Liverpool Excursions - Beatles tour

[iadizfans]

Hi all - DW and I are looking at the Sep. 2, 2018 Magic sailing as it has stops in some of our "bucket list" spots - Ireland, Scotland, & Liverpool. As a lifelong Beatles fan, the thought of exploring the Cavern Club and some of their hangouts is really exciting. I've done a little research of course but still have a couple of questions I'm hoping my Disboards friends can answer.

The excursion I'm looking at is - "In the Steps of Beatles" There's about 3 or 4 versions of that excursion (Adults Only, Small Group, etc...)

• Anyone do the small group? Is it worth the additional cost? Almost twice the price. May be a tough question to answer since its not likely anyone has done both...
• Did the tour stop at St. Peter's Woolton? This is where John and Paul met and is very high on my radar.
• Anything of interest outside of Beatles stuff? Would like to stop at an English Pub. Maybe there's a pub near the dock we could visit on our own after the tour?

Any input on the stop in Liverpool is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[bbel]

I'm not too sure about the beetles stuff, but there is a pretty cool statue of them almost next to where you dock.

As for a pub, we went to wetherspoons. It's not really a traditional pub (it's a big nation wide chain). We went because we're crew and they sell really cheap food (but not great food) and have free WiFi.
However they do always have a good selection on local and national ales if that's what you want.
From what I remember there was more of a traditional pub almost opposite, but it didn't look too inviting, as in its traditional, not the cosy country types you see in movies haha.
Both were just a walk up through the shopping centre more into the city.

I can try and help with other Liverpool questions if you want, I have a couple of friends that went to uni there so I've visited a few times, but I'm no expert, definitely have more knowledge of Dover and that end of the country haha

 

[iadizfans]

I'm not too sure about the beetles stuff, but there is a pretty cool statue of them almost next to where you dock.

As for a pub, we went to wetherspoons. It's not really a traditional pub (it's a big nation wide chain). We went because we're crew and they sell really cheap food (but not great food) and have free WiFi.
However they do always have a good selection on local and national ales if that's what you want.
From what I remember there was more of a traditional pub almost opposite, but it didn't look too inviting, as in its traditional, not the cosy country types you see in movies haha.
Both were just a walk up through the shopping centre more into the city.

I can try and help with other Liverpool questions if you want, I have a couple of friends that went to uni there so I've visited a few times, but I'm no expert, definitely have more knowledge of Dover and that end of the country haha

Thanks bbel... Let me know if you come across anymore useful info.

 

[RedSox68]

Hi all - DW and I are looking at the Sep. 2, 2018 Magic sailing as it has stops in some of our "bucket list" spots - Ireland, Scotland, & Liverpool. As a lifelong Beatles fan, the thought of exploring the Cavern Club and some of their hangouts is really exciting. I've done a little research of course but still have a couple of questions I'm hoping my Disboards friends can answer.

The excursion I'm looking at is - "In the Steps of Beatles" There's about 3 or 4 versions of that excursion (Adults Only, Small Group, etc...)

• Anyone do the small group? Is it worth the additional cost? Almost twice the price. May be a tough question to answer since its not likely anyone has done both...
• Did the tour stop at St. Peter's Woolton? This is where John and Paul met and is very high on my radar.
• Anything of interest outside of Beatles stuff? Would like to stop at an English Pub. Maybe there's a pub near the dock we could visit on our own after the tour?

Any input on the stop in Liverpool is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

We decided to venture on our own and book a private vendor in Liverpool - the Fab Four tours. Best decision we've ever made. The tour was incredible - which was due in large part to our guide. He fed on my excitement and lifelong dream to see Liverpool. He took us to St. Peter's, Strawberry Fields, the whole neighborhood of Penny Lane (the barbershop is still there), all of their homes except George's because the neighborhood is unsafe. We did not opt for The Cavern Club because (1) it was out of the way and we would have had to give up other things and (2) it wasn't open then so we'd only be able to see outside. We loved the port of Liverpool. At the end of the tour we had him drop us off at the Beatles Experience, but the line was ridiculous and so was the price, and then we realized we'd already seen it all so why fake it. We walked back to the ship from there, shopping along the way, and it was just a beautiful walk.

