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• Princess Cruises

12 night British Isles Cruise - Your experiences with excursions at each port

By luvtocruise52 , April 23, 2022 in Princess Cruises

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luvtocruise52

We are looking at the 12 Night British Isles Cruise and wonder whether the amount of time in port (usually about 12 hours) allowed you to get a good feel for the area, especially Belfast and Dublin. We're curious what people were able to see and do in each of the ports. (I've read the descriptions of excursions but think personal experience is valuable.) Also, which excursions were the most enjoyable in any of the ports, and was it easy to arrange your own excursion instead of taking the ones offered by the cruise line? Thanks in advance for your feedback.  

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I have been on this cruise twice. Dublin- Princess shuttle to town, HOHO bus, walked around town, many sites right there.

second time saw a taxi driver dancing a jig right after we got off ship. Hired him for the day. Loads of fun. Told him to take us where the big red bus didn’t go. Off to the countryside, nature area, pub lunch.

Belfast- shuttle to town, HOHO bus, walked around town.

First time- hired taxi driver for a day tour to see the Troubles- muralist, neighborhoods .

we did not go further like many other on tours.

ask ? About other ports

This is best posted on the "Britain" board.

In Dublin - shuttle into town and walked to Trinity College with the hopes of seeing the book of Kells.  If you want to do this you might want to get there much, much earlier than we did.  They had 2 pages of the book on display in a little room and that room was packed in like sardines.  There wasn't even a moving line.  The folks at the front just stood there and stood there.  I think I got to see it for about 10 seconds.  The library, on the other hand, was spectular.  That alone was worth the trip.  We ate in some little pub off a side street which was really cool.

In Belfast we took the shuttle to town and then got on the HoHo bus.  We got off at the Titanic Museum which was awesome, but again very crowded.  Ate lunch there and then back on the bus.  We went all the way around but there was no time to visit any other sites.  Well, we could have gotten off at the murals which I thought was really interesting but my sisters didn't want to.  The next stop was the Crumlin Gael.  They have guided tours only and we would have missed the last bus so didn't stop.

This was our second time in Belfast.  The first time we took an excursion to the Giant's Causeway.  Typical bus trip out there with a guide and a few stops for photo ops.  I really liked the Causeway.  It's maybe 1/2 walk from the visitor's center although you can take a little shuttle.  Very scenic.

I used toursbylocals to book my time in Dublin and Belfast.  I researched the sights I definitely wanted to get to, then said beyond that I am in your hands.  Worked well.

Definitely recommend the HoHo in Dublin.

We also purchased tickets on our own to Guinness, best views of Dublin from the Gravity  bar.

https://www.guinness-storehouse.com/en/gravity-bar

Just be aware that the British Isles cruise in 2022 does not dock in Dublin but Dun Laoghaire which you need a tender to get ashore and then a train into Dublin. This impacts on your actual time in Dublin and what you are able to see.

I had to think for a bit about the other ports.  I've done this cruise twice. But, it was a few years ago.

Guernsey - 1st time we just walked around the little town.  It is very walkable.  The 2nd time we took a local tour I found online.  

Cork - Both times we visited the Blarney Castle.  Once on a Princess shore excursion.  Afterwards we walked into the town, which is right there, and got something to eat.  The other time we hired a taxi from a line of taxis right on the pier.  For a set price the guy took us to the Castle and back with a little tour of the town before he dropped us off.

Dublin - I mentioned that in my first post.  The other time we missed it due to weather.  Also Belfast as in my previous post.

Once in Greenock we took a ship's excursion.  The other time we walked into town and caught a train to Edinburgh to see the tattoo.  We did not take a ship's tour because by the time I even knew they were open for reservations the tour was sold out.  So I bought tickets online and arranged our own transportation.  For the return trip (2 hours) we hired a private car.  I was worried about trying to catch the train back at such a late hour.  Worked out perfect.

In Invergorden the first time was a private tour.  Just us and the driver.  It was a fun day.  The second time we took a ship's excursion.  

In LeHavre both times we took a ship's excursion to the beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetary.

In answer to your question regarding ease of arranging tours yourself;  the internet makes everything easy.  The tour operators we contacted were great at communicating.  It does take a bit of a leap of faith that it's all going to work out.  But, the driver of the private car was right where he said he would be.  The driver of the private tour in Invergorden not only was easy to find but very mindful of the time she needed to get us back to the ship.  Remember these people sells tours often by reputation alone.  And they are not looking for bad reviews.  The taxi driver was a bit of an adventure for a couple of older ladies who aren't well traveled.  But, he was a hoot.  I became very fond of taxi travel on these 2 trips.  My best tip: start your planning with by googling "cruise ship shore excursions in..........."  The shore excursion part is important because those tours will be arranged around your time in port.  Other kinds of tours may run too late or too far from where you need to be.

My favorite tours and excursions are always those we arranged ourselves.  On the train to Edinburgh we sat with an 18 year man from Yorkshire.  We had a great conversation, at least what we could understand LOL.  His accent was thick.  We got along so great with the driver of the tour in Invergorden that she made a stop at her house on the way back to the ship so we could meet her cats.  As I mentioned the taxi driver out of Cork was a hoot.  Imagine the look on our faces when asked us, "Excuse me ladies, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?  What religion are you?"  The tour on Guernsey was run by a young man who was a native of the island.  He drove a safari type open-aired vehicle.  One of the stops he made was at a friend or cousins (can't remember) who had a small roadside shop that sold scones and clotted cream and hot chocolate.  Oh my, so good.  

Regarding the ship's excursions; if I am going to do one at all I like it to be on a longer day, preferrably with lunch and a good guide who will ply you with all kinds of info you're absolutely sure you'll remember and then let you go off on your own.  Of this trip my favorite ones were the one we took out of Liverpool to Chester, and the 2nd one to the beaches of Normandy.  That woman was the most knowledgeable guide I have ever had on a tour, ever.  Lots of time to explore on our own and lunch, yay.  We took other excursions that were OK, and one or 2 that were just Meh.

13 minutes ago, Blondilu said: One of the stops he made was at a friend or cousins (can't remember) who had a small roadside shop that sold scones and clotted cream and hot chocolate.  Oh my, so good.  

How convenient! 

