**This was part of our Dublin – Reykjavik trip in the summer of 2023 but until we boarded the ship we had no idea how much fun it was to have a travel blog. We’ve decided to go back and write about our adventures before we boarded the Cloud which will be published over the next few Thursdays as part of our Throwback Thursdays series.
After weeks of poring over cruise schedules we finally came up with an itinerary that had enough to satisfy everyone. And it departed from Dublin, a city both my wife and I had been to and enjoyed – but that would be a different experience with children in tow.
It seemed simple. Book cruise. Then book hotel stay a few nights before embarkation day. Voila! All set.
Except – the children’s great-grandmother whom they’ve never met lives in Anglesey, Wales and the easiest way to get to her is actually to go from Dublin to Holyhead via a speed ferry.
And the night before our cruise was actually part of the cruise package since this will be an “expedition” cruise.
And if we’re going to be in Dublin it can’t be for just a night or 2 since we’ll barely have gotten over the jet lag by then.
So what seemed like a simple idea morphed into the following battleplan:
- Overnight flight from Toronto – Dublin
- Transfer from Dublin airport to hotel
- 3 nights in Dublin at The Westin Dublin
- Transfer from hotel to Dublin ferry terminal
- Speed ferry from Dublin – Holyhead
- Rent a car at Holyhead ferry terminal
- 3 nights in Anglesey, Wales (staying with a family member none of us have ever met)
- Return rental car at ferry terminal
- Speed ferry from Holyhead-Dublin ferry terminal
- Transfer from Dublin ferry terminal to new hotel Anantara the Marker
- 1 night Anantara the Marker hotel
- All further transfers handled by the cruise company.
Simple! What could possibly go wrong…
How it actually went. Our flight out of Toronto was delayed (not too surprising) but the line up to get into the Plaza Premium lounge was 45 min. After debating whether it was really worthwhile waiting 45 minutes to spend 2 hours in slightly more comfortable seats with free food (and drinks) we finally all agreed to wait.
This turned out to be a good plan as our flight ended up being more than 3 hours delayed and in total we spent almost 5 hours in the lounge. Not the most comfortable lounge or with the best food but the airport was absolutely jammed so this was the best option available.
Photo courtesy of Plaza Premium Lounge
After that the flight was uneventful and our driver from Corporate Chauffeur Services Dublin was waiting for us once we cleared customs in Dublin. It was a seamless transfer to the the hotel which was great as everyone was dragging. And what a hotel it was! The Westin Dublin has an ideal location right by Trinity College and is only a few blocks from the Temple Bar area.
Photo courtesy of The Westin Dublin
Check-in went smoothly and all of my wife’s many emails over the past 60 days to request, confirm and reconfirm room options resulted in that unicorn of perfect room configurations – interconnecting rooms with 1 king bed in one room and 2 queen beds in the other.
Photos courtesy of The Westin Dublin – interconnecting rooms!
Since it was only about 11 am the rooms weren’t ready for us yet so off to try and get over the time change. The concierge helpfully recommended a nearby restaurant called Bewley’s on Grafton Street.
Photo courtesy of Bewley’s
The prices were high but the service was decent and the food (especially the pastries) were great. The winner was the hot chocolate which came with options such as marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate to add in yourself.
After being revitalized at Bewley’s we wandered Grafton Street. We were blown away by the crowds and some amazing buskers. It turns out the street musicians are actually well organized and there’s a permit process. After dragging the children away from the Lego store we headed off for a walk in St. Stephen’s Green and stumbled upon a really good playground.
Photo courtesy of St. Stephens Green Park
Thankfully our room was ready by around 2pm and after getting everything sorted out we asked the front desk for suggestions for a casual, nearby restaurant that was open for dinner (checks watch) at 4:45pm.
A few places were recommended and we decided to try The Boxty House in the Temple Bar area. Boxtys are traditional Irish potato pancakes made of a mixture of raw grated potato mixed with mashed potatoes and flour and then cooked. The children were a bit reluctant to try them so ordered regular french fries while the adults went with boxtys. A few bites in and it was unanimous – boxtys are delicious and the traditional fries were abandoned for more boxtys.
Fish and chips with traditional fries, photo courtesy of The Boxty House
Boxty fries! Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor
After a quick and tasty dinner it was back to the hotel and off to bed. It had been a very long day.
Continue reading Dublin – Day 2.