Ireland Intensive Cruise

Day 1 - Dublin

Arrive: Mon 01 July 2024

Dublin offers a wealth of historic sites dating back to a 1000-year-old Viking village, and as one might expect of the Irish, there is a tale to be told about every one. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is said to have been erected on the site where the saint himself converted pagans in 450 AD. From Dublin Castle the crown jewels were stolen in 1907; an unsolved mystery left to the fictional Sherlock Holmes to decipher. Some pubs, great sources of stories, are almost as old – you can sample a Guinness and the latest lore at The Brazen head, serving up drink and daydreams for 800 years. Then for a contrast, ride to a stunning view of contemporary Dublin atop a brand new observation wheel.

Day 2 - Dublin

Depart: Tue 02 July 2024 at 18:00

Dublin offers a wealth of historic sites dating back to a 1000-year-old Viking village, and as one might expect of the Irish, there is a tale to be told about every one. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is said to have been erected on the site where the saint himself converted pagans in 450 AD. From Dublin Castle the crown jewels were stolen in 1907; an unsolved mystery left to the fictional Sherlock Holmes to decipher. Some pubs, great sources of stories, are almost as old – you can sample a Guinness and the latest lore at The Brazen head, serving up drink and daydreams for 800 years. Then for a contrast, ride to a stunning view of contemporary Dublin atop a brand new observation wheel.

Day 3 - Cork, Ireland

Arrive: Wed 03 July 2024 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 03 July 2024 at 22:00

Located on the south coast of County Cork, Ireland, the quaint seaside town of Cobh is known for its great maritime heritage and seafaring history. As Ireland’s only dedicated cruise terminal, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people that immigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950, and to this day, it remains a popular port of call for cruise liners from all over the world. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that Cobh, formerly known as Queenstown, is renowned as the last port of call for RMS Titanic—and since that fateful day in 1912, Cobh has remained largely unchanged, with the piers and streetscape appearing the much the same as it did over 100 years ago. Many of Cobh’s sites focus on its maritime history, including the Titanic Experience, Titanic Trail walking tour, the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre and tours to Spike Island. There are also hourly rail connections to the lovely town of Cork, situated just 20 minutes away from Cobh.

Day 4 - Bantry, County Cork

Arrive: Thu 04 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 04 July 2024 at 18:00

Day 5 - Foynes

Arrive: Fri 05 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 05 July 2024 at 18:00

Sail down the stunning River Shannon to the heart of the Emerald Isle. Home to a significant first in aviation history, Foynes is your gateway to discover the castles, cliffs, and cities of western Ireland. During WWII, the port of Foynes was alive with wartime activity and intrigue, as it was the first airport in Europe to welcome seaplanes making transatlantic flights. Visit the Flying Boat Museum to tour a replica of the “Yankee Clipper” and relive the golden age of aviation.

Day 6 - Galway

Arrive: Sat 06 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 06 July 2024 at 18:00

With its brightly colored shops, excellent bars and restaurants, and traditional Irish music sessions, Galway may be one of Ireland’s most enchanting cities. It’s certainly one of the country’s liveliest, with an average of 122 festivals and events every year. That’s not to dismiss Galway’s storied history. Dating back to 1124, the city has survived everything from Norman invaders and Cromwellian conquests to the Irish Potato Famines of 1845-1852. This juxtaposition of historic and contemporary is on full display at the Eyre Square Centre, where the city’s medieval walls can be found on the inside of this popular shopping destination.

Day 7 - Killybegs

Arrive: Sun 07 July 2024 at 07:30 / Depart: Sun 07 July 2024 at 17:00

With world-class golf, striking promontories jutting into the ocean, and an unmistakable, roguish spark, Donegal offers a glance at a forgotten Ireland. It’s a land far away from tourist hot spots, where the sun shines brilliantly over mountain passes, historic castles, and charming coastal pubs. Your journey to Donegal begins in Killybegs, a charming fishing village that is also Ireland’s largest fishing port. From here, make your way to the banks of the River Eske, where Donegal Town sits in the shadow of the Blue Stack Mountains (part of the famous Hills of Donegal). Travel back in time at Donegal Castle, explore the Gothic ruins of the Franciscan Abbey, and stroll through The Diamond—Donegal’s city center—where you can shop for authentic Donegal tweed garments and Aran knitwear, then enjoy a meal (and the best views of Donegal Bay) at Dom’s Pier One.

Day 8 - Belfast

Arrive: Mon 08 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 08 July 2024 at 22:00

Belfast in the early 20th century had the largest and most productive shipyard in the world, gaining global renown with the launch of the RMS Titanic. Located on the slipways where she was built is a stunning new museum, opened in time for the 100th anniversary of Titanic’s only voyage and tragic demise. Today the city and riverfront are undergoing a 21st century transformation, but many exuberant Victorian and Edwardian buildings still sport the carved heads of kings and queens. As you explore the city, keep an eye out for “the murals.” These somewhat troubling freelance works appearing on building walls provide insight into the period known simply as “The Troubles."

Day 9 - Londonderry

Arrive: Tue 09 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Tue 09 July 2024 at 19:00

Northern Ireland’s second largest city, Derry’s ancient walls hide a saga of strength and struggle. One of the oldest inhabited places in the whole of Ireland, this picturesque town has witnessed some of history’s most prominent events. After undergoing a renaissance in recent years, today Derry is an emerging cosmopolitan city where youth culture meets some of the country’s oldest and best preserved monuments. Complete with quaint restaurants, hearty pubs, and fantastic independent shops, Derry’s small size is perfect to explore on foot. Or, take a quick ride with one of the city’s many friendly taxi drivers to learn about some local haunts.

Day 10 - Ullapool

Arrive: Wed 10 July 2024 at 13:00 / Depart: Wed 10 July 2024 at 20:00

Day 11 - At Sea

Day 12 - Kristiansand, Norway

Arrive: Fri 12 July 2024 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 12 July 2024 at 16:00

Settled around 400 AD and formally founded by King Christian IV in 1641, Kristiansand is now a major port, and offers plenty of beaches, salmon fishing and sailing. Sample local brew and feast on the freshest seafood at the very picturesque and inviting “Fiskebrygga” fish market. Kristiansand Dyreparken Zoo is known as the “Living Park” and is home to Scandinavian animals and a replicated natural African savanna. Visit the ironically peaceful Kristiansand Cannon Museum at Møvik Fort. Built by the German Navy between 1941 and 1944, it is one of the biggest cannons ever and the only remaining 380mm Krupp gun in the world. Tour the rotunda of the Christiansholm Fortress or venture beyond the city to the Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a flat mountain plateau that towers an impressive 604 meters over the fjord, Lysefjord.

Day 13 - Oslo

Arrive: Sat 13 July 2024 at 06:00 / Depart: Sat 13 July 2024

Norway's capital is an intriguing blend of historic and contemporary – its striking new Opera House playing counterpoint to the charming old Damstredet, a narrow, well-preserved street of brightly painted and carved wooden houses. Norwegians are justly proud of their maritime heritage, dating back to the 9th century, when Viking long ships with distinctive curved bows left colonies in their wake across northern Europe, and later sailed on to Greenland and America almost 500 years before Columbus. Some of these intriguing craft can be found amidst the parks of the Bygdøy Peninsula, along with other historic vessels, including Amundsen’s polar ship Fram, and Heyerdahl’s raft, Kon Tiki.