Royal Caribbean Transatlantic cruise-Aug 2013

[lvnc327]

We are flying into Heathrow, England going to Harwich to board a transatlantic cruise. Any info is welcomed on which train to take from London to Harwich and what web site to use to prepay for your train tickets.

How do you find out about cruise critic member's sponsored excursions?

[English_in_Spain]

The way I would do it is Heathrow Express to Paddington, onto the Underground (Circle Line) to Liverpool Street then train to Harwich International (depending on the time of day. you may need to change at Manningtree)

 

Generally you need to allow about 4 hours for the journey depending on when you are travelling. Day of week? Time of day?

 

Do Royal Caribbean offer a transfer from the airport to the ship?

 

[John Bull]

Unless you're planning to spend a day or two in central London, Heathrow to Harwich is one of the few journeys where I'd recommend a ship's coach transfer. 112 miles, journey time something over two hours.

The same road journey by private transfer will cost in the order of £160 the car.

National Express coach isn't a viable alternative (infrequent service to Colchester, then short taxi hop, then train to Manningtree then train to Harwich).

 

 

There's no direct train service, Heathrow to Harwich. You have to travel into central London, to take the train from Liverpool Street station to Harwich:

Heathrow to Liverpool Street station

- by tube (London's underground) only costs about £6 pp, but involves at least one change. Heathrow is a tube terminus so shouldn't be difficult to get a seat & room for your luggage, but as it approaches central London the tube can get crowded, & you have to make that one change of tube train - no fun with luggage.

- or to Paddington station by Heathrow Express (luggage-friendly, but costs about £16 pp), then about 3 miles to Liverpool Street station by either taxi (about £12?) or by tube (about £2 pp).

It seems pointless to spend money on the Heathrow Express, then change onto the tube - so I'd suggest making the whole journey by tube, or splash out on a taxi for the hop from Paddington station to Liverpool Street station.

- or Heathrow to Liverpool Street station (about urban 17 miles, 60 minutes) all by pre-booked private transfer will cost around £45. Sorry, no recommendations. Simply hailing a London taxi at the airport will cost up to twice as much :eek:

 

Liverpool Street station to Harwich.

Hourly train service, no need to pre-book, takes about 75 minutes, costs £13pp. One change (slightly awkward, at Manningtree), though when a large cruise ship is in Harwich there's usually one direct & more expensive "cruise train". All trains take you to the pier, alongside your ship.

 

So the cheapest Heathrow to Harwich (tube+train) will cost in the order of £20 per person, the most convenient (private transfer+train) about £70 for two.

 

http://www.tubemap.com/

if you choose to take the tube, ask a Londoner where is best to change tube trains with luggage.

 

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

note: your departure station is Liverpool Street station, your destination is Harwich International.

The cruise train is unlikely to yet show on the timetable.

If you choose to take the train it's hardly worth pre-booking.

 

So check out the cost of ship's direct transfer coach, then make your decision.

 

JB :)

[Cotswold Eagle]

How do you find out about cruise critic member's sponsored excursions?

 

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by this, but if you are looking for fellow cruisers who may be arranging private excursions, then you should look on the Roll Call for your cruise. The Royal Carribean board is here, click on your ship's name and look for your cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[lvnc327]

Unless you're planning to spend a day or two in central London, Heathrow to Harwich is one of the few journeys where I'd recommend a ship's coach transfer. 112 miles, journey time something over two hours.

The same road journey by private transfer will cost in the order of £160 the car.

National Express coach isn't a viable alternative (infrequent service to Colchester, then short taxi hop, then train to Manningtree then train to Harwich).

 

 

There's no direct train service, Heathrow to Harwich. You have to travel into central London, to take the train from Liverpool Street station to Harwich:

Heathrow to Liverpool Street station

- by tube (London's underground) only costs about £6 pp, but involves at least one change. Heathrow is a tube terminus so shouldn't be difficult to get a seat & room for your luggage, but as it approaches central London the tube can get crowded, & you have to make that one change of tube train - no fun with luggage.

- or to Paddington station by Heathrow Express (luggage-friendly, but costs about £16 pp), then about 3 miles to Liverpool Street station by either taxi (about £12?) or by tube (about £2 pp).

It seems pointless to spend money on the Heathrow Express, then change onto the tube - so I'd suggest making the whole journey by tube, or splash out on a taxi for the hop from Paddington station to Liverpool Street station.

- or Heathrow to Liverpool Street station (about urban 17 miles, 60 minutes) all by pre-booked private transfer will cost around £45. Sorry, no recommendations. Simply hailing a London taxi at the airport will cost up to twice as much :eek:

 

Liverpool Street station to Harwich.

Hourly train service, no need to pre-book, takes about 75 minutes, costs £13pp. One change (slightly awkward, at Manningtree), though when a large cruise ship is in Harwich there's usually one direct & more expensive "cruise train". All trains take you to the pier, alongside your ship.

 

So the cheapest Heathrow to Harwich (tube+train) will cost in the order of £20 per person, the most convenient (private transfer+train) about £70 for two.

 

http://www.tubemap.com/

if you choose to take the tube, ask a Londoner where is best to change tube trains with luggage.

 

https://www.heathrowexpress.com/

 

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/

note: your departure station is Liverpool Street station, your destination is Harwich International.

The cruise train is unlikely to yet show on the timetable.

If you choose to take the train it's hardly worth pre-booking.

 

So check out the cost of ship's direct transfer coach, then make your decision.

 

JB :)

Thanks very much for your reply. Best we received.

[Ashland]

I have done RCI's bus transfer Heathrow - Harwich..A long 3 hour ride..Next time I would opt for the train..getting my self to Liverpool Street Station and catching the train from there.