 

[iadizfans]

We decided to venture on our own and book a private vendor in Liverpool - the Fab Four tours. Best decision we've ever made. The tour was incredible - which was due in large part to our guide. He fed on my excitement and lifelong dream to see Liverpool. He took us to St. Peter's, Strawberry Fields, the whole neighborhood of Penny Lane (the barbershop is still there), all of their homes except George's because the neighborhood is unsafe. We did not opt for The Cavern Club because (1) it was out of the way and we would have had to give up other things and (2) it wasn't open then so we'd only be able to see outside. We loved the port of Liverpool. At the end of the tour we had him drop us off at the Beatles Experience, but the line was ridiculous and so was the price, and then we realized we'd already seen it all so why fake it. We walked back to the ship from there, shopping along the way, and it was just a beautiful walk.

Really great suggestion.... Just checked their website.... Looks like this is exactly what I was looking for at more reasonable price.

 

[RedSox68]

Really great suggestion.... Just checked their website.... Looks like this is exactly what I was looking for at more reasonable price.

Yes, more reasonably priced AND the tour is all yours -- what you want, how long you want to stay places, etc. As I get older and know some of these places may be my only chance, I want to stop and take pictures and visit sights I'm interested in and not be at the whim of 20 other people.

 

[janiebubble]

Loads of pubs in the vicinity, Liverpool is my home town so let me know what you're looking for and I'll recommend some if you want

 

[iadizfans]

Loads of pubs in the vicinity, Liverpool is my home town so let me know what you're looking for and I'll recommend some if you want

Thanks!! Looking for a "traditional English Pub" with a nice selection of ales on tap and decent food. Walking distance (1-2km) from dock would be ideal. This will be our first trip to the UK so any advice is welcome. Thanks again!

 

[iadizfans]

Yes, more reasonably priced AND the tour is all yours -- what you want, how long you want to stay places, etc. As I get older and know some of these places may be my only chance, I want to stop and take pictures and visit sights I'm interested in and not be at the whim of 20 other people.

"At my own pace" is exactly what I'm what I'm looking for. I may want to explore Strawberry Fields or St. Peters a little more than others. My fear was the authorized cruise excursion would just drive by and say... "Look.. there's the church grounds where John and Paul first met."

 

[RedSox68]

"At my own pace" is exactly what I'm what I'm looking for. I may want to explore Strawberry Fields or St. Peters a little more than others. My fear was the authorized cruise excursion would just drive by and say... "Look.. there's the church grounds where John and Paul first met."

We had several bus tours pull up while we stood in the driveway of Ringo's house and only allowed them to take pictures and drive away. No one on those buses that pulled up got out at Paul's home either but we got to walk right up to the front of it and get some great pictures. Now we were not allowed inside any of the homes as they are residences, not museums, and Strawberry Fields is behind a locked iron gate, but you can see in and get pictures. Of course, you have to stop and get a picture of the Penny Lane sign too. And if you go private, ask the driver if you can stop at the Liverpool Cathedral (an architectural wonder and just gorgeous) http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/home/visiting-us/a-great-place-to-visit.aspx . While not a Beatles stop, our driver insisted on showing it to us and we were so happy he did. Also, we got to see the hospital where John Lennon was born https://www.google.com/search?q=hospital+where+John+Lennon+was+born&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 (Liverpool Maternity Hospital) which actually has a memorial plaque to John Lennon on the outside and which still shows the marks and scars from the Blitz.

