Live British Isles July 19-31 Princess Regal

[azbirdmom]

2 minutes ago, Fortunate 2 travel said:

I believe he will be land based with Princess.  He will be missed.  I loved his “Welcome back, Welcome home “ on port days.  

Thanks for the quick reply!  And I meant that we cruised with him twice LAST year and then this year.  I still have Covid brain from the "souvenir" that I brought home from our June 25th Regal cruise.

[kttraveler]

Dublin was very easy to do on my own. The train station was right across from the port. I already had my leap card (ordered ahead and had it shipped) so I swiped right on to the train. I got off at Pearce street and headed over for my book of kells appointment. I was little late because tendering took a little longer than expected when the swells required them to change which side of the ship they used. Being a little late meant I walked right in though. For those doing a hip on hop off there ate pick ups at the Pearce street station drop off. I had prepurchased dodublin tickets so I hopped on a bus and went to the Dublin Castle. The next guided tour was two hours away so I did the self guided tour. My next stop was St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They offered an excellent audio tour that let me go at my own pace. I did a few more hop on hop off stops before getting lunch and stopping by the natural history museum. A couple protests stopped traffic for a while so I finished the day on foot and easily got back to the port by train. For those that want to do the Guinness storehouse get there early. Every bus I was on apologized for running late. A few people missed their slotted times. 

[kttraveler]

Tonight’s menu and tomorrows patters. It was Italian night and there was a special penne pasta you could request as an appetizer or main that wasn’t on the menu. It smelled delicious as we passed it in the way in so we all got it as an appetizer. If you love garlic and it is offered go for it. 

[kttraveler]

Belfast was chilly and wet. When visiting the British Isles prepare for all four seasons and rain. Don’t forget your sunscreen and midges spray just in case.
 

The ship offered shuttle tickets to town and back for $16 and it dropped off right where I was picking up the hop on hop off. Although the hop on hop off advertised that it didn’t start until 10 am they went ahead and began once they had a bus full of us, which was around 9:30. I’m glad I went ahead and left early, but I was prepared to twiddle my thumbs if they really didn’t start until 10 AM. I got off at the titanic stop. When I bought my hop on hop off tickets, I bought a combo that included tickets to the titanic museum. That was a great choice on my part because I was able to walk right in. Others on the same hop on hop off bus as me (arriving at the titanic museum just before 10 am) were told the earliest they could buy a ticket was for the 4 o’clock tour. My advice if you want to go is to buy your tickets in advance. If you have to select a time (I did not) you can reasonably get there between 10-11 am if you don’t drag your feet. I really enjoyed the titanic museum. It had good information on the building of the titanic, as well as about some of the passengers and included items like letters found with those who survived, and those who did not. It also included a ride that let you see part of what it was like to build the ship. 
 

I got back on the hop on hop off but the only seats available were the ones in the rain so I got off at the next stop which was the St. George market. The market is only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but since we were there on a Sunday it was open. I got a crêpe and walked around for a few minutes before getting back on a bus that had dry seats. I finished out the hop on hop off without getting off again, taking pictures through the windows because I was chilly and wet. I got a shuttle bus back to the ship and arrived in time to do a little laundry. Luckily the laundry room has lots of availability while everyone else is out exploring. 

[steelergirlinfl]

We sail in a couple of weeks and this is so helpful to me.   I appreciate all your efforts and tips.

[MouseBerry]

We had a 2 and 1/2 hour guided walk tour (History of Terror) today in Belfast. This was quite an interessting tour, but it was grey, cloudy, wet, cold and windy. It is in prime summertime right now, but it felt like a bad November day.

 

Believe it or not, yesterday when we were on a hiking tour in Dublin/Howth, my DW got a sunburn in the heck. It was not hot, but when the clouds give way to the sun it might burn quickly.

 

So yes, bring all possible clothing with you😊

[azbirdmom]

Sounds like your experience in Belfast was somewhat similar to our's on the June 25th cruise.  Except that we planned to do the HOHO but figured out that the main attraction was the Titanic museum.  So we took the Princess shuttle to the center of town and walked to the Titanic museum.  Lots of signage to direct the way and they give you a decent map as well.  And we were glad we had rain gear too as the weather was nasty during our visit too (as it was for many of our port stops).

 

We didn't have tickets in advance and got there around 11.  We were able to buy tickets for 12:30 so it sounds like we lucked out.  Great advice to tell folks to either buy the tickets as a combo with the HOHO or get them in advance.  Well worth it!

 

ETA:  We saw St. Georges Market while we were on the Princess shuttle.  We planned to hit that on the way back to the shuttle after the Titanic musuem.  While we were waiting for our timeslot I pulled up info about it on my phone.  We were there on a Friday so it was open.  But sadly it closed at 2 so no way would we make it.  Glad I checked before we walked that way, especially with the miserable weather.

