Are You Ready To Sail The English Channel?

The countdown is on! It’s time to start planning all those little details that will make our OUTbound British Isles Cruise even more amazing! Below are a few things to help you make the most of our vacation together. As always, if you have any questions that we haven’t covered, or have a special request, hit us up… either by phone at 916.683.1000 or email us at info@iamOUTbound.com.

Let’s get started!

Flights

Flight Ideas

Since our British Isles Cruise starts and ends in London, flights are super easy. Simply log onto your favorite airline’s website and look for roundtrip tickets to either of London’s major international airports. As one of the world’s most populous cities, London has two major airports: Heathrow International Airport (LHR) and Gatwick Airport (LGW).

Which London Airport is best for you?

Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Choose Heathrow if:
•  You are flying a long-haul international route: Heathrow is the primary hub for more long-distance flights.
•  You want the most transport options: It has direct links to the London Underground (Piccadilly Line) and the Elizabeth Line, plus the Heathrow Express to Paddington.
•  You prefer more amenities: Heathrow has a wider range of lounges and high-end shops.

Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Choose Gatwick if:
• You find a cheaper flight: Gatwick often has cheaper short-haul European flights.
• You want a potentially quicker transit experience: Some travelers report Gatwick as being less congested and easier to navigate, with a fast train to Victoria Station.

The airline you choose is completely up to you. While flights are not included, we’re always happy to help narrow down the best flight options with you. Simply give us a call or send us an email, letting us know where you’ll be flying from, if you have a preferred airline (based on frequent flyer miles or credit card points), and what class of service you typically like to book.

Return Flights

Keep in mind Portsmouth is approximately two hours from London, depending on traffic.

We will begin disembarking at approximately 7:00am. However, when factoring in travel time, checking your bags at the airline counter, going through security and immigration and then making your way to the gate for your flights home, we DO NOT recommend any flights departing from London before 1:00pm, just to be safe.

Your airport transfers can be arranged through Azamara, either on their website once we receive our cruise registration numbers (like you would book a shore excursion), or once you are onboard our ship.

Boarding Our Ship

Getting to the Ship

Our ship will be docked at the Portsmouth International Cruise Terminal.

The exact address of the Portsmouth Cruise Terminal is George Byng Way, Portsmouth PO2 8SP.

The Portsmouth Cruise Terminal complex is fairly large. As we get a little closer to our sail date, our ship, the Azamara Journey, will be assigned a specific dock. We’ll update this section with the most current dock location once that has been assigned.

Boarding

Boarding officially begins at 1:00pm local time on Wednesday, June 30, 2027, but you are free to arrive at our ship at any time after 12:00pm, drop your luggage with one of the many porters, head through a quick security checkpoint, and then relax with some light refreshments in the dock facility until pre-boarding begins. Once pre-boarding opens, you’ll be able to register at one of the many gate agent counters, board the ship and participate in a quick muster station and security information session, and then begin exploring the gorgeous Azamara Journey.

The Windows Café on Deck 9 will be open to grab a bite and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders!

Remember, your transfers from our host hotel in Central London to our ship docked in Portsmouth are included with your hotel package!

London Host Hotel

Our Host Hotel In London

For those of you who are getting a jump start on your vacation and arriving early in London to kick your jet lag, see a little of the city and start getting to know your fellow OUTbounders, we have you covered with our incredible host hotel, the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. Our central London hotel is conveniently situated on the South Bank of the River Thames next to the iconic London Eye and just a few minutes walk Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. After a day of exploring, unwind with a massage or treatment at Mandara Spa or cool off in the indoor swimming pool.

Feel like seeing more parts of of the city? Our host hotel is close to both Waterloo Station and the Westminster Underground… both of which provide you with limitless connections to every part of Greater London.

A stylish, contemporary hotel in a great location, the Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge offers bright, comfortable rooms with air conditioning and a generous daily breakfast buffet that will set you up for a day exploring London. Here’s a link to all of our host hotel options… London Host Hotel

Park Plaza London Westminster Bridge Address: 200 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7UT, United Kingdom

Getting To Our Hotel

By Car
The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is about an hour from both Heathrow and Gatwick International Airports by either taxi or Uber, depending on the time of day and traffic.

By Train
The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is less than a 5min walk from Waterloo Station, London’s second biggest train station. Direct trains from both Heathrow and Gatwick International Airports run every 35 to 45 minutes.

Remember, your transfers from our host hotel in Central London to our ship docked in Portsmouth are included with your hotel package!

London Tour Options

LGBTQ+ Tours of London

On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday you can start exploring with our OUTbound optional tours of London. OUTbound has partnered with a local LGBTQ+ tour agency to design a different kind of Lisbon holiday for our community, offering a uniquely rainbow experience in England’s capital city. Thanks to our LGBTQ+ tour experts and their knowledge, our OUTbounders will get a personal, up close tour of some of London’s best-known sights. Start exploring all the things you want to see on a standard tour, but with an emphasis on its LGBTQ+ history just for us! Here’s a link to all of our tour options in and around London… LGBTQ+ London Tours

Theme Nights

Theme Nights & Parties

Nothing makes an OUTbound event more fun than our THEME NIGHTS! This is your chance to express yourself with a fun t-shirt, wild wig or full blown costume. Feel free to show us what you’ve got! As always with OUTbound, you are welcome to participate as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you!

Be sure to check back as we get a little closer to our sail date to see the full list of our Theme Nights! We’ll announce these about three months before we sail… plenty of time to plan and get creative!

Travel Tips

Take A Picture!