I'm glad you enjoyed your scones,  but I think you are being a bit gullible.  

LeHavre-Paris w/theBateaux Seine cruise w/lunch - I actually did this tour  twice it was amazing and the photo ops are extraordinary (it’s a 3 hour drive each direction-traffic can be horrible so I suggest a ship tour for Paris-Our bus was late getting back but the ship had to wait)

Cobh-Is adorable, the town is the port. We did the 1/2 day tour  to Jameson which was great, and sat outside at a pub in cobh after. 

Cobh has a tourism site- I also visited the church and they have an overlook area for good scenic photos (they had a cute train in the past but seems the pandemic caused them to go out of business) 

http://www.visitcobh.com  

We did this cruise in 2019.I think to get a feel of Belfast you need to get a HOHO bus from the centre as it takes you to various areas including the troubles

.Dublin I think you can get a feel of the place by walking around the centre.

13 minutes ago, wowzz said: How convenient!  I'm glad you enjoyed your scones,  but I think you are being a bit gullible.  

LOL, what a funny thing to say. Gullible?  Not in the least.  We paid a good price for a tour and got a great tour.  We paid a fair price for a snack and got a really good snack.  Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?  How would who owns it make a difference?  We had a great day.  The scenery was awesome, the company was good, the driver was funny and friendly, I loved his safari jeep. The scones and clotted cream were very good and I got to try something I had never had before.  And no one forced us to buy any.  It was just a stop to use the restroom and take a break from the tour.  We could easily have skipped the treats.  But, why would we have?  They were really good, not very expensive and everybody on the tour sat for awhile in a gorgeous location and just enjoyed the moment.  All in all we got our monies worth and this tour was one of our more memorable.  

We did a British Isles tour in August, 2018.  Here are my opinions of the excursions/ports:

Cobb, Ireland: 

There was no problem finding eCoach tour for Blarney castle.   We walked around the Castle gardens; they were very pretty, but I surely could have used my walking stick here.   The ground was uneven and with lots of rocks and pebbles.   We did not wait in line to climb the stairs for the Blarney Stone.   About an hour wait when we got there and 2 hours when we left.

We went across the street for shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills.   Wished we could have stopped for a snack, but the guide said we did not have time here.

We rode the bus to Charles Fort.   Bill got off and took pictures; it was misting.   We saw lots of country between Blarney and Kinsale.

We went to the small fishing village of Kinsale for lunch at the White House; this was 3:30 pm.   I had beef and Guiness stew, delicious; Bill had Philly beef steak sandwich with fries. 

We arrived back at the ship about 5:30 pm.

Dublin, Ireland:

We did a Princess tour of the Powerscourt Estate Gardens and Dublin.   Powerscourt is an estate in the Wickslow mountains.   It burned down about 1974 and the outside was rebuilt about 1994.   The gardens were beautiful and easier to get around than Blarney gardens.   These had more flowers and statues.

We ate lunch at the café, sandwiches and Diet Coke.   It was good.   The bus returned to Dublin and gave us a tour of the city.   The guide was not very good; she was older than we are, and this is the first time she had worked with this driver (he was nice), maybe the first time for this tour.

Many people did not wish to be dropped off in Dublin, so the driver found the shuttle to the ship for us.   We returned that way about 5:30 pm.

Liverpool, England:

We took a FabFour Beatles 3 hour taxi tour (65 pounds) that I had booked online.  It was very good, but lots of getting in and out of the taxi, hard on knees and shoulders.  He told lots of stories of the Beatles childhood and stopped at the early homes and other sites.

I did not enjoy this tour very much, but we took it for my husband.  I would not endorse it.

Belfast, Ireland:

No tour scheduled for today.   We took the free shuttle to the center of Belfast.   Then we took the city bus to the Titanic Museum.   At 2 pm we were at the admission window where the earliest admission ticket for the museum was 4:30 pm.   We went to the restroom and shopped in the gift shop.  Then we took the return bus and shuttle to the ship for a late lunch

If I could change anything, I would arrange for tickets ahead of time, on-line.  We did not know what we planned for this day, but enjoyed what we saw of the Titanic display.

Greenock, Scotland:

This is why I chose this time of year for our cruise.  Wonderful, but once was enough.  Strongly endorse Clyde Coast Tours.

Tattoo Day with Clyde Coast Tours

Met the bus at 8:30 am for 9 am departure.  Our guide was James (in a kilt, no less).

We stopped at the town of Luss (home of the Colquhoun clan) to admire Loch Lomand, nice lake.  Beautiful scenery and some shopping.

Next we stopped at the viewpoint Inveruglas for another view of Loch Lomand; there were lots of steps and stairs.  At the top most everyone enjoyed a taste of Scottish whiskey.

We stopped at the Drover’s Inn for refreshments (diet Coke).  This is an old coaching inn still in use.  It had a lot of stuffed animals.

We stopped at Kilmahog to see the Highland Coos (cows).  They are cute and very shaggy.  I did some shopping at Trossacks Park.  This was the only place I found golf towels in all of Scotland, a big item on my souvenir list that was limited to only one towel.

We arrived at Stirling Castle about 2:15 pm.  We used the restrooms and had lunch (fish sandwiches) in their café.  We toured the castle with a free tour guide; it was very interesting.  I had purchased the Historic Scotland Pass on-line (strongly recommend), so no waiting in line for tickets.

4 pm the bus left for Edinburgh and arrived about 5:15 pm.  James walked us to the front of St. Giles Church where we would be meeting up with him after the Tattoo at 9:30 pm this night.

It was very crowded with people attending not only the Tattoo, but also the Fringe Festival.  We walked around, but did not shop, too crowded.  I did not find any golf stuff.  All of the restaurants were prior reservations only.

We picked up a sandwich and diet Coke for Bill, pastry for me, and a couple of candy bars, just in case, at The Little Inn.  It was cash only, about 20 pounds.  They cleared off some seats and table for us outside.

We joined the long queue across the street on Johnston Terrace for entrance to the Tattoo about 6:10 pm.  It started moving about 6:20-6:30 pm and moved consistently.  We picked up programs (included with our tickets), and went through bag inspection.  Stopped by the restrooms, then found our seats.  They were way up high on row R.  We were seated by 7 pm.

