British Isles Cruise Questions

[eeyore29]

If we take this cruise next year...

Should we fly into Heathrow or Gatwick? What's the easiest way from that airport to the Dover port area?

Which hotel do you recommend in Dover for the night before the cruise? And then how do we get from the hotel to the cruise terminal?

Regarding excursions...

In Greenock, do you recommend Edinburgh castle or Stirling castle? (DD will be 9 at the time)

None of the Liverpool excursions really excite DH. Is there a lot of kid-friendly things to do/see within walking distance of the port?

Lastly (for now; I'm sure I'll come up with more questions later), with how far the airports are from Dover, what's the earliest flight we should book back to the US?

 

[gilsan]

The airports are far from Dover, we are booked on the cruise and I read that the earliest flight they recommend is after 3pm.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The earliest flight I'd book back to the US is several days later. Hop up to London!

 

[lorimay]

On this cruise too..... so excited!!

 

[janiebubble]

I live very close to Liverpool. There is quite a lot to do within walking distance of the port (we usually park in the cruise terminal car park when we are shopping in the city as it's much cheaper!!)

There is a large very family friendly museum about 5 minutes walk away - the Museum of Liverpool http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/

Behind that is the Maritime Museum http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime/index.aspx

They are part of the Albert Dock complex http://www.albertdock.com/ which also houses the Tate Liverpool http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool which is the Northern branch of the Tate galleries from London - modern and contemporary art. Apart from some exhibitions in the Tate these are all free museums and galleries. You could easily entertain your children there through the day!

Just opposite the Albert Dock is the Liverpool One outdoor mall, you'll find the Disney Store, a Lego store and a variety of shops (some familiar some U.K. Specific) a cinema, mini golf, and a restaurant terrace. https://www.liverpool-one.com/

You can also get a ferry across the Merseyside or a river cruise from the Pier Head - literally outside the terminal http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/Pages/default.aspx
They do combine tickets to Space Port and a U Boat museum (details on the website)

Hope that gives you some ideas of what you can do literally on your doorstep

If you want more information please let me know

 

[janiebubble]

Oh and in Dover I would recommend the Premier Inn, it's a budget chain but they do family rooms and they're right on the harbour, this was my view from the room (top) and the car park (bottom) when we stayed there in 2015

 

[abja09]

I am taking a DCL cruise this summer from Dover to Norway and Iceland. I am flying into Heathrow. We are staying at the Sofitel in Heathrow for the night and I am taking a Disney transportation to the port in Dover the next morning. Probably not the cheapest option but it's the easiest for me. From what I have read the port is about 2 hours from Heathrow.

 

[disneypaws]

Hello I live in Edinburgh - Greenock is on the other side of Scotland (which is small distances compared to USA but will still be quite a while on transportation). Stirling castle is closer and Stirling is a nice place but if time allows come to Edinburgh! The castle is right in the centre of the city and there is so much to see and do!

 

[LeslieG]

I am taking a DCL cruise this summer from Dover to Norway and Iceland. I am flying into Heathrow. We are staying at the Sofitel in Heathrow for the night and I am taking a Disney transportation to the port in Dover the next morning. Probably not the cheapest option but it's the easiest for me. From what I have read the port is about 2 hours from Heathrow.

Do you know how much DCL is charging for the transfers from Heathrow to Dover?

 

[abja09]

Yes it is $75 each way per person

 

[ketwinn]

Following because I'm on this too!!

 

[eeyore29]

Thanks for all the great info so far! Thought of another question...

If we stay at an airport hotel the night before so that we can take the DCL bus to port on the day of the cruise, is there an easy way to sightsee in London for the day? We were thinking of something like a double decker bus tour so we can see as much as possible in that one day before the cruise. We can't really add more days because of DD's school schedule.

 

[abja09]

Thanks for all the great info so far! Thought of another question...

If we stay at an airport hotel the night before so that we can take the DCL bus to port on the day of the cruise, is there an easy way to sightsee in London for the day? We were thinking of something like a double decker bus tour so we can see as much as possible in that one day before the cruise. We can't really add more days because of DD's school schedule.

That what we are doing! I found a lot of great information on Cruise Critic under ports of call - Europe.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The Express from Heathrow to London Paddington is quite express (20 minutes!) and is the fastest option from Heathrow. I am less familiar with the Gatwick options but feel fairly confident something similar is offered. That said, you do pay for speed: https://www.heathrowexpress.com/tickets-deals/prices-fares.

Heathrow Connect is 30-50 minutes to Paddington, but is hella cheaper.

Cheapest, slowest option is the Underground from Heathrow.

I'd opt for Connect or Express, depending on your budgetary tolerance. I feel pretty confident you could book a bus tour from Paddington. Otherwise, you could hop the Underground and do a little self-touring by going down to the Trafalgar Square area, then walking up Whitehall past Number 10, then do the Birdcage Walk from Big Ben to the Palace. Walk back along the Mall. From that area, it's also easy to pop over to the Abbey or Piccadilly Circus if you must.

 

[woody64]

I highly recommend Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument (a hike up just to the base but spectacular view), and nearby Doune Castle (Monty Python and Outlander; also the original Winterfell in GoT). We hired a private car from a tour company if you want info as we sailed on a different line last summer.

 

[rpcvpanama]

I have done both Stirling and Edinburgh castles. I would suggest going to Edinburgh. The Old Town area is lovely and you can walk down to Holyrood Palace at the end of the Royal Mile (I think it is called) and do that too if you have time. When we were in Edinburgh the Queen was in town so we did not get to see Holyrood but there was more than enough to see in the Old Town area. We hired a local guide (Tours by Locals) to take us around the Royal Mile area and then we did Edinburgh Castle on our own.