First Evening on Board

We dress for dinner.  Tonight is casual night.  So Bernie wore his usual, Docker type pants and a lovely Tommy Bahama type shirt.  I wore a summer cotton dress.  However there were more than half of the guests tonight who were way more casual, even in the dining room.  Jeans, t shirt etc. 

I usually don't let what others are wearing bother me.  It does not affect how my night will go, and it is their holiday too.  But wanted to mention it here.  

We are assigned open dining on deck 2.  We show up at 1920, no lines at all.  However, we are still in port and many are either just getting back or dinned elsewhere.  We decide to share a table and we are sat at the back by the window at a table for eight.  It is a long rectangular table, so hard for conversation.  Conversations were had, albeit with the people right near you.

We had two women from California, one couple from the Seattle area, a lovely lady from Sydney Australia and us.  

Service was top notch!  A waiter and assistant waiter who took care of our needs.  I ordered a glass of wine and it came very quickly and before my starter.  The crew never felt rushed or stressed.  Again the dining room was quieter and it was 730.  I think many dined much earlier or at the buffet, or even ashore since we have a later departure.  

I had a nice starter of polenta calprese which was very yummy.  And I had a wonderful salmon with cous cous.  Cooked perfectly!  For dessert I had a cheese plate that was very well presented with a lovey bread cracker (no packaged crackers here) and a nice jam, grapes and date along with a few cheese pieces.  So far I am very impressed.  

There is an Irish Comedian in the theater at 9 pm by the name if George Cassey.  He was funny, old school Comedian, but the crowds loved him.  They must put the guest entertainers in the same area as I am, as his cabin is right beside ours.  

Oh when we got into the elevators I recognized a woman and then her husband and she said hi Vickie.  They were on the Greenland cruise last year with me when I worked with Princess.   Lovely couple.  Told them my talks are the same, but they weren't fazed by it.

Back in the cabin for 10 and we are quickly asleep.  Overall it was a great day and we are very happy.

Last Night In Dublin and Another Great Night.

Once Ben gets home.  Did I mention that Ben works for Tour Ireland?  He used to work on ships in the Pursers office and was a 2 stripe officer before settling in the UK and having a normal life.  His company coordinates the tours that cruiseships use when coming into any Ireland port.

Well as you all know things are never as you planned and there is a hiccup with Belfast.  Protesters are out and a planned event is happening Saturday there, so tours they had planned need to be altered to earlier times to circumvent any delays that could be impacted by the protest. 

So Ben is late getting home and has to deal with issues throughout the night.

But he wants to take us to Howth a seaside town that is so pretty and much quieter than downtown Dublin.

We visit the Abbey Tavern a lovely local pub with very good food and lots of locals.  Of course like any local pub a few musicians arrive and an impromptu jam session happens.  The place is hoping!  A co worker of Ben's, Pablo from Argentina arrives who lives in Howth.  More beer, well wine for me, and the evening is just perfect.

We are sad to say goodbye to Dublin but know we need to come back to see more.  Tomorrow we board the ship.

Dublin and More Exploring at Guinness Brewery

We catch the bus a little earlier today as we have a 1030 scheduled visit to the Guinness brewery.

It is key to book your tickets ahead of time and choose a time slot.  I am kinda of shocked at the high prices to see the brewery.  And it is dynamic pricing, so prices are much higher in the afternoon when busier.  We choose a morning visit for around 25 Euros each.  Still high, but hey it includes a pint of beer.  You can book tickets directly here - no need to book thru a third party.

If this is a quiet time, I would hate to see a busy time.  It is busy and getting around the site is like being herded into a pen.  

People are funny.  Groups walk and then stop right in the middle.  Hello people!   Keep moving or move to the side to see the exhibit, don't block the entire group behind.  And while I am gripping, why do people who enter a large room for a tasting just congregate right in the middle.  We go into a room for a tasting and because people don't move forward half of the group at the back can't even get in the room.  We nudge in and head to the sides and then the front where there was lots of room,.   Ok same rant but I feel better, Ok rant over.

After going around the self guided tour, which I thought was well done and very informative.  Oh and very pretty, yeah pretty.  The architecture and site are pretty.  It is amazing how they transformed the building.

We make our way up to the top for the pint of beer.  Beautiful 365 degree views of the city.  But it is packed in here too.  We sip our beer, well I have learned don't sip Guinness as it will taste bitter.  Take a big mouthful and swallow. 