Edited July 23, 2023 by azbirdmom

[KKB]

2 hours ago, kttraveler said:

Belfast was chilly and wet. When visiting the British Isles prepare for all four seasons and rain. Don’t forget your sunscreen and midges spray just in case.
 

The ship offered shuttle tickets to town and back for $16 and it dropped off right where I was picking up the hop on hop off. Although the hop on hop off advertised that it didn’t start until 10 am they went ahead and began once they had a bus full of us, which was around 9:30. I’m glad I went ahead and left early, but I was prepared to twiddle my thumbs if they really didn’t start until 10 AM. I got off at the titanic stop. When I bought my hop on hop off tickets, I bought a combo that included tickets to the titanic museum. That was a great choice on my part because I was able to walk right in. Others on the same hop on hop off bus as me (arriving at the titanic museum just before 10 am) were told the earliest they could buy a ticket was for the 4 o’clock tour. My advice if you want to go is to buy your tickets in advance. If you have to select a time (I did not) you can reasonably get there between 10-11 am if you don’t drag your feet. I really enjoyed the titanic museum. It had good information on the building of the titanic, as well as about some of the passengers and included items like letters found with those who survived, and those who did not. It also included a ride that let you see part of what it was like to build the ship. 
 

I got back on the hop on hop off but the only seats available were the ones in the rain so I got off at the next stop which was the St. George market. The market is only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but since we were there on a Sunday it was open. I got a crêpe and walked around for a few minutes before getting back on a bus that had dry seats. I finished out the hop on hop off without getting off again, taking pictures through the windows because I was chilly and wet. I got a shuttle bus back to the ship and arrived in time to do a little laundry. Luckily the laundry room has lots of availability while everyone else is out exploring. 

I did the HOHO bus in Belfast & LOVED it (luckily gorgeous day in May).

Cab was about the same price as the shuttle--I'd recommend that, particularly if more than 1 of u.

(DO know where u want to go--a lady ahead of me seemed to thing the cabbie would tell her where she should go; he looked over at me & asked if I knew where I wanted to go & I said yes & he took me instead)

THAT BEING said...there were only 2 taxis at the pier when I walked off; luckily not many seemed interested, but were otherwise in shuttle or excursion lines.

[kttraveler]

Keep your eyes open on the patter for the Irish dancers and musicians. It was a 4 pm performance and I’m glad I was on the ship to see it. Dinner menu and tomorrow’s patter are attached. 

[atlast95]

On 7/21/2023 at 7:48 AM, kttraveler said:

Dinner was good and the show was fabulous. Luckily I went to the early one and was back in my room when the medical announcement was made. I took a princess excursion to Blarney Castle and wish I had just struck out on my own. Public transport didn’t appear to come to the castle and it seemed like a must do when I was looking at what to do. I didn’t kiss the stone. The gardens were beautiful and I enjoyed exploring. Our bus guide was very informative. 

I am in the midst of planning Blarney Castle and public transit seems doable. The train stops in the port so travel from there to Kent Station in Cork and then get a public bus to Blarney Castle. 

[kttraveler]

Liverpool was sunny but windy and therefore still chilly. The walk from the ship to get out of the pier is longer than usual and up an incline. If you have any mobility issues there is a free shuttle that will get you out of the pier. On the way back the shuttle will let you skip one of the two security checks. I swear I was asked to show my medallion eight times to get back on the boat. 
 

I have precooked the red hip on hop off which doesn’t get started until 9:50. I was up early and off the boat a little after eight so I walked around Prince Albert dock. Nothing was open that early, not even the coffee shops. As I went past the museums at the dock the signs said they opened at ten except on Mondays and of course it is a Monday. After getting in plenty of steps I found the hop on hop off and sat on board until it was time to start. The second stop is the pier for both hop on hop offs so there is no need to go looking for it. You also don’t really need to prebook. I wish I hadn’t. The yellow busses were less crowded and although they advertised fewer stops I still think I would have been better off. The red bus hadn’t been dried off from the day before so some riders had a rude surprise when they got on and didn’t notice the seats were wet until after they felt it. They also didn’t announce the stops and didn’t actually stop at the stops. I thought maybe it was just me (I missed stop three where I had planned to get off) but as the day went on the guides mantra was “oh yes we passed that but you can get off here and just double back.”

 

I got off at the world museum only to then notice it also said it was closed on Mondays. I was internally cursing the tour guide but then saw a family walk in. I followed. Apparently it was open. I enjoyed the Egyptian exhibit which included real mummies. There was a library next door and across the street a park over top of a mass grave from the cholera and black plague epidemics. I walked back to the western front headquarters. This isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed learning about the impact women had in WWII. 
 

