London help - Page 7 - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

seetosea · 11-16-2007, 11:55 PM

I am keeping a folder with all the information presented and then in February we'll be discussing what we want to do while on another cruise with a couple that will be with us in London (is that confusing?). There is so much to do so I think we'll have to narrow down our choices.

All ideas are great and they are appreciated. We recently had dinner with a friend that was born and raised in London and she assured us that it's easy to get around. A game plan will help us avoid backtracking.

Thanks again.
Jackie

smitty · 11-18-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seetosea

I am keeping a folder with all the information presented and then in February we'll be discussing what we want to do while on another cruise with a couple that will be with us in London (is that confusing?). There is so much to do so I think we'll have to narrow down our choices.

All ideas are great and they are appreciated. We recently had dinner with a friend that was born and raised in London and she assured us that it's easy to get around. A game plan will help us avoid backtracking.

Thanks again.
Jackie

if you need detailed info just postit as in the smoke tor most of feb .......working

nealberk · 11-18-2007, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seetosea

I am keeping a folder with all the information presented and then in February we'll be discussing what we want to do while on another cruise with a couple that will be with us in London (is that confusing?). There is so much to do so I think we'll have to narrow down our choices.

All ideas are great and they are appreciated. We recently had dinner with a friend that was born and raised in London and she assured us that it's easy to get around. A game plan will help us avoid backtracking.

Thanks again.
Jackie

I don't think backtracking will be a problem, and it really mgiht be a good idea. If you evaluate what you want to do in order that you want to do it you will find that backtracking is a necessity!

Don't worry too much about that, you will find that using the tube and your good ol' feet that everything is quite close and convenient.

JLT · 11-19-2007, 06:25 PM

A good plan for any trip is a good idea to avoid wasting time and money. Take a backpack or something with stuff you may need for later in the day so you don't have to go back to hotel to change for dinner/show etc. Summer time you should take a bottled water with you that you can buy in a convenience store so you are not paying highway robbery prices at the tourist sites.

Make sure you book what you can online ahead of time. I don't know if the changing of the guard is done daily in the summer, it is only done every other day in the winter and I always seem to have the wrong days available, but I do recommend you go, and go early and get a good spot. It is high drama.

The only time I really saw it was in '74 and their was an off duty British soldier standing next to us watching it and he had a cigarette. Lo and behold, one of the dudes in the ceremony wearing all the fancy uniform breaks rank from inside the gates, comes over to the fence and gives this guy next to us the dressing down of his life for insulting the Crown by smoking in public, etc. Absolutely one of the most impressive dressing downs I've ever heard. You see, the guys in the ceremony are actually military of high decoration and it is a big honor to be in the ceremony.

Char · 11-19-2007, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLT

A good plan for any trip is a good idea to avoid wasting time and money. Take a backpack or something with stuff you may need for later in the day so you don't have to go back to hotel to change for dinner/show etc. Summer time you should take a bottled water with you that you can buy in a convenience store so you are not paying highway robbery prices at the tourist sites.

Make sure you book what you can online ahead of time. I don't know if the changing of the guard is done daily in the summer, it is only done every other day in the winter and I always seem to have the wrong days available, but I do recommend you go, and go early and get a good spot. It is high drama.

The only time I really saw it was in '74 and their was an off duty British soldier standing next to us watching it and he had a cigarette. Lo and behold, one of the dudes in the ceremony wearing all the fancy uniform breaks rank from inside the gates, comes over to the fence and gives this guy next to us the dressing down of his life for insulting the Crown by smoking in public, etc. Absolutely one of the most impressive dressing downs I've ever heard. You see, the guys in the ceremony are actually military of high decoration and it is a big honor to be in the ceremony.

That was one of those moments every tourist hopes to witness! YOU will never forget it, will you?

2ladies · 11-19-2007, 11:13 PM

Hi guys - disembarked from the Navigator ta on Sunday - wonderful crossing - calm seas all the way!!

In April we sailed the Navigator across the Pond going to other way.

We have lived in Marble Arch (area of!) for 38 years. If you need info over and above the superb advice you have received on here, please ask.

If you are on a budget (who isn't....sigh!) there are Pret a Manger shops all over London. Wonderful sandwiches (two slices of bread with imaginative fillings), wraps, baguettes, salads etc.

Train to/from Harwich - be careful if its a Sunday. Check the train website to make sure there aren't works on the line. If there are...........think again!! We had a bad experience on a return journey. But ended up ditching our return train ticket and shared a taxi with another couple. Worked out the same as the ship's transfer with the added advantage of providing a door-to-door service.

Churchill's War Rooms are fascinating. If you are a 'fan' of Ann Boleyn, the only portrait of her is in the National Portrait Gallery by Trafalgar Square. Wonderful Room of Tudor paintings.

If you are in Oxford Street, peep into the madhouse of the Primark Store at Marble Arch. The Wallace Collection in Manchester Square at the back of Selfridges is a gem of a Museum. A few yards away is Marylebone High Street - trendy, and Cafe Valerie is a fave haunt for locals.

I could go on and on, but am in recovery from the cruise!!

Char · 11-19-2007, 11:50 PM

Hey Roz

That smooth sea coming over sure was the opposite of when we crossed in April ! Glad it was a nice trip for you.

The advice on this thread is superb!

Keep it coming.

nealberk · 11-20-2007, 12:17 AM

Roz, our cruise in Sept was also a bit rough. I have posted my sea pictures somewhere here, let me see if I can locate them.....

On the other hand, our shore days ranged from spectacular to incredible!

2ladies · 11-23-2007, 07:17 PM

Hi Neal - were you on the Connie crossing with Tony and Alina? Tony said it was a terrible crossing!! Luck of the draw - entitled to think that September would be better than November - but there yah go!!! Weather!!!

BillG35 · 11-23-2007, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2ladies

Hi Neal - were you on the Connie crossing with Tony and Alina? Tony said it was a terrible crossing!! Luck of the draw - entitled to think that September would be better than November - but there yah go!!! Weather!!!

You can just never tell what the weather will be like and why I always hesitate to respond to inquiries asking for that kind of information. Even here at home it is hard to predict from day to day what the weather will be let alone season to season. We are hoping for a mild winter this year, but whether or not our hopes will be met is anyone's guess. We have had rough seas for a few days on two of our three transatlantics but are still anxiously looking forward to next year on the Jewel from Harwich to Boston.