British Isles Discovery Cruise
- Duration: 13 days
- Board Basis: Full Board
- Tour Ref: D2TNEW99381
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Make your own way to port
12 nights. September 2021. From £1919.00.
Late-summer colours & charm
Rugged Orkney capital Kirkwall, pretty Tobermory on the dramatic Hebridean Isle of Mull, and historic Belfast are among the many highlights of this wonderful cruise around the UK. Join Marco Polo as she sails from Harwich to the Orkney and Shetland Isles, calling at Kirkwall and Lerwick. Calls at the spectacular Hebridean islands of Lewis and Mull follow, before Marco Polo turns south to vibrant Belfast, and then across to historic Holyhead, on the Isle of Anglesey, off the northwest tip of Wales. Visits to Irish maritime gateway Cobh and the quaint town of Bantry, for optional excursions to the Ring of Kerry, complete this cruise.
What's Included
12 nights' accommodation in your choice of cabinDelicious cuisine and full-board dining
Afternoon teas and late-night snacks
Captain’s Cocktail Party (cruises of six nights or more)
Self-service tea and coffee (6am to midnight)
Big-show entertainment, cabarets and classical interludes
Daytime activities and leisure facilities
Guest speakers and arts-and-crafts groups (cruises of five nights or more)
Luggage porterage from port to cabin
Port taxes
Holiday Highlights
Early autumn calls at nine wonderful portsExploring remote islands, country lanes and historic cities
Rugged Orkney's capital, Kirkwall
Colourful Tobermory on Mull and Lerwick in the Shetland Isles
Stornoway's pretty little streets and spectacular surroundings
Belfast and its fascinating Titanic Experience
Time to explore Cork as Marco Polo calls in Cobh
The chance to explore the Ring or Kerry on an optional excursion from Bantry
The timeless, tranquil Isle of Anglesey
PRICE FROM
?
£1919
per person
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Harwich, UKDepart: 1900hrs Board Marco Polo in Harwich, and settle in to your cabin as she prepares to set sail.
Day 2
At seaSettle into the shipboard routine of rest and relaxation as Marco Polo spends today at sea.
Day 3
Kirkwall, Orkney IslesArrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1900hrs Marco Polo's next port of call is Kirkwall, Orkney's historic capital. Wander the streets and marvel at magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, or join an optional excursion to the nearby watyers of Scapa Flow, or to see Churchill's famous Barriers or the Italian Chapel.
Day 4
Lerwick, Shetland IslesArrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1600hrs The Shetland Isles capital, Lerwick, is Marco Polo's next stop. Spend time exploring this rugged but enchanting town, or join an excursion to the 3,000 year-old archaeological site at Jarlshof, with its Bronze and Iron Age remains.
Day 5
Stornoway, Isle of LewisArrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1900hrs Marco Polo anchors off another island capital today – Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis. Spend time in the town, or join an optional shores excursion to explore the island's sights, such as the mysterious and ancient Standing Stones at Callanish, thought to be nearly 4000 years old.
Day 6
Tobermory, Isle of MullArrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1500hrs Tobermory’s waterfront parade of multi-coloured houses welcomes Marco Polo to the lovely island of Mull. Explore this delightful little town, visit nearby Duart Castle or simply let the spectacular coastal scenery take your breath away.
Day 7
Belfast, Northern IrelandArrive: 0900hrs Depart: 2200hrs As you enjoy breakfast on board, Marco Polo arrives in historic Belfast. Explore the city centre, visit the Titanic Quarter, where the Titanic Belfast Experience pays homage to the ill-fated vessel, or join an optional excursion to the vast stone staircase of the Giant’s Causeway on the Antrim Coast beyond.
Day 8
Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey, UKArrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1800hrs Marco Polo's next call is Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey, just off the northwest tip of Wales. The island is a place of stunning countryside and beaches, and its sights include the spectacular ruins of Beaumaris Castle, the three bridges across the Menai Strait that separates the island from mainland Wales, and the iconic, 58-lettered railway sign of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – the little village that boasts the second-longest place name in the world.
Day 9
Cobh, IrelandArrive: 0800hrs Depart: 2000hrs This morning, Marco Polo arrives in Cork's long, narrow harbour of Cobh. Shore excursions here offer you the chance to discover this historic capital of southwest Ireland, to head into the beautiful rolling countryside to fashionable Kinsale or to visit famous Blarney Castle, just north of the city, for a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Day 10
Bantry, IrelandArrive: 0730hrs Depart: 1900hrs Skirting the coast of south-west Ireland, Marco Polo heads to exquisite Bantry Bay. Go ashore at Glengariff, a green oasis where sub-tropical plants flourish set against the backdrop of the rugged Caha Mountains. Take an excursion into County Kerry and Killarney National Park, which sits beneath the wonderfully named Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range.
Day 11
At seaRelax on board as Marco Polo spends the final full day of your cruise heading home.
Day 12
Portsmouth, UKArrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1600hrs Portsmouth has a long, proud maritime history. Visit the refurbished D-Day Museum to see the 82-metre long embroidery of images and events from Operation Overlord, or perhaps head to HMS Victory, HMS Warrior or the Mary Rose Museum.
Day 13
Arrive HarwichArrive: 0800hrs Marco Polo arrives back in Harwich, today, and you'll disembark at the end of a wonderful cruise around the UK. Back to top
Further Information
Passport requirements
British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.Foreign Office travel advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas. Back to top