June 5, 2016 - Magic Goes to England, Ireland, Scotland and France

[BadPinkTink]

BadPinkTink - I have been meaning to ask about options for getting from Dublin / Belfast to Dover. Since we are spending the week pre cruise in Ireland we are looking for some options, so far all we see is to London and then down to Dover.

That is correct. Ireland is an island country and is the only country in Europe not connected by an land means. The only way to travel out of Ireland is by flying or by passenger ferry.

You will need to fly to either Heathrow or Gatwick and get a train to Dover.

Airlines Dublin to Heathrow
Air Lingus www.airlingus.com
British Airways www.ba.com

Airlines Dublin to Gatwick
Air Lingus www.airlingus.com
Ryanair www.ryanair.com

The Dublin / London route is a very busy commuter route. The cheapest prices are the advance prices and as the weeks go buy the prices increase. A flight could cost €30 one way 3 months before flying date but could be €200 a few days before flying date. The airlines price the flights and extras individually. The basic price is the flight, tax, is then added, and they charge for checked luggage. You can also pay extra choose your own seat and to have priority boarding.Ryanair have a 15kg checked bag weight limit and 1 checked bag and 1 carry on bag policy. The carry on bag has weight and size limits. One cabin bag weighing up to 10 kg with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, plus 1 small bag up to 35 x 20 x 20 cms may be carried per passenger. Aer Lingus are the same, except their checked bag weight limit is 20kg

Ryanair are a total online airline. You book online and 24 hours before you fly you check in online and print your boarding card at home. When you get to the airport they have a single bag drop desk. If you don't print your boarding card or loose it, they will charge you at the airport to reprint your boarding card. They will also charge you to check in at the airport and for every kg you are over the allowed bag weight limit.

Aer Lingus have both online and airport check in. They also charge you to choose your own seats and for priority boarding and per kg over the allowed bag weight limit.

You will then need to get the train to Dover Priory station, via London St Pancreas. The best place to go for train tickets is http://www.thetrainline.com/ Again the cheapest tickets are the advance tickets , bought 2 weeks or more before travel date.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Just 41 weeks until we set sail.

Thank you Badpinktink for your suggestions. I will look at those.

We too are using Coastal cars from our hotel to the port.

 

[MPS516]

Thanks, I was afraid that flights get no closer than London. I will have to start watching more regular for good one way fares, I have not found good and cheap yet.

 

[gydell]

I will look into that. Did you book them already?

Thanks!

Yes I have. 2 of us £109.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Just 40 weeks until we set sail.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Any ideas for Newcastle?

 

[BadPinkTink]

@Alohagirl73 Have a look here http://www.newcastlegateshead.com/things-to-do Its the official tourist website.

 

[gydell]

We 're doing Newcastle tours -
Angel
cathedral/castle
Washington house
Castle

 

[Alohagirl73]

Thank you!!!

 

[DizC1288]

It shows that we dock at 7am in Dover ~ What time are you planning on having your pick up at?

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

We 're doing Newcastle tours -
Angel
cathedral/castle
Washington house
Castle

Thank you!

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hello All,
My BFF Dalila and I will be cruising with you all! This will be our 3rd Europeon cruise, having cruised the Mediterranean in 2007 and British Isles in 2013. We are super excited for our next adventure.

We will be flying in from Sunny Los Angeles, still looking for places to stay and transportation from LHW to Port.

Darlene

Darlene - welcome to the group - I've added you and Dalila to the Who's Sailing list on the first page of the thread. The Med in 2007 was our first time in Europe and it was such a blast that we've managed to go every three years - we did the Med in 2007, Baltic in 2010, Med in 2013, and now British Isles in 2016. In between, we're poor

 

[nzdisneymom]

It shows that we dock at 7am in Dover ~ What time are you planning on having your pick up at?

Our car service is getting us at 9 AM per their recommendation - we do not have a flight to catch and have no need to rush off the ship in the morning. so the later pick-up time works for us. We're taking the scenic route to Gatwick where we are spending the night at the Hilton at the airport before flying home on Saturday.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I will look into that. Did you book them already?

Thanks!

We are already booked with Coastal Cars for transportation from Gatwick to Dover and back. Our B/B in Dover made the arrangements for the pick-up but we have confirmed it when we made the arrangements for the return trip. So it's not too early to book your transportation.

 

[Alohagirl73]

39 weeks until we set sail for the British Isles!!!!

 

[2littlestitches]

Hi everyone...

We have been debating whether to stay on this cruise or to do an Adventures by Disney trip instead. Looks like the cruise is winning out as of tonight. I just booked a 2 night pre-cruise stay at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London. It is the same hotel we stayed at when we did the Baltic Cruise with DCL a few years back. In fact, it was one of the DCL preferred hotels back then. We loved the location and feel of this modern hotel, so we are coming back for a second time. I still have not booked flights, but YIKES, the prices were sky high when I just checked. I will need to figure out a private transfer to Dover on the morning of the cruise as well.

We were lucky enough to take in a lot of sights last trip, including Abbey Road, the London Eye, Harrod's, Tower of London, Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. It was so much fun! This time, I'm thinking about doing a Harry Potter tour. Not sure what else just yet.

Just saying "hi" and venting slightly on the crazy cost of flights. I didn't book flights since I was unsure if we were keeping this cruise, but now I'm thinking I should've done it sooner.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Glad you are staying 2littlestitches! This cruise should be a blast.

Flights are crazy. We bought ours in July and the price for our flights hasn't changed too much. Still expensive!!!!

 

[fantasmic000]

Darlene - welcome to the group - I've added you and Dalila to the Who's Sailing list on the first page of the thread. The Med in 2007 was our first time in Europe and it was such a blast that we've managed to go every three years - we did the Med in 2007, Baltic in 2010, Med in 2013, and now British Isles in 2016. In between, we're poor

nzdisneymom, I know the feeling! LOL Thank God, Disney allows you payments, as opposed to PIF or I probably wouldn't be cruising.

 

[tinker1bell]

I have booked our flights. Going round trip from Baltimore to Heathrow. Got a fantastic rate!!

 

[Alohagirl73]

Once the plane tickets are booked it seems so much more real. Cannot wait for this cruise.