The pretalk started about 7 pm with the dignitary being the Prime Minister of Scotland (a lady in high heels); she walked all the way to the top of the stadium in those heels.

7:30 pm was the start of the show with bagpipes, bands, dancing, drum corps, and other displays.  It was wonderful.  The show concluded about 9:15 pm with fireworks and a lone piper.

We walked back downhill (easier) to our meeting place in front of St. Giles Cathedral.  We were a few minutes late, but not the last ones to get there.  We left the meeting place about 9:50 pm and walked 15-20 minutes to get to our bus.  There were a lot of buses parked on the street in front of the national museum.

The bus left Edinburgh about 10:10 pm and arrived at the ship about 11:50 pm.  We had beautiful weather, cool and warm.  It drizzled a bit on the way to the ship.

Invergordon, Scotland:

One of my favorite days:  We walked off the ship about 11:20 am with no tour planned.  We walked around the cute town taking pictures of the wall murals.  We stopped in their museum and went to the craft market; I bought a few things.  We walked down the street and shopped for souvenirs.  The people were very friendly and welcoming.

Edinburgh, Scotland:

Of any day, I would change this one to a tour out of town.

We took the tender to shore and caught the shuttle bus to the center of town about 10 am.  It was 20 pounds each which included trip in and return from town and the Hop On/Hop Off bus.   The shuttle delivered us to St. Andrews Square, and the driver showed us where to walk to catch the Hop On/Hop Off bus.

We got off at the Castle stop.  I had prepurchased tickets with the Historic Scotland Pass, so we went right into the Castle.  We used the restroom and had lunch (pizza) at the café.

We stood in line for the Crown Jewels, just a crown, scepter, and sword, not as much as England’s.  The road up into the castle was very steep and wet with the rain.  It was wet and windy with steep cobble stone paths in the castle.  We walked through the area where the Tattoo had performed before.

We shopped a little, asking in several stores, but could not find any St. Andrews golf stuff.

We went in St. Giles Cathedral where we had met our guide the other night.  It was lovely.

We caught the Hop On/Hop Off bus back to St. Andrews Square where we caught the shuttle to the 4 pm tender back to the ship.

LeHarvre, France

Beaches of Normandy Spearhead Tours (recommended)

Our tour left at 8 am.  There was a mini-van with 3 couples.  We had enough room.

We visited the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and a couple of churches.  We had lunch at a café Le Roosevelt at Utah Beach.  Our guide and driver Florin had good commentary and stories.  He had a book with pictures of events.

We were not able to visit the museums and no shopping time.  There was a long ride back to the ship, arriving about 5 pm.  We did a lot with the time that we had.

Sorry for the length.  I would do it again with little changes.  I loved this cruise.

On 4/23/2022 at 5:49 PM, Blondilu said: I had to think for a bit about the other ports.  I've done this cruise twice. But, it was a few years ago.   Guernsey - 1st time we just walked around the little town.  It is very walkable.  The 2nd time we took a local tour I found online.     Cork - Both times we visited the Blarney Castle.  Once on a Princess shore excursion.  Afterwards we walked into the town, which is right there, and got something to eat.  The other time we hired a taxi from a line of taxis right on the pier.  For a set price the guy took us to the Castle and back with a little tour of the town before he dropped us off.   Dublin - I mentioned that in my first post.  The other time we missed it due to weather.  Also Belfast as in my previous post.   Once in Greenock we took a ship's excursion.  The other time we walked into town and caught a train to Edinburgh to see the tattoo.  We did not take a ship's tour because by the time I even knew they were open for reservations the tour was sold out.  So I bought tickets online and arranged our own transportation.  For the return trip (2 hours) we hired a private car.  I was worried about trying to catch the train back at such a late hour.  Worked out perfect.   In Invergorden the first time was a private tour.  Just us and the driver.  It was a fun day.  The second time we took a ship's excursion.     In LeHavre both times we took a ship's excursion to the beaches of Normandy and the American Cemetary.   In answer to your question regarding ease of arranging tours yourself;  the internet makes everything easy.  The tour operators we contacted were great at communicating.  It does take a bit of a leap of faith that it's all going to work out.  But, the driver of the private car was right where he said he would be.  The driver of the private tour in Invergorden not only was easy to find but very mindful of the time she needed to get us back to the ship.  Remember these people sells tours often by reputation alone.  And they are not looking for bad reviews.  The taxi driver was a bit of an adventure for a couple of older ladies who aren't well traveled.  But, he was a hoot.  I became very fond of taxi travel on these 2 trips.  My best tip: start your planning with by googling "cruise ship shore excursions in..........."  The shore excursion part is important because those tours will be arranged around your time in port.  Other kinds of tours may run too late or too far from where you need to be.   My favorite tours and excursions are always those we arranged ourselves.  On the train to Edinburgh we sat with an 18 year man from Yorkshire.  We had a great conversation, at least what we could understand LOL.  His accent was thick.  We got along so great with the driver of the tour in Invergorden that she made a stop at her house on the way back to the ship so we could meet her cats.  As I mentioned the taxi driver out of Cork was a hoot.  Imagine the look on our faces when asked us, "Excuse me ladies, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?  What religion are you?"  The tour on Guernsey was run by a young man who was a native of the island.  He drove a safari type open-aired vehicle.  One of the stops he made was at a friend or cousins (can't remember) who had a small roadside shop that sold scones and clotted cream and hot chocolate.  Oh my, so good.     Regarding the ship's excursions; if I am going to do one at all I like it to be on a longer day, preferrably with lunch and a good guide who will ply you with all kinds of info you're absolutely sure you'll remember and then let you go off on your own.  Of this trip my favorite ones were the one we took out of Liverpool to Chester, and the 2nd one to the beaches of Normandy.  That woman was the most knowledgeable guide I have ever had on a tour, ever.  Lots of time to explore on our own and lunch, yay.  We took other excursions that were OK, and one or 2 that were just Meh.    

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a thorough response. We had planned to tour Ireland and visit a friend near London in 2020 but Covid stopped that and now we have some other life circumstances that might stand in the way of a a land tour so we decided to look at a cruise that would give us a taste of Ireland and return later for a land tour. I've booked excursions and hired private drivers on previous cruises and they have always turned out well. We're having to plan this very last minute and I'm used to taking months to plan!

