princess cruise around britain

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Princess Cruises - British Isles Cruise

During one of Princess Cruises' British Isles itineraries, you'll have the opportunity to take in some of Europe's most spectacular natural beauties. Outdoor enthusiasts will find a plethora of adventure and exploration opportunities in the British Isles. Take an invigorating hike through the Lake District, explore the Scottish Highlands on a guided tour, or kayak along the serene Irish coastline. Off-board activities might include biking through quaint countryside trails, exploring the picturesque Isle of Skye, or even indulging in a round of golf at one of the many world-class golf courses the region boasts.

Onboard a Princess Cruises ship, you'll discover a wealth of amenities and services that cater to every interest. Indulge in exquisite dining experiences at specialty restaurants, unwind with rejuvenating spa treatments, or relax by the pool while admiring the stunning views. The ships offer a range of entertainment options, including live performances, music shows, and enriching activities such as cooking demonstrations and art classes. Fitness enthusiasts can stay active at the state-of-the-art fitness centers, and those seeking relaxation can find tranquility in the onboard retreats and lounges. Enjoy the independence and flexibility that comes along with traveling with Princess Cruises as you make your way through British Isles region , where you'll get to see a wide range of different cultures, magnificent palaces, historical sites, and breathtaking natural beauty.

The British Isles are a tapestry of cultures and history, each with its unique charm. Delve into the rich Celtic traditions of Ireland and Scotland, discover the influence of Viking and Roman invasions on the region's culture, and learn about the profound impact of the Industrial Revolution on these isles. Each port of call offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture, whether it's enjoying a traditional music session in an Irish pub or exploring the works of the literary giants who found inspiration in these lands.

Princess Cruises British Isles Cruise Schedule

British Isles cruises are the ideal way to see the world and you can see a selection of these cruises from Princess Cruises. Princess Cruises have an exciting range of cruises from the British Isles to incredible Northern Lights and the magnificent Norwegian fjords and Scandinavia, via the Baltic States and Russia, all of which can be enjoyed without having to travel too far to join your cruise ship.

12-day British Isles cruise from Southampton

Regal princess, princess cruises.

Date: May 3, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Greenock, Kirkwall, Inverness, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: May 15, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Belfast, Greenock, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: May 27, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Isle of Portland, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Greenock, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: June 8, 2024

Date: June 20, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Greenock, Kirkwall, Inverness, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: July 2, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Isle of Portland, Cork, Dublin, Greenock, Kirkwall, Inverness, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: July 14, 2024

Date: July 26, 2024

Date: August 7, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Greenock, Greenock, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: August 19, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Greenock, Greenock, Inverness, Edinburgh, Le Havre, Southampton; View Itinerary

14-day British Isles cruise from Southampton

Caribbean princess, princess cruises.

Date: August 29, 2024

Ports of Call: Southampton, Falmouth, Cork, Holyhead, Belfast, Greenock, Isle of Lewis, Inverness, Edinburgh, Isle of Portland, Southampton; View Itinerary

Date: August 31, 2024

Date: September 12, 2024

Date: September 24, 2024

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Princess Cruises website.

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British Isles Cruise with Princess Cruises (Review) Experience

British Isles Cruise – The UK and Ireland are known for their beautiful landscapes that are picture-perfect. I recently went cruising with Princess Cruises onboard the MS Royal Princess on a British Isles cruise. I still consider myself a newbie to the world of cruising .

I will tell you one thing, it’s a different world travelling on the sea and Princess Cruises just gave me a wonderful experience for a first-time cruiser to make it more relaxed and fun!

I keep telling my friends from abroad that when they want to visit the UK that there is more to see and experience in the UK than just London. Another way of exploring the UK is through the sea on the best cruise lines with the best cruise ship packages onboard. 

Read More:  Best UK Travel Itinerary for 2 Weeks

The British Isles are composed of Great Britain and Ireland and little tiny islands dotted around the Celtic Sea, the Irish Sea and the English Channel. Seeing the British Isles from the sea (cruising) will give you a different sense of perspective on travelling.

Princess Cruise Lines has 18 cruise liners in its fleet that offers a variety of premium and luxury services for different clientele and markets. Princess Cruises serves a wide array of cruising experiences that deliver the best cruise lines for couples and families, there is always something to do for all ages.

