London

Hi Maria, there are many possible responses to your first question. Mine is that if 3 days is all you have, and you plan an appropriate itinerary for that amount of time, then it's enough. Any less than 3 days and I'd question the value of going there. As for your cruise, a couple of things to note. First, it isn't Southampton London, it's just Southampton, a city of around 300,000 people that is 90 miles from London. Second, there is no single cruise port. Rather than type all the details again, I'll just copy and paste what I said the last time someone asked this: Hotel to Waterloo Station, by Underground or cab. Use the journey planner here: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/ Waterloo to Southampton Central station, at least 3 trains per hour, journey time around 1 hour 20 minutes. It's a South West Trains service, so check times and buy tickets on http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/ . I commute on this line and would not recommend any late afternoon departures after the 16.35 on a weekday, if you want to sit together and be able to keep your luggage near you. I expect you will travel earlier in the day anyway. Southampton Central to your ship - get a taxi right outside the railway station. Different cruise companies are based at different dock gates, so there isn't a single "cruise port" as such. They should tell you which dock gate you need, but I'd bet the taxi driver will know which ship is where. Cunard has a handy map which shows you where the various cruise terminals are, as well as Southampton Central station. I can't get this to work as a link, so copy and paste this into your browser: https://ask.cunard.com/resources/carnivaluk/before-you-sail/southampton_map

I agree with Kevin's reply. If you plan well, you can have 3 good days in London. You will have to be ruthlessly selec-tive, as London could keep you busy for weeks. Rick Steves London (as well as other books and websites) will have "if you have 3 days on London" suggestions. These are a good start; you then modify them to suit your interests. The most important advice I have for a short visit like yours: if something doesn't make your personal A-list, then you don't have time for it, no matter how famous it is, and no matter who tells you it's a "must see." Of course, this is also true for your cruise ports, where you'll only be in each one for part of a day. I also think going to London a few days before your cruise is a good idea. You'll have accommodated to jet lag, and even if there's a snag, you won't miss your sailing. The single best source of online information for cruises is Cruise Critic. Here's their Southampton port review: http://tinyurl.com/cxpsrr6. And here's where you can sign up for a Roll Call of your sailing, to meet other passengers. You can arrange to join them on private tours, so it's cheaper than doing it yourself and better than being part of the large herd on a ship's tour. Similarly, you may be able to join up with people going by private car or van service from London to Southampton, if you don't want to take the train: http://tinyurl.com/ap7h55m