Second Port - Liverpool

We'll be in Liverpool from 8am - 6pm    *   Thursday, 30 May 2019

Points of Interests include:

• Albert Dock - a world heritage site
• Beatles Story
• Cathedrals
• Conwy Castle

The tours range from 2.5 to 8.5 hours.  

You can also walk the area to see most if not all of the Beatles sights.

Here are some of the tour offerings:

Liverpool City Highlights

Conwy Castle and Town

Best of Lake District

Best of North Wales

Walk Liverpool & Pub visit

Port Sunlight & Cream Tea

In the Steps of the Beatles

Ultimate Beatles Experience (includes lunch)

Highlights & Chester on Your Own

See all of these excursions, times and prices at Princess.com.

Click here for more about Albert Dock.  

Albert Dock

From their website:

Exciting, colourful and cultured, Albert Dock is Liverpool’s historic heart. A year-round events and exhibitions programme animates the area's iconic cast iron columns. Independent shops burst with crafts, photography and art. Day or night, summer or winter, visit for a day or stay for a week.

I will offer a GROUP tour here for Beatles fans:  please email me at Dazzleko@yahoo.com if you are interested.  Price to be determined by number participating.  This tour will begin at Albert Dock, and upon return will allow you plenty of time to shop, dine, and visit the Beatles Museum.  The tour is not as in-depth as the Princess offering, but it will be less than HALF of the price.  I anticipate the tour hours will be 10am-Noon.

This is my private group sign-up for the Magical Mystery Tour:  prices will be forthcoming

1	Bonnie & Sutter
2	Karen & Grant
3	Suzanne & John
4	Nancy & Jim
5	Sue & Lou
6	Delores & Wayne
7	Robin & Brian
8	Maggie & Charles
9	Bunny & Chip
10	Willie & Pam
11	Sharon & Andy
12	Maryann & Brian
13	Chris & Don
14	Mary & Alex

The tour lasts 2 hours and includes the following locations with stops for photos on the way:

• Childhood home of Ringo Starr
• George Harrison’s birthplace (passengers get off the bus here)
• Penny Lane (passengers get off the bus here)
• St Peter’s Church Hall (where John and Paul met for the first time)
• Strawberry Field (passengers get off the bus here)
• John Lennon’s childhood home
• Paul McCartney’s childhood home (passengers get off the bus here)
• Former schools and colleges of John, Paul, George and Ringo including the Art College and the Liverpool Institute (now LIPA)

Many more Beatles locations will be pointed out as you travel around the city centre and suburbs.

End of Liverpool post.

All About Shore Excursions

Looking for your perfect Shore Excursion? (see also SEPT 14, 2018 post)

You may now make your Shore Excursion reservations online at  

www.princess.com website (click here)  

At the top of the Princess.com page, hover over Booked Guests in the white header.

Click on Shore Excursions (find under the Browse & Shop middle column). 

Easiest login is the right box: Access Your Booking Without Signing In: just enter your personal information. Click on Access Cruise Personalizer.

• see my email of 12/17/2018 for your booking number in case you have misplaced it

I will be providing information about PRIVATE tours which will go to locations NOT provided by Princess Cruises.  In these cases, I will be your contact for these PRIVATE specialty tours.  Should you wish to visit a place NOT mentioned, please email me at dazzleko@yahoo.com.  Thanks! Karen

Each PRINCESS Shore Excursion will include the following information:

1. Length of time for the tour: the tour may be as short as 2.5 hours or longer than 9 hours. Pay close attention as "view" is not the same thing as "visit".
2. You will have the departing time, or a choice if more than one departing time: you will need to click on the tour as if you are purchasing to see the choices.
3. Number of people on the tour: you will see if there are 30 to 90 people on the tour.
4. Note some tours are Accessible Tours
5. The cost of the tour is always per person.  IMPORTANT: You may SAVE the tour, but until the tour is PAID, you do NOT have a reservation for the tour.  VERY USEFUL INFO: Should you change your mind about a tour, you may CANCEL the tour and receive a full refund back to your credit card or your ship's onboard credit balance (however it was paid) as long as it is cancelled 48 hours before the date of the tour.  In other words, when in doubt, you should reserve your space, as you can make a change without penalty. *please look for any fine print Princess Cruises exceptions that may apply.

