In January 2016 we found out about this cruise to the British Isles. A stop in LeHavre/Normandy is what sold us on it.
Finally time to go! We flew to Heathrow and took the National Express bus down to Winchester for two nights before the cruise began. It was a good choice.
Although we were supposed to process in at 3:15 pm we got to the terminal early and was on the ship by 1:30 pm. They get an A for embarkation.
We had room R204. It was an interior, tiny room. There was good storage, though. This was the quietest room that we have ever had on a cruise. We were at the end of the hall at the aft. We didn't hear too many people in the hallways, nor from the room next door. There were some sounds from the crew area, but that wasn't much or very loud. It did make for major hikes to get to the elevators
Ronan was a good tour guide and talked a good bit. We had a nice sunny day to see Blarney Castle and the countryside. The traffic in Cobn was pretty bad.
We just went into the town of Greenock, wanting a shorter day. The town offered a couple of different tours. We were very pleased with the tour of Greenoak and the neighboring town. They asked for donations for the tour.
We shared the taxi with another couple and the driver took us to see standing stones and Skara Brae. My husband enjoyed the tour while I stayed in the Visitor's Center. Price for couple 40 euros.
Walked around town and visited a museum and looked at the murals on several of the buildings. My husband continued walking towards the next town to see a standing rock.
Chilly and misting day. Ship tendered in here. I walked around Queensferry a little. I was surprised that there weren't more store opened since there was a cruise ship in port. I would think they would try to get more of the paseengers to stay in town rather than going to Edinburgh.
My husband took the bus into Edinburgh and visited an art museum, took pictures of the castle and came back. Not a great walking day.
No tour taken. We came into the train station and picked up a taxi to the terminal. 6 pounds. At disembarkation we had the taxi driver drive us back to Winchester instead of to the train station. 30 pounds.