Read More:  Things to do on a Cruise Ship Especially on a Sea Day (Royal Princess)

Royal Princess is the Princess Cruises flagship and it embodies the Princess Cruises style and elegance, as well as British culture . The ship’s godmother is the Duchess of Cambridge, thus you can see find a commemoration nook about the ship’s christening near the reception.

• British Isles Cruise itinerary

Ports of Call

My balcony cabin, fun facts about royal princess:, all day dining and specialty restaurants, our bridge tour.

• Entertainment and Shore Excursions

Pool, Sports and Spa

• Does Princess Cruises have hair dryers?

Can you smoke on Princess Cruises?

• Does Princess Cruises offer drink packages?

Does Princess Cruises have Wi-Fi?

• What are Princess Cruises prohibited items?

Do you have to pay gratuities on Princess Cruises?

• Princess Cruises laundry prices

British Isles Cruise itinerary  

Appreciating the beautiful landscape that is just on my doorstep is often something overlooked. I was invited by Princess Cruises to go onboard the Royal Princess around the British Isles.

I was super delighted with this offer and excited to experience everything first-hand. As a first-time cruiser, I had a mix of emotions and excitement not knowing what to expect. As I’m not familiar with the cruising drill yet! I find it so convenient to ease me into cruising because it is one of the popular cruises from UK .

We were also very lucky with the weather. The sun came out to greet us for the whole duration of our cruise. Yes, it was so sunny in Scotland!

English weather has its reputation for being erratic and miserable, however, during our cruise, it was a completely different story!  The sun was out and it was blissful sunny weather in each port of call.

During our British Isles cruise, I saw the rugged limestone cliffs that paint the picturesque beauty of the British landscape. Each port of call opens up another window to show us a glimpse of their heritage and culture.

Living in the UK for a decade and actively travelling around the country made me realise that there is more to see in the British Isles and it’s just on my doorstep.

Here are the ports of call for the British Isles cruise that I did with Princess Cruises. I joined the Royal Princess and embarked on my 6-day cruise from Dublin to Edinburgh .

• Southampton (England)
• Cork (Ireland)
• Dublin (Ireland) — This is where I joined the cruise.
• Belfast (Northern Ireland
• Greenock (Scotland)
• Inverness (Scotland)
• Edinburgh (Scotland)

Here is the screenshot of my cruise personaliser where you can manage all the things you might need to enhance your cruise experiences like getting your drinks packages, shore excursions, spa appointments and Wi-fi.

Passenger Life onboard Royal Princess

The Balcony cabin where I stayed in Royal Princess exceeded my expectations and more.

My cabin was like a proper land-based hotel room. The cabin is spacious with a double bed, dressing table, cabinets, fridge, TV, shower and toilet. See more of the photos below:

The balcony is equipped with seats and a table and is just enough size for two people.  It was my favourite part of the cabin. The mattress is so comfortable and spacious. It definitely helped me sleep like a baby this bed certainly made me feel at home in my cabin.

For a first-time cruiser on this type of ship, the premium top-class quality of service that I received during my cruise with Princess Cruises really converted me to how I see cruising and life onboard.

Royal Princess is like a floating city and it’s more than just a hotel or merely a cruise ship!  I now understand why people see cruise ships as their second home. People on board from staff to your fellow passengers will make you feel at ease and relaxed. Everyone has cheerful vibes and smiles!

To construct Royal Princess it took:

•   3 million man hours
• 37,000 tons of steel More than 3 times the amount of steel in Los Angeles’ Disney Concert Hall
• 4,000 km (2,484 miles) of electrical cable Enough to travel between the company’s offices near Los Angeles, Calif. and New York City
• 360,000 liters (95,000 gallons) of paint More than twice what is reportedly used per year on the Golden Gate Bridge
• 200 tons of marble More than 30 times the amount of marble in Michelangelo’s famous David statues.

There are 16 food outlets onboard that range from all-day dining, buffet, snacks bar and speciality restaurants. You will never be hungry onboard!

The delightful treats, food and drinks are just within your reach in every corner of the ship. Everything is made fresh on board by the skilled hands of the chefs that work tirelessly to deliver these yummy delectable delights onboard. All the main meals are included in the price of your cruise, and that is pretty much the majority of the restaurants onboard.

