The dream of a British Isles cruise is finally becoming a reality! We are Kari and Matt from MoKa Vacations. We’d like to take you along with us on our 16-day journey, starting with a 4-night pre-cruise stay in London followed by a 12-night cruise.
We started our trip with the flight into London, the transfer to the hotel, and a noisy surprise that awaited us upon arrival.
Watch the full video here: British Isles Cruise – Ep. 1: Smooth flight from Tampa to “turbulent” London hotel noise
Planning the Perfect Flight
When it comes to international travel, we have one golden rule: fly direct whenever possible. Not only does it reduce the risk of lost baggage and missed connections, but it also saves the headache of long layovers. For this trip, we flew direct from Tampa International Airport (TPA) to London Gatwick (LGW) on British Airways. https://www.britishairways.com
Pre-Flight Tips:
- Car Service: We hired a car service for airport drop-off, which was comparable in price to airport parking but much more convenient before and after an 8-hour flight.
- Early Arrival: Arriving 3 hours early is standard for international flights to allow plenty of time for check-in and security.
- Seat Upgrades: For long red-eye flights, although pricier, we recommend Premium Economy for the extra legroom and better recline—essential when you’re trying to catch some sleep on a plane.
Life in Premium Economy
We did run into one small snag…people in nearby seats spread their luggage and items across several bins! Please don’t be a bin hog! Using the overhead bin directly above your seat ensures everyone has space for their luggage and prevents awkward reaches over other passengers.
In-Flight Dining
Kari, who is gluten-free, used the British Airways app set dietary preferences app ahead of time. Her meal consisted of chicken with potatoes and carrots, while Matt enjoyed ravioli.
Top Tip: Even if you pre-order a meal, always bring a few snacks just in case the airplane food isn’t to your liking!.
Arrival and Transfers
Landing in London was a breeze thanks to a few smart moves:
- Luggage Identifiers: Kari uses blue ribbons on her bags to spot them easily on the carousel.
- The ETA App: Completing the required ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) via an app prior to arrival significantly sped up the customs process. https://www.gov.uk/eta
- Using Uber: Instead of pre-booking a private transfer—which can be risky if your flight is delayed—we used Uber, which is highly popular and reliable in London. The pickup at Gatwick is conveniently located on Level 3.
Hotel Experience
We chose the Hilton Doubletree Tower of London for its incredible proximity to major attractions. https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lontldi-doubletree-london-tower-of-london/
We check-in, we encountered a big issue when we were placed in a room directly beneath active construction. After some persistence with the hotel staff and concierge, we were eventually moved to a quiet room where we could finally get some rest. We wrapped up their first night with a meal at the Natural Kitchen restaurant (attached to the hotel) and a quick evening stroll around the Tower of London.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning! Stay tuned for the next installments where we explore London excursions, head to Southampton to board the cruise ship, and enjoy the 12-day British Isles cruise.
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