Boudicca mini cruise from Liverpool - June

[TravelOwls]

Doing this cruise with some friends, sailing from Liverpool 6th June. Wondering does anyone know if we get anytime in Glasgow at the end of the cruise, or is it straight on the coach back to Liverpool as soon as we disembark? Also, we are:confused: considering booking the Giant's Causeway excursion in Belfast, either with the cruise line or independantly, has anyone had experience of this previously?

[tiggertom]

We did this cruise last year and you will be on the coach straight after breakfast. You will not visit Glasgow except for passing through part of it on your way home. It is about 20 miles from Greenock.:)

[highlandlassie]

Doing this cruise with some friends, sailing from Liverpool 6th June. Wondering does anyone know if we get anytime in Glasgow at the end of the cruise, or is it straight on the coach back to Liverpool as soon as we disembark? Also, we are:confused: considering booking the Giant's Causeway excursion in Belfast, either with the cruise line or independantly, has anyone had experience of this previously?

 

Doing this cruise for the first time as well. Glasgow from Greenock is 26 miles, from my house

 

Hubby and I where thinking of doing the Causeway as well, but think it is too expensive, plus you still have to pay £££ to go into the Causeway from what I read.

 

We are just going to do the HOHO ( Hop On Hop Off) bus and visit the market. We may change our minds though, still deciding on what to do

[TravelOwls]

Am still trying to get a price from Fred Olsen for the Causeway excursion but so far they have not phoned us back with a price. I have contacted an independant tour company in Belfast who specialise in tours for cruise clients and they have quoted £35 p.p which I think is a reasonable price (obviously doesn't incl. meals or any entry fees. But as I say I am waiting on Fred Olsen, although so far not too impressed with their response.

[Mark_T]

Am still trying to get a price from Fred Olsen for the Causeway excursion but so far they have not phoned us back with a price.

 

Is the price not shown in the 'My Cruises' section of the website?

 

They usually appear there around 6-8 weeks before departure, if it is not there yet that would explain why they have not replied to you so far.

[highlandlassie]

Am still trying to get a price from Fred Olsen for the Causeway excursion but so far they have not phoned us back with a price. I have contacted an independant tour company in Belfast who specialise in tours for cruise clients and they have quoted £35 p.p which I think is a reasonable price (obviously doesn't incl. meals or any entry fees. But as I say I am waiting on Fred Olsen, although so far not too impressed with their response.

 

from their website - you still have to pay entry fees I think

 

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Price £70 - £80

DurationApprox. 8.75 hours

LimitationLimited capacity - early booking recommended

Snack includedSnack included

Free time includedFree time included

[Mark_T]

Price £70 - £80

 

If it is still showing a range then the prices are not final yet, soon as they open up for online booking you'll see the final price.

[highlandlassie]

If it is still showing a range then the prices are not final yet, soon as they open up for online booking you'll see the final price.

 

Didn't know that Mark - thanks - new to FO cruises - still thinking of the HOHO bus though, more off a history Ireland

 

Would have preffered Dublin and go and dig up some ancestors :eek: :D

[Mark_T]

I would strongly suggest you check the website daily now you are inside 8 weeks from departure, once the bookings open up the more popular trips will fill up very quickly.

[monas queen]

If the guide price for the tour you want is £70 - £80, which the website suggests, they are having a laugh.

 

There are numerous alternative options, including the company you have found that does coach tours aimed at cruise passengers.

 

Also worth looking at are the taxi tours, which will pick you up by the ship and give you an excellent trip at a fraction of Fred's charges - see http://belfastblackcabtours.co.uk/beyondbelfast.php

and the trip advisor comments at

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186470-d2460144-Reviews-Giants_Causeway_Tour_by_Belfast_Famous_Black_Cabs-Belfast_Northern_Ireland.html

 

I wouldn't be surprised if they were cheaper (and better) for just one person than Fred's coach!

[simonpjd]

If you are new to cruising then the cost of excursions can come as a bit of a shock. I reckon Fred mark up by around 100% of the cost to them. P&O are 25% cheaper for exactly the same tour. But wait til you hit the USA and prepare to be really stung - we paid $380 for an afternoon tour in Alaska with Holland America.

But always remember - yes do your own thing but always leave time to get back. The ship will sail regardless of whether you are back. But she will always wait for an official tour.

[monas queen]

But she will always wait for an official tour.

 

We were once on a cruise that was starting to sail just as the last coach appeared around the corner of the dock!

 

This was a long time ago, pre mobile phones and radio contact.

 

Fortunately, they were spotted, and ropes were put back out. (Don't know who had been counting the passengers back on!).

 

Most cruise companies seem to want to make a good profit on their tours, and it is often the case that a taxi can be cheaper for a group of people.

 

The companies rely on their passengers wanting the comfort factor of being with people that they know, and knowing that the ship will wait for them if there is a problem. It is sometimes well worth taking the tour if you are in a dubious area of the world, but normally you can do a lot better by shopping around.