What to do in the Ports? (British Isles)

[MnkyGirl]

So we did this itinerary last fall. Truly a fantastic cruise in our opinion. Here's what we did and our thoughts:

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
We did the Antrim Coast and Giant's Causeway. We both love hiking and scenic drives so this was a hit for us. (and we got the rare sunny day)
GREENOCK
We did Edinburgh, I was REALLY looking forward to this because I'm a huge history buff, and the place practically oozes history, but honestly, although it's a gorgeous town architecturally, I was personally disappointed in how touristy it was.
LIVERPOOL
We did Liverpool on our own. It was REALLY easy to get around, a LOT to do right at the port. We were some of the first people off the boat and went straight to several Beatles sites (excellent decision on our part because we got pictures without having to wait in lines) We also spent several hours at Western Approaches. Like I said, I'm a HUGE history buff, so this was always the plan in Liverpool. I can NOT overstate how awesome this place was. I've been to a lot of museums, and this ranks WAY up on the list of the best ever.
RINGASKIDDY (CORK), IRELAND
We went to Blarney Castle because they canceled the Tipperary excursion. No, I did not kiss the stone, but the gardens were fun to poke around in...
PORTLAND
So we hit Portland twice on our trip. We did back to back cruises and our stop in Plymouth on the second cruise was redirected to Portland. It was the best thing that could have happened in my opinion. On the first stop, we went to Corfe Castle, and while we really enjoyed clambering around the ruins, the tour guides on this trip were what really made it memorable. lol But I have videos of us driving thru Castletown (literally right there outside of the military base that you dock at) and us discussing how we would have loved the opportunity to stop at the tiny roadside D-Day museum.
Flash forward to the second stop. We ended up with really short notice that the port was changing and they gave us the option to sign up to go see Stonehenge (meh) but told us there were free shuttles to town. Immediately I decided that we HAD to find that museum and go. Turned out to be a BLAST. The founder thought that museums should let you experience and touch things, and now I have a video of me cramming myself into various anti aircraft guns and a tank. LOL We also took the opportunity to see a Tudor Castle, and go to Weymouth to see the famous King George III statue on the boardwalk and do some shopping (we both used to live in England so this was our last chance to stock up on food we can't get in the states)

Basically, I think the key is to find out what you like, and look around for it. A LOT of the ports are easily walkable and you don't need an excursion to have a fantastic day. Two of our favorite stops happened because we stumbled onto things. I found Western Approaches in a book that I read about 6 months before the cruise. I was fully expecting to just take a picture outside the building until I researched and found out that there is a whole HUGE museum in the basement and Portland we got the rare opportunity to redo the stop that we felt we had missed so much of.

 

[Jangles]

From Portland you could visit Salisbury Cathedral (Magna Carta), and visit Longleat House and safari park, which is a brilliant day out.

 

[chiburple]

From Portland you could visit Salisbury Cathedral (Magna Carta), and visit Longleat House and safari park, which is a brilliant day out.

The safari park looks amazing! Do you by chance remember how you got there from the ship?

 

[hmsTigger]

We just booked the 7-night Brittish Isles cruise for next year and we're very excited but also a little intimidated figuring out what to do in each port. Our cruise is making the following stops:

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
GREENOCK
LIVERPOOL
RINGASKIDDY (CORK), IRELAND
PORTLAND

If anyone has been to any of these ports do you have any recommendations for what to do - whether it's a Disney excursion, a non-Disney excursion, or exploring on our own? Would love any tips!

With all of the great suggestions what did you decide for the ports?

 

[chiburple]

With all of the great suggestions what did you decide for the ports?

We ended up picking Disney excursions for each port day. I’ve done ports on my own before but after a bit of research, decided these ports were just easier to do with Disney excursions. How about yourself?

 

[hmsTigger]

Only 1 Disney excusrion to Edinburgh
Meeting family in Belfast for the day
Genealogy research in Cork
Museums in Liverpool
Portland not sure yet.

 

[chiburple]

Only 1 Disney excusrion to Edinburgh
Meeting family in Belfast for the day
Genealogy research in Cork
Museums in Liverpool
Portland not sure yet.

Oh, having an opportunity to meet family at a port must be so fun!

Now that I'm on my computer, I can more easily look up the excursions we booked:

Belfast: Belfast Highlights and Hilsborough Castle (BF06)
Greenock: Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace (GR16)
Liverpool: Liverpool City Panoramic (LP11)
Cobh: A Visit to Blarney Castle (CK23)
Portland: Stonehenge (PT08)

Honestly, I think we'll be exhausted and ready for another vacation by the end! But we'll only get to see these places once so it'll be worth it.

 

[jkeilty]

We're getting so close to our cruise! This is our port plan:

Belfast - port adventure - city walk and pub visit.
Greenock - Train to Glasgow for lunch and touring with a friend from there.
Liverpool - Short day there unfortunately. We're going to visit the British Music Experience and check out the area around the cavern club.
Cobh - port adventure - Cork city drive and Middleton distillery, we're also going to hit the Titanic experience after the excursion.
Portland - We'll take the shuttle to Portland castle and then go check out Weymouth.

