A Lttle Help Please

DizneyNutz · Mar 28, 2015

We have booked the 12 Night British Isles Cruise next June. This will be our first ever trip to England and we are told we can choose between London Gatwick or Heathrow International Airports. We are coming from the East Coast of USA in North Carolina. Can anyone advise which one you recommend and why? Thank you in advance!

BudgieMama · Mar 28, 2015

My knowledge of US airports isn't great, so I don't know where you want to fly in/out of in the States. If I was choosing solely on which airport I prefer, I'd choose Gatwick. It's much smaller and I find easier to handle than Heathrow. I find the train service better too. Gatwick has everything I need and is mostly pretty efficient if everything is running smoothly.

However, if you need flights to a particular airport in the States, I'd check if there is a direct option and go with that. If I had to choose a direct flight from Heathrow or a non-direct route that required a connection somewhere from Gatwick, I'd choose the direct option, even though I don't like travelling via Heathrow.

DizneyNutz · Mar 28, 2015

Thank You for the valuable information. We agree on the direct flight issue and will have to check on that. We have plenty of time for planning but are excited to experience the destinations on the cruise itinerary.

MsHook · Mar 28, 2015

Definitely pick whichever is more convenient in terms of direct/indirect. Where would your cruise be setting off from? That would be a factor too as the airport options are quite far apart from each other.

In terms of the airport itself - I have always preferred Heathrow. It's much nicer - I've never been a fan of Gatwick as it is a lot smaller (way to have the opposite of the previous posters opinion, lol). That and it always took longer to drive to.

Elise79 · Mar 28, 2015

A lot will depend on where you are flying from in the US. Very few destinations are served by both airports - unless you are looking at indirect flights.

We travel through both and neither is that much better than the other - they are both airports and serve the purpose!

micksn · Mar 28, 2015

If you're heading straight to Dover then Gatwick will be more convenient, but not much more. If you're going into London first then either would be fine, but Heathrow is closer.

DizneyNutz · Mar 28, 2015

MsHook said:
Definitely pick whichever is more convenient in terms of direct/indirect. Where would your cruise be setting off from? That would be a factor too as the airport options are quite far apart from each other.

In terms of the airport itself - I have always preferred Heathrow. It's much nicer - I've never been a fan of Gatwick as it is a lot smaller (way to have the opposite of the previous posters opinion, lol). That and it always took longer to drive to.

Yes direct/indirect will be a huge factor. We are flying out of Raleigh Durham. Thank You

Elise79 said:
A lot will depend on where you are flying from in the US. Very few destinations are served by both airports - unless you are looking at indirect flights.

We travel through both and neither is that much better than the other - they are both airports and serve the purpose!

We will be flying out of Raleigh- Durham. I believe Heathrow definitely is not sure about Gatwick yet? Thank You

micksn said:
If you're heading straight to Dover then Gatwick will be more convenient, but not much more. If you're going into London first then either would be fine, but Heathrow is closer.

We will be heading straight to Dover for the Embarkation. Thank You

DisneyBelle_x · Mar 28, 2015

I'd opt for Heathrow, out of the two its the only one you'll get a direct flight to and then you can get the underground straight to Kings Cross/St Pancreas and the train direct from there to Dover (if thats how to you plan to travel to dover that is)

DizneyNutz · Mar 28, 2015

DisneyBelle_x said:
I'd opt for Heathrow, out of the two its the only one you'll get a direct flight to and then you can get the underground straight to Kings Cross/St Pancreas and the train direct from there to Dover (if thats how to you plan to travel to dover that is)

We will get to the port via Disney Transportation so not worried about the route. I think we will be using Heathrow though. Thanks for the information!.

chmurf · Mar 29, 2015

From RDU your only option direct is to Heathrow

if you want to go to Gatwick you'll have a connection in either Orlando or Tampa

DizneyNutz · Mar 29, 2015

chmurf said:
From RDU your only option direct is to Heathrow

if you want to go to Gatwick you'll have a connection in either Orlando or Tampa

Thank you for this information. Everyone has provided us great information and been very helpful. Thanks to ALL!

~Piglet~ · Mar 29, 2015

I'm looking forward to seeing the Magic cruising up the Mersey (Liverpool), hope she blows her horn :goodvibes

DizneyNutz · Mar 29, 2015

~Piglet~ said:
I'm looking forward to seeing the Magic cruising up the Mersey (Liverpool), hope she blows her horn

We are sooooo excited to see ALL of the stops on the itinerary! Maybe the captain will sound the horn on approach? Everything looks so beautiful and we can't wait experience the trip! Everyone has been very helpful with information on our question. Thanks

~Piglet~ · Mar 30, 2015

DizneyNutz said:
Maybe the captain will sound the horn on approach? Everything looks so beautiful and we can't wait experience the trip! Everyone has been very helpful with information on our question. Thanks

Oooh, I hope so! it gives me goosebumps to hear it :goodvibes

We did briefly toy with the idea of signing up for this cruise - handy to nip home halfway through! but not really an option as it's outside of UK school holidays. Would love to do another DCL cruise though.

Plenty to see and do in Liverpool and the dock is right at the heart of the City so you should be able to fit in a fair bit of sightseeing

DizneyNutz · Mar 30, 2015

Wonderful

~Piglet~ said:
Oooh, I hope so! it gives me goosebumps to hear it We did briefly toy with the idea of signing up for this cruise - handy to nip home halfway through! but not really an option as it's outside of UK school holidays. Would love to do another DCL cruise though.

Plenty to see and do in Liverpool and the dock is right at the heart of the City so you should be able to fit in a fair bit of sightseeing

Wonderful news about Liverpool! Thanks. Can you advise if there are hotel accommodations at the Heathrow Airport? Thanks in advance.

~Piglet~ · Mar 31, 2015

DizneyNutz said:
Wonderful news about Liverpool! Thanks. Can you advise if there are hotel accommodations at the Heathrow Airport? Thanks in advance.

I've only even been to Heathrow to pick up, but I'm sure there is a Hilton there. Google will know for sure

If you have any Liverpool related questions when you start your planning then ask away :goodvibes

DisneyBelle_x · Mar 31, 2015

There are plenty of hotel choices at Heathrow airport

scoobydooby · Mar 31, 2015

There is a Marriot close to Heathrow which is good. It's just off the M4, two motorway junctions. About a 10 minutes drive, perhaps 6 miles. There is a shuttle bus. Decent Brasserie restaurant and a pool. Heathrow Windsor Marriot Hotel if you google it. I have stayed there recently and it was in nice condition. In Liverpool there is a fabulous buffet restaurant that serves a massive range of different cuisines. I will dwell on the name and re post when I recall it. Enjoy your trip

A Lttle Help Please

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