We checked out of the Hyatt Regency Churchill and made our way to King’s Cross Station to catch the LNER express train to Edinburgh, Scotland. The four-hour train ride was absolutely stunning—just three quick stops before we rolled into the heart of Edinburgh at Waverley Station.
Our Hilton hotel was right next to the station… at least in theory. Anyone who’s been to Edinburgh and walked the Royal Mile knows how hilly things get. Waverley Station sits low, and our hotel was up on Bridge Street. With rolling suitcases, broken escalators, construction everywhere, and lifts in all the wrong places, it felt like we were in a maze. We finally discovered the hidden lift that would take us to the hotel lobby, but wow—what a hunt! We wish we knew then what we know now.
After dropping our bags in the room, we set off to explore. Within minutes, we were walking the middle stretch of the Royal Mile—that historic road connecting the Edinburgh Castle on the hill to Holyrood Palace at the bottom, once home to kings and queens.
We had been here before—first in 1986 on our honeymoon, and then again briefly in August 2023 during a Viking Mars cruise. That second visit was short, just a few hours. This time, we had two full days to soak it all in.
As we wandered the streets and shops, we noticed some changes. The old-world Scottish charm in the stores has largely given way to touristy souvenir shops, many run by Indian merchants. Not bad—just different. But the beautiful stone buildings and the vibrant city vibe were still very much alive. And the food? Still excellent.
The next morning, we visited Edinburgh Castle. The castle’s official description says it best: “Edinburgh Castle is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe… alive with many exciting tales.” The views from the top are unbeatable, overlooking the city and the Firth of Forth.
Later, we strolled from the Old Town into New Town along Princes Street. It’s changed a lot since 1986, with modern stores blending into the historic facades. We stumbled upon Scotland’s National Gallery—which has free admission—and spent time admiring works by Monet, Picasso, and amazing Scottish artists. What a pleasant surprise!
We capped off the day with dinner at Bar+Block, a stylish pub with delicious food, and turned in for the night. The next adventure awaited: St. Andrews.
This time, we knew the secret passage to Bridge Street and easily made it back to Waverley Station. We boarded a ScotRail train heading north and got off at Leuchars Station, just five miles from St. Andrews—the legendary home of golf.
St. Andrews:
We spent two nights at the Old Course Hotel, which overlooks the iconic 17th hole, also known as the “Road Hole.” For a golf fan, this was heaven. In 1986, I only had about two hours here and only walked the 18th hole. This time, I was determined to experience it properly.
The resort is now operated by the Kohler company, which also runs top-tier golf resorts in the U.S. like Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run. I asked about playing the Old Course and was directed to the starter’s hut to enter the lottery for single players (Gina doesn’t golf and was happy to sleep in).
I registered via iPad and was told to wait until 5 PM to see if I got a spot. At 5:15, I got the text—tee time at 7 AM the next morning! I couldn’t believe it—80 applicants, only 12 spots, and I got one. Incredible luck!
The next morning was chilly—about 48°F—but I layered up and made my way across the course to pick up rental clubs. No driving range to warm up (and I hadn’t swung a club in six months!), so I just hit some putts to get a feel for the putter.
I was paired with three 29-year-olds from Atlanta on a golf trip. They had five guys total and were trying to get two tee times, but only three made it—leaving the opening I snagged. The weather warmed up into the 60s, which helped, and I was lucky to have Ian, a knowledgeable and friendly Scottish caddie.
As for the round: I birdied hole #6, reached the green in two on the legendary 17th, and two-putted from the Valley of Sin on #18—right in front of the tourists! I also had my fair share of bogeys and one triple (thanks, bunker on #9), but I shot a respectable 85 overall. Truly unforgettable. Huge thanks to my wife for encouraging me to go for it.
Afterward, we had lunch in town and did some shopping—logged over 24,000 steps that day! Of course, I picked up some souvenirs: shirts, a sweater, a hat, and a few golf trinkets. That night, we had an exquisite dinner at the Road Hole Restaurant, with views of the course and all of St. Andrews. Just spectacular.
The next morning, we checked out and took one last walk through town before heading back to Edinburgh. We made it into the Hilton this time without getting lost and took a final walk down the Royal Mile. We toured through the grass market section of Edingburgh which is unique architecture and being located below the Castle high above which inspired sets used in the Harry Potter movies, visited the vendors along the square and had a nioce pub lunch.
Sunday, May 18th was a travel day. We’d been notified months earlier that due to track maintenance, King’s Cross station in London would be closed. So our journey back included an express train to Peterborough, then two crowded local trains—one to Cambridge, then to London Liverpool Street. It added about two hours to the trip, but we made it!
Our final full day in London—and the end of our world cruise—was bittersweet. We packed our bags (five large suitcases and two carry-ons!) and headed out to explore the Kensington area. We visited the Chelsea Flower Show, which featured elaborate floral displays from fashion shops to flower boutiques. The displays were breathtaking, and Sloane Square was buzzing with people taking photos.
We stopped at Harrods for a late lunch at the food court—Pasta Evangelists served up a fantastic Italian meal—and then took our last London Underground ride back to the hotel.
After a good night’s sleep, we woke at 6 AM, checked out, and met our pre-arranged limo to the Virgin Upper Class check-in at Heathrow. Everything went so smoothly we were amazed. We enjoyed breakfast in the lounge, boarded our nine-hour flight to Miami, and were home by 5 PM. When we arrived home, Zack and Sedona’s cat Miss Smoke or Smokalaski as she can be called, welcomed us with a stare of “where did you go?”
And just like that, our world cruise came to a close—a full circle around the globe, packed with memories we’ll never forget. A total of 150 days, 138 on a cruise ship, 30 countries, 67 sea days, 71 port days, and finally sailing over 39,600 miles. We truly enjoyed every minute and simply fancinated by the people we met and places we saw. I do plan to do a tips blog for those who may be thinking of doing a world cruise and share some insight on things we learned.
