I just returned from our amazing 12 day British Isles Cruise on the Disney Magic! I figured I would try my hand at a trip report since I didn't see many on here for cruises prior to my trip. It will take me a few days to get through.
The players are myself (Jen), my husband (Derek), and our 8 year old daughter, Dakota.
Pre-cruise-Day 1
My husband and I, when budgeting for our cruise, had budgeted $1000.00 per person for airline flights from Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, or Miami, FL to London. We had researched it and while the most common flights cost upwards of $1500.00, I convinced my husband that if we just kept looking and had plenty of time, we could get them for $1000.00 or under. He thought I was being too optimistic but I am a bargain shopper and willing to put the time in. We would look every morning for months. One morning, I'm looking on expedia from my work computer, and I see a direct plane flight from Ft. Lauderdale to London Gatwick on British Airlines for $450.00 per person! I thought it must be a gimmick, but clicked on it and there were no additional fees. I was at work and called my husband from work and said excitedly, "Do you see it??!" He said "I see it!" I said, "Book it!!!" And we did! All three of us with direct flights at good times for under 1500.00! I couldn't believe our good luck! So fast forward 6 months and we arrived at Ft. Lauderdale airport on June 6th and see balloons all over the check in for British Airways. The attendants smiled big smiles and informed us that we were on British Airways first flight out of Ft. Lauderdale!!! (Now we finally understood why the flight was so cheap!) We arrived at a brand new section of the airport to see tv crews and live music and cupcakes with US and Great Britain flags! They did a rope cutting for British Airways first flight from Ft. Lauderdale! We had no idea but it felt like a fantastic and auspicious start to our trip!!! Of course, with so many eyes on us, the flight took off right on time and we had a smooth flight to Gatwick. We left at 5:30pm Florida time on June 6, 2017, and arrived at 6:30am London time on June 7, 2017. After we were served dinner, we tried our best to sleep to avoid jet lag. We had a hard time but all three of us got at least a little shut eye and were running on adrenaline as we landed.
Pre-cruise-Day 2
After we arrived in Gatwick, customs was smooth and we quickly picked up our luggage within minutes. We then followed the signs for the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station. We bought our tickets from the live agent and we were just in time to walk on the train as the doors closed. The train was very nice and smooth and we were at Victoria Station in a half hour. I believe the cost was around 32 pounds. At Victoria Station, we proceeded to the taxis and took a black taxi for 15 pounds to our hotel - the Thistle Hotel at Trafalgar Square. We weren't far from the hotel, but the traffic was horrendous. But our driver was very nice and kept up a stead stream of conversation about what we were driving past. Our hotel was very centrally located, easy walking distance to all the sites of London, however, what we did not realize is that Trafalgar Square, while centrally located, often closes to traffic for events. But we planned to walk for most our time there so as you will see, it didn't cause too many problems. We checked into the hotel, but as we suspected, they did not have our room ready at 7:30am. No problem. They took and stored our bags in a back room no charge. The lobby was small but nice and we could see a nice looking restaurant attached, but we weren't hungry yet as we were served breakfast on the plane. So as per my plan, we started our walk towards Hyde Park. I thought it would be good for our jet lag to get in fresh air and walking and didn't suspect much else would be open so early in the morning. We got to Hyde Park in less than 15 minutes, but I had underestimated the scope and size of Hyde Park! After walking for a while and seeing several beautiful gates, fountains, and statues, we decided we weren't anywhere close to the Diana memorial playground (my daughter's goal, but on the other side of the park completely from where we came in) and we decided to call it off and exit onto Oxford Street for some shopping. But first we stopped for breakfast at a lovely pub looking chain restaurant and I ordered the traditional english breakfast. I do like beans. It's weird with eggs, but I was glad I tried it anyways. My husband and daughter ordered eggs benedict and grilled cheese respectively. After our second breakfast, the stores were open on Oxford Street so I did some shopping at their local low end stores (Primark, Next, Zara). I