MoBrien

I woke this morning to see Matt's post and we also booked it. However by the time we got to book it there were no Junior Suites available & all that was left in the Suite Class was Grand Suites and above.  A Grand Suite was coming in at €13,778.00 in total. We felt that was outside our budget so we booked a Ocean View Balcony
We booked April 18, 2019 - 16 Nights Barcelona to Dubai Via the Suez Canal

I woke this morning to see Matt's post and we also booked it. However by the time we got to book it there were no Junior Suites available & all that was left in the Suite Class was Grand Suites and above.  A Grand Suite was coming in at €13,778.00 in total. We felt that was outside our budget so we booked a Ocean View Balcony
We booked April 18, 2019 - 16 Nights Barcelona to Dubai Via the Suez Canal

I woke this morning to see Matt's post and we also booked it. However by the time we got to book it there were no Junior Suites available & all that was left in the Suite Class was Grand Suites and above.  A Grand Suite was coming in at €13,778.00 in total. We felt that was outside our budget so we booked a Ocean View Balcony
We booked April 18, 2019 - 16 Nights Barcelona to Dubai Via the Suez Canal

I woke this morning to see Matt's post and we also booked it. However by the time we got to book it there were no Junior Suites available & all that was left in the Suite Class was Grand Suites and above.  A Grand Suite was coming in at €13,778.00 in total. We felt that was outside our budget so we booked a Ocean View Balcony
We booked April 18, 2019 - 16 Nights Barcelona to Dubai Via the Suez Canal

I woke this morning to see Matt's post and we also booked it. However by the time we got to book it there were no Junior Suites available & all that was left in the Suite Class was Grand Suites and above.  A Grand Suite was coming in at €13,778.00 in total. We felt that was outside our budget so we booked a Ocean View Balcony
We booked April 18, 2019 - 16 Nights Barcelona to Dubai Via the Suez Canal

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

So the update is that we woke this morning from an email from Royal to find out we have been upgraded to a Crown Loft Suite. ??

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 
 

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. 
 

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

Thanks all for taking the time to reply and your input has been a great help to us. I spoke with Royal Caribbean on the phone today and they have told me that we can avail of priority boarding on disembarking the ship. I just need to speak to Guest Services once we board the ship and they will help us make our 08:35am flight. She said we would be allowed to disembark at 06:45am and as we are doing the self assist disembarking we should be through customs within 30mins.
However to be on the safe side we have also booked the 11:25am flight with Southwest. If we don't make our 08:35am flight we can just claim it against our travel insurance. 
Glad to hear that Southwest are a great airline as we haven't flown with them before.
Thanks for letting me know about the $15 fee. 

Thanks all for taking the time to reply and your input has been a great help to us. I spoke with Royal Caribbean on the phone today and they have told me that we can avail of priority boarding on disembarking the ship. I just need to speak to Guest Services once we board the ship and they will help us make our 08:35am flight. She said we would be allowed to disembark at 06:45am and as we are doing the self assist disembarking we should be through customs within 30mins.
However to be on the safe side we have also booked the 11:25am flight with Southwest. If we don't make our 08:35am flight we can just claim it against our travel insurance. 
Glad to hear that Southwest are a great airline as we haven't flown with them before.
Thanks for letting me know about the $15 fee.