On 4/23/2022 at 4:24 PM, majortom10 said: Just be aware that the British Isles cruise in 2022 does not dock in Dublin but Dun Laoghaire which you need a tender to get ashore and then a train into Dublin. This impacts on your actual time in Dublin and what you are able to see.

Thanks for the reminder!

On 4/23/2022 at 6:35 PM, Blondilu said: LOL, what a funny thing to say. Gullible?  Not in the least.  We paid a good price for a tour and got a great tour.  We paid a fair price for a snack and got a really good snack.  Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?  How would who owns it make a difference?  We had a great day.  The scenery was awesome, the company was good, the driver was funny and friendly, I loved his safari jeep. The scones and clotted cream were very good and I got to try something I had never had before.  And no one forced us to buy any.  It was just a stop to use the restroom and take a break from the tour.  We could easily have skipped the treats.  But, why would we have?  They were really good, not very expensive and everybody on the tour sat for awhile in a gorgeous location and just enjoyed the moment.  All in all we got our monies worth and this tour was one of our more memorable.  

I enjoyed reading your response. Many tour guides make stops at places where they have connections, and these can be enjoyable as you pointed out.

On 4/24/2022 at 1:19 PM, georgiacat said: We did a British Isles tour in August, 2018.  Here are my opinions of the excursions/ports:   Cobb, Ireland:  There was no problem finding eCoach tour for Blarney castle.   We walked around the Castle gardens; they were very pretty, but I surely could have used my walking stick here.   The ground was uneven and with lots of rocks and pebbles.   We did not wait in line to climb the stairs for the Blarney Stone.   About an hour wait when we got there and 2 hours when we left.   We went across the street for shopping at the Blarney Woolen Mills.   Wished we could have stopped for a snack, but the guide said we did not have time here.   We rode the bus to Charles Fort.   Bill got off and took pictures; it was misting.   We saw lots of country between Blarney and Kinsale.   We went to the small fishing village of Kinsale for lunch at the White House; this was 3:30 pm.   I had beef and Guiness stew, delicious; Bill had Philly beef steak sandwich with fries.  We arrived back at the ship about 5:30 pm.   Dublin, Ireland:   We did a Princess tour of the Powerscourt Estate Gardens and Dublin.   Powerscourt is an estate in the Wickslow mountains.   It burned down about 1974 and the outside was rebuilt about 1994.   The gardens were beautiful and easier to get around than Blarney gardens.   These had more flowers and statues.   We ate lunch at the café, sandwiches and Diet Coke.   It was good.   The bus returned to Dublin and gave us a tour of the city.   The guide was not very good; she was older than we are, and this is the first time she had worked with this driver (he was nice), maybe the first time for this tour.   Many people did not wish to be dropped off in Dublin, so the driver found the shuttle to the ship for us.   We returned that way about 5:30 pm.   Liverpool, England: We took a FabFour Beatles 3 hour taxi tour (65 pounds) that I had booked online.  It was very good, but lots of getting in and out of the taxi, hard on knees and shoulders.  He told lots of stories of the Beatles childhood and stopped at the early homes and other sites.   I did not enjoy this tour very much, but we took it for my husband.  I would not endorse it.   Belfast, Ireland: No tour scheduled for today.   We took the free shuttle to the center of Belfast.   Then we took the city bus to the Titanic Museum.   At 2 pm we were at the admission window where the earliest admission ticket for the museum was 4:30 pm.   We went to the restroom and shopped in the gift shop.  Then we took the return bus and shuttle to the ship for a late lunch If I could change anything, I would arrange for tickets ahead of time, on-line.  We did not know what we planned for this day, but enjoyed what we saw of the Titanic display.   Greenock, Scotland: This is why I chose this time of year for our cruise.  Wonderful, but once was enough.  Strongly endorse Clyde Coast Tours. Tattoo Day with Clyde Coast Tours Met the bus at 8:30 am for 9 am departure.  Our guide was James (in a kilt, no less).   We stopped at the town of Luss (home of the Colquhoun clan) to admire Loch Lomand, nice lake.  Beautiful scenery and some shopping.   Next we stopped at the viewpoint Inveruglas for another view of Loch Lomand; there were lots of steps and stairs.  At the top most everyone enjoyed a taste of Scottish whiskey. We stopped at the Drover’s Inn for refreshments (diet Coke).  This is an old coaching inn still in use.  It had a lot of stuffed animals.   We stopped at Kilmahog to see the Highland Coos (cows).  They are cute and very shaggy.  I did some shopping at Trossacks Park.  This was the only place I found golf towels in all of Scotland, a big item on my souvenir list that was limited to only one towel.   We arrived at Stirling Castle about 2:15 pm.  We used the restrooms and had lunch (fish sandwiches) in their café.  We toured the castle with a free tour guide; it was very interesting.  I had purchased the Historic Scotland Pass on-line (strongly recommend), so no waiting in line for tickets.   4 pm the bus left for Edinburgh and arrived about 5:15 pm.  James walked us to the front of St. Giles Church where we would be meeting up with him after the Tattoo at 9:30 pm this night.   It was very crowded with people attending not only the Tattoo, but also the Fringe Festival.  We walked around, but did not shop, too crowded.  I did not find any golf stuff.  All of the restaurants were prior reservations only.   We picked up a sandwich and diet Coke for Bill, pastry for me, and a couple of candy bars, just in case, at The Little Inn.  It was cash only, about 20 pounds.  They cleared off some seats and table for us outside.   We joined the long queue across the street on Johnston Terrace for entrance to the Tattoo about 6:10 pm.  It started moving about 6:20-6:30 pm and moved consistently.  We picked up programs (included with our tickets), and went through bag inspection.  Stopped by the restrooms, then found our seats.  They were way up high on row R.  We were seated by 7 pm.   The pretalk started about 7 pm with the dignitary being the Prime Minister of Scotland (a lady in high heels); she walked all the way to the top of the stadium in those heels.   7:30 pm was the start of the show with bagpipes, bands, dancing, drum corps, and other displays.  It was wonderful.  The show concluded about 9:15 pm with fireworks and a lone piper.   We walked back downhill (easier) to our meeting place in front of St. Giles Cathedral.  We were a few minutes late, but not the last ones to get there.  We left the meeting place about 9:50 pm and walked 15-20 minutes to get to our bus.  There were a lot of buses parked on the street in front of the national museum.   The bus left Edinburgh about 10:10 pm and arrived at the ship about 11:50 pm.  We had beautiful weather, cool and warm.  It drizzled a bit on the way to the ship.   Invergordon, Scotland: One of my favorite days:  We walked off the ship about 11:20 am with no tour planned.  We walked around the cute town taking pictures of the wall murals.  We stopped in their museum and went to the craft market; I bought a few things.  We walked down the street and shopped for souvenirs.  The people were very friendly and welcoming.   Edinburgh, Scotland: Of any day, I would change this one to a tour out of town. We took the tender to shore and caught the shuttle bus to the center of town about 10 am.  It was 20 pounds each which included trip in and return from town and the Hop On/Hop Off bus.   The shuttle delivered us to St. Andrews Square, and the driver showed us where to walk to catch the Hop On/Hop Off bus.   We got off at the Castle stop.  I had prepurchased tickets with the Historic Scotland Pass, so we went right into the Castle.  We used the restroom and had lunch (pizza) at the café.   We stood in line for the Crown Jewels, just a crown, scepter, and sword, not as much as England’s.  The road up into the castle was very steep and wet with the rain.  It was wet and windy with steep cobble stone paths in the castle.  We walked through the area where the Tattoo had performed before.   We shopped a little, asking in several stores, but could not find any St. Andrews golf stuff.   We went in St. Giles Cathedral where we had met our guide the other night.  It was lovely.   We caught the Hop On/Hop Off bus back to St. Andrews Square where we caught the shuttle to the 4 pm tender back to the ship.   LeHarvre, France Beaches of Normandy Spearhead Tours (recommended) Our tour left at 8 am.  There was a mini-van with 3 couples.  We had enough room.   We visited the American Cemetery, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, and a couple of churches.  We had lunch at a café Le Roosevelt at Utah Beach.  Our guide and driver Florin had good commentary and stories.  He had a book with pictures of events.   We were not able to visit the museums and no shopping time.  There was a long ride back to the ship, arriving about 5 pm.  We did a lot with the time that we had.   Sorry for the length.  I would do it again with little changes.  I loved this cruise.  