wasn't at the top of my shopping game - a little bleary eyed and light headed from travelling, so I only purchased one shirt. But the clothing was very cute, and quite affordable. We got to the Disney Store and I bought some Disney London souvenirs (water bottle, notebook, and shirt - same as I did in Copenhagen for my last Disney cruise- my new goal is Disney shirts from all over the world) and then walked back to Trafalgar Square. By this time, our hotel was ready and the streets were getting full. It was Pride Parade and celebration weekend in Trafalgar Square and all of the traffic lights were even changed to show support (so cute)! Busy but interesting! We were all exhausted so we all took showers and then set our alarms for 2 hours as I informed my family I didn't want us all messed up time wise, but surrendered that we needed at least a nap. After a blissful and dreamless 2 hours, we all groggily got up and dressed. After getting dressed, we all felt a bit restored and headed out on foot towards the London Eye. We stopped on the way for dinner at a cheap looking restaurant to share 2 cheese burgers and fries. The place was right across from the London Eye. I have to tell you - it was disgusting. The burgers were dry and the fries were tasteless. My husband and I just shook our heads at ourselves and vowed to be more discriminate tomorrow and not just stop at the first place we saw. After "dinner" we bought our tickets for the London eye and got in line (I mean que!)! It was a long line, but it moved fast and we were on within a half hour. It was beautiful seeing the London skyline and Big Ben and very comfortable in the pod. I was so excited to be in London after planning our vacation for so long and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face! After the Eye, Dakota of course spotted the really cool playground near by and had a blast climbing all over the logs. Dakota never misses a good playground so this made up for bailing on the walk to Diana's memorial playground in Hyde Park earlier in the day. After the playground, we rode the old carousel nearby and then walked across the bridge back to our hotel - only about a 10 minute walk. By this time, the pride celebration was in full swing and the streets were full! We went to the restaurant in our hotel and ordered two decadent desserts (an apple cobbler and awesome, rich chocolate brownie and ice cream) which totally made up for the gross dinner. Then we tiredly went up to our room and were out cold as soon as our heads hit the pillow.
(To be continued, along with pictures for the first two days later on this evening ...)
The players are myself (Jen), my husband (Derek), and our 8 year old daughter, Dakota.
Pre-cruise-Day 1
My husband and I, when budgeting for our cruise, had budgeted $1000.00 per person for airline flights from Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale, or Miami, FL to London. We had researched it and while the most common flights cost upwards of $1500.00, I convinced my husband that if we just kept looking and had plenty of time, we could get them for $1000.00 or under. He thought I was being too optimistic but I am a bargain shopper and willing to put the time in. We would look every morning for months. One morning, I'm looking on expedia from my work computer, and I see a direct plane flight from Ft. Lauderdale to London Gatwick on British Airlines for $450.00 per person! I thought it must be a gimmick, but clicked on it and there were no additional fees. I was at work and called my husband from work and said excitedly, "Do you see it??!" He said "I see it!" I said, "Book it!!!" And we did! All three of us with direct flights at good times for under 1500.00! I couldn't believe our good luck! So fast forward 6 months and we arrived at Ft. Lauderdale airport on June 6th and see balloons all over the check in for British Airways. The attendants smiled big smiles and informed us that we were on British Airways first flight out of Ft. Lauderdale!!! (Now we finally understood why the flight was so cheap!) We arrived at a brand new section of the airport to see tv crews and live music and cupcakes with US and Great Britain flags! They did a rope cutting for British Airways first flight from Ft. Lauderdale! We had no idea but it felt like a fantastic and auspicious start to our trip!!! Of course, with so many eyes on us, the flight took off right on time and we had a smooth flight to Gatwick. We left at 5:30pm Florida time on June 6, 2017, and arrived at 6:30am London time on June 7, 2017. After we were served dinner, we tried our best to sleep to avoid jet lag. We had a hard time but all three of us got at least a little shut eye and were running on adrenaline as we landed.
