Port of Harwich, england

For cruisers who are flying into London and must get to Harwich (pronounced 'Harich' or 'Harridge' without the "w" and with a soft "a") to embark, there are several ways to get to the port. Some suggest trains and taxis, but I have always found that it is less stressful to buy round trip vouchers from your cruise line. For instance, guests who have made their air arrangements through Royal Caribbean (and are arriving on the day of boarding), RCCL has a "meet and greet" airport staff that will meet you in the Baggage Claim Area or outside of Customs (for international flights) and direct you to your transportation between the airport and ship. Guests that are Cruise Only (i.e., have not made air arrangements through their cruise line) may also purchase this transfer service (at RCCL it's called Royal connections) separately. Cost: $200 round trip. From London Gatwick Airport it is 105 miles and around 2 .20 hours; from London Heathrow it is 115 miles and 2.5 hours. In an air-conditioned bus it is a welcome ride to catch up on any sleep-deprived night of overseas flying.

Where You're Docked

Cruise ships dock at Harwich International Port. Harwich is located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is the quietest of the three main ports of embarkation that service London (it's never featured as a daylong port-of-call stop). Only Holland America, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean base ships here -- and there's not a lot to see and do in the immediate area. At Harwich International Port services are pretty much limited to money exchange and a cafe. For forgotten or misplaced essentials, there's a huge Morrison's Supermarket about a five-minute drive away. Taxis are readily available outside the terminal to take you there. There is a Tourist Information Centre (Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday until 6 p.m.; October - March, closed Sunday) not far from the port that sells stamps, phone cards and offers photocopying and fax services. There are no Internet cafes in Harwich..

Below are a few of the city's landmarks and historic buildings: Not surprising for a town so steeped in maritime history, many of the attractions in the city have to do with sailing and shipping.

Ha'Penny Pier Visitors Center

Stop by the charming Ha'penny Pier Visitor Center -- the "official" starting point for a walking tour of Harwich. Information on everything in Harwich and historic exhibition on Harwich and the Mayflower. The Ha'Penny Pier so-named because of the half-penny fee charged to walk the pier when it opened in 1853. The Pier Ticket Office (which also houses the visitor center) contains the Christopher Jones and the Mayflower exhibit, which details the life of Harwich resident and Mayflower master Christopher Jones, who sailed the ship to the New World in 1620. Admission is free; it's closed September through April.

The Town of Harwich - The old town of Harwich sticks out on a promontory into the North Sea. You could spend an hour or two wandering around the old city. A local preservation group called the Harwich Society has worked to restore many of the local sites. Local attractions include two lighthouses; the Electric Palace cinema, one of the oldest in Britain and now restored to its original state; the Redoubt fort, dating from the Napoleonic era; a lighthouse museum; a small beach; and of course ship-watching. Many attractions are open during the summer only.

There is, however, in this picturesque, quiet cruise port town, some quaint narrow backstreets if you have time to explore. Harwich has plenty of old buildings and a lot of maritime history. For visitors to the port, Harwich Old Town is easily accessible and guided tours are provided free of charge by members of the Harwich Society, highlighting the historic background of this port which dates back to at least the 14^th century. The Pilgrim Fathers Mayflower ship was built here and Master Christopher Jones had his home here, however, the history and places to visit do not end there.

Church Street in Harwich

Harwich Redoubt Fort.- An extremely impressive 180ft (60m) diameter circular fort built in 1808 to defend the port of Harwich against a Napoleonic invasion. It is the only such example open to the public. Eleven guns sit on the battlements. Eighteen casements below would house 300 troops in siege conditions. Part of the fort is now used as a military museum. Battle reenactments and other events are held during the summer months. The fort was restored by the Harwich Society as a voluntary project.

Open to the public is the Harwich Redoubt Fort, an impressive circular fort built in 1808 to protect the city from Napoleonic invasion.
Adult £3.00 Opening 01 May 2009 to 31 Aug 2009 - 7 days a week 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Maritime Museum - Housed in a unused lighthouse, the museum has special displays on the Royal Navy and commercial shipping and history of the Royal Navy and Merchant Navy with commanding views over the harbour and its activities.
Adult £1.00 Opening May 1, 2009 to Aug 32, 2009 - 7 days a week 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Maritime Museum and National Wireless and Television Museum are located in unused lighthouses. Admission is required; the museum is open daily between May 1 and Aug. 31.

The Electric Palace - Kings Quay Street is one of the oldest movie theaters in the U.K. and still shows films today.Electric Palace, which opened in November 1911. The theater not only played movies but was a performance space for comedians, burlesque shows, hypnotists, singers, dancers and musicians. The Electric Palace was open continuously (save for flooding in 1953) until it closed in 1956. It reopened in 1981, and the cinema now runs as a club.
Local Cuisine: Ha' Penny Pier Bistro: Try the baked haddock. Per-person cost for a three-course meal including wine will run about $31. (The Quay)
Harborside Restaurant: Good seafood and very nice views of the sea. Try the Roast Cod. Per-person cost for a three-course meal including wine will run about $38. (The Quay)