If you want to have a little fancy evening meal, you can then book a sumptuous dinner in any of the speciality restaurants onboard with an additional cover charge on top of your bill.

You can pre-book this in advance before your cruise, or book on the day of your embarkation. Book it as soon as possible, as they can get pretty full and busy.

I highly recommend the steakhouse onboard – Crown Grill . Oh, their steak is definitely the best I have ever had in my life! Food outlets onboard typically serve the most popular British food to give the passengers an extra taste of the British Isles.

On the beverage side, the bars onboard are particularly lively in the evening with the live band and the passengers are looking their best with their fancy frocks.

Drinks are overflowing with your favourite ale, fancy wine and refreshing cocktails and at the Sea View bar, you can also enjoy the talented bartenders with their cocktail-making flair show!

We were honoured to have the chance to visit the galley, where all the food magic happens.

Welcomed and escorted by the Executive Chef and Food and Beverage Manager of Royal Princess, they showed us around the galley and explained how the food preparation flows from the soup kitchen, pastry kitchen, main kitchen and up to the food service stations.

Everything works like clockwork and is meticulously planned months in advance and executed with precision from the sourcing of the fresh produce, preparation, cooking and serving of the food.

This is one of the great tours that we did onboard Royal Princess during our British Isles cruise.

It was not my first time visiting the bridge of a ship, however, it was my first time checking out the bridge on a gigantic cruise ship like Royal Princess. The officers explained to us how they manoeuvre the ship and how to dock it. If you are into technical nautical stuff this is pretty interesting!

The ship uses a lot of very sophisticated radar technology to make sure the optimum safety and precision of everything onboard. The officers also briefed us on different cruise ship drills and procedures on how they run things on the cruise ship.

Royal Princess has:

• A top speed of 23 knots Equal to 26.5 miles per hour
• 15,000KW of transverse (sideways) thruster power The original Love Boat,  Pacific Princess  had a forward propulsion power of about 13,500KW. So Royal Princess can go faster sideways than that ship could travel forward.
• An anchor that weighs 14 tons
• The Sea Walk glass is 28mm (1.1 inches) thick More than 4 times thicker than the average car windshield glass

Entertainment and Shore Excursions  

You can never run out of things to do on a cruise ship and onshore!

On-Board Entertainment

Royal Princess has a wide variety of onboard entertainment that will surely keep you engaged and entertained, whatever your interests or age might be!

At first, I was a bit sceptical about the activities onboard.  The silly naïve me thought that cruising can be boring and not for an outgoing type.  Well, I was wrong!

The ship is massive and still can’t believe that I can manage to clock in around 10,000 steps just by walking around the ship and checking out different venues of activities and entertainment.

I honestly can’t fathom how many events and activities were going on onboard, especially on a Sea Day where everyone is on board!

In Royal Princess, the majority of the entertainment and activities can be found in the midship atrium area from Decks 5 to 7.

You can find the various activities and entertainment on board of Royal Princess here.

And if you fancy just staying in the comfort of your own cabin, the entertainment can be your great selection of films on your tv.  Wi-Fi is also available onboard, but it can be pricey, so use it wisely.

Shore Excursions

Everyone is looking forward to some great shore excursions when the cruise ship docks at a new port. It is one of the main activities when you go cruising unless you are a DIY person who prefers to do everything at your own pace and arrange it yourself.

Joining Shore excursions are fun and convenient and it can be arranged in advance or just head to the Shore Excursions desk. The group tours tend to be a bit cheaper than the private ones and of course, groups tend to go at a slower pace due to the volume of fellow passengers that are travelling with you during the excursions.

The private tours, on the other hand, are on the pricey side but you get what you pay for. The flexibility and convenience are definitely worth the price not to mention that you can also personalise your shore excursions if you have decided to go for a private tour (as long as you have enough time to do so).

During the British Isles cruise, all our shore excursions are on private tours so we managed to beat all the queues. So if you have the extra cash, I would recommend the private tours but it doesn’t mean that group tours would be less appealing as you will be visiting the same tour highlights.

Read More:  Shore Excursions: Cruising Tips for First Time Cruisers

If you want to hide and relax from it all, “The Sanctuary” on Deck 17 of Royal Princess is the best place to be.

