Though we booked this tour we did not take it as we missed it due to various reasons. We were lucky to get two seats on another tour and had a fantastic day. However, the tour company agreed to give us a partial refund which we were happy with and this was processed very promptly through Viator Customer Care. So thanks to both companies.
Review by: Michael R, June 2018
We booked this Odyssey Bus Tour based on previous reviews and sights to see. We were not disappointed! One of the best tours on the cruise. The tour included the Rope Bridge, Giants Causeway, Ballycastle, coastal drive and a drive through Belfast. We were on Princess Cruises and docked at Belfast on May 29th, 2018. It was a gorgeous day! Very important to be one of the first buses to reach the Rope Bridge as the line gets very long and can be quite brutal when standing in the sun. Having said that, our bus was one of the first ones there. Our tour guide, Gail, was fantastic! Once she knew how many people wanted to go across the rope bridge extra cost not included in initial tour cost - the additional cost for the rope bridge and giants causeway was 26 pounds she emailed ahead and got our tickets so we did not have to stop and pay admission. Be aware it is a long walk to the rope bridge from the parking lot!! It took us about 20 minutes to walk it and we are by no means slow walkers. Once there you may have to wait for the people from the other side to walk back so you can go across. The stairs going to the rope bridge are rather steep, it is definitely not for the faint of heart but it is so worth it!! The views are breathtaking! The walk after you cross the bridge is kinda scary because there are no stairs just uneven rocks - so walk very carefully. Going back from the rope bridge to the bus was an even tougher walk because the steps you walked down, you now have to walk up!! Next step was Giants Causeway. An amazing sight seeing what mother nature can do! Very interesting shapes and formations created by what scientists believe were lava fusions under the ocean. We chose to walk from bus stop to causeway and back, however, there is a shuttle. The walk going down was relatively easy but coming back was a bit tough. Definitely a sight you do not want to miss! Next stop was Ballycastle, a very quaint town. We chose to buy some deli ham, cheese, chips, drink and a half batch of bread at a local store for our lunch - cost 6.01 pounds. It was delicious! Left Ballycastle for a beautiful coastal drive back to Belfast. Countryside going to our tour stops as well as coming back was truly gorgeous! Upon our return to Belfast, we viewed a few of the city highlights before heading back to the ship. What a great day, one of our favorite stops on the cruise! Left port at 8:30 and got back to ship at 6:15 p.m. The bus driver and tour guide, Gail were great! If you stop in Belfast, put this tour on your list especially for the price you pay.
Review by: Francis P, December 2017
The trip out to the Causeway is boring except for stopping at the little village for lunch, nice break and very good lunch.. Once at Causeway parking the tour bus not a very go setup. After getting the bus it is quite a good walk to the causeway. If you want to ride down you have to wait in a long line to catch the bus. I did enjoy seeing the causeway great area for taking pictures. _br/_ Going to the swinging bridge is better organized and good parking area, again quite a bit of walking to the bridge. We didn't have any spare time after walking down to the bridge to check out the shops
Review by: Miami, November 2017
We were met by our driver and boarded a comfortable bus taking us to the Giants Causeway. It was a long trip but well worth it.I believe it was Odyssey Bus Co._br/_ After about 1 1/2 hour trip through the countryside, we arrived and were instructed how to get to the causeway. If you wanted to visit the Visitor Center there was an additional charge, but you didn't truly need to visit it. The time better spent on the Causeway. Be prepared for a wildly windy experience at times and very cool. After the visit to the Causeway, we were driven down the coastline through the small fishing villages and town back to our ship. It was a wonderful experience.
Review by: mayordwa, October 2017
This was an awesome shore excursion. Much more affordable than the cruise price and we saw more, including tickets came with paid excursion and time to cross the bridge and plenty of time at the Causeway. Most other tours cautioned on being able to cross the bridge but with this tour, we were able to do it, which was amazing. Tour also included drive through Belfast city to see the murals which was an added bonus. I would highly recommend!
Review by: Scott B, October 2017
This tour was excellent in every way. Our tour guide was Gail. She was knowledgeable, fun, caring and I loved her accent. One lady on our bus wanted to stop and photograph sheep so Gail asked the driver to stop when we saw sheep grazing on the hillside. Gail was lots of fun to talk to and she told me which brand of tea was truly Irish when I asked her. Our driver was Joe. Those roads are so narrow in Ireland and especially along the Causeway but he gave us confidence as he drove safely all day long. It is a full day's tour and you see so many places but always have a comfy coach bus to hop on after each stop. It is a good mix of stops. Giant's Causeway was unbelievable! No wonder it is the 8th Wonder of the World. This tour is such a good value for all that you get to see. I would HIGHLY recommend this and hope that you get Gail and Joe as your guide and driver. My husband and I took our tour on September 15, 2017. Paula from Cincinnati, Ohio
Review by: cndnelson4ever, October 2017
Amazing! Worth every penny. Loved our guide
Review by: Janet M, September 2017
Fabulous trip with a very helpful and very informative gentleman! Saw Belfast I have never seen before. I love Belfast!!
Review by: mikevalerie84, September 2017
We really enjoyed northern Ireland's country side!We saw castles then carrick rope bridge was a hike a bit of rain but beautiful to see!Then off to giants causeway again a hike there is a bus need exact change in no ATM or charge excepted so my mom and dad couldn't make the walk
Review by: James R, September 2017
Tour guides were very knowledgeable, right on time. Great tour.
