Originally Posted: 10/15/26
My partner and I chose the Princess Premier fare, with Airfare, Hotels and Transfers for this trip. We flew out of New York on Virgin Atlantic, and stayed at the Leonardo Royal Tower Hotel in London before our cruise.
I figured that by letting Princess handling all the logistics, we'd have less worries about finding our way in cities we weren't familiar with. By choosing the Princess Premier fare, we didn't have to worry about the price of beverages (adult drinks and sodas), Internet (we had 4 devices with streaming access), and automatic gratuity charges. As my partner likes to say, "all one has to do is show up for the ride."
Please note that this cruise fare did not provide for the cost of shore excursions, so we each budgeted approximately $1,500 for the varied excursions we'd be taking.
- - - - - -
Ground Transit:
Embarkation
We embarked the ship at the Ocean Terminal in Southampton. Unlike other terminals we have gotten on the ship, their process is quick - until one gets to security. Then it slows down to a crawl due to airport like screening. This was the first time getting through cruise terminal security that I had to remove my belt. Others had it worse, as one wheelchair bound lady had to be pat down in a public area. Yet, other than that inconvenience, this was a quick process.
Our first day on the ship was the usual familiarization of where all the key venues (for us) would be. On this trip, neither of us saw the casino until our 9th day on the cruise. Yet, we knew where all the restaurants were before the first night was over. (It's easy to tell that neither of us gamble. It's an easy way for me to be sure that I have the money for all of my bucket list cruises.)
- Visiting Falmouth town and harbor for its cafes, shops and waterfront views.
- Visiting Pendennis Castle for scenic coastal views and a sense of local history.
- Visiting Gyllngvase Beach for a seaside walk.
- Visiting the Titanic Experience, located in the original White Star ticket office.
- Visiting St. Colman's Cathedral, a prominent landmark overlooking the harbor.
- Visiting the waterfront and town center, enjoying cafes, shops and scenic views.
- Visiting the English Market.
- Visiting the Shandon bells and tower, with scenic views of the city of Cork from above.
- Visiting the city center, enjoying cafes, shops and the local culture.
.jpg)
- Visiting the Temple Bar (and surrounding area).
- Visiting Trinity College.
- Visiting the Guinness Storehouse.
One might wonder if a visit to Mathew Street was worth it during Beatles' Weekend, and I'd simply answer: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! Yet, I'd have rather visited this area when it wasn't overcrowded with Beatles' fans (of which I'm one). Just be aware, that if you visit the museum, be prepared to climb a narrow staircase to get to each of the exhibit floors.
- Visiting the waterfront and the Royal Albert Dock, enjoying restaurants, shops and museums.
- Visiting the Museum of Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum,
- Visiting the Liverpool Cathedral for panoramic views of the city.
There are many things to do in Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast, and they include the following:
- Visiting St. George's Market for local food, crafts, and live atmosphere.
- Visit Titanic Belfast, a museum located at the original shipyard where the Titanic was built.
- Visiting the Cathedral Quarter, a historic district known for its character, street art, and local venues.
- Visiting the Glasgow City Center, viewing its Victorian architecture, exploring its cultural institutions, and enjoying its cultural atmosphere.
- Visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
- Exploring the Clyde Waterfront and Visiting the Riverside Museum.
There is not much to say about a sea day onboard a cruise ship. Although there are many activities one can participate in, we chose to visit the Crab Shack pop-up seafood restaurant as is our custom once per Princess cruise.
We didn't know it at the time, but this would be our last port stop in an English speaking country. (Our next stop, Edinburgh / S. Queensferry would be cancelled due to high winds making it dangerous to make port.) There are several things one can do here, which include:
- Visiting St. Magnus Cathedral
- Visiting Kirkwall Town Center and Harbor with its charming streets, local shops, cafes and artisan products.
- Visiting the Orkney Museum to get an insight into Orkney's Viking and Prehistoric history.
This was a sea day we didn't have a plan for. So we relaxed in the room until meal times, and did a load of laundry, so that we'd have things to wear for the rest of our trip.
- Seafront walk.
- Shopping at Docks Verban.
Entertainment
Princess Theater:
- - - - - -
Food Venues and Availability
Buffet:
For the most part, we went to the buffet to have breakfast. Most of the food we ate was forgettable, only because nothing was special about it. Eggs, Sausages, Bacon, Yogurt, Cereal, etc., were available, and there is nothing negative to say about it.
Casual Dining Areas (included with Princess Premier fare package):
Ocean Terrace (Sushi):
09/04/26 (Lunch):
We ordered the standard sushi/sashimi lunch. Pieces of sashimi and sushi both had a fresh taste, and I'd have lunch at this venue again if I weren't going off ship.