It’s like having your own private nook with a few fine touches. You can either have your own sunbed or even have your own private cabana for the whole duration of your cruise or for a day! Best of all, it’s only for adults.

Just make sure to keep the noise down, relaxation is going on!

Royal Princess recreational facilities (gym, swimming pool, jogging track, lawn court and much more) are located on Decks 16 to 19 of the ship and the Lotus Spa is located on Deck 5 near the reception and shore excursion desks.

While onboard I tried a superb relaxing spa service from Lotus Spa, I opted for the 1-hour Bamboo Massage.

It was my first time trying the bamboo massage as I thought it was something different and I had never tried it before. I made a little research to make sure that I won’t be getting any surprises during the spa session.

On the day of our spa appointment, we filled out a standard assessment form and then chilled out in the waiting lounge while waiting for our therapist.

The Lotus Spa has its own bathrobes, towels and locker room so if you have to change your clothing or use your own bathrobes, that is perfectly fine. The spa treatment can be summed up in a few words, it is so relaxing and wonderful!

I must say that it is one of my most awaited onboard experiences.  I love being pampered and of course, while onboard will be the best time to do it, maybe during a sea day, just like ours.

Typically, my back gets so tender after a massage but thank goodness for the anti-inflammatory gel that they put on my back after the session, it does make a big difference.  No aching and tenderness for me! I’m such a happy girl after my massage session.

Our pampering session didn’t stop there, we also tried “The Enclave”, a thermal suite after our treatment.   It has some neat heated and water beds, a sauna, hammam, thermal pool and sensory showers.

It’s a great place to wind down after the relaxing spa treatment at the Lotus Spa.

FAQ on Royal Princess and Princess Cruises

Does princess cruises have hair dryers .

Yes. It is located on the right-hand side drawer of the dressing table.

Yes. The Churchill Lounge is the specific area where you smoke on board.

Does Princess Cruises offer drink packages? 

Yes. Princess Cruises has various drinks packages to offer onboard.  From different wine, whiskey and cocktail masterclass tasting experiences up to daily charge beverages are all available.

The most common packages are the: New Grounds – $36USD per card, for all the coffee lovers. Unlimited Soda & More – $8.05/person/day, for unlimited soft drinks, mocktails, juices and complimentary hot chocolate on board. Premier Package – $59.99/person/day, for cocktails, wine, beer, bottled water, varieties of tea , soda, specialty coffees, and more. You can pre-book these drink packages on your cruise personalizer.

Yes. There is chargeable Wi-Fi access onboard.  Various satellite Internet packages are on offer on various plans: 600 Minutes – $199.00 400 Minutes – $159.00 200 Minutes – $99.00 100 Minutes – $69.00 Pay as you go Plan (Per Minute) – $0.79 Wi-Fi signal can be temperamental. It can depend on where you are onboard, plus it can depend on where you are at sea. So make sure to turn off your network data on your mobile to avoid an unnecessary hefty bill. The maritime internet is so expensive! Just keep your phone in aeroplane mode.

What are Princess Cruises prohibited items? 

Here is the list of the prohibited items on board .

An optional gratuity will be automatically charged to your account per person on a daily basis depending on your cabin. You can check this on your cruise personaliser.

Princess Cruises laundry prices 

Yes, there are laundry services on board. You can also use self-service laundrettes and iron and ironing boards are also available and can be found on each cabin deck.

The rates for the self-service laundry are: $3 for washing, $3 for drying and free of charge for using the iron and ironing board.

Overall, I had a truly wonderful experience on our British Isles cruise onboard Royal Princess. The Premium services of Princess Cruises really made the trip special and matched an incredible itinerary around the British Isles. They are truly true to their word that you will “Come Back New” .

Have you cruised with Princess Cruises or been on British Isles Cruise before? Would love to hear about your experience too!

Special thanks and disclaimer: I have been invited to join and experience the British Isles Cruise of the Princess Cruises UK PR Media Team to share my personal experience onboard. All opinions and words in this post are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ryazan Tristram

Ryazan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published in BBC, Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet, and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British-Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK, Europe, and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history, and culture.