Since my bus hadn’t actually stopped here I had to make a guess about where the stop was. I was close enough and after waiting about 30 minutes I snagged one of the few open seats. I complete the tour, which really only went around a few blocks. On the walk back to the ship it looked like the museum of Liverpool was open despite the sign saying otherwise. That probably would have been a better use of my time but oh well. I was hungry and went through the security gauntlet to get back on board. 
 

My parents were on an easy drive around Liverpool and this time they were on a larger bus that had a lift instead of a van. I’ve been very impressed with the wheelchair accessible excursions on this cruise. The driver even got out and took a few pictures for my parents. 
 

If you are a Beetles fan Liverpool is your city and you will be thrilled. If you aren’t the dock has lots of museums and shops. 

[Camberley]

For us Liverpool was the highlight port of the cruise so far. Wonderful to explore this superb city and a real treat to visit and do our own thing in arguably one of the finest cities in the UK. A pity it is the very last time Princess will come to Liverpool, according to one of the crew as we got off and one of our waiters at breakfast, but there are still other very lovely places to visit on subsequent Princess BI cruises.

 

Yet again a few passengers who did their own thing never got back in time (they decided to take a train of their own accord so there were ensuring issues with delays) so they were left to make their way to the next port. Good! And a well made announcement from the captain about this and, in an understandably firm tone, reminding folk about the need to get back by the right time and how the ship can’t wait. Too right - no excuses.
 

There was a couple we chatted to the other day who were determined to organise their own ferry trip for the day in a few days when we dock in one of the Scottish ports: they said they knew it was cutting it fine to get back to the ferry place and boasted they had even been advised by the ship about the potential issues with this, esp, in the busy traffic from the ferry to the ship! If the app worked well enough I would order popcorn and watch from the balcony to see if they make it…..

 

Am really looking forward to Scotland!

 

Edited July 24, 2023 by Camberley

[Justpackingmybags]

Ohhh you just know that they’re going to get left behind with that attitude! 

[kttraveler]

The Trawlermen performed tonight and I loved the show. I’m not even a fan of folk music and I loved it. If they are on board with you give it a try. Tonight menu and tomorrows patter are attached. 

[azbirdmom]

3 hours ago, Camberley said:

For us Liverpool was the highlight port of the cruise so far. Wonderful to explore this superb city and a real treat to visit and do our own thing in arguably one of the finest cities in the UK. A pity it is the very last time Princess will come to Liverpool, according to one of the crew as we got off and one of our waiters at breakfast, but there are still other very lovely places to visit on subsequent Princess BI cruises.

 

I had to look it up.  Looks like the only stop left in Liverpool this year will be on the Island Princess. And Liverpool will be on some of the British Isles itineraries next year.  It's a fabulous port that we immensely enjoyed so I'm happy that Princess isn't outright abandoning Liverpool like they have Guernsey.

 

Like you I just shake my head about those who fail to be back onboard on time.  Liverpool is such a walkable port stop that you'd have to just not paying attention to miss the ship.  I'd be with you with the popcorn.  We've toasted people with our wine while on our balcony as the ship has pulled away leaving frantic idiots running and screaming to try to get the ship to come back.

[Camberley]

1 minute ago, azbirdmom said:

We've toasted people with our wine while on our balcony as the ship has pulled away leaving frantic idiots running and screaming to try to get the ship to come back.

It’s an enjoyable hobby onboard. Along with loitering around reception to overhear certain types of folk complaining: those with an added edge of self-assumed superiority. 🤣🤣l Earlier a woman was moaning to a very polite crew member because it was too rainy yesterday in Belfast which ruined her day. Some people……

[trafaelwyr]

Enjoying reading your trip report.  I'll have my first time sailing on Princess come November on the ship you/'re on (it'll be out of Galveston).  For those who have sailed on Princess before (and maybe this ship), does the menu change depending on what part of the world you're sailing in?  So, for instance, the schnitzel that was served on the one night, do you think that menu item was on there as this is a UK/European cruise?  Would I expect to see this item in November?  

[Joy_K]

6 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

I had to look it up.  Looks like the only stop left in Liverpool this year will be on the Island Princess. And Liverpool will be on some of the British Isles itineraries next year.  It's a fabulous port that we immensely enjoyed so I'm happy that Princess isn't outright abandoning Liverpool like they have Guernsey.

 

Like you I just shake my head about those who fail to be back onboard on time.  Liverpool is such a walkable port stop that you'd have to just not paying attention to miss the ship.  I'd be with you with the popcorn.  We've toasted people with our wine while on our balcony as the ship has pulled away leaving frantic idiots running and screaming to try to get the ship to come back.