Thanks so much for your detailed description. The last time we visited Scotland, we just missed the Tattoo and it is on my bucket list! I'm glad to hear positive reviews of the cruise. We have had to put off a land tour of Ireland for two years and are now doing some last-minute planning for a vacation so we thought a cruise might be easier to plan for.   

We loved this port intensive itinerary.  We’ve had very good luck with finding a taxi driver who we could book by the hour.  That way we could see what we wanted to see at our own pace.  We had a great driver on our first time in Cobh, and now we call him in advance of a cruise.  He sets up a flexible itinerary for us.   

We did this cruise a few months before covid. It was fabulous. There were six of us and I used toursbylocals at every port. Our only hiccup was Dublin, because of flight delays- we were lucky that the ship overnighted in Dublin the first night before sailing. But we missed our Dublin tour. The Princess insurance kicked in on that adventure. 

I highly recommend toursbylocals for this cruise. 

On 4/23/2022 at 1:37 PM, luvtocruise52 said: We are looking at the 12 Night British Isles Cruise and wonder whether the amount of time in port (usually about 12 hours) allowed you to get a good feel for the area, especially Belfast and Dublin. We're curious what people were able to see and do in each of the ports. (I've read the descriptions of excursions but think personal experience is valuable.) Also, which excursions were the most enjoyable in any of the ports, and was it easy to arrange your own excursion instead of taking the ones offered by the cruise line? Thanks in advance for your feedback.  

Are you staying in London pre cruise?  If yes, how many days?

• 1 year later...

grammawmoses

I have British Isles cruise booked with Princess for May 2024 and have been trying to find out if Hop On Hop Off has stations near cruise terminals. I believe Belfast does but not sure about the others. I have asked Hop On Hop Off but they don't answer questions. They simply respond to all inquiries with the same paragraph that does not answer the question. I see some blogs refer to a shuttle. Are there shuttles at all ports? Thanks for any information you can provide!

NavyVeteran

What to do in Greenock and South Queensferry depends a lot on when you are traveling. If you are there in August during the Tattoo, then I would highly recommend going to the Tattoo. You can either book the ship's tour (which you need to book way in advance) or arrange it on your own.

Normally you would go to the Tattoo from Greenock (near Glasgow) - not from South Queensferry (near Edinburgh). South Queensferry is a tender port for most Princess ships, and they don't like tendering most of the passengers back to the ship at 1:00 am. Although Greenock is farther away, the ship is docked.

You can tell whether an August itinerary is planned for the Tattoo before they list excursions. If the Tattoo is available, the ship will leave Greenock at 2:00 am to give people time to get back. That is the only reason they ever have the 2:00 am departure.

Even if the ship is at South Queensferry during the Tattoo, you can't usually go from there. The ship leaves in the evening before the Tattoo starts.

In addition to going to the Tattoo from Greenock, you need to plan what to do from South Queensferry. It is not a good time to go in to Edinburgh. Because of the Festival, Edinburgh is very, very crowded during that time. You may want to do something that doesn't actually go into the city.

If you're not going to be there in August, then you can ignore everything I just wrote.

We’ve been to most of these ports at least three times.  The best tours we did were small groups with local companies.  The leaders are so friendly, and will customize your visit.  We find a good guide is invaluable; there’s a huge difference between wandering by yourself, and hearing history, stories, anecdotes etc.    

We did walking tours run by a local in both Guernsey and Cobh; found online.  They were great.   Small tours in other places.   

Also, if you plan to do-it-yourself, get as many tickets beforehand as you can for things like Book of Kells.  

Thanks so much!

fruitmachine

10 hours ago, NavyVeteran said: It is not a good time to go in to Edinburgh. Because of the Festival, Edinburgh is very, very crowded during that time. You may want to do something that doesn't actually go into the city.