20 thoughts on “British Isles Cruise with Princess Cruises (Review) Experience”

Looks like an interesting itinerary and ship. Although I’ve sailed on several different cruise lines, I’ve not yet been on Princess. Bridge tours are definitely fascinating; on Celebrity Eclipse, they showed us how there’s a glass floor on the wing of the bridge to help them check things out when berthing. I’m not surprised at all with your step count; despite all the great food onboard, I always seem to come home lighter – probably due to mainly sailing big ships, the gym, and plenty of walking ashore.

Yes, it was a great cruise around the British Isles. Surprisingly we had plenty of sunshine as well. It was totally exciting to visiting the bridge and getting new maritime knowledge from the officers.

A great experience you had there! 🙂 I’ve never been on any cruise in my life, yet. Love how you makes your writing interesting. But the Wi-Fi charges are quite expensive, or those are standard charges on cruises?

Yes, the wifi onboard are pretty reasonable compared to the hefty maritime internet.

Cruises are not my type of vacations, I get seasick almost instantly and it makes the whole trip a nightmare. 🙁

Oh dear! So sorry for you. Have you tried taking some seasick tabs they are pretty effective.

Cruises are not my type of vacation since I get seasick almost instantly. The spa section looks great!

I have never been on a cruise (I think, if a high school trip on a boat to Greece doesn’t count as a cruise), and I am not a fan- but the circle you did goes around all the regions I want to visit! Especially Scotland in the sunny weather (and I don’t know why everyone accuses British weather to be miserable, I’ve been to England twice in October, and the weather was pretty nice actually!). Also, didn’t know that the maritime Internet was so expensive, which is maybe a good thing, to completely switch off during your 6 days of cruising.

Oh! You should try it once. It’s a great fun. The British weather is very temperamental, but we were so lucky to have a glorious weather on this cruise.

It sounds like you had a fabulous cruise. Imagine Scotland being sunny! I spent 18 months in the UK and can practically count the number of sunny days on both hands haha. I have never been on a cruise before but this looks like a perfect one, docking at some beautiful places. I also like how you included lots of facts throughout your post. It made it really interesting to read.

This itinerary looks amazing. It literally hits every spot! I’ve only been to London so far (simply because of time restraints every time) but would LOVE to see more (especially the Channel Islands). Definitely adding this to my bucket list. P.S. I originally hail from Ryazan! How did you end up with this name??

I have never been on a cruise but it is something that I have always wanted to try at least once. Royal Princess and Princess Cruises sounds ideally to me. I could definitely do the British Isles and go through the English Channel. I also love the idea of the different drink packages that they have available.

We’re not fans of cruises because we prefer to be on land than on water, but I must say that the itinerary seems interesting! Also I’m surprised to see how large the rooms are on the Royal Princess!

I’ve never really considered the British Isles as a place for a cruise, but that itinerary really peaked my interest! And you’re so lucky you got some sunny days out there. Your balcony room looked so lovely and comfy – between that and the spa it seems like you could be content even if you weren’t blessed with such great weather! I’m not big on cruises, but I do definitely prefer the DIY route for onshore excursions, what about you? What was your favorite stop on the itinerary?

Sounds like a wonderful trip and a unique way to see the British Isles. No better way than on the ship that’s godmother is the duchess, herself. I have not cruised before, but these pictures makes me wan to change that. It looks like a luxury hotel.

Looks like a wonderful trip ; and no better way to see the British Isles than on the ship whose godmother is the duchess herself. I have not cruised before, but this makes me want to. It looks like a luxury hotel.

WHAT TIME OF YEAR DID YOU CRUISE?

Hi Debra, We cruised the British Isles around May. 🙂

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Princess Cruises, British Isles Excursions

British isles princess cruise: royal princess – may 2018.

In May 2018 I boarded the Royal Princess for a British Isles cruise. The Royal Princess was INCREDIBLE and I had an amazing time on her. I was lucky enough to take this cruise as part of a press trip which meant that I got to hang out with ‘proper’ writers like newspaper journalists (all very fancy).

If you are considering a British Isles cruise and with Princess and are unsure about what to do in the ports then this is the post for you!

