Going ashore- Dublin, Belfast, Greenock
Stan Lewandowski
leaving Copenhagen on August 24.
We have decided what we want to do in most of the ports, but are
undecided for Dublin, Belfast, and Greenock, Scotland (for Edinburgh).
If these towns are walkable, we'd probably like to do that. But, how
to get to town in these ports. I know Edinburgh is quite a ways from
Greenock, and we were wondering about hiring a car and driver for the
round trip to Edinburgh. Anyone have any idea about the cost, and how
to go about hiring?
Also, do you know where the ships dock in Dublin and Belfast? Can we
just do a cab to the center of town? Are these cities compact enough
to just do a walking tour?
Two years ago, we took the ship's transport to Florence, Italy, and
thought that we were able to do a better job of seeing the sites on
our own than if we had gone on a ship's tour, and therefore are
interested in trying it again.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.
Diane
Stan Lewandowski wrote:
>
> We will be taking a transatlantic cruise on the Crown Princess,
> leaving Copenhagen on August 24.
>
> We have decided what we want to do in most of the ports, but are
> undecided for Dublin, Belfast, and Greenock, Scotland (for Edinburgh).
>
> If these towns are walkable, we'd probably like to do that. But, how
> to get to town in these ports. I know Edinburgh is quite a ways from
> Greenock, and we were wondering about hiring a car and driver for the
> round trip to Edinburgh. Anyone have any idea about the cost, and how
> to go about hiring?
>
I found a company on the internet. Look for companies for hire using
Glasgow as the basis. Don't use Edinburgh. By the way, it is quite a
distance. We went to Loch Lomond instead.
> Also, do you know where the ships dock in Dublin and Belfast? Can we
> just do a cab to the center of town? Are these cities compact enough
> to just do a walking tour?
In Belfast, it's not more than a few miles to town center. You can do
things on your own in town. There should be a free shuttle into town
from the docks, which are just past H&W -- shipyard for many famous
ships such as the Titanic. If you've never seen Giant's Causeway, take
that excursion instead of staying in Belfast. Belfast is OK, but the
Causeway is spectacular, and well worth the money.
In Dublin, again you are not that far from town. Take the shuttle and
have at it. It's a great place to do things on your own, and very
walkable.
Diane
Panierbo2
it was like $ 4 each way. easy to walk about and see dublin also looked into
train and car etc to get to edingburh? from glasgow about 1 hr plus and at the
time the ship transport on your own ended up being the cheapest way for us to
get there. surprisingly. saved us the most time and edingburgh was very easy to
waaalk about in also.. patti
Stan Lewandowski
>
> I found a company on the internet. Look for companies for hire using
> Glasgow as the basis. Don't use Edinburgh. By the way, it is quite a
> distance. We went to Loch Lomond instead.
>
>
> > Also, do you know where the ships dock in Dublin and Belfast? Can we
> > just do a cab to the center of town? Are these cities compact enough
> > to just do a walking tour?
>
> In Belfast, it's not more than a few miles to town center. You can do
> things on your own in town. There should be a free shuttle into town
> from the docks, which are just past H&W -- shipyard for many famous
> ships such as the Titanic. If you've never seen Giant's Causeway, take
> that excursion instead of staying in Belfast. Belfast is OK, but the
> Causeway is spectacular, and well worth the money.
>
> In Dublin, again you are not that far from town. Take the shuttle and
> have at it. It's a great place to do things on your own, and very
> walkable.
>
> Diane
Diane, thanks very much for the information. Do you have more
information on the cars for hire on the internet?
Did you take a Princess cruise, when you visited these ports? We are
getting really anxious now that we are only about 60 days out.
Thanks again,
Stan
villa deauville
If it is humanly possible do try to get to Edinburgh. It is a
beautiful city melding old and new together. The last three weeks in
August Edinburgh becomes one big street show. Strolling musicians,
artists painting on the sidewalks, theatres performing 24 hours with a
different show at each performance. It really is worth the visit
SUNNY<........bought a picture of the Tattoo for $2 and it cost $60 for
the frame. Well worth it
diane5511
sta...@mediaone.net says...
>
>Diane <dian...@home.com> wrote in message news:<3B312B28...@home.com>...
