British Isles Cruises

Escape every day with a cruise of Britain’s coast. Enjoy sailing around England, Ireland or Scotland, with time to unwind amid the comforts on board.

Experience a timeless voyage around the British Isles, with scenery and ports like no other. A tranquil voyage exposes you to prehistoric coastlines with over 140 islands, high Scottish castles, and Irish landscapes from a unique viewpoint.

Ports you might visit

Cork (tours from Cobh)
Cork (tours from Ringaskiddy)
Cork, Ireland
Dunmore East (tours to Waterford), Ireland
Edinburgh, Scotland
Glasgow (tours from Greenock)
Glasgow, Scotland
Isle of Mull
Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Isle of Skye
Kirkwall, Scotland
Liverpool
Oban, Scotland
Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland
Waterford, Ireland
Cork (tours from Cobh)

Cork (tours from Cobh)

Cobh is a quaintly charming seaside town built on a steep hill on the Great Island in Cork’s natural harbour. The town features colourful houses and the impressive spire of Saint Coleman’s Cathedral. When you cruise to Cobh you berth close to the centre of town so it is a great place to step off the ship straight into the warm ambience of Ireland. Cobh is only 20 minutes' drive from Cork city, the capital of Cork county. The city is built on an island on the River Lee and spanned by many bridges which create a glamorous continental feel. Ireland is synonymous with its famous whiskey and Irish Distillers, the makers of Jameson Whiskey, have a great visitors’ centre in Cork. Before you leave Cork, try to get to Blarney Castle, site of the famous stone. To kiss the Blarney Stone is to receive the mythical gift of eloquence.
Cork (tours from Ringaskiddy)

Cork (tours from Ringaskiddy)

In the southwest of Ireland, Cork is a city packed with charm. It is a gateway into the rolling emerald countryside dotted with villages, castles and a tale or two. You might start your discovery by stepping back 400 years at Elizabeth Fort, offering stunning views over Cork. Blackrock Castle is another memorable fortification here. Built on ground jutting out into the River Lee, it was designed as protection against marauding pirates. Today it’s a dreamy stack of curved towers that’s become a museum and home to an observatory. The English Market is a celebration of both grand Victorian architecture with local produce stacked temptingly under its high vaulted ceilings. If you’re peckish, light bites are in plentiful supply, perhaps ideal for al fresco lunch in nearby Bishop Lacey Park if the sun’s shining. Browse exhibitions and collections within the landmark red-brick Crawford Municipal Art Gallery, once Cork Customs House. Perhaps Cork’s defining landmark is St. Fin Barre's Cathedral. The majestic neo-Gothic cathedral towers. Three spires loom high above Cork’s low-rise skyline, and medieval gargoyles stare down at all below. Many head for the town of Waterford, around 120km to the northeast, known for its world-renowned crystal. Then there’s Blarney Castle, only eight or nine km to the northwest. A walk around its grounds is perfectly charming, but you should really climb the steps and kiss the Blarney Stone, with the promise of eloquence that it brings.
Cork, Ireland

Cork, Ireland

In Cork you may hear the locals refer to the city as the ‘real capital of Ireland’. The country’s second city was the European Capital of Culture in 2005 and plays host to a thriving festival and Irish music scene. It is also a gateway into the rolling emerald countryside dotted with villages, castles and a tale or two. Nearby is Blarney Castle. A walk around its grounds is perfectly charming, but you should really climb the steps and kiss the Blarney Stone, with the promise of eloquence that it brings.
Dunmore East (tours to Waterford), Ireland

Dunmore East (tours to Waterford), Ireland

Snuggled into the southeast coast of County Waterford, Ireland, lies a delightful little village named Dunmore East. It’s about two hours from Dublin and only 20-minutes drive from both Tramore and Waterford City,
Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

This gorgeous city drapes its Georgian charm across seven scenic hills. Favourite visits include lively Prince's Street and the historic Royal Mile, stretching between the Palace of Holyrood House to that majestic hilltop castle. To continue the regal theme, you could also step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia now permanently berthed in Leith.
Glasgow (tours from Greenock)

Glasgow (tours from Greenock)