We took Princess excursions in the following places:

Tour:  WALKING TOUR OF DUBLIN & PUB VISIT

Duration: 3.5 hours

Cost: $99.95

Tour:  LOCAL CONNECTIONS: GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Duration:6.5 hours

Cost: $159.95

Invergordon

Tour: LOCH NESS & URQUHART CASTLE RUINS

Duration: 4.5 hours

During this post, I will be reviewing the excursions and sharing with you some pictures that I took along the way. The British Isles are never really a place that I had considered as a cruise destination but I loved the cruise. I never knew we had so many amazing places so close to home!

WALKING TOUR OF DUBLIN & PUB VISIT

To find out more about this tour click here:  British Isles Princess Cruise – Walking Tour of Dublin and Pub Visit

My first Guinness

During this tour, I had my first ever pint of Guinness!! Technically it was a half pint but I’m still pretty proud of myself. It wasn’t half as bad as I feared it would be but apparently, it tastes better in Dublin so who knows what the regular English version is like!

We were lucky enough to be greeted by glorious sunshine when we arrived in Dublin. They say that everything looks better in the sun and it is true. Dublin is already a gorgeous city but the sunshine made it extra special. The streets were lined with people enjoying themselves in the sunshine.

The walking part of this tour is around two hours which I would consider about perfect for a walking tour. Dublin is pretty easy to walk around and there is something to see on every street that you pass. We made this trip in May and the temperature was in the early 20s (c)/ 70s (f).

Trinity College

There is an opportunity in the tour to have a wander around trinity college. The perfect spot to get some photos in the sun! I even took my cardigan off at this point, that is something that I never thought would happen! The weather was amazing.

Thoughts on this tour:

I did enjoy this tour but feel as though this one probably could be done by yourself providing that you download a good walking map. Of course, there are benefits of booking the excursion through Princess. For example, if you book a Princess excursion the ship will wait for you if you get delayed and you won’t be left behind! I know a lot of people enjoy taking excursions organised by the cruise line but for me, these are a treat and if I could only afford one excursion on this cruise I wouldn’t necessarily pick this one.

BELFAST – LOCAL CONNECTIONS: GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

If you would like to know more about this tour click here: British Isles Princess Cruise – Local Connections: Giant’s Causeway.

Belfast is around a two-hour drive from the giant’s causeway. I have to admit that I took travel sickness pills for this one, just in case! Much better to be safe than sorry in my opinion. I get ridiculously travel sick and also seasick too. What a terrible advocate for cruising I am. Although I think the fact that I still love cruising despite occasionally getting seasick shows just how much fun cruising really is! I recently filmed a video about how I deal with my seasickness. If you are worried about getting seasick I’d recommend you give it a watch: How I cope with seasickness. 

Dunluce castle

We stopped on route at Dunluce castle to get a photo. The coastline was stunning and again we were blessed with glorious sunshine.

Giants Causeway

[bctt tweet=”The Causeway is considered the Eighth Wonder of the World, and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. ” username=”EmmaCruises”]

The causeway itself is breathtaking. Well worth the journey! When you arrive you’ll be taken into the new visitor’s centre which was built in 2012. (Not sure that 2012 really is ‘new’ that’s 6 years ago!) Anyway, the visitor’s centre has lots of interesting things if you fancy learning a little about the history and science behind the causeway.

The walk down to the causeway

They say that the walk down takes 20 minutes although they must have measured this with somebody who was walking really slowly. It didn’t take us that long even though we stopped to take a photo every few metres! All of the scenery around the causeway is incredible and you listen to an audio tour on the way down. The audio tour was really interesting (more than most) and told us a little about the history of the Causeway as well as the legends that surround it. It is worth mentioning that there is a bus you can get down to the bottom and back up but this comes at a cost (£1 each way) and there were really long queues when we were there. I would avoid taking the bus unless of course you can’t walk for some reason.

The Causeway

The causeway itself is breathtaking. We spent a long time here and could have spent a lot longer. The causeway felt quite busy (it’s very popular) so as a result a lot of our time was spent trying to take photos without people in them. It’s also really REALLY windy here, so even if it is warm out be prepared for some wind.

It’s worth noting that there isn’t a lunch stop on this tour so it may be worth bringing a snack! 

Carrick-a-rede rope bridge

Next, we travelled to the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge. You do not get to cross during this tour which is a shame. I don’t care overly for rope bridges or heights so that’s fine by me! The bridge was first built in 1755 by fisherman, rest assured though that the national trust have replaced the bridge and I’m sure it’s now very safe.  The Carrick-a-rede rope bridge is extremely popular and to cross the bridge can often mean a wait of a couple of hours. There simply isn’t enough time to do this on the tour.

