Wild British Isles & North Atlantic

London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.

Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.

Greenwich is renowned for its maritime history and it's prime attraction is the Royal Observatory, the home of Greenwich Mean Time and the Prime Meridian Line. Visitors can explore the National Maritime Museum, showcasing Britain's seafaring past, and the historic ship, the Cutty Sark, a preserved 19th-century tea clipper.

Transport options from Greenwich to central London are diverse with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) offering efficient service to the city, with connections to the London Underground. Riverboat services provide a scenic route along the Thames, connecting Greenwich with various London landmarks. Additionally, regular bus services and taxis are available.

London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.

Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.

Known as the 'Gateway to England', the southeastern town of Dover is the main transit port between the two sides of the English Channel. This quaint and uniquely British town is famous for its impressive white cliffs, which have inspired many a poet and playwright. Ships will dock at the Dover Cruise Terminal.

Transport to London from Dover is efficient with trains running regularly from Dover Priory station to London St Pancras International, with a journey time of around 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can walk from the station to the Cruise Terminals in about 25 minutes. This makes it convenient for cruise passengers to access the capital for day trips. Additionally, coach services connect Dover with various London locations, offering a budget-friendly option.

St. Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey and the main port of the island, is home to over 800 years of history. The town overlooks the harbour, with cobblestone streets, rows of brightly painted houses and terraced gardens. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to Albert Pier.

Top Things to Do in St. Peter Port:

• shop at the National Trust of Guernsey
  
• visit Victor Hugo’s home
• explore the royal fortress of Castle Cornet
• visit the German Occupation Museum and Underground Hospital
  

Devon’s largest city is packed with seafaring heritage and quintessential britishness. The city is of course most famous for its role in the launching of the Mayflower but it is also know for its historic Barbican district with narrow, cobbled streets. Small ships will dock at the Port of Plymouth, while larger ships will anchor offshore.

Top Things to Do in Plymouth:

• explore Dartmoor National Park
• tour the Plymouth Gin Distillery
• stand on the site where the Mayflower left
• stroll through Plymouth Hoe park

The largest town on the isle of Anglesey in Wales, Holyhead is all about outdoor adventures and ancient history. Holyhead and Anglesey are your gateway to Wales, a land with a strong and proud Celtic tradition and with some of the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles. Ships will dock or anchor offshore at the Port of Holyhead.

Top Things to Do in Holyhead:

• explore Breakwater Country Park
• visit Caernarfon Castle
• drive through Snowdonia National Park
• ride the Rheilffordd Ffestiniog
  

Start your exploration of Dublin with a visit to Trinity College, home to the ancient Book of Kells. A stroll through the cobbled streets of Temple Bar reveals an array of lively pubs, quirky shops, and the fascinating Irish Film Institute.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the solemn beauty of Dublin Castle and the poignant exhibits at Kilmainham Gaol. For a taste of local flavor, visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's famous stout. End your day with a leisurely walk along the River Liffey, enjoying views of the Ha'penny Bridge and the city's charming Georgian architecture.

The Calf of Man, a small island off the southwest coast of the Isle of Man, is a nature lover's paradise. This uninhabited islet is a bird sanctuary home to puffins, Manx shearwaters, and other seabirds, making it a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts. The rugged landscape, with its dramatic cliffs and secluded coves, invites exploration and photography. Visitors can also witness the iconic Calf Sound, a narrow waterway with strong tidal currents and playful seals. The island's rich maritime history is visible in its lighthouses and remnants of ancient buildings.

The Isle of Man, nestled in the Irish Sea, is a treasure trove of natural beauty, history, and folklore. This island captivates with its rugged coastline, medieval castles, and quaint villages. Although famed for the TT motorcycle race, there’s much more to explore here, from the ancient Celtic and Viking heritage at sites like Peel Castle to the tranquil beauty of the Manx countryside.

The island's extensive network of heritage railways provides a unique perspective on its scenic landscapes, while the Manx Museum in Douglas offers insights into the island's 10,000-year history. With its commitment to preserving its natural and historical sites, the Isle of Man offers a blend of adventure and tranquility that will charm and delight.

Cruise ships dock at the Victoria Pier in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man. The terminal is located right in the heart of the town, making it convenient to explore on foot. The picturesque promenade and various shops, restaurants, and cafes are just a short walk away. For a unique experience, take the Manx Electric Railway from Douglas to the historic village of Laxey, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) away, which takes approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, visit the Manx Museum, a 10-minute walk from the port, to learn about the island's rich heritage.

Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast, enjoys a wonderful setting of high hills, sea lough and river valley. Reborn as a cool, modern city, it has successfully left its troubles behind, emerging as a hotbed of culture and architecture, where the comfort of a cosy pub is never far away. Ships will dock in Belfast Harbour.

Top Things to Do in Belfast:

• visit the Titanic Belfast Museum
• see the basalt columns of Giant's Causeway
• explore the Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
• take a famous Black Taxi Tour
• travel along Ards Peninsula to Grey Abbey

Make yourself at home with delightful daily diversions that add to our fleet’s private yacht-like atmosphere. Embrace this moment and indulge – spending the day pampering yourself in the spa or soaking in a Pure Pampering ℠ bath drawn by your attentive suite host. Meditate upon the vast views that surround you from a yoga mat, the ship’s bow, or your private veranda.

Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands, it is considered one of the most charming and well preserved small towns in Scotland. The islands offer dramatic landscapes with cliffs rearing 1,000 feet above the waves to sweeping white sand beaches. Small ships will dock at this port, while larger ships will anchor offshore.