 

[iadizfans]

We had several bus tours pull up while we stood in the driveway of Ringo's house and only allowed them to take pictures and drive away. No one on those buses that pulled up got out at Paul's home either but we got to walk right up to the front of it and get some great pictures. Now we were not allowed inside any of the homes as they are residences, not museums, and Strawberry Fields is behind a locked iron gate, but you can see in and get pictures. Of course, you have to stop and get a picture of the Penny Lane sign too. And if you go private, ask the driver if you can stop at the Liverpool Cathedral (an architectural wonder and just gorgeous) http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/home/visiting-us/a-great-place-to-visit.aspx . While not a Beatles stop, our driver insisted on showing it to us and we were so happy he did. Also, we got to see the hospital where John Lennon was born https://www.google.com/search?q=hospital+where+John+Lennon+was+born&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 (Liverpool Maternity Hospital) which actually has a memorial plaque to John Lennon on the outside and which still shows the marks and scars from the Blitz.

Again... really good info. I had not yet heard of the cathedral but it definitely looks like a must do. Thanks so much!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Looking for a "traditional English Pub" with a nice selection of ales on tap and decent food.

A truly traditional English pub will have decidedly not decent food by most definitions.

(Black pudding! Toad in the hole! Bangers! At one point, a British objection to EU rules was that they'd "mean the end of the traditional English banger." The rules were pretty tame by US sausage standards.)

 

[iadizfans]

A truly traditional English pub will have decidedly not decent food by most definitions.

(Black pudding! Toad in the hole! Bangers! At one point, a British objection to EU rules was that they'd "mean the end of the traditional English banger." The rules were pretty tame by US sausage standards.)

LOL.... Yep... I kind of figured. Maybe we don't want anything too "traditional." Perhaps something between a truly traditional English Pub and your average tourist trap. I will say, we've had Black pudding, Bangers & Mash, and Bubble & Squeak at a couple of different bed and breakfasts over here in the U.S. but I know that probably does not prepare us for the food over in the U.K.

 

[iadizfans]

Can you believe it's been 50 yrs since Pepper's release? Am I really that old??

 

[RedSox68]

Can you believe it's been 50 yrs since Pepper's release? Am I really that old??

I'm right up there with you! But what a great time to be young!

 

[Debbru]

I know you were asking about English pubs but while you're in Dublin you might want to check out the Brazen Head. It's the oldest pub in Ireland (1198) & truly incredible. We were on the HOHO bus and it was a couple of blocks from one of the stops.

 

[jrabbit]

Can you believe it's been 50 yrs since Pepper's release? Am I really that old??

I'm right up there with you! But what a great time to be young!

No I can't beleive that it's been that long!!!
No I AM NOT THAT OLD ... JK

and to add that if you are in London, Check Out London Walks. They have a couple of Beatles walking tours. We did one of them (don't remember which one) and it was FABULOUS
The Beatles: In My Life
The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour

 

[bumbershoot]

A truly traditional English pub will have decidedly not decent food by most definitions.

lol.


OP, with any nonoffixial tour, if this is a day on a port stop, pay attention to time. Know what time you have to be back on the ship and know where you are in town and how long to get back to port. You don't have the protection of the cruise line so you need to be vigilant about staying in time.

A great tour operator will have this in mind (they do NOT want a "we missed the ship" review!) but you should pay attention as well.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Bubble & Squeak!

 

[lorimay]

We decided to venture on our own and book a private vendor in Liverpool - the Fab Four tours. Best decision we've ever made. The tour was incredible - which was due in large part to our guide. He fed on my excitement and lifelong dream to see Liverpool. He took us to St. Peter's, Strawberry Fields, the whole neighborhood of Penny Lane (the barbershop is still there), all of their homes except George's because the neighborhood is unsafe. We did not opt for The Cavern Club because (1) it was out of the way and we would have had to give up other things and (2) it wasn't open then so we'd only be able to see outside. We loved the port of Liverpool. At the end of the tour we had him drop us off at the Beatles Experience, but the line was ridiculous and so was the price, and then we realized we'd already seen it all so why fake it. We walked back to the ship from there, shopping along the way, and it was just a beautiful walk.

This sounds great, exactly what we want.
Thank you!