Here are the Princess Cruises icons you will see next to the tour pricing for further explanation of what to expect on each tour, and what may be included on the tour.

Icon Definitions

• Easy

  These excursions include walking for short distances over relatively level terrain, possibly with cobblestones or a few steps. Participants should have ambulatory capability in order to move into and out of ground transportation such as motorcoaches or rail cars and into and out of confined spaces, such as small aircraft and small boats.

• Moderate

  These slightly more active excursions involve an increased amount of physical activity such as substantial walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs or extended periods of standing. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.

• Strenuous

  These very active excursions involve physical exertion over an extended period of time. Terrain may be uneven or steep. Activities such as canoeing, biking, hiking or kayaking are examples. Participants should be in good physical condition.

• Wheelchair Accessible

  These excursions can accommodate guests using wheelchairs. Vehicle configuration or weight restrictions may limit the use of electric wheelchairs or scooters. Please refer to the shore excursion description for complete details.

• Meal Included

  A meal and beverage is provided.

• Snack Included

  A snack is provided.

• Shopping Opportunity

  Shopping opportunities will be available during this excursion.

End of Post. Click on Blog Archive (right column) to view December post of Belfast Excursions.

Belfast Shore Excursions

10 pages of Belfast Shore Excursions from Princess.

I am only listing the excursion titles here since the file is too large to copy.  Refer to the Shore Excursions on your Cruise Personalizer at www.princess.com for all the details. 

Belfast        

Time in Port: 

Arrive 8am  Depart 9pm

A long day to explore Belfast!
Just another reason why you have ANYTIME Dining for the Dining Room.  Once you return to the ship you may dine anytime between 5pm and 9pm.  Some popular periods may have a wait.  Or, you can choose any of the other dining options.

I am only listing the excursion titles here since the file is too large to copy.  

Refer to the Shore Excursions on your Cruise Personalizer at www.princess.com. 

Coastal Drive and Glens of Antrim
Belfast and Crumlin Road Jail
Belfast Highlights and Hilsborough Castle
Giants Causeway
Titanic Museum and Crumlin Road Jail
Giants Causeway and Antrim Coast
Highlights of Belfast
A Walk Through Historic Belfast

Titanic Belfast and Scenic Drive

Belfast City Walk and Pub Life by Night
St. Patrick Center, Down Cathedral, Saul
Londonderry
Ultimate Giants Causeway
Belfast Culinary Trail
Also, rates for private driver and car

I will be holding a conference call to discuss the port excursions. 

Look for my email.


If I could design the perfect tour I would visit:
Hillsborough Castle
The city of Belfast to visit pubs and see the wall murals
the Titanic Museum
And maybe even Bushmill's Distillery!
This tour doesn't exist, but if I have 12+ persons interested, I will see what I can do.
Does this interest you?  If so, please email me at dazzleko@yahoo.com.

Hilsborough Castle

Giants Causeway

Glens of Antrim

I am posting these notes from Cruise Critic's Things to do in Belfast.
Titanic Belfast: This building, dedicated in memory of Titanic and its tragic end, opened in early 2012, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship, which was born in Belfast. The oddly shaped structure, resembling a ship's hull, is home to the Titanic Experience, which leads visitors through the tale of the storied vessel. It is the world's largest Titanic visitor attraction, extending over nine interactive galleries -- so you can explore the shipyard on a cable car ride, walk the decks of the doomed vessel and travel to the depths of the ocean to view it on the seabed. 

Belfast Castle: Just a couple of miles northwest of the harbor, Belfast Castle is one of the city's must-see attractions. The structure itself is a grand collection of towers and battlements, and the castle's position -- nearly 400 feet above sea level -- means visitors are treated to excellent views of both the city and the nearby lough. The interior rooms are opulent, and the cellar houses a fancy restaurant and an antique shop selling porcelain, China, jewelry, hand-knitted items and other goodies.

