Geema

I hate the RCL website
 

They are going after the "Adventure" cruiser, action and adventure, what happened to laying by the pool or beach and reading a book or just people watching? I'm getting old...

Thanks a lot!!!

An organized tour will be your easiest and cheapest bet. Something like eCoaches at roughly 40 Euros will include your admission tour of Cork, and a stop in Kinsale for lunch if you opt for the all day tour.
If you want to spend the whole day at Blarney Castle, then I'd look into booking private transport.

It wasn't offered on the two Royal cruises I've done in Europe. My guess is that it won't be offered because of the complications of international flights.

Harmony 1/13/2018

We were on the Serenade in late May and luggage valet was not available then. 

I haven't heard of it, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything

I'd be happy with a live Caribbean band out by the pool. RC used to have that and it was great. What they have now, a DJ with recorded music, just doesn't do much for me. Got to have that live steel drum!

If you are going on a Cruise to Europe or the Canaries please feel free to ask any questions and I will try to help and if I don't know I will try to find out for you. Obviously  I haven't  been everywhere but I will  do my best.
Ships, ports of call , UK airports, shore excursions  etc.

Does that mean you like a pint of Guinness 

Same here. Other than booking and payment confirmations, I have never received an email from RCI.

This is really strange considering I am Irish...grandparents from Galway....but I hate beer!! 

You can get the train from Cobh into Cork City (Kent Station) and from there you need to get the number 215 bus to Blarney. Once you arrive at Kent Station you will have approx 10 minute walk to the bus stop. When you get off the train just ask someone to give you directions. The bus driver will let you know when you are in Blarney. 
You could also use local tour bus companies such as http://cobhcoaches.ie/blarney-castle-tours/ or http://www.ecoach.ie/
Your other option is a taxi but more expensive . Approx €40-€50 each way depending on traffic (note you do not tip cab drivers in Ireland)
I'm not sure if you are aware that Cobh was the last port for passengers to embark on the Titanic so their is a small museum in the town etc 
 

There is no reason why you can't board before noon.  The boarding times that they "assign" to you is just their attempt at controlling the onboarding crowd.  They will not deny you boarding if you get there before noon.
Generally, 10:30 AM is about the earliest that they will actually start boarding but you might as well get on the ship as early as you can and start enjoying your vacation !  Rooms are likely not ready until at least 1PM so you will have to haul carry-ons around but everyone is in the same "boat" (see what I did there ???) so you just pull them around with you for a while but hey - you're on a cruise ship - nothing can be THAT bad !

Thanks. As of right now RC has no excursions for Cork but it is still real early. Thanks for the advice...I appreciate it. Come to think of it, being left in Ireland sounds pretty good!! 

Thanks. As of right now RC has no excursions for Cork but it is still real early. Thanks for the advice...I appreciate it. Come to think of it, being left in Ireland sounds pretty good!! 

You got it!!!!         LOL. It is working fine now!

Thanks for this information. After many port stops in Nassau and not really impressed with it we have made it a "stay on the ship day". We are headed there for whats become our annual Anthem Thanksgiving cruise on Anthem and I am already looking forward to this new way to enjoy some beach time!

I think arebee should change his board name to "TheRumRunner" 

If you're a US or Canadian resident, you won't need a visa, butt you will need to have a valid passport with six months of validity. 
I'm headed to Cork on Sunday but try eCoach, which offers fast track admission to Blarney Castle and free time in Kinsale. Dublin we're simply don't in our own by precooking tickets to the popular sights. 

In Cork City check out the following things English Market, Cork City Goal, Spike Island Tour https://corkcitygaol.com/about/
http://www.spikeislandcork.ie/
If you have time Blarney Castle is worth a visit. The grounds of the castle are lovely and could spend a whole day exploring the grounds. 
Kinsale in Cork is a lovely also. Really good seafood. http://www.fishyfishy.ie/ http://www.manfridaykinsale.ie/
Charles Fort in Kinsale is worth a visit http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/south-west/charlesfort/
However i feel you wont have time to visit Blarney Castle & Kinsale in one day. 
 

No it does not. There is, however, dry cleaning available

I am sure it will not apply to you or those traveling with you that there are exceptions to the visa waiver program. For example if a US citizen wanted to visit New Zealand then they would be eligible for to do so under the visa wavier program unless they had a criminal conviction which resulted in a 1 year or more jail sentence, did not satisfy immigration that they did not intend to work in New Zealand, did not satisfy immigration they did not intend to leave the country after 90 days or had been denied entry into any country in the previous 5 years. I believe entry conditions are the same for New Zelander heading to the US under the Visa wavier scheme as well. In these cases you may still be granted a visa but would have to apply for one before leaving your home country (For example if the criminal conviction was a number of years ago and they weren't seen as a risk to the community then it is likely they would be granted a visa).
Again, I am sure non of this is an issue in your case but it should be noted that just because the US and the UK (and Australia and New Zealand etc) have visa wavier agreements it does not meant that this applies in every case. When in doubt check with your travel agent (Another good reason to use a travel agent as they will know all the ins and out for visa requirements for countries you are visiting) or check on that countries governments immigration or tourist websites.

If your hubby loves history then I would recommend Reginald's Tower, Medieval Museum and Bishops Palace which are all in the Viking Triangle.  http://www.waterfordtreasures.com
House of Waterford Crystal is also within the Viking Triangle. The tour is approx 50 minutes and you could do this either before or after the above museums.  https://www.waterfordvisitorcentre.com/content/attractions-waterford
For a walking tour of Waterford City I would recommend Jack Burtchaell  historic walking tour of Waterford. http://www.jackswalkingtours.com/
I would also recommend the Waterford Greenway which a is  spectacular 46km off-road cycling & walking trail along an old railway line between Waterford and Dungarvan. http://www.visitwaterfordgreenway.com/http://www.deisegreenway.com
I would recommend bike hire from Greenway Waterford Bike Hire https://www.waterfordgreenwaybikehire.com/   https://www.facebook.com/greenwaywaterford/
Another option is Mount Congreve Gardens http://www.mountcongreve.com/ and you can also access Mount Congreve Gardens from the Greenway if you wish to stop off to visit the gardens or just stop off for refreshments & snacks in the Cafe on site. 
Another option is the Copper Coast  Geopark (your ship might have this as a shore excursion).   The Copper Coast gets its name from the 19th Century Copper Mines that lie at its heart.  It comprises of approx 25 kilometers of spectacular coastline consisting of  beaches and coves buttressed and enclosed by rocky headlands.   Oceans, volcanoes, deserts and ice sheets all combined to create the rocks, which provide the physical foundation of the natural and cultural landscapes of The Copper Coast.       https://coppercoastgeopark.com/
Curraghmore House & Gardens in Portlaw, Co Waterford. It opens from Easter to September for guided tours at 11am & 2pm Wednesday to Sunday. Outside this, you must contact them to arrange private tours. However note from Dunmore East where your ship will dock its approx 45 mins drive each way. http://curraghmorehouse.ie/
Your ship will dock in Dunmore East which is approx 25 minutes drive to Waterford city. On your return allow extra time as there can be delays with traffic at certain times of the day in the city.      If yourself or your husband like water activities then check out Dunmore Adventure for things like Kayaking, open canoeing, rock climbing etc.        http://www.dunmoreadventure.com/
 
Any other info you need on the city, let me know. The above is just a taster of what you can do in the city, if you were hiring a car for the day then there are plenty more options outside the city i.e Mahon Falls in the Comeragh Mountains, Ardmore in Co Waterford, Colligan Woods Walk in Dungarvan, Dromana Gate Bridge etc