 

Okay can I say it now?  Can I?  I don't drink beer, and especially don't care for Guiness!  Don't hate me.  So Bernie get almost two pints of beer.  Purely medicinal he says.   

We stop into the gift ship and buy a t shirt and some beer glasses.  Overall a fun morning.

Once we are finished we walk over to St. Patrick's Cathedral.  It is 10 Euros to get in for an adult 9 Euros for a senior and it includes an audio guide. 

We spend about 45 min here learning a lot.  The site is busy but manageable and I highly recommend.

So we are now hungry, can't live on just Guinness.  We find a pub and enjoy a meal.  I get the bangers and mash (sausages, mashed potatoes, and a gravy) Bernie gets the fish and chips.  

I wash it down with a cider.  I always enjoy a good cider and drink it often at home.  The restaurant was totally full and only one server who was run off her feet.  We enjoyed the place and the food but because of the location it was very expensive, twice the price for the beer and cider compare to the local pub we were at last night.

We make our way back to the bus stop to head home.  We walk into the apartment around 3 and get some wash done as we need to get our things together for boarding the ship.  

Pub Night and Dealing With Fibromyalgia

Once Ben gets home we head out for a walk around a lovely garden near his home called Albert College Park.

We settle at his local pub The Comet.  A local hangout where we are welcomed.

Simple but flavourful pub food fills our belly and we are happy.  

It is so great to spend time with Ben.  

Back at his place we have some wine and chat all the way to midnight.

Once again I try to sleep but I am having a hard time, due to my recently diagnosed Fibromyalgia.   This is the first time I mention it here.  I know I have been suffering for a long time with it, but just thought it was normal.  Until last year while on the Caribbean Princess my legs were causing so many issues.  I thought it was a knee issue.  But after so many tests, so much bloodwork my new doctor said I think it is Fibromyalgia.  

I am still learning about all of it, but everything lines up.  When we return home I have a follow-up appointment to discuss where we go from here.

For now I often have trouble getting to sleep due to the pain and wake throughout the night or early morning and can't get back to sleep.  I am working on relaxing, meditating, and focusing on my body and its needs. 

So here I am at 3 am writing up this blog because I can't sleep due to a flare up, which was triggered by a 5 hour flight, more stress, and time change.  

First Day Sightseeing

We decided to explore the city by using the hop on hop off bus tour.  Something we do often when visiting a new city.

I booked the tickets the day prior with City Sightseeing Dublin.  Tickets were sent to my email and all I had to do is show them to the driver when boarding.

I should back track.  I am trying to adjust to the 4 hour time change.  Although I quickly fell asleep last night after a fun night I was wide awake at 2 am!  I managed to fall back asleep around 4.  This adjustment may take a few days.

Ben is off to work this morning so we putter around, have breakfast and head out to catch the bus.  Definitely try taking transit here.  Super easy and with google maps for directions what could go wrong.  . 

We take the bus downtown.  Super easy and only 2 Euros each.  We wait a bit at the Hop On Hop Off stop number one for the bus.  We grab a seat uptop on the open area.  A little cool and a few sprinkles but so nice.   

At one point we couldn't stay awake.  We kept nodding off!  So the open air helped.

We saw a lot, and learned a lot.  It gives a great overview of the city.  This was a tour I would recommend.  Not the best HOHO, which goes to Boston but not the worst, which goes to Santiago Chile.   In all it took around 2.5 hours to do entire route. 

We got off at the beginning of the route and went searching for some lunch.  Initially we tried to find a local pub but they all were packed and couldn't get in.  So we opted for Italian at Zizzi.  And it was delightful, quick, and reasonable.  

We know we have reached our limit and need a nap if we want to go out tonight.  So back on the bus to Ben's and we sleep for two hours.  

Amazing Dinner Show That Should Not Be Missed

Tonight we are heading to an Irish Cabaret Show.  Okay don't stop reading now because I said Cabaret Show!

The place is called Taylor's Three Rock .

This Show is also available as a ship's tour you can do when visiting Dublin.  They do a show in the evening, but also do a show mid day to accommodate ship schedules. And of course if you are visiting on your own you can book directly.

We were greeted by the owner John who we met when we arrived.  The site is huge!  There are actually two production venues offering two different shows in this building and it can hold hundreds.

