We will be on the 8-day Ireland/Scotland cruise on the Ocean Princess in August and will be booking the HoHo bus tour in Dublin. I forget what the cost is but we will see a lot more for much less than anything the cruise line can offer. Yes, you are right about the large distances from the ports, and I am still exploring all the options - trains, cabs, transfers and private tours. In Glasgow, we are taking a private Highlands tour picking up at the ship, and in Edinburgh, we are taking the ship's ride to the Edinburgh Tattoo, which happens to fall during that week. On our itinerary, that leaves Waterford and Guernsey, and hoping that a cab will be economical.