"Very crowded" is a somewhat relative term, and many would argue that the best time to visit is when we have the world's largest arts festival in progress with, literally, thousands of performances happening every day.  I've been walking or getting the bus into the Royal Mile all this week and I've been out and about each lunchtime and again yesterday evening.  There is no doubt that Edinburgh is at its busiest in August, but there is still plenty of room!  The busiest attraction - the castle - limits the number of tickets sold for ach time-slot, rear-round.  All that happens during August is that they sell out further in advance.

A bit of preparation and some advance booking - an attribute shown in abundance by most folk on Cruise Critic - will stand you in good stead.

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Best Hawaii cruise shore excursions

A Hawaii cruise offers a convenient way to island-hop as you experience Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii from both sea and land — but what exactly should you do while ashore? Choosing a cruise shore excursion in Hawaii can be tough since the 50th State offers a wide range of activities, including snorkeling and whale watching, visits to historic landmarks and sacred Hawaiian sites, and scenic excursions to breathtaking canyons and volcanoes. Foodies, fans of Hollywood blockbusters and thrill-seekers can easily get their fix, too.

With an average of eight to 10 hours on each island — although some cruises do stay overnight in select ports — it's possible to enjoy experiences that not only explore Hawaii's best-known natural, cultural and historic sites but also satisfy your own personal interests.

While shore excursion offerings, itineraries and prices vary by cruise line, here are our overall picks for the best Hawaii cruise shore excursions and what you can expect to pay.

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Prices may vary among third-party sellers, and from cruise line to cruise line. To account for that, we are using the following price key to help you get an idea of the costs to expect for each tour.

• $ = under $70.
• $$ = $70-$140.
• $$$ = $140-$200.
• $$$$ = over $200.

Honolulu, Oahu

Pearl Harbor

Price: $$-$$$

Pearl Harbor, one of Oahu's best-known sights, can be tricky to visit on your own because the historic World War II memorials commemorating the Dec. 7, 1941 bombing by the Japanese are located on an active military base with stringent security protocols. (No bags of any size are allowed and phones and wallets must be carried in a clear plastic bag or in a pocket.) A guided tour will get you into Pearl Harbor in a hassle-free manner and make it easy to visit the multiple sites — the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri battleship, USS Bowfin submarine and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum — with the required reservations already arranged.

Some cruise lines offer multiple Pearl Harbor excursions with variations in the sites visited, so be sure to read tour descriptions carefully. If your cruise begins or ends in Honolulu, Pearl Harbor visits are often offered on embarkation or disembarkation day packaged with a hotel or airport transfer. Other Pearl Harbor shore excursions include a Honolulu city tour that visits Diamond Head Crater and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Important to know: Most Pearl Harbor shore excursions last five to seven hours and are appropriate for all ages. There is quite a bit of walking involved and some stair climbing is required to visit the USS Missouri, where the formal surrender ceremony by the Japanese took place on Sept. 2, 1945, ending WWII. The somber USS Arizona Memorial, where 1,177 sailors and civilians died (many of them entombed in the sunken wreck) is reached by a short boat ride.

Related: Shore excursions: What new cruisers need to know

Diamond Head Crater hike

Diamond Head Crater, the photogenic volcanic landmark seen in many images of Waikiki Beach, isn't just amazing to look at — it's also incredible to climb. Active cruisers can take on the challenge during a guided Diamond Head adventure hike to its 763-foot summit. The payoff? Stunning 360-degree views of Waikiki, downtown Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean.

This excursion requires you to ascend a series of moderate but sometimes uneven switchback trails followed by a walk through a narrow 200-foot tunnel. You'll then climb up two sets of steep stairs (76 steps and 99 steps, respectively). Those who choose the more difficult route to the summit will need to climb the 99 steps and an interior spiral staircase to reach the historic lookout bunkers. If you choose the easier route to the summit up the scenic Loop Trail, you'll then descend into the bunker and down the spiral staircase and 99 steps. You can also retrace your steps and descend on the Loop Trail.

Important to know: Book an early morning tour if it's offered, since temperatures escalate quickly by midmorning; wear sneakers and a hat and bring sunscreen and water. The hike is about 1.6 miles roundtrip and takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the group and the number of people on the trail; total tour time is three to three and a half hours.

Oahu's North Shore tour

If you've visited Honolulu before or simply prefer scenic locales to cities, a good option is a tour that whisks you away from the bustle of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki and through the Ko'oalu Mountains to the immersive beauty of Oahu's North Shore. This lush and dramatic coastline is known for the big waves that pound its beaches from October to March and for its waterfalls, sugarcane fields and historic fish ponds. The region is visually stunning and its small towns offer a chance to sample Hawaiian cuisine, especially garlic shrimp, and shop for locally grown products such as macadamia nuts and pineapples.

Highlights include big-wave surfers riding the famed Banzai Pipeline (during winter months); the Byodo Temple, a Buddhist shrine built amid towering green peaks in 1968 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii; the waterfalls of Waimea Valley; and historic Haleiwa Town.

Important to know: North Shore excursions are typically five to seven hours in length with at least half the time spent on the tour bus. On sailings that end in Honolulu, some cruise lines offer panoramic North Shore tours combined with an airport drop-off (available for those with flights departing after 5:00 p.m.).

Iolani Palace and Hawaiian Monarchs tour

If Hawaii's royal history intrigues you, some cruise lines offer excursions that visit Iolani Palace, the final residence of the islands' kings and queens, and other sites of royal significance. Constructed in 1882, Iolani is the only royal palace in the United States; it was home to King Kalakaua, who built it, and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani, who was imprisoned there after the U.S. annexed Hawaii. A circa-1883 statue of King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in 1810, and Kawaiahao Church, completed in 1842, are also nearby in downtown Honolulu.

Other royal sites that might be visited on a more extensive tour include the Pali Lookout, where Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu in 1795, and Mauna Ala, the royal mausoleum where six of the last eight Hawaiian monarchs are entombed.

Important to know: Most Iolani Palace and royal-focused shore excursions last about four hours and combine a bus tour with a self-guided audio tour of the palace.

Related: 10 cruise ship excursions to avoid

Kahului, Maui

Haleakala Crater

Price: $$$-$$$$

Experiencing Haleakala Crater is on many Maui visitors' must-do lists and there are several ways to visit the slumbering 10,023-foot-tall volcanic peak that dominates the island's landscape. (Don't worry – it last erupted in 1790.) A few shore excursion options require that your cruise ship overnights in Kahului, the main port, or Lahaina, or has a late sail-away time.

