.

Where did you get picked up and dropped off? What arrangements did you make to be sure you found your taxi going back to ship? Did you pay at the return drop off? Thanks.

Hi, Looking for breakfast recommendations in Southampton close to the city cruise terminal. Thanks.

Was the 110€ for one way or round trip? Any problems getting the taxi back to ship? Thanks.

Thank you, Gumshoe! I'll just get my tickets early to cut off some of the cost.

Thank you. We'll book early to get the reduced rate. Will book when we get air tickets. Need the luggage space.

Thank you! You're a big help!

Just a few questions if I may. How did you find out about the cruise shuttle to Blankenberge? Listed on the ship's excursion website? Or was it announced onboard when cruising to the port? Could you buy roundtrip tickets, or did you have to buy a ticket at each station? Was there a long line to buy tickets to the Tower? Did you buy tickets online before leaving home? Thank you.

Curious which line has more luggage storage space. Visiting London for a couple days after a cruise before heading back to Heathrow Terminal 3 for an 11AM flight home. Will be staying near the Paddington station. How far in advance do you suggest getting the reduced HEX fare? Thanks.

Curious why Elizabeth line picked over Heathrow Express from Paddington to LHR? Thanks.

I am waiting for a Celebrity reply. No independent or "on your own" excursion offered on its website. Only 7 excursions listed for this port, and none less than $113. May end up doing the 8:30AM independent coach into Bruges and hope for time at least to go up the tower, do a canal tour, and sample some waffles and chocolates before heading back to the ship. Hope there won't be a long wait at the tower on a Sunday morning.

Thank you for all of your comments. You are a big help! The independently operated shuttlebus that I found starts at 8:30AM. Our ship docks by 7AM. Seems like 1.5 hours of wasted time, especially since we have limited time in port (departs @ 3PM). I will check with Celebrity to see if it will offer shuttle bus as cruise date approaches. Currently it offers 2 excursions, but both are over $120 per person. Will look into the train from Blankenberge also. Thanks again.

How much time does it take to be bussed from ship to cruise terminal? And then via shuttle bus from terminal to Brugge? Thank you.

Thank you.

Thanks for the tip. Did it look like renovations were needed?

Thanks. That's what we are planning to do. Hoping for no rain!

Thank you. I wonder if no taxis at the Southampton coach station is the norm. We'll have our poncho readily available just in case.

Thank you for your comments. We'll be going from LHR terminal 3 to Southampton Holiday Inn. How far in advance would you suggest to make coach reservations? Wouldn't want airline schedule to change after coach reservations were made.

Do you have a boat tour company recommendation? Will credit card be accepted? Thank you.

Will anything there be open there on a Sunday? Thanks.

Wondering if we should buy tickets before we leave home or wait until we land at Heathrow to get them. Will cost and availability be the same? Thank you.

Is the National Express a better option than the train? Looks like the coach station is walkable and closer to the Holiday Inn than the train station. Thank you.

The train seems to be mentioned many times in these posts involving transportation between London and Southampton. Wondering why coach or bus travel such as National Express is not mentioned. Just curious as I will be staying at the Southampton Holiday Inn after arriving at Heathrow earlier in the day. Thanks.