Seating is mainly along long tables so you get to meet others.  Our table mates is a group from Chicago.

Included in the show is a 3 course meal where you can choose an appetizer, entre and dessert.  A complimentary beverage is included.  I had cider and Bernie had Guiness.  Also an Irish Coffee at the end is included.

I started with the vegetable soup and then the Irish Stew.  Soup was very good and the stew! MAN was it flavourful. Bernie had the salmon and loved it. And everything was hot!  Which is not easy to do with such a massive group. 

What I was especially impressed with was the drink prices (after the first free one you had to pay).  John the owner stated in his introduction that it was important to him to keep the costs reasonable.  To keep prices to what you would pay at any local pub.  

Now for the show!  Irish dance, amazing singing, sing along Irish tunes and some humour kept us entertained for 2 hours.  In all we were there for 3 hours.

We raised a glass, sang a lot, stomped our feet to the tunes and had a wonderful first night in Dublin.

Flying to Dublin

Getting to Ireland from Nova Scotia is actually easier than flying to Vancouver. We got a direct flight with WestJet for a very good price. Left at 2230 and just under 5 hours later we arrived in Dublin.  

We are staying with our friend Ben who lives here for work but lives also in Brighton, UK.  We have known Ben for years!  We met on ship's when Dylan and him started dating.  Last time we saw him was at their wedding in February of 2020.  

We all got in a taxi and we arrived at Ben's, a short while later.  Ben has to work, but it is close by and it is in the Omni shopping mall.  So we walk with him so we can get a few things.

Main thing, a blow dryer.  Of course my personal Canadian blow dryer won't work with the outlets here.  So we picked up a blow dryer and now I will be presentable.  We also picked up some groceries for the next few days.  

One thing we learned.  We chose 2 bottles of wine to have with some nice cheese one night.  But at the cash we were informed you can't buy wine until 1030 am here, it is the law.  Hmmm ok.

When I told Ben later he said "there is some wine in the house if you need something right away".  I think we can wait.

We also picked up a leap card.  Which is Dublin's transit card.  One card can be used by multiple people.  We put 20E on it and that should be fine for the time we are here.

For now we will just relax and Ben's and have a nap since neither of us slept much on the plane.  

Tonight we have something fun planned.  

Podcast Episode - Interview with Jim David about his 12 Night British Isles Cruise

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of chatting with Jim David from Nova Scotia Canada about his cruise on the Ruby Princess to the British Isles with his lovely wife Janice.  

This was a celebratory cruise to commemorate his 61st birthday.

The podcast is up on youtube but you can watch it here as well.  

Here are some links to things we discuss in the podcast that you may be interested in:

Blog about Bringing Wine Onboard Princess

Port Information:  
Dublin Hop on Hop Off Tour
London Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
Edinburgh Tattoo
Le Havre Train to Paris


Notes from Jim 

Transportation from London to Southampton

Travel – National Express Bus Paid $13 GBP - 1 adult 1 Senior

Can book on line.  National Express Bus London to South Hampton

Guernsey: 

Bus around Island for a Euro  Guernsey Bus

Cobh/Cork:

Kinsale Tour for 8  Pickup at 8:30 am – Back at 4:00 pm

Dublin:

The City Bus Tour is far superior with live commentary not recorded.  City Bus Tour

Belfast:

The tour is all day. It would go to Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, the Rope Bridge, Bushmills, and a tour of both Protestant & Catholic sides of Belfast.

Van which seats six comfortably.  Tour website

  

Orkney:

There is also a Hop on Hop off bus tour click here, but there is only one bus.   

  

Invergordon: (Planned but ship did not dock)

Invergordon itinerary

Exquisite Scotland 

336 pounds for 8 people; you pay that day either in USD, pounds, or euros:  If pounds:  84 pounds + tip per couple  US$  $137.50 + tip per couple

Edinburgh:

Catch bus from Ocean terminal to Waverley Station on Princes Street.  bus timetable

Recommendation for tour:

Great Scot Personal Tour Guides
16 Milton Court,  Dumbarton
G82 2UD  TEL: (44) 01389 731917  FAX: (44) 01389 731917
Email: info@greatscot-tours.com

  

France:

Train into Paris from LeHavre:

http://www.raileurope.ca/index.html

Money Guide:

Euros for:
Cork/Cobh
Dublin
France

British Pounds for:
Scotland
Belfast
England