>>
>> I found a company on the internet. Look for companies for hire using
>> Glasgow as the basis. Don't use Edinburgh. By the way, it is quite a
>> distance. We went to Loch Lomond instead.
>>
>>
>> > Also, do you know where the ships dock in Dublin and Belfast? Can we
>> > just do a cab to the center of town? Are these cities compact enough
>> > to just do a walking tour?
>>
>> In Belfast, it's not more than a few miles to town center. You can do
>> things on your own in town. There should be a free shuttle into town
>> from the docks, which are just past H&W -- shipyard for many famous
>> ships such as the Titanic. If you've never seen Giant's Causeway, take
>> that excursion instead of staying in Belfast. Belfast is OK, but the
>> Causeway is spectacular, and well worth the money.
>>
>> In Dublin, again you are not that far from town. Take the shuttle and
>> have at it. It's a great place to do things on your own, and very
>> walkable.
>>
>> Diane
>
>Diane, thanks very much for the information. Do you have more
>information on the cars for hire on the internet?
>
I used a company called Heritage, but he said he was leaving the business. I
see he is still on the web though. Arden and Apex are supposed to be good.
Four of us shared a van and did our own itinerary. Rates are like 25 Pounds per
hour for a chaufferred van. Unless you have 12 hours in port, the time to and
from Edinburgh is a waste. We chose to do the Trossachs, Loch Lomond, and tour
the Cathedral in Glasgow after lunch at a pub.
Save Edinburgh for when you have days in Scotland. 4-5 hours won't do it
justice and you will be exhausted.
>Did you take a Princess cruise, when you visited these ports? We are
>getting really anxious now that we are only about 60 days out.
>
We did the Maasdam's itinerary Route of the Northern Discoverers from Copenhagan
to New York by way of almost every island out there in the North Atlantic ;-)
At least it seemed like we went everywhere. After leaving Scandinavia, we hit
Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland and then stopped at Newfoundland before
finishing. Loved it, particularly Iceland and the scenic cruising off
Greenland. Loved Frognerpark in Oslo.
Diane
>Thanks again,
>
>Stan
Stan Lewandowski
We'll definitely be doing Edinburgh, since my daughter spent a
semester studying at the University of Stirling, and said we simply
could not miss Edinburgh. It's about one and a quarter hour ride from
the port according to Princess, so that's not too bad. Maybe we'll
like Edinburgh so much we'll have to plan a trip just for Scotland.
I'm also jealous of those of you who get to cruise so much. Last
cruise was in 1999, so we're really looking for some good relaxing
time.
Thanks again,
Stan in Chicago
villa deauville
I know you will not be disappointed you chose to go to Edinburgh. We
spent ten days there. It was a magical trip. We took the Flying
Scotsman train from London and toured the highlands and lowlands. My
husband golfed at St. Andrews (he has a certificate to prove it) and I
know you will return there.
SUNNY<........hopes the next time you go you can stay longer. Try to go
in August to partake of the Festival and to see the Military Tattoo that
is presented at Edinburgh Castle.
Deer Running
from sta...@mediaone.net (Stan Lewandowski) contains these words:
> We'll definitely be doing Edinburgh, since my daughter spent a
> semester studying at the University of Stirling, and said we simply
> could not miss Edinburgh. It's about one and a quarter hour ride from
> the port according to Princess, so that's not too bad. Maybe we'll
> like Edinburgh so much we'll have to plan a trip just for Scotland.
I did do a post with some links on thursday but it seems to have gone
down a black hole:( Anyway..
A 'must see' in Edinburgh is the Royal Yacht Britannia
http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
and Our Dynamic Earth http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/dynamic.html is well
worth a trip, but I doubt you'd have time for that:(
http://www.edinburgh.org/ will give you lots of information on
attractions and some vouchers. Though perhaps a visit to the castle and
a walk down Princes Street is enough. If you click on the tours section
there is a list of companies offering private tours etc.
http://www.edinburghairport.org.uk and click on tourism at the
top...gives a few links with ghost walks and witchery tours amongst
them.
Also see
http://www.rampantscotland.com/tourism.htm
http://scottishculture.about.com/library/blvisit_ayr.htm
There is a Scottish Tour Guide Association if you want your own personal
tour guide, phone no: +44 131 453 1297 . I can't find a specific
website, but a search on that brings up many guides who are registered
with them. May find one for that area, or give them a call.
Pam