Just off Golden British Isles

[canadagal]

Anyone out there actually take the tour from Southampton with Princess that ended at the airport? Wondering what time you actually got to the airport if your disembarkation process was behind schedule. Thanks!

[insidecabin]

re: exchange rate for onboard machines.

 

I can't find my receipt for pounds but I think it was 1.8 something. At the airport it was 2.0091

 

Euros onboard were .7400 according to my receipt.

 

There is a flat $3.50 per transaction fee.

 

 

Thanks last year I could change on the ship and then get more £ back for the $ in port. the machine was set to do $->£ at not so good rate but I needed $ for £ for the casino. (fee was $2.50 last year)

[lkmamom]

Wow, just finished reading this thread, thanks for the memories! We visited many of the same ports last summer on our Golden cruise as well. I echo all of the thoughts on Heathrow. It was particularly crazy for us because we were there days after the second bombings. I am sure that things have calmed down now but it is a very crazy place.

 

I just wanted to add that we felt that Edinburgh was very easy to do on your own. We did not get to see the Military Tatoo, but we really did walk a lot and see a lot on our own. Princess provided a bus to Edinburgh and then we met at a specific spot and returned back to the ship.

 

Also, another hint about the laundry. Stop somewhere in London and pick up some laundry detergent tabs before you embark. The tabs were evry easy to transport and I have kicked myself a hundred times for not bringing some home because you cannot buy those in the US anymore.

 

For those about to do this cruise, have a wonderful cruise. We really enjoyed this cruise and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, DH and DS really want to see Rome so I may be out voted, but I am really rallying hard to do this again next summer!

Linda

[Casshew]

About Heathrow again, were you all arriving in the morning?

 

Our flight arrives at 9:20pm so maybe it will be less hectic (hoping)

[toddt]

Casshew,

 

A 9:20 arrival is part of the usual bank of flights from North America (US and Canada). Most of them arrive between 6am and noon GMT. We are on one of the later flights arriving 11am ish. It's perfect for Jetlag I think. Get on the plane, have a little dindin, and then sleep the night away.

[msmeltz]

Enjoyed seeing ourselves on top of the mountain in Snowdonia....even though you only see our backs.

This was after the lady with the crook chased the cows that were blocking our way and before we had to walk up the hill because the bus couldn't make it with us in it.

 

A fun day!!!

Marilyn

[msmeltz]

coming fron NY, by the time dinner was served there was only 3 hours to sleep....not enough time left to take a sleeping pill . We were zombies. We got on the on/off bus in London and just rode around for 2 hours....each of us trying to stay awake but nodding off.

[Casshew]

Casshew,

 

A 9:20 arrival is part of the usual bank of flights from North America (US and Canada). Most of them arrive between 6am and noon GMT. We are on one of the later flights arriving 11am ish.

 

No, our flight arrives at night. 9:20PM :)

 

It's a daylight flight, leaving Toronto at 9 in the morning.

[toddt]

No, our flight arrives at night. 9:20PM :)

 

It's a daylight flight, leaving Toronto at 9 in the morning.

 

Opps... That's what I get for posting after coming back from spending the afternoon in the airport waiting for a flight that never went! You'll have to let us know how that works Jet Lag wise. It may work out OK if you can go to bed when you arrive.

[Casshew]

Thats what I am hoping for. To arrive exhausted and get a good sleep ~ wake up on UK time.

 

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

 

Sorry about your day at the airport!

[Kevin]

I'm glad you saw the pics. I don't know why I didn't have us all take a group picture. Perhaps the heat had fried my brain! LOL!

 

It was a fun trip!

 

Judy

[hurwitz5]

We are sailing on the Golden Princess on August 30, and will be docking in S. Queensferry, which is the port closest to Edinburgh. If possible, we would like to do Edinburgh on our own. Need advice - how far is downtown Edinburgh from the port in S. Queensferry; are there plentiful buses and/or taxis available at the port; what is the approximate cost each way (via bus or cab)?

Thank you.

[NZYU]

 

Do NOT book an early flight home. Disembarkation was running 90 mins late (we were scheduled to get off at 0630 and didn't leave the ship until 0800). People with 0930 flights (who didn't get off until 0700) probably missed their flights. We heard that the prior cruise also got in late. I suggest nothing earlier than 12 noon, just to be safe. [/quote=ggo85]

 

Curious as to how the flight home works when Princess sets it up. Do they let you off first if they give you an early flight?

 

It hasn't been a problem before because they've always given an afternoon flight.

[joecleveland]

We are sailing on the Golden Princess on August 30, and will be docking in S. Queensferry, which is the port closest to Edinburgh. If possible, we would like to do Edinburgh on our own. Need advice - how far is downtown Edinburgh from the port in S. Queensferry; are there plentiful buses and/or taxis available at the port; what is the approximate cost each way (via bus or cab)?

Thank you.

 

Here's what I've gathered: for the train ride to Edinburgh a quote from the July11th roll call "We all made the walk to the train station which wasn't terrible as described but certainly not for those not in fair shape. The train was pretty crowded but at 3 pounds each roundtrip it was a bargain and worth it."

I've read elsewhere that 4-5 people can share a cab for 18 pounds. I think there's bus service, don't know the cost.

We're on the August 10th cruise and plan to do Edinburgh on our own. Today I got the bus route from St Andrews square (near the castle) to Rosslyn chapel. For a 1 pound fare, the number 15A takes you right there in ~40 minutes.

Read some of the reviews on the Roll Calls

[edinburgher]

HURWITZ5.

 

In case you dont look back over there and miss it, in response to your question, I posted detailed info on transport options from/to South Queensfertyy/Edinburgh on the thread on the Britain board.

 

Hope its useful to you and all others on the Roll Call.

[CruiseNut7]

For those who returned from the British Isles cruise, when will you be posting your reviews? I don't see any on "member reviews".

Thanks again for all your help - it's appreciated! :)

[Silverlicious]

Thanks for the info. Going to British isles on princess in June. Were there any excursions you would highly recommend?

 

Sandy

[robgvic]

I think you want to find a more recent traveller. This was in 2006