Before heading out on a big trip, most travelers focus on packing the right clothes, confirming reservations, and making sure your passports are in hand. But seasoned OUTbounders know there’s another small step that can make a big difference in a pinch… snapping a few key photos before you leave home.

These quick snapshots take less than two minutes to capture but can save hours of stress if luggage gets lost, travel apps glitch, or important documents go missing.

Passport
A clear photo of the main passport page can make it faster to get a replacement at an embassy or consulate if your passport is lost. It’s best to keep this image in a secure, password-protected file or cloud app.

Prescription Medications & Labels
OUTbounders who take medication should take a picture of both your pills and the prescription labels. If your medications get lost or you run out, having the generic drug name on hand can make it much easier to refill while traveling.

Boarding Pass & Travel Documents
Travel apps sometimes glitch, and wifi isn’t always reliable at the airport. A screenshot of your boarding pass ensures it’s available offline when needed. The same goes for any hotel confirmations, train tickets, or tour reservations booked outside of your OUTbound trip.

Luggage Contents
Snapping a photo of everything packed in your suitcase before zipping it shut can be invaluable if your bags are delayed or lost. Airlines and insurance companies often ask for detailed lists of contents when processing a claim. A quick image can serve as proof of what was inside your bags and speed up any claims you might need to make.

As we all know, travel can be unpredictable, but your smartphone camera (something that’s already in your pocket and doesn’t require any extra cost) offers one of the easiest safeguards. Taking a few extra photos before you depart is a small habit that can prevent big headaches… and help you stay calm when plans don’t go exactly as expected.

Tipping

Tipping Our Hosts

Tips for our onboard ship staff are included with your OUTbound vacation to the British Isles.

Tips for our tour guides in London or for any of the shore excursions from our ship during the cruise are not included and are optional. At the end of each day’s guided tour, you’ll have the chance to tip our guide and driver whatever you feel your experience was worth.

If you feel that any individual in particular, either onboard our ship or during one of your tours, has gone above and beyond in making your experience something extra special, we encourage you to reach out to them directly and let them know how much you appreciated their service during our time together.

Currency

What Money Should You Bring?

United Kingdon

The Pound (officially the Pound Sterling) is the currency of the United Kingdom (abbreviated £). That means you will be able to use Pounds in London, Portsmouth, Dartmouth, Belfast and Liverpool.

Ireland & France

Ireland and France are both members of the European Union and two of the countries that use the Euro (abbreviated €) as their national currency. That means you will be able to use Euros in Dublin and Honfleur.

You can also use your credit or debit card as well throughout our trip, as credit cards are widely accepted everywhere in all of the countries we will visit. However, remember that there will be additional bank charges upon usage and even a foreign transaction fee in some cases, depending on your bank.

Visa Requirements

Will I need a Visa to enter the United Kingdom?

UK Electronic Travel Authorization Requirement

While United States, Canadian and European Union citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK, you will need a Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). An ETA in the UK is a Electronic Travel Authorization for eligible non-visa nationals entering the country, and it’s a digital travel requirement, not a visa. It allows for short visits, tourism, or business and is required for most nationalities, including citizens from the United States, Canada and European Union countries, to enter the UK. The process involves a simple online application with a £20 fee, after which the ETA is electronically linked to your passport for up to two years.

Application: The application is done online or via the UK ETA app.
Validity: Once granted, your ETA is valid for up to two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

How To Apply For Your ETA Online
•  Check eligibility: Use the official UK government website to confirm if you need an ETA based on your nationality.
•  Apply: Complete the online application on the GOV.UK website or through the UK ETA app.
•  Provide details: You will need to provide personal information, a photo of your passport, and a photo or scan of your face.
•  Pay the fee: A non-refundable fee of £20 is required to complete the application.
•  Receive confirmation: The ETA will be digitally linked to your passport once approved.

You can apply for your United Kingdom ETA here: gov.UK

Take a picture or screen shot of your completed QR code prior to arriving in London. Wifi service can be spotty in the airport arrivals terminal, so having a picture of your entry QR code will help speed up your entry process.

Ireland & France

No! Americans and Canadians who are planning to visit the British Isles with us will not have to worry about applying for the European Union’s new travel authorization system.

US Citizens do not need a Visa or ETIAS to enter the EU.

For almost a decade now, European Union authorities have been working on a visa-like system called the European Travel Information and Authorization System. After several years of delays, the new system has now been pushed back until late 2027 because its entry/exit database still isn’t ready.

That means US and Canadian Citizens will not need a Visa to join us in Ireland or France!

Power Outlets

What Power Converters Will I Need?

Our ship, the Azamara Journey, has two (2) EU 220v Type C outlets and two (2) US 110v Standard outlets in each stateroom. Feel free to bring a USB adapter with multiple outlets so that you can charge several of your devices at once.

If you are joining us early in London, our host hotel uses Type G power outlets, which have three flat pins arranged in a triangle. These outlets are different from the Type A and B outlets common in North America, so you will need a plug adapter to use your devices.

Travel Insurance

If we’ve learned anything over these last couple of years, it’s that the world can be an uncertain place at times. While you’re never required to buy travel insurance, it’s a good idea and we recommend all OUTbounders consider protecting your hard-earned vacation money. The price of your coverage will depend on a few factors, including the cost of the trip, what state you live in, how long before the trip departs, and if you have any pre-existing or underlying health conditions, to name a few.

Some reasons why you might buy travel insurance include:

Cancel for Any Reason
Unexpected Work Requirements
Personal or Family Illness

OUTbound does not provide travel insurance. However, we always recommend using a third-party insurance carrier to provide your coverage.

Get Ready British Isles