Could you not hire a large car/people carrier from your local car hire and deposit it at Harwich?

I've just noticed this question and I have one for you - when you fly on holiday do you expect the airline to get you to the airport, or would you book a flight at an airport that you could access easily? Surely the responsibility to be able to get to your holiday is yours!

Hi - we had the problem of getting to Harwich from Scotland this May. Flew to Stansted, coach to Colchester, bus to Harwich. Harwich Tourist office was helpful with bus and train timetables. look on it as an adventure!! The cruise will be wonderful, believe me and worth the hassle. Have a great time.

Harwich has always been an awkward place to get to by public transport. The fact that it is now becoming more popular with cruises might ease the situation. There are a few cruise lines who provide coach transport to various ports but Harwich is not, I think, one of them. When you go on holiday the onus is generally on you to find your way to the start. As a possible solution you could consider a train to Cambridge, or Colchester or Ipswich and bus or taxi from that point, you could as someone else suggested try National Express to one of these towns nearby or you could consider asking and maybe paying a friend’s expenses to take you. You could go all the way by taxi, there are so many permutations and just because nothing is arranged for you or nothing goes in a direct line to your destination doesn't mean that you are stymied. Just think and the answer will come to you. Come on Mrs Wilcox, if you are like most women you will be constantly solving the families problems standing on your head ....you can do it. Best wishes ... Ida

I’ve read some moans & groans on this site but yours takes the biscuit. Do you really expect any, of the many cruise companies to provide transport from every town & city in the U.K. The logistics would be impossible & the cost would be unimaginable. I’ve cruised from all corners of the Earth & in virtually every case I’ve found my own way to the port, be it U.K, Europe, Los Angeles or Singapore, & that’s including the flights. The Thomson option may be an attractive option in your case, but don’t tell me they pick up from every town in the country. The other options available which all of us who travel in family groups are, take two cars. Hire a bigger car/estate. Hire a minibus & driver. Fly Manchester to Southampton Fly Be arrives 0930 hrs.

Have you tried looking to see if National Express has any services to the port? Also have a look at the train price and times. You could get a taxi to and from the station.