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July 24, 2025
Liverpool, England


The Liverpool waterfront has larger-than-life statues of the four Beatles. There is usually a long line of tourists waiting to take photos with the statues.

Today’s port was Liverpool, England. Liverpool was first established in 1207, and played a major role in England’s Industrial Revolution. But Liverpool is mainly known today as the hometown of the Beatles.

While Gail stayed on board, Russell escorted the four-hour “The Beatles Experience” excursion. He has gone on this excursion many times before during previous visits. However, Strawberry Field recently reopened after years of renovation, and Russell wanted to see it.

A tour bus drove 40 Viking guests around Liverpool, stopping at various places associated with Beatles history. The excellent tour guide played Beatles songs and sound clips as he narrated.

(Russell asked the younger driver if he was tired of the Beatles. The driver – a native Liverpudlian – replied, “I’d never heard of them. My mum told me about them. I like Metallica.”)

The good news is that Liverpool has done a great job of preserving the Beatles’ legacy. And for many of the Viking guests, Liverpool was the high point of their entire cruise.


Liverpool’s main attraction is “The Beatles Experience,” a large, underground walkthrough of the history of the Beatles. This is a self-guided tour; guests are given personal headsets to use at their own pace.


Inside “The Beatles Experience” is a reconstruction of the Cavern Club where the Beatles once played. There is also an outdoor reconstruction on Matthews Street, the site of the original club.


Facsimiles of the costumes from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” made using the original patterns and materials


The bus (or a replica) from the “Magical Mystery Tour”


The souvenir shop at the end of “The Beatles Experience.” There are many, many Beatles souvenir shops around Liverpool.


Penny Lane, a shopping street near Paul McCartney’s childhood home


Viking guests taking their photos with the “Penny Lane” sign


The bus roundabout mentioned in “Penny Lane” (“Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout.”) Someone purchased the once-open shelter and constructed a building around it.


Strawberry Field was a childrens home near John Lennon’s childhood home. It was closed for many years, but recently reopened as a tourist attraction.


Strawberry Field’s building has an exhibit devoted to John Lennon, including the piano on which he composed and played his song “Imagine.” (The piano was owned by musician George Michael and is on permanent loan.)


Strawberry Field’s garden also has several Beatles-related exhibits


John Lennon’s childhood home was purchased by Yoko Ono and donated to the National Trust. Out of deference, tour buses drive by the site, but do not stop and let tourists out.


Paul McCartney’s childhood home


Unlike John Lennon’s home, Paul McCartney’s home is constantly overrun by crowds of buses and tourists. Russell feels sorry for the neighbors.

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