Review by: Sterling M, September 2017
This was really a great trip. We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather and saw a countryside that was amazing on the way to the sights!
Review by: Abba B, September 2017
The tour was very extensive and long but the scenery was great -especially at the Giant Causeway.
Review by: Joe C, September 2017
My first negative review ever. _br/_ This is advertised as a small-group tour. We were on a big bus that was close to full. Not my idea of a small group. When we said something to the man in charge he basically said too bad._br/_ We took 7 other tours on the cruise and this coach was far less comfortable than any of the others and did not have wi-if like all of the others._br/_ There was a family of 5 or 6 that was 15-20 minutes late meeting the tour, again at the rope bridge, again at the Giants Causeway, and again after lunch. Tour guide did nothing about it except tell the rest of us who were waiting for the family how bad he felt about some people that another guide left behind who had to pay 140 for a taxi back to the ship. Maybe if he had left this family behind after the third or fourth time they might have learned a lesson about respecting others. We felt rushed at all of the stops but made a point of being back on time. We did not book this tour to sit on a bus waiting for others._br/_ Tour is advertised as having an extended city tour. Because of the continually late family we had a quick drive through since they wasted over an hour of our day. Guide kept telling us over and over that driver could only legally drive for so many hours and that she had to drive bus to Dublin that day so that it could be used there the next day and we might not get to do city tour at all. So why did we all have to wait for the late family and have an abbreviated tour of Belfast?_br/_ Itinerary was excellent. However, go with another company that is considerate of those of us who are considerate of others.
Review by: supergram10, September 2017
Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative. We loved the personal attention with having a small group.
Review by: Judy A, September 2017
Picked us up on time and easily located right outside the port. Great value especially compared to the ships prices. Our tour guide was political and shared his views. I found it honest and authentic to the Belfast area and history. It was educational and informative. The scenery was spectacular. The time was not all that long at the Causeway, but, adequate.
Review by: Mary Ann R, September 2017
Enjoyed Giants Causeway, really no good place to eat so bring food from your cruise ship to picnic. Bus tour thru Belfast was good.
Review by: Brad J, September 2017
Overall Great Tour....the local Guide met us right at the Ship and we were able to beat the large Ship's Tour buses to the sights....This trip offered a great ride through the Countryside....along with visiting the Giants Causeway there was also a stop to see and cross a foot suspension bridge....Be advised that both stops involve long walks to the attractions but if you're able it was certainly enjoyable....take raingear as the weather changes quickly....
Review by: Mangosteen, August 2017
Very well planned small group tour. We went straight to the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge first, beating the crowds and didn't have to queue. Luckily the weather was fine and we had good time at the Giants Causeway. The driver/guide is very good too. Would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: dmswitzer1325, August 2017
I highly recommend this tour for those who want a flavor of the Irish countryside, villages, and north shore along with a brief city tour in Belfast that includes highlights of the recent history of that city's struggles. We had only a driver that day, not a tour guide who was sick at the last minute, so we didn't get all of the commentary and explanations, although the driver did her best and was delightful. Other than that, the only thing I would change about the tour itself is the time available in the village we stopped in at mid-day. All we had time for was lunch, and it would have been nice to have another 30-45 minutes to explore.
Review by: Lori W, August 2017
I will never travel with Odyssey again. We took Paddywagon for our other tour days in Ireland, and how I wish we had gone with them instead. I had read the reviews online before, so figured we would give Odyssey a try for this tour. BIG MISTAKE!!! It COULD have been a great tour if not for a few things.....1. when we got to our first stop, the driver did not give us adequate time so that we could walk over the rope bridge. We walked a very brisk pace, but by the time we got to the rope bridge, it was closed on our side as they were allowing the other side to return back over the bridge. I was very nervous about being late and missing our bus, so we walked all the way out to the rope bridge and came back without having crossed it. 2. The tour did not stop for lunch until 4:30 pm! My kids were starving and we were all feeling sick by then. Then, the whole bus went to the same restaurant, the service was slow, we had to gobble up our food in 5 minutes and rush back to the bus. The driver kept saying the whole day, we have to hurry up so we can go to Belfast, and our driver can only drive a certain number of hours per day, hurry up, hurry up, etc. 3. So, we get to Belfast. And the tour guide, Martin, goes into great detail about all of the murders and attrocities that have taken place there over the years. Detail after detail about how many murders, etc. This went on for at least a half and hour. I really did not want to hear that on my vacation, and I really did not want my children bombarded with detail after detail! He took us to see the peace wall, and kept saying how we were not allowed to stop because it was an unsafe area. Well, why would you take us to an unsafe area????? We even saw police stopped setting up the yellow crime scene tape. I felt very UNSAFE. So, we were rushed through the most beautiful parts of our tour, so we could see Belfast with all of their crime and terrible history. WHY???? They ruined our day!!! I will never ever travel with them again. We took Paddywagon our other days in Ireland. The Paddywagon buses were more comfortable, their drivers were friendly and happy, and there was free WIFI on the bus. Odyssey ruined our day - it was the most beautiful scenery of our trip, and our worst tour. Stay away from them!!!
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