Wednesday, August 26 - SOUTHAMPTON (for London), ENGLAND
Departs at 4:00 pm
The south of England boasts a dramatic coastline that encloses some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain. The landscape of hills and heaths, downs and forests, valleys and dales, is without rival. Southampton serves as your gateway to the countryside - and to a wide variety of historic sites, national landmarks, and charming. And of course, London is a two-hour drive by modern highway. The United Kingdom's premier passenger ship port, Southampton, was home to many of the great transatlantic liners of yesteryear.
Thursday, August 27 - CORNWALL (Falmouth), ENGLAND
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 6:00 pm
England's southwest corner is steeped in legend and history. Tintagel Castle in Cornwall is the traditional birthplace of King Arthur. Falmouth, which boasts a superb deep-water harbour - the third-largest in the world - shares the Cornish coast's colorful history of shipwrecks, smuggling, and privateering. Cornwall is scenic England at its best, with superb seascapes, picturesque harbours, and countryside of green fields and hedgerows, quaint villages and low-slung granite farmhouses. Cornwall's natural beauty has long drawn British vacationers.
Note: Your ship will anchor in Falmouth and use launches to transport all passengers ashore.
Friday, August 28 - CORK, IRELAND (Cobh - For Blarney Castle)
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 6:00 pm
Founded in the 7th century by St. Fin Barre, Cork is your gateway to romantic Ireland. Stroll down narrow country lanes or see the Lakes of Killarney. The intrepid visitor may scale the narrow passages of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone. The region around Cork is also home to one of the densest concentrations of prehistoric monuments in Western Europe. And, in a land where fable and fact blend to become folklore, it was near Cork that the great Tuatha De Danaan, a race with magical powers, was driven underground by the conquering Celts. Cobh was the single most important port of emigration from Ireland.
Note: The ship will dock in Cobh, which is about 15 miles from Cork.
Saturday, August 29 - DUBLIN (Dun Laoghaire), IRELAND
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 7:00 pm
Dublin has experienced a renaissance. Today, this gracious and cosmopolitan city on the Liffey is one of Europe's premier destinations. The capital of the Republic of Ireland, Dublin, is a place that is easy to explore. Stroll past St. Stephen's Green or survey the gray, stone façades of Trinity College, Ireland's oldest university. The city is also remarkably well-preserved - every June 16, scholars retrace the pasts of James Joyce's characters in the novel "Ulysses," set in Dublin on June 16, 1904. Dublin possesses a storied history. A settlement has existed on the banks of the River Liffey for at least a millennium and a half. Succeeding waves of Gaelic, Viking, Norman, and English invaders have left their mark on the city. Dún Laoghaire earns its name from the Irish translation of Fort (Dún) of Laoghaire, as it was once the seat of King Laoghaire, the ancient High King of Ireland. The town is on the east coast of Ireland, about seven miles south of the capital Dublin, and its focal point is the splendid harbour.
Note: Dun Laoghaire is a tender port located approximately 30 minutes' drive from Dublin.
Sunday, August 30 - LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Arrives at 6:00 am
Departs 8:00 pm
This great industrial port grew to prominence as a result of trade with the Americas. That tradition continued in the '60s as the Beatles mounted the first wave of rock 'n' roll's "British Invasion." Actually, the city possesses cultural charms beyond the Beatles. Liverpool is home to two of the finest neoclassical buildings in Europe. At nearby Port Sunlight, industrialist William Lever built a model industrial village and established the Lady Lever Art Gallery. The museum is home to a superb collection of English paintings and furniture.
Monday, August 31 - BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND
Arrives at 7:30 am
Departs 8:00 pm
The capital of Northern Ireland - part of the United Kingdom - Belfast has experienced a renaissance since the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 that promised an end to the decades-old "Troubles" between Catholics and Protestants. Stretching along both sides of the River Lagan, this graceful city of Victorian and Edwardian buildings has become a cosmopolitan tourist destination. Once a major industrial center, Belfast is also your gateway to the rich Irish countryside of Counties Antrim and Down. Belfast was a major industrial hub in the 19th century, renowned for its linen production and shipbuilding. Explore this exuberant city, marvel at the Giant's Causeway, or shop for superb Irish linens.