Top Things to Do in Kirkwall:

• explore Skara Brae, a Neolithic village
• admire the St. Magnus Cathedral
• visit the Ring of Brodgar
• ponder the Standing Stones of Stenness
• stroll the Viking Capital Walking Trail

Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Island Archipelago, offers stone age ruins, heather-covered moors and rugged Scottish highlands. With its dramatic cliffs, Grand Victorian houses, charming Shetland ponies, and Nordic heritage Lerwick allows for hours of entertainment. Smaller ships will dock at the Port of Lerwick, while larger ships will anchor offshore.

Top Things to Do in Lerwick:

• explore the ruins of Scalloway Castle
• hike on Mousa Island
• visit the Shetland Museum
• admire Fort Charlotte

Surrounded to the north and southwest by towering mountains with dramatic landscapes, Tórshavn is a picturesque port steeped in Viking history. Enjoy the colourfully painted wooden houses of the old town, some with turfed roofs, alongside modern counterparts such as the Norse House, built with gleaming glass.

Top Things to Do in Tórshavn:

• enjoy a boat tour of the Tórshavn fjords
• join a tour to see the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs
• hike up Streymoy mountain
• visit the nearby town of Saksun
• explore the island of Vagar

Klaksvik is located on Borðoy, one of the Faroe Islands, and this scenic fishing capital is set amongst a dramatic valley, overlooking the magnificent pyramid mountain of Kunoy Island. In every direction, behold massive mountains carpeted in vividly hued grass speckled with wildflowers.

Top Things to Do in Klaksvik:

• visit the Christianskirkjan Church
• enjoy the views from Klaksvík viewpoint
• drive through the subsea tunnel to Eysturoy Island
• visit Kunoy Village and viewpoint

Located on the Búlandsnes peninsula, Djupivogur is a small Icelandic fishing village with a slow and easy-going approach to life. Nestled by the picturesque fjord of Hamarsfjörður, the scenery moves from gently sweeping beaches to jagged cliffs. Ships will anchor offshore and tenders will be provided to the shore.

Top Things to Do in Djupivogur:

• cruise the Jökulsárlón Lagoon
• enjoy a scenic drive to Höfn
• view the Vatnajökull Ice Cap
• take a 4x4 tour to Hvannagil canyon

Papey, Celtic for ‘Friar’s’ Island, is situated 5 kilometres (3 miles) off of the eastern coast of Iceland. Although the largest island in Eastern Iceland, it is only 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) in area. Its windswept, grassy slopes rise to 58 metres (190’) culminating in a rock formation called the Castle. Rocky sea cliffs surround much of the island, providing excellent habitat for nesting sea birds. Guillemots occupy Papey until mid-summer while Atlantic puffins abound until mid-September. Seals and eider ducks can be found here during breeding season.

Although there is evidence of early Norse settlement, the island takes its name from Irish monks known as ‘papar’ who presumably occupied the island. The medieval Icelandic ‘Book of Settlements’ mentions this as a place inhabited by these ‘Vestmen’ (men of the west).

The green and grassy island of Grímsey stands alone in the Arctic ocean and is best known for its proximity to the Arctic Circle, which cuts across the island. Grímseyjarhreppur, on the west coast, is the island’s only town and has a backdrop of beautiful hillsides lushly carpeted with moss and grass.

The coastline is made up of imposing basalt cliffs that are inhabited by sea birds. The Atlantic Puffins are the most famous, but there are a wide range of other species, including Black-Legged Kittiwakes, Auks, Razorbills, Thick-Billed Murre and Northern Fulmar.

The tiny town of Siglufjordur is located in the scenic north of Iceland, tucked away by a jagged wall of mountain peaks. Only a single-lane road tunnel, bored through the snow-capped mountains, provides a land link with the rest of the country.

Siglufjordur is an area of spectacular natural beauty. The mountains and the fjords are awe-inspiring and there are numerous opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation. The closeness to nature is always within reach, whether you wish to go on a hike, play golf or take a boat out around the scenic fjord.

Iceland is well known for its spectacular waterfalls. The iconic Dynjandi waterfall, located in the Westfjords region, is regarded as one of Iceland’s most impressive and majestic waterfalls.

At the top, the cascading water is roughly 100 feet wide and tumbles down about 330 feet into the fjord.

Its name Dynjandi means, 'the thundering one' and its vast size, enormous sound, and sheer force is overwhelming. It has also been nicknamed, ‘The Bridal Veil’ because of the way the water sprays and spreads over the rocks.

Sitting in the finger-like scenery of the Westfjords, Patreksfjordur is built on time-tested fishing traditions. This small Icelandic village is surrounded by flat-topped mountains, cutting inlets, evocative beaches and dramatic cliffs with crowds of birdlife clinging to them. Ships will dock or anchor offshore at this port.

Top Things to Do in Patreksfjordur:

• view the largest sea bird cliff in Europe, Látrabjarg
• hike up to Dynjandi waterfall
• stroll along the red beach, Rauðasandur
• soak in a geothermal pool

Reykjavik, the vibrant capital of Iceland, offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Begin your day exploring the striking Hallgrímskirkja church, with its panoramic city views from the tower. Wander through the colorful streets of the Old Harbor, where you can find quirky shops, cozy cafes, and stunning views of Mount Esja.

Don't miss the Harpa Concert Hall, an architectural marvel on the waterfront, or a visit to the National Museum for a deep dive into Icelandic history. Recharge at one of Reykjavik's many geothermal pools, like the Blue Lagoon, just a short drive from the city. Wrap up your visit with a stroll along the scenic Sun Voyager sculpture, capturing the spirit of adventure and discovery.