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 wrap up our final days in London focusing on the city’s iconic history before boarding our cruise ship Regal Princess . Staying at the Hilton DoubleTree Tower of London meant we had just a 5-minute walk to one of the city’s most famous sites, Tower of London.
Watch the full video here: British Isles Cruise – Ep. 3: Crown Jewels and city views on Tower of London pre-cruise adventure
Riding “Blue Line” Big Bus Route
On our second full day, we tested the Big Bus Blue Line, which ventures further out toward Kensington and Notting Hill. https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/london-bus-tours
- The Sights: This route covers Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Kensington Palace, among other destinations.
- Our Verdict: While the views were nice, the ride was significantly longer than the Red Line. We advise that for these specific areas, taking the Underground or an Uber might be more efficient than the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Museum Highlight: The Victoria and Albert (V&A)
Even for those who aren’t “museum people,” we recommend the V&A (which is free!). https://www.vam.ac.uk/south-kensington
- Don’t Miss: The Cast Courts. These galleries contain massive plaster copies of world-famous sculptures and architectural pieces. The level of detail is incredible and well worth the visit.
Exploring the Tower of London
Visiting the Tower of London is an absolute must see! https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
We explored the following highlights and highly recommend them:
- The Crown Jewels: Go here first! Photos aren’t allowed, but they are absolutely stunning.
- Hidden Details: Keep an eye out for the Royal Menagerie sculptures (lions, baboons, and polar bears) hidden throughout the grounds, and the famous Tower Ravens, the legendary guardians of the realm.
- The White Tower: This was Matt’s favorite spot, featuring the Royal Armory. Note: Navigating the levels requires using tight spiral staircases.
Pro tip: Pre-book early tickets (we booked 9:00am) to beat the crowds. Give yourself at least three hours to explore the Tower of London properly.
Where to Eat: Top Picks
- The Mayfair Chippy: We shared a massive portion of gluten-free fish and chips—perfect for travelers with dietary needs. https://www.mayfairchippy.com/knightsbridge
- Pret A Manger: A new favorite! We love the fresh, ready-to-go salads (specifically the falafel and hummus) and wish we had found it on day one for quick, healthy meals. https://www.pret.co.uk/
- Zizzi: A convenient pizza spot near their hotel for a relaxed final dinner. https://www.zizzi.co.uk/italian/restaurants/tower-hill
What’s Next?
Our pre-cruise time in London is at an end. It’s time to pack for the train ride to Southampton to catch the cruise ship for our 12-day British Isles cruise!
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