(I’ve been to the rope bridge before on a family land based holiday)

I really enjoyed this tour and I think doing it as part of a Princess excursion made it a lot easier. There is a lot of ground to cover and knowing that everything is planned out for you is really nice. The excursion takes a full day (and you will be exhausted afterwards) so although this one is a little more pricey, I feel like it’s worth the money.

INVERGORDON –

Loch ness & urquhart castle ruins.

If you would like to know more about this cruise click here:  British Isles Princess Cruise – Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle.

I think this was my favourite excursion and if I had to pick only one it would definitely be this one. It was a little colder this day but I still really enjoyed the tour. There is something magical and mysterious about the Scottish highlands.

The Journey

The drive from Invergordon to Loch Ness is approximately an hour. The scenery that you drive through is absolutely incredible so rest assured that you won’t be bored.  The fact that this tour says ‘bring a jacket’ leads me to believe that the weather is never great in this part of the world.

Urquhart Castle

When you arrive at Urquhart castle you’ll be shown a welcome presentation which tells you a little about the castle and its history. It is well worth a watch! I find it hard to comprehend history that happened so long ago but I had a lot of fun trying to imagine the people of the past wandering around the castle. There are quite a few steps and things around the ruins of the castle as you would expect. If your mobility is limited you may just have to view the castle from the visitor’s centre. From the visitor’s centre, you really get a great view of the castle and the loch.

I LOVED wandering around the ruins of Urquhart castle. The history behind the castle is so interesting and dotted around the ruins are exhibits and signs to teach you more about the castle and it’s past.

Urquhart Castle was plundered by the MacDonald clan of the Western Isles and then destroyed during the first Jacobite Rising of 1692, but legends persist that a cave beneath the castle is the home of legendary monster “Nessie.

We never did find Nessie but I learnt a great deal about the loch. I honestly had no idea how huge the loch actually is. It’s impossible to appreciate the size until you are stood right beside it. The Loch is 22 miles long, one mile wide and 740 feet deep! It’s amazing to stand beside the loch and look out imagining what it would have been like all of those years ago.

The return journey

The return journey passes through Inverness and you’ll pass the cathedral and Inverness Castle. Apparently, the current castle dates from the 19th century, but a series of castles have occupied the site since the Middle Ages.

My thoughts on this tour:

This was my favourite tour and if I could only pick one it would definitely be this one. There is a lot of travelling involved and taking the tour with Princess made it really easy. The tour takes most of the day but still gets you back in time to enjoy some peace and quiet on the ship. I found Loch Ness really interesting and I loved learning about the history of Urquhart castle. There is something really charming about the Scottish highlands!

The rest of the cruise

The itinerary of the cruise is as below:

London (Southampton), England  | Guernsey (St. Peter Port)  | Cork, Ireland (Cobh – For Blarney Castle)  |  Dublin, Ireland  | Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland  |  Belfast, Northern Ireland  | Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland  |  Invergordon, Scotland  | Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland  | Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), France  | London (Southampton), England

Both the Royal Princess and Crown Princess are currently doing this route which takes 12 days. There are other cruises which are a slight variation on this one (one which stops in Liverpool for example). I think I’d quite like to try the one that stops in Liverpool so that I could take the Beatles tour!

Would I recommend the cruise/excursions?

110%! I was honestly so surprised when I realised how many amazing places are right on my doorstep. I usually look outside of Britain when I cruise and wouldn’t normally have considered a cruise so close to home. The weather was glorious which probably helped.

Royal Princess

I loved the Royal Princess. She is such an elegant sparkly ship and I had loads of fun onboard. I filmed ship tour videos which I will be bringing you soon. Watch this space!

For now though, why not check out my balcony cabin review? The bed was INCREDIBLE.

If you’d like to find out more about this cruise itinerary click here: British Isles Princess Cruises – British Isles Itineraries. 

I was recently onboard the Golden Princess where I really fell in love with cruising with Princess. This was my first Princess cruise and they exceeded all of my expectations. To find out why I loved Princess so much click here: Golden Princess, Asia cruise. 

