Help
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about call locations, transfers, and enquiry — without invented awards or fake availability.
Common questions
Do you take payment or book tours online?+
No. This site is editorial planning plus email enquiry. You open a mailto to hello@edinburghshoreexcursion.com; we reply with notes. No checkout, no published prices, and no live availability.
Do cruise ships dock in Edinburgh city centre?+
No. Ships calling for Edinburgh typically use South Queensferry / the Firth of Forth or Newhaven / Leith patterns. None of these are a berth beside the Castle or Royal Mile. Transfer time is part of your day.
What is the difference between South Queensferry and Newhaven?+
South Queensferry is Forth-side and often involves tender or landing plus a longer road transfer into the city. Newhaven and Leith sit on Edinburgh’s northern waterfront and are often a shorter hop toward the centre — still not a city-centre dock. Always confirm your ship’s call location on the day.
How much time do I need for Edinburgh Castle?+
Treat Castle entry as a primary commitment after transfers, not a five-minute add-on. Queues, hills, and security checks consume usable hours. On a short Forth-side window, a selective Mile or waterfront plan can be wiser than forcing the Castle.
Do you publish a cruise ship schedule?+
Yes — see the Edinburgh cruise ship schedule page. Each row shows an arrival point (South Queensferry, Newhaven, Leith or Rosyth). 2026 draws on public Forth schedule material; 2027 lists currently published cruise-line itineraries and is not a complete season timetable. Always re-check your cruise documents.
Are ship coach excursions listed as yours?+
No. Ship and third-party coaches are mentioned as planning context only. We do not sell them as our inventory or invent their prices.
How do enquiries work?+
Use the enquire form or email hello@edinburghshoreexcursion.com. You will get a reference like ED-ENQ-YYYYMMDD-XXXX in the draft. Nothing is stored on our servers from the mailto form.
What if I am not sure where my ship calls?+
Check cruise documents and ask the shore desk. Until you know South Queensferry versus Newhaven / Leith, keep Castle tickets and stacked museum plans flexible.
Need help planning your Edinburgh call?
Tell us your ship date, expected call location (South Queensferry or Newhaven / Leith), and how long you expect ashore — we will reply with honest planning notes. No checkout and no invented availability.
Questions about your Edinburgh visit? Email hello@edinburghshoreexcursion.com