Tuesday, September 1 - GLASGOW (Greenock), SCOTLAND
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 6:00 pm
Glasgow was Scotland's great industrial center during the 19th century. Today, the city remains the commercial and cultural capital of the Lowlands. Lying on the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow boasts some of the finest Victorian architecture in the entire United Kingdom, including the stately City Chambers. Elegant Princes Square offers excellent shopping, and among the host of museums and galleries, the Burrell Collection features a superb treasure trove of paintings and art objects.
Note: Your ship docks in Greenock, which is approximately 45 minutes from Glasgow.
Wednesday, September 2 - AT SEA
Thursday, September 3 - ORKNEY ISLANDS (Kirkwall), SCOTLAND
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 6:00 pm
Just north of Scotland lie the Orkney Islands. Washed by the furthest reach of the Gulf Stream, this chain of over 70 islands offers dramatic landscapes that range from sea cliffs rearing 1,000 feet above the waves to sweeping white sand beaches. Bird watchers flock to the Orkney Islands, drawn by the multitude of sea birds. Divers explore the wrecks lying in the clear waters of Scapa Flow, the Royal Navy's fleet anchorage in two world wars. And most fascinating of all, the Orkney Islands boast the greatest concentration of prehistoric sites in all of Europe, including the mysterious Ring of Brodgar and 5,000-year-old Skara Brae. Vikings - Norsemen - ruled the Orkney Islands from the 9th to 13th centuries, leaving in their wake such monuments as St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall. This hint of Scandinavian influence can be heard in the lilting accent with which Orcadians speak.
Friday, September 4 - EDINBURGH (South Queensferry), SCOTLAND
Arrives at 8:00 am
Departs 8:00 pm
South Queensferry is the gateway to Edinburgh, the political, commercial, and cultural heart of Scotland. Nestled between the Highlands and the Border Hills, Edinburgh is a gracious city renowned for its exquisite skyline, impressive collection of architecture, and beautiful parks. The streets of the elegant New Town are lined with graceful Georgian buildings, many of which were designed by the architect Robert Adam. Edinburgh has also exerted a tremendous cultural force on Europe and the English-speaking world. The International Festival has been one of the premier European cultural events for over half a century. Among those who have called the city home are the writers Robert Burns, James Boswell, and Sir Walter Scott, and the philosophers Adam Smith and David Hume. To stroll the streets of Edinburgh is to experience one of the world's great cities.
Note: South Queensferry is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via the ship's tender.
Saturday, September 5 - AT SEA
Sunday, September 6 LE HAVRE (for Paris/Normandy), FRANCE
Arrives at 7:00 am
Departs 8:00 pm
Perhaps no other place in France holds more associations for English-speaking visitors than Normandy. The historic Allied landings on D-Day - 6 June 1944 - live on in the memories of British and Americans alike. Nor has Le Havre forgotten the dark days of the war. The port was nearly destroyed during the Normandy campaign. Today, Le Havre is France's second-largest port and the gateway to Paris, "City of Light," the Norman countryside, and the historic landing beaches. Travelers usually head for the historic landing sites or to Paris. Yet Le Havre was designated a World Heritage Site in 2005. The Musée des Beaux Arts Andre Malraux boasts one of the finest collections of Impressionist painting in the world.
Monday, September 7 - SOUTHAMPTON (For London), ENGLAND
Arrives at 7:00 am
As your magnificent British Isles cruise concludes, you'll arrive at teh historic port of Southampton, gateway to England's most iconic destinations. Upon disembarking, you have two delightful options: spend a whirlwind day exploring London's legendary landmarks before an evening flight home, or extend your British adventure with a few additional days. For those choosing the London day trip, key attractions like Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and the British Museum await. Alternatively, a multi-day stay allows for deeper exploration of the city's rich history, wold-class museums, and vibrant neighborhoods. Whether you opt for a quick glimpse or an extended stay, Southampton provides the perfect finale to your maritime journey through the British Isles.