Full of history and
trend-setting culture, the British Isles are a wonderful destination for small
and mid-size cruise ships. In addition to the main islands of Great Britain
(which contains England, Wales and Scotland) and Ireland, there are more than
6,000 offshore islands, including the Hebrides, Orkneys, Shetlands and Channel
Islands. The major islands offer more than 19,000 miles of coastline, much of
it accessible to smaller ships; the islands themselves are wonderfully scenic,
offering everything from rolling green countryside, historic ports, dramatic
cliffs and craggy mountain peaks.
Cruises of the British Isles
range from 3- to 14-nights, and the relatively compact size of the islands means
you’ll have a port call almost every day.
What can you expect to see?
London, England, isn’t a sea
port; it’s on the River Thames, and only the smallest cruise ships can actually
dock in London. It’s more common for London to be a pre-cruise, post-cruise or
shore excursion destination, with nearby Southampton serving as its sea port.
The city is not to be missed: there are fantastic museums and galleries,
amazing historical sites and royal palaces, plus great shopping and dining in
the many charming and quirky neighborhoods. As you sail the English coast, you
might also call on Dover, Newcastle or Liverpool, England; Holyhead, Wales; or
Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
Edinburgh, Scotland’s Medieval
Old Town and Georgian New Town are shadowed by the impressive Edinburgh Castle.
Stroll down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace, an official residence of Queen
Elizabeth. Golf fans will want to visit Fife and St. Andrew’s Links, one of the
oldest courses in the world. Your ship may also call on Glasgow or Invergordon,
Scotland.
Belfast, Northern Ireland, is a
must for fans of the television show Game of Thrones; scenes are filmed at the
Castle Ward Estate, where you can take a behind-the-scenes tour. Or, visit the
shipyards where the Titanic was built and the award-winning Titanic Belfast,
with five stories of history and artifacts. You may also call on the Irish
ports of Dublin or Cork.
You can sail the British Isles
all year. Summer is the peak season, with the warmest weather and long hours of
daylight, but the countryside is lovely in spring and colorful in fall. Winter
weather can be chilly, especially in northern England and Scotland, but it
brings the warmth of Christmas markets and other seasonal events on shore. For
more information about cruising Britain, talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays
personal cruise expert.
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