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British Isles Cruises

Fishing villages, stately castles and rolling hills all await you on a tour of the British Isles. This region extends to the entirety of the United Kingdom, including all its offshore islands such as the Outer Hebrides, Channel Islands and Ireland thrown in for good measure! When you take a cruise around the UK you'll be sure to fall in love with its picturesque landscapes and varying dialects. Take some time to enjoy the local landmarks, or even put your feet up and enjoy some food and drink in a traditional pub setting.

BRITISH ISLES CRUISE PORTS

Dublin

Dublin

Dublin’s exuberant spirit makes visitors to this Irish capital feel at home. Buildings like the 13th-century Dublin Castle bring a sense of grandeur, while its Guinness Brewery and Temple Bar entertainment district offer vibrant nightlife. Relax on St Stephen’s Green or tour the famous library at Trinity College, home to the Book of Kells. The River Liffey runs through the city, framed by Georgian architecture.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Centuries of history greet you around every corner in Edinburgh, Scotland’s charming, walkable capital city. Explore the souvenir shops and museums of the Royal Mile, leading through the medieval Old Town all the way up to Edinburgh Castle. For sweeping views over the city and Firth of Forth, climb up Arthur’s Seat. Tour royal residence Holyrood Palace, or shop in the modern boutiques along bustling Princes Street.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne is famous for its legacy as a hub for shipbuilding during the Industrial Revolution. Explore the Victorian city centre to see elegant buildings, modern art galleries and lively bars and eateries. There’s a sizeable student population in Newcastle, giving it a youthful energy. Highlights include the pedestrian-friendly Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Angel of the North statue and Beamish Museum.

Isles of Scilly

Isles of Scilly

Positioned off the Cornish coast of England, the Isles of Scilly feel miles away from the mainland with turquoise lagoon waters and white sandy beaches like Great Bay. Just five of the islands are inhabited. Tresco is known for its Abbey Garden and Valhalla Museum, and St Mary’s for its friendly pubs and museum of island life. St Agnes sits furthest out into the Atlantic, with deeper water and wilder landscapes.

Glasgow

Glasgow

Once a centre for shipbuilding, Glasgow is now a cultural hub, hosting the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera. Stroll through the centre and you’ll spy art nouveau and Victorian architecture, alongside the medieval Glasgow Cathedral and modern Riverside Museum. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is another cultural highlight, while the shopping arcades feature a bevy of top brands.

Belfast

Belfast is going through a period of regeneration, with former shipyards converted into the shiny new Titanic Quarter and modern waterfront eateries. Visit the Titanic Belfast Centre to learn all about the famous ocean liner, which was built here. The Ulster Museum gives you an overview of thousands of years of Irish history, or you can simply relax in the Victorian glasshouse at the lush Belfast Botanic Gardens.

Liverpool

Liverpool

This historically bustling port city sits at the meeting point of the Irish Sea and River Mersey. The regenerated Albert Dock has transformed the city’s hardworking Victorian past into a leisurely present, now home to the Tate Museum, shops and eateries. Fans of the Fab Four won’t want to miss a trip to the Beatles Story museum or legendary Cavern Club, while football fans can visit the iconic Anfield stadium.

Cork

Cork

Nestled along the southwest coast of Ireland, Cork is a pretty university city known for its Victorian architecture including the Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral and covered English Market. The city centre is compact - traditional pubs host live music, while students gather in the area’s trendy bars and coffeeshops. Cork City Gaol could be mistaken for a stately castle, but it once held Australia-bound prisoners!

Guernsey

Guernsey

Once the home of French writer Victor Hugo, there’s a sophisticated ambience in Guernsey. It’s the second-largest Channel Island, known for its beachfronts at Cobo Bay as well as its historic forts. Visit the capital of St Peter Port to see highlights like the 13th-century Castle Comet with its military museums, or explore Hugo’s former home at Hauteville House. The island’s a hotspot rock climbing along its cliffs.

Southampton

Southampton

This famous port city has been the departure point for many transatlantic crossings, the most famous of which was the Titanic. Visit the SeaCity Museum to explore an interactive model of this ill-fated ship, or take in the impressive modern art collection at the nearby Southampton City Art Gallery. For a glimpse into yesterday’s Southampton, visit Tudor House and Garden with its 12th-century homes and gardens.

Bristol

Bristol, England

This city might be small in size but it’s quite cosmopolitan in its energy, filled with chic galleries and trendy restaurants housed in former industrial warehouses.