Bushmills: Nearby is the town of Bushmills, home to Ireland's oldest maker of whiskey. The distillery offers tours.

Pubs: Belfast is home to several of Ireland's oldest and most famous pubs. With so many to choose from, finding a place to stop and whet your whistle is never a problem; the challenge comes from trying to decide which one to visit first. Most pubs start serving at 11:30 a.m. every day except Sunday, when the doors open at 12:30 p.m.

 Belfast Cathedral: Impressive on the outside, the Belfast Cathedral is even more beautiful on the inside. You'll find the tallest Celtic cross in all of Ireland there, in addition to elaborate stained-glass windows and a mosaic ceiling. Located near the heart of the city on Donegall Street, the cathedral is perfectly located for a brief visit as you stroll through the city center.

End of Belfast Excursion post.

Payments and Shore Excursions for Crown Princess

Greetings, 

Cruise Payments

Many of you have asked about making interim payments for our May 2019 British Isles cruise. 

Just a reminder, at this time all your payments are fully refundable.

And if you reserved Princess EZ Air, your airfare and cruise are both due at the beginning of March 2019.  I will be processing final payments from 11-14 March 2019.

Let me know if you wish to make any monthly payments to Princess.  I can process those for you.

I would recommend a minimum of $1000 for each payment per couple, but you may select any amount.  Should you wish to pay in full, I recommend paying the balance except for a small balance, to keep your Princess account open for payment and any changes you may wish to make at a later date.

Let me know if you would like to charge a payment this weekend with your credit card on file.  If you would like to use a different credit card, just give me a call with the credit card number you wish.

I will send you an updated copy of your Princess invoice once payment is made.  The invoices detail the cruise portion and the air portion.

Your Princess onboard account 

If you wish to look at your Princess booking online, follow these steps:  Shore Excursions are posted early and are NOW available for your reservations. More on this below.

1. Go to www.princess.com
2. Hover over Booked Guests in the white ribbon at the top of the page.
3. See Manage Booking and choose any item: Check In, View Itinerary, Shore Excursions, Specialty Dining, Travel Arrangements, etc.
4. You will see two boxes > Use the right one > “Access Your Booking without Signing In”  Your booking number was sent to your initially after booking and on the Princess post card I mailed to each of you.

If you need your booking number, simply send me an email.

5. Again you will see the white ribbon at the top of the page, with numerous viewing options.

Enjoy browsing.  The ship sails from Dublin in 256 days!

Availability

Our ship, the Crown Princess, is completely sold out, with the exception of some Inside and Oceanview cabins, plus several forward Balcony cabins on Deck 15.

About Shore Excursions at the Princess.com website

Click on any port/date.  Note the hours the ship is in port will be listed.  You may wish to book a morning tour and stroll/wander on your own during the afternoon, or vice-versa.  Note time of the tour and number of participants. FYI “Points of Interest” for each port are listed; but there may or may not be a tour to each listed item. Use the pull down menu and then click on the Change Port box when you wish to reset the shore excursion options. A shore excursion saved in your “wish list” does not guarantee your place on the tour.  Only payment in full does so. Your excursion is cancelable if done 48 hours prior to sailing….unless stated different for a particular tour. I do have a tour provider who will do small tours (2-8 persons) if you prefer NOT to be with a crowd.  Return to the ship is guaranteed.  But for Ireland and Scotland the tours are NON-refundable in order to reserve the best guides.  So travel insurance is required to cover your expenses should the ship miss the port.  This company also provides some tours not offered by Princess Cruises.  Note these are private tours, and the tour price is shared by your group. Let me know if you would like details. I can recommend tour providers who do specialty or custom tours.  Travel at your own risk of getting back to the ship.

Your Cabin on Crown Princess

Just in case you missed my email with the Cabin diagrams, I am sharing the most popular cabin layouts here on Princess.

 This is the Interior Cabin.  I recommend if you are booking this cabin you consider splitting the beds into Twins as shown here.  This gives you more floor space, which makes the space feel roomier.