Haleakala means "House of the Sun" and perhaps the most surreal experiences are tours at sunrise or sunset (available on sailings that overnight in Maui). To experience sunrise high above the clouds you'll need to depart the ship before 3:00 a.m. and wind your way up Haleakala's curving roadway in total darkness before watching the sun brighten the horizon and illuminate the vast 3,000-feet-deep crater with its dramatic orange-hued cinder cones. In contrast, a sunset tour lets you survey the crater and then watch as the sun disappears below the clouds and the night sky fills with twinkling stars. If you just want to experience Haleakala's scenic slopes and crater in daylight, panoramic sightseeing tours are also available.

If you're more adventurous, there are also Haleakala downhill biking tours, which transport you by minibus to an elevation of 6,500 feet and let you ride 14 miles down the switchback road on Haleakala's slopes amid the farms of Upcountry. Most bike tours do not offer access to the summit and crater.

Important to know: Haleakala tours typically last four to seven hours. Because of Haleakala's high altitude and volcanic nature, they aren't recommended for anyone with respiratory or heart problems. Temperatures are much cooler (45 to 65 degrees) at the summit, so bring a sweater or jacket.

Road to Hana

Driving Maui's legendary Road to Hana, a narrow, twisting, 52-mile route with more than 600 hairpin curves and 59 one-lane bridges, takes considerable concentration — but a Road to Hana tour on a professionally driven minibus frees everyone in your travel group to relax and enjoy the epic scenery along the way. Most cruise lines offer full-day excursions to Hana, a low-key hamlet located on the island's east coast amid jagged volcanic rocks and black-sand beaches.

Besides the thrill of this one-of-a-kind drive, which takes two to three hours to navigate, a Road to Hana excursion offers a chance to experience Maui's splendid bays and lush landscape of lava pinnacles, tropical fruit trees, giant ferns and rushing waterfalls. Highlights include the black-sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park, Pua'a Ka'a State Park and the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe'o Gulch with its multiple cascades and soothing natural pools.

Important to know: Road to Hana excursions typically take nine to 10 hours, include lunch and aren't recommended for anyone prone to motion sickness. Sites visited vary by cruise line and some tours allow time for swimming.

Molokini Crater snorkel

Maui is home to one of the premier snorkel spots in Hawaii: Molokini, a mostly submerged crescent-shaped volcanic islet located about 2.5 miles off Maui's southern coast. This protected marine conservation site is reached via a scenic catamaran sail, during which guides will outfit you with snorkel gear and provide instructions for exploring these crystal-clear reef waters teeming with colorful sea life. Some excursions also visit Turtle Arches, lava formations known for frequent sea turtle sightings, and during humpback season (December to April), it's also possible to spot whales in the area.

Important to know: Molokini Crater snorkel tours are generally four hours long and all equipment, as well as breakfast, lunch or snacks and beverages, are provided. Water conditions can vary, so if seasickness is a problem, take that into consideration before booking.

Related: Ship-sponsored vs. independent shore excursions on cruises: Which should you book?

Whale watching

If you're cruising Hawaii between December and April and you're fascinated by whales, Maui offers a terrific opportunity to see pods of humpbacks in their winter playground. More than 10,000 of these charismatic giants migrate here annually to mate and give birth. Their activities — tail slaps, breaches and calves swimming alongside their mothers — are all on display as you venture out in a whale-watching boat, or perhaps a more adventurous Zodiac. Most tours are led by naturalist guides, and in some cases a portion of the cost is earmarked for conservation through the Pacific Whale Foundation.

Important to know: Expect to spend about three hours at sea as guides search for whales; sightings, while likely, aren't always guaranteed. Water conditions can also vary and seasickness is a possibility.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Waimea Canyon tour

Price: $-$$

Nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon is a 10-mile-long gorge known for the dramatic red and green hues of craggy cliffs that extend up to 3,000 feet below its rim. Located within Waimea Canyon State Park, which now requires reservations for individual visits, this scenic treasure can be viewed from lookout points.

A shore excursion that allows for about 30 minutes of viewing and picture taking is certainly the easiest way to see the canyon from a cruise ship. These tours include lots of scenic touring during the 90-minute drive each way between the cruise terminal and the canyon; many stop at the Spouting Horn blowhole or small towns in Kauai's Koloa district.

But there are caveats, namely that rainy conditions on Kauai, which is Hawaii's wettest island, can fog in the gorge and make for a disappointing outing. Kauai's driest months are April to September.

Important to know: Most Waimea Canyon excursions take four to five hours; some longer Best of Kauai excursions combine a visit to the canyon with a Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto.

Related: Best time to cruise Hawaii

Hollywood in Hawaii tour

Fans of "Jurassic Park" probably know that much of the 1993 Steven Spielberg movie was filmed on Kauai — but a number of other big-screen and TV classics were, too. Movie-set tours are popular excursions, especially for film buffs. These tours take place on minibuses or motor coaches outfitted with TV screens, so you can watch snippets of Hollywood movies where they were filmed and, in some places, get out and snap photos yourself.

Besides "Jurassic Park," other movies and TV shows filmed on the island include "Tropic Thunder," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Six Days and Seven Nights," "Blue Hawaii," "South Pacific," "Donovan's Reef," "Gilligan's Island," "Fantasy Island" and "The Amazing Race."

Important to know: Most movie-set excursions take about five to six hours and primarily involve scenic touring — so even if you haven't seen the movies, it's an entertaining and comfortable way to sightsee Kauai.

Wailua River cruise and Fern Grotto

Price: $$ - $$$

Kauai is home to Hawaii's only navigable river, the Wailua River, which offers access to one of its lushest hidden spots: the Fern Grotto. This excursion combines a relaxing cruise with insights into Hawaiian culture and entertainment in the form of Hawaiian song and dance. The tourist boats that navigate this peaceful river through Wailua River State Park are run by a local family with members providing commentary.

Access to the Fern Grotto, a natural lava-rock cave covered with lush tropical vines, requires a 10-minute walk along a mostly flat, paved and shaded path. Upon arrival at the Fern Grotto, photo ops and additional entertainment await. Wailua River cruise tours also generally stop for picture-taking at Opaeka'a Falls, a 151-foot cascade that plunges into a secluded pool.

