Royal Princess Review
The Royal Isles Voyage on Royal Princess
Rating by category
Additional details
I wanted to repeat this voyage (prev Golden Princess some 7 or 8 years ago), and decided either Britannia (3rd member of RP Class P&O UK) or Royal Princess. - In the end Royal Princess was the best for us.
Spent the night pre Cruise in Fareham nr Southampton - Red Lion Hotel, very good indeed, dropped our bags at the terminal at 11:00, then took our car back to Southampton Airport, (parking half that of what CPS were charging) then bus directly to dock gate 4, took taxi on way back saved over £35.00 UK.
Check in was brilliant (Elite) 4 desks open little queue, on board in 25 minutes from terminal entrance to Cabin Door, and baggage waiting (P&O if someone is reading as Princess's sister company why cannot you do this too?????) Getting off was again exceptionally easy booked for 07:20 off at 07:05 no queuing.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Cabin was as the brochure suggested on the Rivera Deck Aft. Surprisingly a little vibration from the machinery when leaving and entering port, otherwise great. Well laid out loads of storage space, balcony was small, however given the cold etc, wasn't able to use it to its full potential
Port Reviews
St. Peter Port (Guernsey)
Used the public transport around island bus UK£1:00 per person....then walked to next village and back to ST Peter Port. St. Peter Port compact, nice place, and of course duty free.
Dublin
Anchored off Dun Laoghire, been to Dublin many times so took dart train to Bray, and walked Wicklow Way to Greystone's 4 miles takes 1.5 to 2 hrs along the cliff top, fantastic scenery, train fare was Irish Euro's 12.00 . Walked around Dun Laoghire when we got back, lunch in local pub
Liverpool
Know Liverpool well, so took train to Chester (UK£9.80 for 2 return). city centre is 5 minutes walk from Chester Station, Chester is a walled city so hiked around the walls then some shopping therapy for my other half, then some Beer therapy for me. Back to Liverpool and into City Centre, the down to docks for a walk around the historic area.
Belfast
Sadly a total shambles, brought about mainly by the late arrival, and no organisation by the Belfast Port authority, the terminal is a small plastic tent, only one police person attempting to sort out either queue's for taxi's or shuttle buses. Decided to walk a bit and managed to stop a taxi heading to the berth. As we did not arrive until 18:45 and sailed at 00:00, went straight to the famous Crown Bar opposite Belfast's Opera House.....truly a fine hostelry (that's a pub to our North American colonists)
Invergordon (Inverness)
Invergordon is not the centre of the universe, however as we had been to Inverness before decided to stay in the village - yes that is what Invergordon is. walked along to Saltburn the next village the to lunc in the 'Tucker Inn'
Edinburgh (South Queensferry)
Took the train from Delmany Station - 10 minutes walk from the pier, (14:00 x 2 day return) then walked up to the Castle - spent morning in the Castle awesome...watched changing of the guard etc. The along Princess Street (shopping), and onto Rose Street - lunch at Dirty Dick's tavern - excellent. Finished the day off by walking along the sea front at South Queensferry before tendering back to ship
Le Havre
Took a taxi to the main railway station, cheaper than the Shuttle Bus - be aware. Caught 09:56 (Paris Train) to Rouen (60 Euros x 2 day return), journey time one hour. Picked up Rouen City Map in station, Rouen centre more or less unspoilt, great Cathederal, many many old buildings, and great French Food on offer from a wide range of resturants and Cafes. The back to station for 16:05 train back to Le Harve there is also one at 17:05, and taxi back to ship ( less than 10 euros each way)