Alfredo's (Pizza):
Appetizer:
- Minestrone Soup
Main:
- "New Yorker" Pizza
Dessert:
- Apple Torte w. Apricot Jam and Vanilla Frosting
I ordered the same dishes two visits in a row, and enjoyed them on both visits. However, early lunch service left a bit to be desired because we both felt that in an empty restaurant that wait service should be more attentive. The Minestrone Soup was acceptable, but not as hearty as those I've had at New York City area pizzerias. (Too bad that they don't offer Pasta e Fagiole soup here.) The pizza was very good, and I'd recommend this pizza to others who love "Meat Lovers" pizzas. However, the Apple Torte was merely acceptable. And if I could have done so, I'd have ordered a couple of scoops of ice cream.
Specialty Dining Areas (included with Princess Premier fare package):
The Catch by Rudi:
08/26/26:
Appetizer:
- Mussels Provençale
Main:
- Giant Grilled Prawns
Dessert:
- Crepes Suzette
Tonight's dinner started with Mussels. I love Mussels, and these were done very well. The broth was tasty and a perfect flavor base to complement the shellfish inside the pot. Following this came the main course, the Giant Grilled Prawns. They were tasty, and a nice substitute for Lobster Tail if on the menu. And finally came the dessert, the Crepes Suzette. I wasn't impressed with this dessert, as the nature of flavors and textures in this dish are too much like the food I grew up with. It was a pleasant way to end a meal, but not a dish that stood out much.
08/29/26:
Appetizer:
- Crab Cakes
Main:
- Triple S Platter (Salmon, Shrimp and Scallops)
Dessert:
- Mozart's Berry Composition
This was our second night at this restaurant, and I've been trying to try something new on each visit. I started out with the crab cakes, something that this restaurant does very well. The crab taste stands out (as should be expected) in each crab cake. (Two are included with each serving.) Next came the Triple S Platter. This dish is served with a langoustine hanging above the main dish for an elegant presentation. All of the seafood on this dish was done to perfection. And finally, desert came. This was the one disappointment in the meal, as the berries were overwhelmed by the pastry on top. (I would never order this dessert again.)
09/03/26:
Appetizer:
- Tale of Citrus (Lobster)
Main:
- Fantastic Journey (Cold seafood tower - $35 extra)
Dessert:
- Handcrafted Palette (Cheese Plate)
What can I say about this indulgence? The tale of citrus was a nice approach to serving a cold (but small) lobster tail. It was tasty, and I would have loved to have a larger portion. Then came the Fantastic Journey. The many types of seafood came chilled, with lobster and crab shells partially cracked for the ease of meat extraction. Below the chilled tray were 3 types of dipping sauces, and all complemented the seafood well. Finally, instead of the usual sweet dish, my cheese plate came. There were 4 different cheese types, some fruit spreads, some crackers, and a delicate breadstick. I hate to say this, but I should have ordered this dish more often, as it was a perfect ending to the meal.
\
09/06/26:
Appetizer:
- Cold Oysters (6)
- Smoked Salmon
Main:
- Spaghetti alla Vongole
Dessert:
- Delight in the Air
I decided to splurge on our last night on the ship and order some Oysters. They tasted appropriately briny, as if they just came off the boat. (God knows how they keep the oysters fresh on a 12 day cruise. I wonder if they reprovision the ship whenever they make port. But I digress....) The smoked salmon was a trest, with an impressive presentation. The dish was covered until it reached the table, and then the lid was removed and the "smoke" released. The salmon was as good as it's presentation. Next, was the main course - spaghetti alla vongole. In English, spaghetti with clam sauce. And it was as good as any I've ever had elsewhere. Finally came the dessert. It was a pleasant, light and airy dish - a good way to close out our last meal on the ship.
Crown Grill:
08/27/26:
Appetizer:
- Chilled Jumbo Shrimp
- Lobster Bisque
- Caesar Salad
Main:
- Rib Eye Steak with sides
Dessert:
- Ice Cream
When we ordered our meal, I had only ordered two appetizers. Yet, the waiter, seeing that I had enjoyed a taste of my partner's Lobster Bisque, brought me a bowl as well. There's no way I can say a bad thing about a good Shrimp Cocktail or Caesar Salad, and both were excellent. And the Lobster Bisque was worth the extra room I had to find in my stomach - it was very good. Next came the Rib Eye Steak and its sides. I had ordered my steak Medium Rare, and it was closer to Rare than I'd like. Yet, I didn't feel that it was underdone enough to send it back. I enjoyed the steak and its sides. Finally, our dessert came. We had asked for Vanilla Ice Cream, and it was a nice way to finish off our meal.
08/30/26:
Appetizer:
- Chilled Jumbo Shrimp
- Caesar Salad
Main:
- Surf & Turf ($20 Extra) w. Sides
Dessert:
- Blueberry Cheesecake with a Twist
I decided to splurge tonight and order the Surf & Turf. Although it costs a little more than the average meal at this restaurant, I had a few extra dollars to burn from a cancelled shore excursion, and I wanted to make the most of it.
As usual, the Chilled Jumbo Shrimp and the Caesar Salad were perfect, with nothing negative to say about them. Then the main course came, the Surf & Turf. As first delivered, the lobster tail sat on top of the steak to make a picturesque image. Once I finished with my photos, the lobster shell was removed from the tail. Both the steak and lobster were perfectly done. Finally, it was time for dessert, and the Cheesecake with a Twist came. This was not what I expected. I wanted something with more of a cheesecake texture, and not something that would collapse once its support was taken away.