Important to know: Most Wailua River and Fern Grotto excursions are three to four hours long. Tours that combine those sights with a tour of Waimea Canyon last about seven hours and include lunch.

 Hilo, Hawaii

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

While Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of Hawaii's most popular tourist attractions, is accessible from both cruise ports on the island of Hawaii, it's a quicker trip (about 30 to 35 minutes' drive each way) from Hilo. Most cruise lines offer excursions, but almost all of them are just a basic introduction that only touches on what this 505-square-mile national park has to offer.

The main activity involves visiting several viewpoints and steam vents on the rim of Kilauea Crater with a guide who offers commentary on this active volcano's history, geology and current status. It's unlikely you'll see molten lava, and most tours do not drive out along the famous Chain of Craters Road. Some tours, however, do include a walk through the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube.

Other longer and more costly excursions of up to seven hours combine a visit to the national park with a helicopter flight-seeing tour and/or stops at various waterfalls or gardens near Hilo.

Important to know: Standard Hawaii Volcanoes National Park tours are about four hours long, and many also make a stop at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center for tastings and shopping. The walk to the rim of the Kilauea crater is mostly on gravel or dirt pathways, but some areas overlooking the crater have potential trip hazards. Also, because the crater emits volcanic gases, these tours aren't advised for people with respiratory issues.

Hilo waterfalls and gardens

Hilo's location on the island of Hawaii's lush leeward side makes it a mecca for cascading waterfalls and verdant gardens. Cruise ship excursions that visit several falls or combine a visit to a single waterfall with a stop at a botanical garden, tropical zoo or orchid farm are popular.

The two major falls near Hilo are the 100-foot Rainbow Falls, which earned its name from the prismatic effect that takes place on sunny mornings, and the powerful Akaka Falls, which is reached via a walk through a tropical forest and tumbles a breathtaking 442 feet. Other tour stops could include Hilo's Liliuokalani Gardens (the largest Japanese garden outside of Japan), the Nani Mau Gardens or the Pana'ewa Rainforest Gardens and Zoo.

Important to know: Waterfalls and gardens shore excursions vary in length from four to seven hours, and participants should expect to be on their feet for a good portion of the tour. Rainbow Falls is easily accessible from the parking lot. To see Akaka Falls, you must navigate quite a few steps and walk a half-mile circular path.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Volcano Winery

The island of Hawaii is home to Volcano Winery, the southernmost winery in the U.S. If sipping vino is a favorite pastime — and you have a curious palate — an excursion here could be a relaxing way to spend a few hours. Volcano Winery, which is family-owned and located at an elevation of 4,000 feet, specializes in tropical blends by mixing distinctive local fruits such as yellow guava and even tea and honey with grape varietals that include Pinot Noir and Cayuga to produce uniquely flavored wines. It also produces some 100% grape wines.

Important to know: Excursions to Volcano Winery are generally three hours long and include a tour of the winery and a tasting.

Kona, Hawaii

Kona Coast snorkel

For passengers who didn't get a chance to snorkel in Maui, the waters just off Kona's rugged lava coast offer another excellent opportunity to spy on Mother Nature's underwater handiwork. Most cruise lines offer a snorkel excursion by catamaran that will allow even novices to don a mask and fins and behold the intricate coral and dazzling reef fish that call the area's tranquil bays and coves home. Dolphin spotting is also possible.

A more adventurous option is a snorkel tour by Zodiac, which combines the thrill of zipping around in a 24-foot motorized raft with enjoying up-close views of coastal caves and lava tubes — and some snorkel time, of course.

Important to know: Most catamaran snorkel excursions are appropriate for all ages, last about four hours and include either breakfast or lunch; all equipment, including flotation aids, is provided and some catamarans are equipped with a diving board and waterslide for added fun. Zodiac excursions are more physically demanding and are not recommended if you have back or neck problems; you also need to be able to climb back into the raft via a small four-rung ladder.

Atlantis Submarine

Price: $$-$$$$

If you've never been in a submarine, Kona offers a chance to see the area's abundant sea life as you venture 100 feet below the surface of the Kona coast's crystal-clear waters. The Atlantis Submarine (also operating on Maui and Oahu) is U.S. Coast Guard-certified, fully air-conditioned and offers individual viewing portholes.

Important to know: Atlantis Submarine excursions last about one and a half hours and are not recommended for anyone prone to claustrophobia or motion sickness; you must be at least 3 feet tall and able to climb a vertical 12-step ladder into and out of the submarine. Excursion costs vary widely from cruise line to cruise line.

Kona coffee tour

Kona is famous for the coffee that grows in its rich volcanic soil, so if you want to taste a cup of Joe right at the source, this port is the place to do it. Cruise lines offer a variety of coffee-themed excursions; some are geared to education about the farming and production process while others focus more on sampling the goods and buying souvenirs to take home.

Some foodie-focused tours combine coffee sipping with locally grown chocolate tastings and visits to Kona-based breweries, while other full-day excursions pair a visit to a coffee farm with a cloud forest tour or a tour of Kona's top historic sights and a snorkel in Kealakekua Bay.

Important info: Kona coffee excursions are mostly three to four hours long. However, costs vary widely depending on the type of excursion, from a simple tasting room visit to a farm-based roasting experience.

Place of Refuge and Painted Church

History buffs will find plenty to love on this guided bus excursion, which visits cultural and religious sites along the Kona Coast. Three key locations are on the itinerary, the first being Kealakekua Bay, where legendary Captain Cook met his demise at the hands of local Hawaiians in 1778 and is memorialized in a monument.

Nearby is the second stop: St. Benedict's Painted Church. While the outside of this small Catholic church built in 1899 looks traditional, the inside dazzles with the artwork of Father John Velghe, a Belgian priest who drew the murals in an effort to teach local Hawaiians how to read.

The third is Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, which means "Place of Refuge at Honaunau." Built in 1650 and carefully restored, this cultural site is an ancient Hawaiian religious sanctuary where the bones of Hawaiian chiefs were once stored. It later became a place of refuge for defeated warriors.

Important to know: Place of Refuge and Painted Church excursions are typically three to four hours long and involve a minimal amount of walking.

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