Pre-cruise-Day 2
After we arrived in Gatwick, customs was smooth and we quickly picked up our luggage within minutes. We then followed the signs for the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station. We bought our tickets from the live agent and we were just in time to walk on the train as the doors closed. The train was very nice and smooth and we were at Victoria Station in a half hour. I believe the cost was around 32 pounds. At Victoria Station, we proceeded to the taxis and took a black taxi for 15 pounds to our hotel - the Thistle Hotel at Trafalgar Square. We weren't far from the hotel, but the traffic was horrendous. But our driver was very nice and kept up a stead stream of conversation about what we were driving past. Our hotel was very centrally located, easy walking distance to all the sites of London, however, what we did not realize is that Trafalgar Square, while centrally located, often closes to traffic for events. But we planned to walk for most our time there so as you will see, it didn't cause too many problems. We checked into the hotel, but as we suspected, they did not have our room ready at 7:30am. No problem. They took and stored our bags in a back room no charge. The lobby was small but nice and we could see a nice looking restaurant attached, but we weren't hungry yet as we were served breakfast on the plane. So as per my plan, we started our walk towards Hyde Park. I thought it would be good for our jet lag to get in fresh air and walking and didn't suspect much else would be open so early in the morning. We got to Hyde Park in less than 15 minutes, but I had underestimated the scope and size of Hyde Park! After walking for a while and seeing several beautiful gates, fountains, and statues, we decided we weren't anywhere close to the Diana memorial playground (my daughter's goal, but on the other side of the park completely from where we came in) and we decided to call it off and exit onto Oxford Street for some shopping. But first we stopped for breakfast at a lovely pub looking chain restaurant and I ordered the traditional english breakfast. I do like beans. It's weird with eggs, but I was glad I tried it anyways. My husband and daughter ordered eggs benedict and grilled cheese respectively. After our second breakfast, the stores were open on Oxford Street so I did some shopping at their local low end stores (Primark, Next, Zara). I wasn't at the top of my shopping game - a little bleary eyed and light headed from travelling, so I only purchased one shirt. But the clothing was very cute, and quite affordable. We got to the Disney Store and I bought some Disney London souvenirs (water bottle, notebook, and shirt - same as I did in Copenhagen for my last Disney cruise- my new goal is Disney shirts from all over the world) and then walked back to Trafalgar Square. By this time, our hotel was ready and the streets were getting full. It was Pride Parade and celebration weekend in Trafalgar Square and all of the traffic lights were even changed to show support (so cute)! Busy but interesting! We were all exhausted so we all took showers and then set our alarms for 2 hours as I informed my family I didn't want us all messed up time wise, but surrendered that we needed at least a nap. After a blissful and dreamless 2 hours, we all groggily got up and dressed. After getting dressed, we all felt a bit restored and headed out on foot towards the London Eye. We stopped on the way for dinner at a cheap looking restaurant to share 2 cheese burgers and fries. The place was right across from the London Eye. I have to tell you - it was disgusting. The burgers were dry and the fries were tasteless. My husband and I just shook our heads at ourselves and vowed to be more discriminate tomorrow and not just stop at the first place we saw. After "dinner" we bought our tickets for the London eye and got in line (I mean que!)! It was a long line, but it moved fast and we were on within a half hour. It was beautiful seeing the London skyline and Big Ben and very comfortable in the pod. I was so excited to be in London after planning our vacation for so long and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face! After the Eye, Dakota of course spotted the really cool playground near by and had a blast climbing all over the logs. Dakota never misses a good playground so this made up for bailing on the walk to Diana's memorial playground in Hyde Park earlier in the day. After the playground, we rode the old carousel nearby and then walked across the bridge back to our hotel - only about a 10 minute walk. By this time, the pride celebration was in full swing and the streets were full! We went to the restaurant in our hotel and ordered two decadent desserts (an apple cobbler and awesome, rich chocolate brownie and ice cream) which totally made up for the gross dinner. Then we tiredly went up to our room and were out cold as soon as our heads hit the pillow.
(To be continued, along with pictures for the first two days later on this evening ...)