I love seeing everyone's plans.

 

[chiburple]

I love seeing everyone's plans.

Me too! Thanks for sharing!!

 

[hmsTigger]

Us too Portland Castle and Weymouth

 

[hmsTigger]

Does anyone know if we need a special adaptor for charging in UK I know we won'r need one on the ship but we are going early and staying after cruise so will we need an special adaptor? Thank you!

 

[chiburple]

Does anyone know if we need a special adaptor for charging in UK I know we won'r need one on the ship but we are going early and staying after cruise so will we need an special adaptor? Thank you!

If I remember correctly, I think you do. But hopefully someone else here is more certain than I am.

 

[CarolynFH]

Does anyone know if we need a special adaptor for charging in UK I know we won'r need one on the ship but we are going early and staying after cruise so will we need an special adaptor? Thank you!

Yes, the electrical outlets in GB are different from those in the US. See this link: https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/us/england/

 

[Jangles]

Does anyone know if we need a special adaptor for charging in UK I know we won'r need one on the ship but we are going early and staying after cruise so will we need an special adaptor? Thank you!

We have three pin plugs but you can buy an adapter locally for a few pounds. Very few hotels here have USB ports.

 

[tidefan]

Oh, having an opportunity to meet family at a port must be so fun!

Now that I'm on my computer, I can more easily look up the excursions we booked:

Belfast: Belfast Highlights and Hilsborough Castle (BF06)
Greenock: Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace (GR16)
Liverpool: Liverpool City Panoramic (LP11)
Cobh: A Visit to Blarney Castle (CK23)
Portland: Stonehenge (PT08)

Honestly, I think we'll be exhausted and ready for another vacation by the end! But we'll only get to see these places once so it'll be worth it.

We did a 12-night British Isles on Regal Princess in May (awesome trip, BTW) and here is what we did:

Portland: Took free shuttle into Weymouth (Went to Marlboro for Fish and Chips)

Guernsey: Walked around St. Peter Port on our own, as well as visit Castle Cornet. Lunch at The Pickled Pig (excellent).

Cork: Some went to Blarney/Kinsale on private tour (Paddywagon), 2 of us took the train to Midleton and did the Jameson Whiskey Tour and Premium Whiskey Tasting.

Dublin: We already had LEAP cards (you can pre-order in the US) so we were able to grab the DART train from Dun Laoghaire. Went to Guinness Storehouse, Pearse-Lyons Distillery, and Grafton Street.

Belfast: Private Giant's Causeway and Titanic Exhibit Tour with Odyssey Tours - Small Bus Excursion. Highly recommended.

Greenock: Took the train into Glasgow for the day from Greenock Central.

Invergordon: Two of us played golf at Golspie Golf Club. Others did private tour of Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch, and Highlands

Edinburgh: X99 bus into town from South Queensferry and then Hop-on Hop-off. Visited Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood House. Did lunch at Greyfriar's Bobby.

Le Havre: Overlord Tours Private Van Tour (Tour #9 - Omaha Beach, American Cemetery, Ponte-du-hoc, Carentan, St. Mere Eglise, Brecourt Manor).

 

[Scottishdisneyfan]

I stay in a small village between Greenock and Glasgow, my wife is a Doctor in Greenock, if anyone isnt venturing too far from Greenock then i recommend Toninios for Pizza, its very close to what you’d get in Naples. A Scottish breakfast roll from the West Station Cafe or an Ice Cream from the esplanade cafe which is near the ship. If anyone wants to visit a really nice castle near the Cruise, then Dumbarton Castle is my childhood hometown Castle, its got bags of history and has amazing views. Kelvingrove and the West End of Glasgow is beautiful, i’d also recommend tracking down Tantrum Doughnuts (city centre of Glasgow and one near Kelvingrove), if you venture into Glasgow, get a fish supper from the University Cafe near Glasgow University (the uni is lovely for a walk about, its near Kelvingrove and the Botanic Gardens). Edinburgh is the tourism fave in Scotland but for me its not worth the extra travel, Stirling has a better castle, Glasgow’s Buchanan Streets architecture is better than princes street and in Glasgow its more about the industrial roots and history, being a republican i dont like the Royal family so wouldnt pay into Holyrood Palace. There are some great golf courses nearby, my home club the Carrick has some spectacular views over loch lomond. Hire a car and drive up the side of Loch lomond to Glen Coe for amazing views.

 

[hmsTigger]

Portland Port Has a really interactive D Day Museum uphill from the castle. It was amazing and the passionate volunteers encourage touching, getting in and out of the jeeps, tanks, bunkers etc. This offered a view into the people of the town during the DDay prep and many days following. Personal views of some of the people, American and British and their contributions. We spent about 1 hr 30 minutes and skipped the castle preferring to visit this museum before going to Weymouth.