Dover

Dover

Dover enjoys a rather spectacular setting – it’s hard not to be awed by its famous white cliffs made from soft limestone chalk.

Hull

Hull

England’s northeast port was given a boost when it was named the UK City of Culture in 2017.

Tilbury

Tilbury, England

Considered London’s Port, Tilbury sits along the Thames just 25 miles away from London’s bustling city centre.

What You Need To Know About British Isles

When is the best time to visit the British Isles?

You can visit the British Isles throughout the year. In the springtime, wildflowers are in bloom and you’ll have the chance to see the most famous sights like Stonehenge without the summer crowds. If you prefer cruising in warm weather, June to August bring the most reliably sunshiny days (although this being Britain, rain may always be on the cards!) Autumn brings scarlet and golden foliage to the countryside, while winter’s Christmas markets and festivities make it a lively time to explore. Temperatures will vary depending on the port, with northern England and Scotland regularly dipping below freezing in the winter.

What are the can’t-miss highlights of a British Isles cruise?

Cruising through the British Isles offers the chance to visit top-tier cities like London with its hip art galleries and monumental museums. Take a side trip to Stonehenge, and don’t miss the Changing of the Guard! Head up north to explore Scotland’s dramatic lochs, castles and moorland, from the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to the shores of Loch Ness. Venture over to Ireland to visit Dublin’s Guinness Brewery or explore Northern Island’s Belfast with its Titanic museum. The Channel Islands offer a unique character and rich WWII history, or you can uncover the distinct culture of the Isle of Man.

What are the visa requirements?

UK citizens won’t need any visa (or indeed any passport!) to travel around much of the British Isles, making this a top getaway for those who don’t want all the fuss of sorting out paperwork before a cruise. You won’t even need to set foot on an airplane. Ireland is part of the EU, making this a visa-free destination although you will need your passport if your itinerary includes a stop over to the Emerald Isle! Specialty regions like the Isle of Man and Channel Islands are still part of the UK’s common travel area, with no passport necessary.

Which British Isles dishes should you try?

Let’s face it; British food has a somewhat stodgy reputation. However, the reality of modern British cuisine couldn’t be farther from this cliché! You can expect multicultural influences in many dishes and even traditional fare often involves farm-fresh ingredients. Treat yourself to lightly battered fish and salt-and-vinegar chips if you’re at the seaside, or enjoy a cream tea in Cornwall or Devon with its flaky scones and fresh clotted cream with jam. Meat pies are always a popular choice at lunchtime, and curries are a staple in most cities. And don’t miss the glory that is British cheese, from Stilton to Cheddar.

BRITISH ISLES REVIEWS

Welcome Return To Sea

Sky Princess

By: Stephens, Hindhead on 20th Dec 2021

Breakfast and most lunches were in the impressive buffet which has an implanted coffee shop meaning that with the Plus deal and speciality coffee included we could order a fresh Americano.

My Amazing Cruise

Anthem of the Seas

By: SMITH, Stevenage on 5th Nov 2021

We have waited a couple of years to go on Anthem of the seas (due to the pandemic) and it was totally worth the wait. fter several calls with cruise.co.uk, we got a fantastic price.

BRITISH ISLES - DID YOU KNOW?

  • The British Isles are home to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. This includes volcanic-formed landscapes like Northern Ireland’s Giant’s Causeway, with its seaside geometric-shaped rocks, or Arthur’s Seat which looms above the city of Edinburgh.
  • You’ll see remnants of past invaders in Britain’s outposts. The Scottish archipelago of Orkney boasts a cathedral founded by Vikings, while Hadrian’s wall was an important boundary during the Roman empire.  
  • Many visitors to the British Isles are entranced by its rich musical history. Liverpool is particularly famous for being the home of the Beatles, who got their start in the legendary Cavern Club. Today you can visit the club to see impersonators or learn more about the Fab Four in the dockside museum.
  • For a unique excursion, why not visit the world’s largest plant conservatory? It’s part of the Eden Project in Cornwall, featuring massive domes with custom-built interior climates. See tropical flowers in the Humid Tropics Biome or learn about winemaking in the Warm Temperate Biome.
  • The Scilly Islands attract birders from across the globe who come to see the unique wildlife. Take a Marine Safari to see puffins, guillemots and razorbills as they flock and rest during their annual migrations.

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