09/01/26:
Appetizer:
- Caesar Salad
- Black and Blue Onion Soup
Main:
- Chilean Sea Bass
Dessert:
- None at this meal
Neither of us was too hungry today, so we decided to eat "Light". In my case, I decided to have the Caesar Salad followed by the Onion Soup. In the case of the Onion Soup, we found our soups a little too salty for our taste. And finally, the main course came, the Chilean Sea Bass. The fish was tender with a very mild taste. For those people who want to tey fish without a strong "fishy" taste, this is the fish for you.
- Caesar Salad w. Jumbo Shrimp
- Lobster Bisque
Main:
- New Zealand Double Lamb Chops
Dessert:
- Triple Chocolate Treasure
Sabatini's:
08/28/26:
Appetizer:
- Rice Balls (Comes with each meal)
- Burrata E Prosciutto Crudo Stagionato 18 Mesi
Main:
- Pasta Carbonara
Dessert:
- Cannoli
One of the nice things about Sabatini's is that it is not a classic "New York Red Sauce Joint." It has an elegant atmosphere which many Italian restaurants do not have near where I live.
I ordered the Burrata, as it is something I'd rarely order on land, and it had the texture and taste I remembered from when I ate it on another cruise. Next came the Pasta Carbonara, and I found it to be tasty and filling. Again, this is another dish I order onboard ships, as the "Red Sauce" joints in my area don't do this dish well. And finally came the Cannoli. It was acceptable, but not as good as the ones I can get in a local Italian pastry shop.
08/31/26:
Appetizer:
- Rice Balls (Comes with each meal)
- Guazzetto di Cozze e Gambieri
Main:
- Seafood Linguine
Dessert:
- Rocher
09/04/26:
Appetizer:
- Rice Balls (Comes with each meal)
- Frito Misto alla Veneziana
Main:
- Chicken Parmigiana
Dessert:
- None
Specialty Dining (not included with Princess Premier fare package):
Crab Shack:
09/02/26 (Lunch):
Appetizer:
- Hush Puppies
- Clam Chowder
Main:
- Seafood Pot
Dessert:
- Strawberry Shortcake
We ordered the Signature Seafood Pot, which included Hush Puppies, Clam Chowder; a hot Seafood Pot containing Snow Crab Legs (they were out of Dungeness Crabs), Crawfish, Shrimp Mussels and Clams; and some Strawberry Shortcake. The chowder was not as creamy or as clam filled as I'd like. When the seafood pot came, the contents were tasty. Yet, I wish I had ordered the Cajun Boil instead for a more intense flavor. Finally, the Strawberry Shortcake came, and it was a nice way to finish off a filling meal.
Disembarkation and the Trip Home:
We were assigned disembarkation group 33 - people with airport transfers. Although we had to leave our cabin by 7:30, we had 1 1/2 to 2 hours to kill before our group would be called. And then, we had to find our luggage in the terminal.
- - - - - -
Miscellaneous
- At Greenock, one woman had arranged with the cruise line to leave the ship, and rejoin the cruise in Edinburgh. (This wouldn't have been allowed if we were sailing between American ports.) Unfortunately, it was way too windy to make port in Edinburgh, as using tender boats would have been unsafe. So, our port stop in Edinburgh was cancelled, and our next stop would be Le Havre, France. Only one problem - how would this lady rejoin the cruise?
When we reached Le Havre, we found out the answer. This lady took the train to London, then flew to Paris to make a connection to Le Havre. I met this woman in passing during the afternoon, as she was talking with people at guest services before she returned to her cabin. I'm glad she made it back to the ship before it returned to Southampton. - We only went to see two performances on the ship, a comedy show and some acrobatics. If we had chosen better dining times, we might have been able to see more shows. With our average specialty dining meal taking a little under two hours, we usually missed the window to see a show in the ship's main theater or in a lounge.
- Several ports on this cruise were tender ports. In good weather, this wouldn't be a problem. But in windy weather, it can be unsafe to use tender boats, save in case of an emergency. People taking a cruise with this itinerary must assume that is is possible to miss one (or more) of these ports due to weather related issues.
- Several shore excursions we had purchased were cancelled. No reason was given. We were able to book replacement excursions that fit our needs. Be prepared to have back up plans if an excursion is cancelled.
- - - - - -
- - - - - -
Postscript:
Our trip home was made up of a lot of "Hurry up, and Waiting." We were up at 6:00 London time, and didn't get home until 8:30 New York time. That would be roughly 25 1/2 hours dedicated to our trip home. Travel to and from Europe can be exhausting, but when 2 people are recovering from colds, one's energy is depleted quickly. I'll make sure that we make better plans for this as we schedule our next trip to Europe.
- - - - - -
Port Guides for for this trip:
Falmouth / Cornwall UK
