A friend and I are making our first trip to Ireland this October. We are using Sceptre Ireland for an air, lodging and car package. Are they any good? We fly into Shannon and out of Dublin. Suggestions?

My understanding is that they are fine. They have been around for a very long time and offer some pretty good off season deals if you happen to live near an Aer Lingus port.

As far as suggestions go, it depends on how long you will be there. You have the options of seeing the north or south half of the country based on the Shannon/Dublin thing.

The south is probably more popular and would not be as long a route, but the north is fantastic with far fewer tourists. There's a start, let us know what you want to see and how long you will be there.

Bill

We'll be there 10 days. We love art, thrift shops, music and pubs, nature and people - hows that for eclectic?

They are fine. I used to book flights only through them and it was good value if nota bit packed on the plane. They are reputable so I would not worry. Any web contact for them so I can check a few fares fro myself to NY?

Thanks

S

Siobhan - when I looked into Sceptre recently I discovered (based on their website www.sceptretours.com) that they operate solely through travel agents here in the States, so I was unable to price any kind of flight or package originating in the US without going to the referred Agents... they do provide an 800 number, but if their site is any indication ("Marketing Ireland directly through agents&quot you'll just be directed to a local agency. I wonder if navgal could inform us whether she thought she got a decent deal based on pricing flights, etc., separately through discount sites?

Scepter tours are fine I used them twice .One for the fly and drive package and one with a escourted Pub tour . what Sceptre charges is it! no hidden charges later on that is what i liked best about them . Things to consider with the fly and drive package The car you may want to pay the upgrade for an automatic transmission . Sure you say I can drive a stick shift but can you shift with your left hand ? and try to put the car in reverse is a real trick ! also consider the CDW insurance . Only some Platinum Mastercards will cover it in Ireland so with your credit card compamy if they cover you in Ireland with cdw this may be an additonal cost of 200 dollars so check this out with DAN DOOLEY car rental if that is the one they set you up with . If you have vouchers you may want to pre book some B&B s . In the low season some B&B owners like cash and may not give you a room on short notice always tell them up front you have a voucher it avoids some problems later on of avalibility . check to see how much daylight hours you will have so your not searching in the dark at 6pm down small roads For your B&B s to checkin .Lots of people will make the most of the first day arrive at Shannon pick up car Drive to Doolin have lunch at Oconners pub see the cliffs of Moher and go to Galway for the night .Just an Idea !

Ahaugeto - I did this years ago but in reverse from Dublin as I live here. I will try to contact them as I remember it was an excellent fare but more no frills flying.

Siobhan- oops, I knew you were a Dublin local - just found it curious that you used to order directly through Sceptre whereas here in the states we have to go through an agent. Do they have their own airline, too, or was it that they booked you on a ryanair or easyjet or the like?

In the states Scepter use Aer Lingus best deals are from JFK, Boston logan ,Chicago O'hare , $99.oo each way

I caught wind of the deal on Frommer's web newsletter. When I tried Sceptre directly it just listed agents. So I went to a friend who is a travel agent and she booked it. For the 10 days we get an economy car, round trip flight from San Francisco (via US Airways) lodging and breakfast. The package includes a hotel room in Shannon the first night and one in Dublin the last night. The rest is B&Bs. Any travel agent can arrange it, you don't need the Sceptre referrals. Thanks for all the advice.

I may bought a RT ticket a few years ago from NY when I moved over andf not used the return...I am still sure I did use them once on a roundtrip Dublin/NY/Dublin. I miight try the agent in woodlawn and see if the would do this.

I forgot to mention the price. All inclusive it is $1100.

navgal - nice job! Sounds like a great deal... please post a trip report on your return!

a car rental question for users of Sceptre tours - if your rent as part of your package and pay for it with your credit card, does mastercard still cover CDW? I bought a package without CDW, and suddenly realized the charge went through to the agency, not directly to the car rental company. Does anyone know if CDW will be necessary or will mastercard insurance still cover it?