London & ireland

[toler34]

We are all 3 of us seniors and this is on our Bucket List;) to go on a cruise from London to Ireland. What is the best way to go and the best cruise ship.

Can we leave from the US or fly into Britain? We are looking for something around $3,000, is that feasible?:confused: We are 3 sisters age 70 to 80. We want to be able to get off ship at a few ports and do a bit of sightseeing.

Thanks for your help.:)

Edited July 1, 2014 by toler34

[cole]

We are all 3 of us seniors and this is on our Bucket List;) to go on a cruise from London to Ireland. What is the best way to go and the best cruise ship.

Can we leave from the US or fly into Britain? We are looking for something around $3,000, is that feasible?:confused: We are 3 sisters age 70 to 80. We want to be able to get off ship at a few ports and do a bit of sightseeing.

Thanks for your help.:)

 

The British Isles Cruise is a nice one on the Ocean Princess. One week with stops in Dublin, Edinburgh, Wales and the Channel Isles. Two days at sea (to rest) and the ship is one of the smaller ones. Fly into London and the ship departs and returns from Dover. You might want to check out this one.

Cole

[KirkNC]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Several lines do cruises around the British Island and Ireland. Princess, Holland America and Celebrity to name a few. You might want to engage a TA to help you if this is your first cruise.

[Velvetwater]

If you are looking to pay $3000 for just the cruise for the 3 of you you may be able to get a deal or inside on certain lines.

 

Air fare is a different matter. I have seen transatlantic return flights for as little as £600 ($900) per person but my own flights were double that in August Birmingham to Florida.

 

Without hotels and excursions you are probably looking at $1900 per person minimum.

[margeecruiser]

Hello: we are seniors too (husband is 76, I'm 73). We are doing the British Isles cruise on Celebrity Infinity in August. This is a 14 day cruise around the British Isles from the port of Harwich. We will fly into London for 5 days before the cruise. This is expensive because of the value of the pound vs the dollar. There are lots of ports on the cruise, with only 2 sea days. I would suggest you visit with a good travel agent, who can suggest various options for you. If this is a bucket list trip, then it is certainly do-able.

 

Please ask any other questions you may have. Good Luck!

 

Margee

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Not a cruise -- but many years ago we a month land trip through England, Ireland and Wales. Absolutely wonderful!!

Hope you find a cruise that will meet all your expectations for the various ports.

[John Bull]

Bear in mind that "London" ports quoted by cruise lines are Southampton, Dover & Harwich - and all of 'em are over 70 miles from London.

 

As other posts, plenty of round-Britain cruises. But they're all round-trip - there are no one-way cruises to Ireland, so you'd just get a couple of days in Irish ports.

If you want to spend longer in Ireland, you'll need to fly from the US to Ireland (good rates with Aer Lingus), then carry on to a London or Southampton airport for your cruise, then fly back from London.

 

Trans-Atlantic fares won't be more expensive if you use the same airline or airline-alliance both ways on an "open jaw" return ticket.

But of course there's the air fare (or ferry plus train) from Ireland to England, hotel costs etc

 

JB :)

Edited July 1, 2014 by John Bull

[Scrapnana]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

Keep in mind that the average port time is about eight hours - you can only see so much.

 

I agree that you need to find a good travel agent. There are not many British Isles cruises in your price range - a travel agent could quickly tell you your options.

 

Hope you find the perfect cruise!

[alcpa1]

We just did a British Isles cruise, of sorts in May.

A cruise specialist travel agent in your community should be your first stop. Sit down and discuss you plans and options.

Please compare the hours you spend in ports AND the time the ship is scheduled to dock in each port.

Also, and this is very important for your financial planning, excursions are very costly in many ports in Europe. The exception for a British Isles cruise is Cork, Ireland. Many excursions booked with members of our Roll Call ran well over $125 USD per person per port. (Many of our privately booked excursions were less expensive than the cruise ship tours, which is generally the norm.)

I mentioned the Roll Call. Once you find your ship it is to your advantage to join the Roll Call on Cruise Critic. You will be able to converse with your fellow passengers as you plan your trip. It's a fantastic tool.

You have a tight budget if you are including cruise, air and excursions. Hotels and transportation in England fluctuate with the pound vs dollar so you need flexibility. You can find hotel recommendations on Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor. Hotel rooms in London are on the small side and accommodations for three are even harder to find.

Give equal importance to your air component. Cruise lines offer air arrangements but they can be restricted tickets, akin to consolidator fares. As you check cruises also check your air arrangements.

We hope that we have been of help and before you book please come back for more assistance. Post questions about the cruise on the cruise line of choice's forum, your specific sailing on the Roll Call and questions about your flights (before you book) on the Cruise Air Forum. It's not as trying as it may seem now and we certainly will try to make it a wonderful experience.

[toler34]

So many things to take into consideration! many,many thanks for all of them. A lot to digest. Yes we are planning on going to a travel agent, but want to know what questions to ask. It seems as tho there are quite a few to ask.

Thanks to all..........

Edited July 20, 2014 by toler34

[herbanrenewal]

This thread reminds me of one of my favorite land-based trips. We flew into London and spent a week there, then rented a car and toured some of England and Wales for two weeks. Then took a ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin for a week in Ireland (Dublin to Northern Ireland).

 

it was a self-planned and self guided month that I will never forget. The hardest part was developing the itinerary - there are so very many wonderful places to visit. We actually planned the trip around the Great British Heritage Pass that gave us admission to the destinations

[Calgon1]

We're taking a 12-Day British Isles, out of Southampton with Princess, next July. Our price (currently) is around $2,300 each. We've found air fare will be a big chunk. Anywhere between $900 and $2000.

We're also doing 3 days pre-cruise in London and 5 days post-cruise in Paris; but those expenses aren't part of what we're considering the cruise costs.

I too would suggest you contact a good, CLIA certified, travel agent, in a brick and mortar agency (not an on-line bulk sales business). He/she will be able to guide you in the right direction and avoid the pitfalls that a tele-marketer salesperson wouldn't even consider.

[alcpa1]

Welcome back Toler34,

When you meet with the travel agent be prepared to give him/her your price range including cruise air and excursions. Together you can quickly check air ranges without booking because there are many options including some highly recommended airlines that are not the major US carriers. Book your own air. Do not book with any cruise line. (For more information about flying to a cruise check out the Cruise Air forum. There are many who can give guidance before you book.)

Provide the dates that work best for you'll. I'm sure you know that the summer months are the most expensive so sailing in April-May or September-October will be more affordable and the weather may also be more pleasant. The summer months are also the most crowded and this could mean long lines outdoors.

Some travel agents give on board credits.

The cruise fare is just one factor. You will have gratuities to add and most charge extra for soft drinks, liquor, specialty coffee etc.

To stay within your budget you should consider a cabin that will hold three but understand that there will either be an overhead bed or pull out couch. Be very clear to the travel agent when you discuss cabin types. If this is your first cruise you should consider a cabin on a lower deck in the mid ship area. This is the most stable part of the ship.

I hope this gives you a few ideas to discuss with your travel agent.

[SadieN]

Besides airfare and cruisefare also plan spending money on--

 

-A hotel the night before the cruise (at least one night)

-transportation to/from hotel and ship

-Gratuities

-excursions and tour guide tips

-souviners

-meals off the ship

-travel insurance

-travel docs (passports)

 

Not all cabins are created equal. Even within the exact same category there are some hidden jewels and some best to avoid. Sometimes it is cheaper to get a larger cabin for three. Check the sleeping arrangements--at times the third is up in a bunk, rollaway or odd chairbed.

Edited July 21, 2014 by SadieN