Regal will be in Liverpool on Oct 6 this year

[kttraveler]

I am signing on from the train back from Glasgow. Today is my last day wandering around on my own. The walk to the train station took about fifteen minutes. I can’t recommend the train for those with mobility issues, not only because of the walk but also because this train gives the mind the gap a new meaning. You are stepping over the gap and up into the train. The ride however is very comfortable and scenic. It was easy to find my way around, although on the way back I did have to ask what train I wanted (it was platform 14 but don’t count on it always being that one). The train does a good job telling you where you are and what stop is next. I went from Greenock Central to Glasgow Central (and then back). I bought my tickets at the station but they do have a person onboard selling them in case you get there with only a second to spare. 
 

I had not prebooked a hop on hop off because there were two that did the same stops. They both started at George square. It was a ten minute walk from the train station and there was a red city sightseeing bus selling tickets when I arrived. This one had more knee room than yesterday and the guide did a great job telling us about Glasgow and announced each stop. The tour did a large area of Glasgow as well so I felt like I saw a lot. I got off at stop 14 and went to the Hunterian museum at Glasgow University. I am a museum kinda girl and I loved learning about some of the early experiments in science and medicine. I had been tempted to get off at stop two for the Glasgow Cathedral but the bus was packed and the guide was good so I stayed on. 
 

I finished out the hop on hop off (without a guide and I kissed him) and then stayed on going back around to stop 8 which was the train station. I got some excellent fish and chips from the blue lagoon and walked around looking for but not finding tartans. Luckily I still have time. There was tons to see and thankfully Glasgow was spared from a lot of the WWII bombing so much of its architecture remains. It was a beautiful city and deserved more time than I could give it. 
 

For those who don’t want to do a princess excursion but also don’t want to risk the train there were independent tours selling tickets as I got off the ship. It was another long-ish walk to get off but no incline this time. The first tour I saw was a 1.5 hour bus ride, which was exactly what I didn’t want. I like getting off and walking around. After I passed them I saw vans offering rides to town. That might be a better option if you want to explore on your own but not walk to the train. That also might help you feel more sure about getting back to the ship in time. If you opt for the train check the time tables and plan well. 

[Cruizin_PA]

18 hours ago, Camberley said:

It’s an enjoyable hobby onboard. Along with loitering around reception to overhear certain types of folk complaining: those with an added edge of self-assumed superiority. 🤣🤣l Earlier a woman was moaning to a very polite crew member because it was too rainy yesterday in Belfast which ruined her day. Some people……

Sadly, our June 8th cruise next year is dropping Belfast.  But honestly, if it doesn't rain or at least foggy in some of the ports I will be disappointed, especially in Scotland, it just seems like it could set such an awesome mood.

[azbirdmom]

If someone on the ship wouldn't mind I would appreciate seeing a picture of the current FCD form.  There should be a supply on the wall outside the Future Cruise Consultant area.  I'm asking because I ordered one for my hubby and one for me while on our June cruise on the Regal.  I was just looking at my list of FCD on the Princess website and oddly they show as $50 and not $100 which they have always been.  If the amount changed on the form that I completed I sure didn't notice it so I'd appreciate seeing what the form actually says.  Thanks in advance!

[kml246]

We just got off Sky on Saturday after a 14-nt Baltic Heritage cruise and are doing this cruise on Regal August 12 (preceded by 4-nt Princess Ring of Kerry land tour). The menus appear identical to the ones on Sky. We also had the Trawlermen on board. Not our usual type of music, but it is a fun show. 

 

Why the long wait for the tender back from Guernsey? Was this a Princess issue? Seems like an unacceptable time to wait. 

 

Thanks for posting! Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

Kevin

[kttraveler]

2 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

If someone on the ship wouldn't mind I would appreciate seeing a picture of the current FCD form.  There should be a supply on the wall outside the Future Cruise Consultant area.  I'm asking because I ordered one for my hubby and one for me while on our June cruise on the Regal.  I was just looking at my list of FCD on the Princess website and oddly they show as $50 and not $100 which they have always been.  If the amount changed on the form that I completed I sure didn't notice it so I'd appreciate seeing what the form actually says.  Thanks in advance!

Hope this is what you needed. Sorry for the shadow. 

[kttraveler]

Todays dinner menu and tomorrow sea day patter at attached. This afternoon we had bagpipes in the piazza. He is coming back a couple times this evening. The sticky pudding was amazing!

[azbirdmom]

5 minutes ago, kttraveler said:

Hope this is what you needed. Sorry for the shadow. 

Thank you, that is exactly what I needed and it still shows $100. Guess I need to contact Princess. Ugh!