I love the mirrored wall with the upholstered fabric wall panels.

I took these photos aboard the Caribbean Princess in April 2018 during my ship inspection in Fort Lauderdale.  The Crown Princess is a sister ship of the Caribbean.  It was recently updated in 2016.

 Here you will see a typical Balcony cabin.

In the Princess Balconies, you will have one desk chair and one side chair as shown here.  Note the bed is the Queen configuration, but you can choose to separate into Twins instead.

 This is a Princess MiniSuite that was being made up when I snapped this photo.  Note the beds here are in Twin configuration, but you easily have room to use them pushed together in the Queen style too.  Note these cabins are a bit wider, so there is more space to walk past the beds.

There is a 3 seater sofa, a side chair, and a cocktail table in the living area side of the cabin.

In the photo I am in the "living room" portion of the cabin looking out to the door.  Note there is a semi-circular type cabin with a television on the living area side, and an identical television on the bedroom side.

There is a nice open walk-in style closet in all of the Princess Cabins. The baths are roomy compared to other ships.  And the MiniSuite includes a tub.

One Evening in Cork

The Kingsley in Cork is a contemporary design hotel with touches of opulence.  It sits alongside the Lee River.  This is the only hotel where our stay is just one night.  All others are 2 night stays.

Guest Room

The hotel boasts a casual bistro, an elegant dining room, and a lobby lounge overlooking the river banks.  At Fishers Bar you'll be able to try an assortment of Corkonian stouts and beers, Irish ciders, or whiskey.

Dining

Hotels for Pre-Cruise Stay in Dublin

Need a Hotel before the British Isles cruise?

I am asking for quotes on 5 rooms for 2 nights.

And 5 rooms for 1 night.

Let me know your needs.  Don't miss out!

If you are on the Luxury Land Tour you do not require a room prior to the cruise.  Transfers will be directly from Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel to the ship.

Once you have dropped off your luggage and checked in, we will have time to explore Dublin further, as the ship departs Dublin at 9:30pm.  

Or, you may want to relax aboard the Crown Princess.

Everyone will need to be on the ship by 8:30pm on Tuesday 28 May 2019.

Click here to see a video of your ship, the Crown Princess.

Flights

It's time to start thinking about flights!

Category	Flight Purchase Checklist
Airlines	Choose Airline(s): decide what your budget will be.  Note, you will pass thru US Customs in Dublin (saving time at home) if your returning flight makes its first stop in the US.
Dates	Decide when you wish to arrive.  One or Two nights pre-cruise?  Sometimes you pay more per night for a 1 night hotel stay, but get a better rate for a 2 night stay. Crown Princess departs Dublin 9:30pm on 28 May 2019. Best to arrive 25 or 26 May (depart USA one day prior to your planned arrival date due to time change). There is NO need to arrive earlier than 19 May for the Luxury Land tour. Flights depart USA on Saturday 18 May 2019. The land tour includes airport transfer to DUB on 28 May 2019. Flights should depart  after Noon.   The ship returns to Dublin early on 9 June 2019.  Schedule your flight after Noon. Because USA visitors pass thru US Customs in Dublin, arrive 3 hours prior to flight boarding time.
Cabin Categories	What is their cabin configuration?  Input flight info into seatguru.com for plane layouts and seat location issues.
Seat Width & Pitch	What Class of ticket fits you? Economy, Economy Premium, Business: remember each airline define their classes differently.
What does it mean?	BASIC Economy means you may not be seated with your travelling companion, you pay for a seat assignment, you pay for luggage, and you pay for food.  Buyer beware.
How to Select	Get travel agent advice OR realize you may not be allowed to select a seat until 24 hours prior to departure.  Can you live with that?
Where you buy	If you are not buying direct, realize that website company is who you deal with when there is an issue.  Can you contact them 24/7?
What do your get?	A seat-back TV, no entertainment, overhead entertainment? Food, alcohol, none?
Baggage	Know your luggage restrictions, OR if you may be required to pay for each piece.
Insurance	Does your travel insurance cover your flight, lost luggage, delays?  Yes, the land tour insurance does cover this.  No, the cruise insurance does not cover this UNLESS you purchase your flight thru Princess EZ Air.
Notify Karen	Once you make your flight, send Karen your full itinerary. Need help? I'm here for you!
Transfers	Unless you desire a private transfer, all transfers will be scheduled in groups arriving & departing together for best pricing.

