Last year I cruised around the British Isles. As you saw from my last blog I went to Edinburgh for the first time. This was also my first time to Belfast in Northern Ireland.
We were meant to stop in Galway, Ireland, but it was changed to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Which worked out much better as we had an overnight in Belfast, so we went to the pub, as you do in Ireland!
Pubs
First, we stopped for a drink in The Crown, which is a very old traditional pub with lovely little booths with even a door you can close for privacy! Then we went all the way next door to Robinson’s, not as old, but traditional, most pubs have been changed into ‘trendy pubs’. If you are from the UK, you will understand what I mean by that!
It was nice to see the city in the evening as if you cruise you will know that most of the time the ship will sail before 6 pm. We went for walk around the city after we had some food in the pub. Between us, we had very traditional dishes; steak and Guinness pie, fish and chips, sausages and mash and Irish stew.
Titanic Museum
The next day I went to the Titanic museum, if you are going to Belfast in the future make sure you go there, it was fascinating. It took 3 hours to get around, there was so much to see from the shipbuilding right through to the shipwreck.
There was even a ride that took you through the building of the Titanic. There were examples of the cabins from first to third class and the cabins were surprising.
The first class cabins were very plush, in the style of a country hotel with four poster beds with access to a private bathroom. The second class cabins were a lot smaller, not as grand, but still room for a small sofa and a wash basin.
The third class cabins were the first of its type as passenger ships would just have dormitories at this class of ticket. The cabin was small, with bunk beds, still had a small wash basin.
The only thing with being in third class the toilets were three decks up and there were only two baths for all of the third class passengers! Imagine that now!
There were life-size replica lifeboat and voices of the survivors telling their stories, these were just some of the highlights of the exhibition.
Also, your ticket includes going onboard the ‘Nomadic’ which is the only White Star Line ship left. This was a passenger ship that was mainly for first and second class passengers, a lot smaller than the Titanic was, but interesting to look around.
It was funny coming back to a cruise ship after looking at the early passenger ships, things really have come a long way, but did you know that the Titanic had Turkish baths onboard for the first class passengers and a gym. The gym was very different to nowadays but they had one with an instructor!
Essential Info
- Weather in summer: 13*C – 22*C
- Language: English
- Currency: Pound Sterling
- Wear layers
- Bring an umbrella, as it does rain a lot!
- Bring a light rain jacket
Happy Travels!
Love Lucy x
I really want to visit Belfast one day. The Titanic museum looks super interesting!
Maria @ momentumtravels.com
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It was, I highly regarded visiting it.
I’d love to go someday!
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I hope you get there soon!
Oh what I’d do to travel to Ireland! These photos are gorgeous and make me want to travel so bad!
xo, Taylor || The Millennial Sprinkle (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
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Thank you so much, Taylor!
The Titanic museum would be worth a visit, definitely! It sounds really interesting. I’m glad to hear you sampled some traditional pub grub – nothing beats a pie and a pint!
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I love a pie with a glass of wine!
I need to go back to Belfast and do the Titanic museum. It looks really interesting. Gorgeous photos by the way!
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Thank you so much, Caroline! Worth a visit I loved it!
Wow they Titanic museum sounds very interesting and well done. I admit I would be interested in going just because of Kate and Leo 🙂
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Love it! There is a part in the museum that is about the films that have been made about the the titanic!
That cruise sounds like a blast and this post is prefect because I am headed to Belfast in October and now i’m even more excited!!
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It was a good one & I enjoyed it because I’m British, so I could go to all the shops I like & eat the food I miss when I’m away! Have a great trip in October 😀
Enjoyed our visit to Belfast just a few weeks ago. Wonder if we were there on the same day. We visited the Belfast City Hall which was amazing.
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I was there last summer! I didn’t go there, but next time!
Very useful information, I am also thinking about foong maybe next summer (because of the weather of course) and it is good to know what to have prepared and what to expect during summer 🙂
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Summer in the UK is very hit or miss! Just always be prepared for rain! Then if it is sunny it is a nice surprise!
Had no idea that Titanic Museum existed. I would love to visit that place. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this! The Titanic Museum is now on my list when I cruise to Belfast next year!
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You’re welcome! This is my favourite museum of all time! Have a great time in Belfast.