British Isles Cruises

View all available British Isles Cruises »

When to cruise to British Isles

Month	Cruise season indicator		Month	Cruise seacon indicator
January	No		July
February	No		August
March	No		September
April			October
May			November
June			December	No

British Isles Cruise Season Guide »

All you Need to Know

by Travel Journalist Phil Davies

Not long ago everyone seemed to want to fly to join their cruise ship in the Mediterranean or Caribbean.

Cruising out of a UK port – let alone on an itinerary around Britain and Ireland – seemed a bit staid for a while, but not any more.

Lines are cruising out of more UK ports, including Leith/Edinburgh, Lerwick, Greenock and Dundee in Scotland; Cardiff and Milford Haven in Wales; Newcastle and Liverpool in the North of England; Harwich, Dover, Southampton and Falmouth in the South.

Once again it is one of the most popular cruises around, with four in 10 British passengers choosing to cruise from a home port rather than take a fly-cruise in 2006. While most have been travelling to Europe, a growing number are opting to take in the many highlights Britain and Ireland can offer.

And the appeal is obvious and can be summed up in one word – convenience. It means you can drive straight to the ship, bringing all the luggage you can pack into the boot. Or take one of the many free coach transfers offered by cruises lines operating from the UK.

And on a round-Britain itinerary, you can see all the places you always wanted to visit but have never quite found the time for.

A typical itinerary will include England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland in less than two weeks – that beats driving any day!

What could be better than sailing down the Solent from Southampton on a round Britain adventure that will live long in the memory well after returning past the famous White Cliffs of Dover?

While the ports of call alone will be of keen interest, this type of cruise is all about the many excursions available.

Who would have thought of combining the Eden Project in Cornwall (from the port of Fowey) with the desolate beauty of the Orkneys and Outer Hebrides in Scotland and the buzzing cities of Dublin and Londonderry all in one holiday departing from Dover?

Or joining the search for Nessie in Loch Ness (via Inverness) with shopping along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and supping an exquisite pint of Guinness in Belfast’s most famous bar, the crown Liquor Saloon?

All are possibilities, together with visits to ancient Welsh castles from Holyhead and Glasgow’s many museums and art galleries from the port of Greenock.

Fred Olsen Cruises and Princess Cruises are among the cruise lines running nine and 12-night round-Britain sailings, some even including an overnight in historic Edinburgh.

With Royal Caribbean International’s mega ship Navigator of the Seas it is possible to visit Cobh, the cruise port of Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, on short cruises from Southampton. This itinerary will add a call into St Peter Port, the picturesque capital of Guernsey, in 2008 on Independence of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship. By avoiding the hassle of airports and the seemingly inevitable flight delays, you’ll find a world of cruise choice right on the doorstep.

DOS and DON’TS of British Isles Cruising

DON’T worry about airport delays and luggage restrictions. Just drive to your departure port to board your ship.

DO check the extensive range of shore excursions in advance as you’ll be spoilt for choice.

DO try and plan ahead as round-Britain cruises tend to get booked up well in advance.

DO check about duty or tax-free allowances when taking a round-Britain cruise. The rules are complex and Customs officials aren’t always the most sympathetic of people.

British Isles Offers