Your Info	E-mail these Flight Preferences
Preferred Airline (Any?)
Land USA Departure Date > arrives Dublin next day	Depart Saturday 18 May 2019, Arrive Sunday 19 May
Cruise USA Departure Date for flights > arrives Dublin next day	SAT, 25 May arrives SUN, 26 May (1 night hotel) OR Mon, 27 May arrives day of sailing 28 May (no hotel)
Extra Pre-Cruise Hotel Nights: 1, 2, or more
Seat requests: Window, Aisle, Pay for Exit Row?
Other Requests? Meal choice, etc.
Airline Loyalty Member #s

We can use Princess EZ Air ONLY if you are cruising on Crown Princess for a portion of the trip.  There's lots of good reasons to use EZ Air for your flight reservations.  Ask me about the details.  

LAND only travelers: Notify me if you wish assistance with flights.  Use the checklist above to send me all pertinent info.  I'd like to have this info no later than 15 August 2018.  Thanks!

More British Isles Cruise News

A short break from the Luxury Land tour news to share some Cruise News!

I am posting today to share a bit about life on board the Crown Princess and during our touring of Ireland.

These helpful tips will surely make your packing and planning easier for our 12 day cruise on the Crown Princess, whether you are beginning your journey or transferring from the Dazzling Ireland Luxury Land tour.

Click here to watch a 3 minute video of the Crown Princess.

1. How do you pack for a 10 day land tour AND a 12 day cruise? 

A. We have 2 special dinners in Ireland, and 2 formal nights on the Crown Princess.  Ladies might bring 2 outfits and wear them in Ireland and then again on the ship. A cocktail dress, a fancy top/palazzo pants, or a maxi-dress will work for your special evenings, along with your "faux" jewels, a wrap & shoes.  Remember we are sailing quite north of Dublin, so this won't be your Caribbean style bare shoulder outfit, but rather plan for a cool spring environment.  

Men will need a sport jacket, dress shirt & tie (roll tie up and put it in a pair of shoes; pick a dark color if only bringing one jacket and it will work for the ship as well. 

B. Ireland is casual, so feel free to bring denim jeans, khakis, yoga pants, or leggings, for daytrips and shore excursions. Layers is always key, as we may experience warm to cool in the same day.  You should have 2 pairs of shoes to switch between on shore excursions or on our Ireland itinerary.  At least one pair needs to be waterproof.  If you want to bring athletic shoes bring any color BUT white. Don't stand out as a tourist.  Be sure shoes are well broken in and comfortable for cobblestones and uneven surfaces.

Here are some casual wear photo ideas to get you started. A blazer is the perfect piece to wear on the plane, just in case there's a chance for an upgrade you'll look the part. Carry-on your trench coat. And wear shoes that come off easily for security screening.

 Decide on which items you will wear more than once and coordinate accent colors for variety.  Any color can be your neutral color.  On my trip to Ireland, navy was my base color and green was my accent color

AFTER the Land Tour:

• Day 10, experience NO extra checked baggage fees! Use the Princess laundry.
• For your convenience, Princess vessels have self-service launderettes where washers, dryers and laundry products are available for a negligible charge. Please note that irons/ironing boards are available in the self-service laundry rooms. Ironing and using personal clothes steamers are not permitted in any stateroom. Although rare, on certain itineraries environmental regulations relating to the consumption of water may impact the operating hours of the launderettes. These restrictions, when applicable will be posted in the Princess Patter (your evening newspaper).
• The price is subject to change, but expect to pay about $3 per washer and $3 per dryer load.
• Detergents and Softeners are available for approximately $1.25 a box.