Greenock is your gateway to Glasgow. It serves as a brilliant stepping-stone to some of Scotland's most rugged and breathtaking scenery to the north. As you disembark at Greenock to explore Glasgow, you will likely be greeted by the stirring sights and sounds of a traditional Scottish pipe band in full tartan regalia. Greenock itself is a pretty town just a short walk from the port. It has a rich heritage of herring fishing and ship building. Recently there has been huge investment in the waterfront area, the original location of the shipyards. Heavy industry has now been replaced with some very impressive residential property and a theatre overlooking the stunning marina. The town has a range of shops to suit most tastes from exclusive boutiques to large department stores. The cosmopolitan city of Glasgow, the largest in Scotland, is only 25 miles from Greenock. As if the city’s blend of Victorian and ultra-modern architecture was not enough of a spectacle, there are a host of museums and galleries. To help you wind down after the bustle of the vibrant city, Scotland’s largest country park at Castle Semple is a scenic retreat on the shores of Castle Semple Loch. Scotland is famed for its majestic and mystical scenery and the tranquil beauty simply makes your soul happy. Loch Ness may be famous for its monster, but Loch Lomond must take the prize for the most beautiful. Set in the heart of Scotland’s first national park, the loch is only half an hour’s drive from Glasgow. Its loveliness changes through every season but never diminishes, even in the depth of winter when a ghostly stillness blankets the waters. Close to Loch Lomond, the Glengoyne distillery offers not only a chance to sample the ‘Water of Life’ but also an interesting and in-depth tour behind the scenes of a working distillery. It would be wrong not to mention golf. After all, it is the game’s ancestral home. There are over 60 courses around the Glasgow area and if you’ve time for a few holes the clubs will always be willing to hire out equipment.
Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland

The River Clyde, integral to Cunard's past, reveals more of its maritime heritage at The Tall Ship, while the superb Burrell Gallery at Pollock House showcases woks by Degas and Cézanne. The great Clyde shipyards were unrivalled for over a century, producing a number of Cunard Line's finest vessels, from RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth to QE2.
Isle of Mull

Isle of Mull

The sight of the island is dominated by the Mull mountains: a beautiful combination of grey granite and green slopes. Small coastal towns can be seen from the ocean, most notably the colourful seafront houses of Tobermory, made famous by the CBBC series Balamory.
Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands, Scotland

Isle of Noss, Shetland Islands, Scotland

The Isle of Noss is a small gem of an island offering one of the most spectacular wildlife sights in the world. Its truly striking landscape provides for the perfect environment that supports a colossal number of birds. Its grass-topped, vertical cliffs, some 500’ (152 m) high, plunge straight into the sea.
Isle of Skye

Isle of Skye

As the largest of the islands, this is an opportunity to take in the rugged scenery of the history-rich Inner Hebrides, with endless limes of unforgiving coastline and some impressive inland scenery.
Kirkwall, Scotland

Kirkwall, Scotland

The Orkney Archipelago, a collection of stark, treeless islands off Scotland's northern coast, is steeped in history dating back over 5,000 years.
Liverpool

Liverpool

Liverpool was the former home of Cunard Line. The Cunard Building, the Royal Liver Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building - all on Pier Head - are often described as the city's "Three Graces". Liverpool is vibrant and modern with a taste of the 60s! Take a ferry across the Mersey for stunning harbour views. Or embark on a Magical Mystery Tour commemorating the city's most famous sons.
Oban, Scotland

Oban, Scotland

Oban is host to some amazing Scottish scenery and wildlife. In and beyond its embracing harbour, you might spot grey seals, otters and puffins, before some delicious seafood and a tot of local whisky.
Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland

Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland

Rothesay, standing along the Firth of Clyde, presents the visitor with a combination of illustrious gardens and grand architecture. The magnificent ruins of Rothesay Castle, which date from the 13th century, are what most people visualize when they think of a medieval castle.
Waterford, Ireland

Waterford, Ireland

Welcome to the Emerald Isle. Today you’ll set foot in the oldest city in Ireland, founded by the Vikings in the 10th century by a ford in the River Suir. Waterford is a well preserved and very walkable small city, famed for its beautiful crystal glass production and its Norse roots. Incredible street art daubs walls and houses in this city of culture, so don’t forget your camera.