DISCLAIMER: Our posts may contain affiliate links. This means that if you buy something through one of those links, you won’t pay a penny more, but we will get a small commission which helps to keep this site going. If we have received anything for free or are being sponsored for a post it will be clearly disclosed.  

– – –

FURTHER READING:

WHY CRUISE AROUND THE BRITISH ISLES WHEN YOU LIVE IN ENGLAND? – MY FAMILY CRUISES 

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Princess Cruises around the British Isles

With the world more accessible by ship than ever before, a cruise around the British Isles might seem a little familiar, but agents shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss home shores. Emily Eastman joins Princess Cruises, one line reinventing the cruise experience as it sails British waters

There’s a sea change in appetite for British Isles cruises: an ex-UK, round-UK voyage eliminates the hassle of flying, does away with currency concerns in light of a weak pound, and offers an opportunity to experience more of our shoreside towns and cities.

To see if demand and experience align, I’m joining Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess for a segment of its Round Britain itinerary, travelling to ports of call from Southampton to Liverpool, where I’ll disembark before the ship sails onwards to Scotland, Paris and back to Southampton.

Crown Princess is one of three Princess ships – alongside Grand Princess and Island Princess – that will be based in the UK from 2021, increasing ex-UK capacity by nine per cent. The move reflects increasing demand for no-fly cruises and is part of a wider industry trend towards greater ex-UK options.

First stop is Guernsey, where I take a tender to St Peter Port to join a cycling excursion with Outdoor Guernsey. It’s a good option for those of reasonable fitness keen to learn about the history of this channel island – our guides, Skip and Alfie, share fairy tales, witch folklore and mysteries from neighbouring islands. There’s a stop for coffee and Guernsey ice cream (the cows here are renowned for their creamy milk), and we duck into a German bunker to learn about the island’s wartime role. 

To get back on board, a digital sensor registers my Ocean Medallion – a digital, wearable accessory that replaces cruise cards and connects to an app, MedallionClass, on your smartphone. The medallions are handed out at check in and enable guests to order food and drinks to wherever they are on the ship; set alerts for the many activities and shows; track down travelling companions; unlock their stateroom hands-free; and play interactive games with cute maritime avatars. 

Crown Princess boasts 7,000 medallion sensors, and I test them out by ordering sustenance on the move. Despite some teething issues (it takes 15 minutes for a Coke to arrive when I’m sitting opposite the bar), it’s easy to see the appeal of placing an order without having to move or attract someone’s attention. This appeal is felt most acutely in the ship’s many bars, where I order in comfort – there’s a generous wine list at Vines, a lengthy cocktail list at Crooners and classic options at Good Spirits. 

The food is equally impressive. At Sabatini’s – an Italian speciality restaurant and executive chef Federico Femiano’s onboard favourite – there’s artichoke soufflé, rich pasta dishes and chocolate-walled tiramisu. In Crown Grill, we dine on lobster with garlic-herb fries, while in The Salty Dog Gastropub, it’s possibly the world’s best breadsticks dunked in beer-cheddar fondue followed by white-tomato soup, beef short rib poutine and crab cakes. The main dining room is just as good, with succulent steak – “so good I don’t need the peppercorn sauce” according to a travel companion – and wipe-the-bowl-clean seafood pasta. 

The service is speedy and friendly, leaving us sated before each evening’s entertainment. Crown Princess has a packed schedule of shows, with Sweet Soul Music in the main theatre and, on the night we’re docked in Dublin, Irish Dreams , a local production with West End stars who come aboard to perform for one night only. We skip dessert to catch it, and I’m so glad: it’s a celebration of Irish culture, with music, dancing and history rolled into one captivating, uplifting performance. 

Dublin itself is the third port of call, following Cobh for Cork. Cobh stands out as a favourite destination – you step off the ship straight into the town where you can visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to learn about Annie Moore, the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island; immerse yourself in the Titanic Experience; or head into Cork proper for Blarney Castle. We opt for Spike Island, originally a monastic settlement and subsequently a prison and defensive fortress. Dubbed ‘Ireland’s Alcatraz’, the island has a grisly history as a notorious prison harbouring political prisoners and those convicted of petty crimes during the Great Famine.

Dublin, too, has a huge variety of excursion options. The Book of Kells Exhibition & Old Library tour at Trinity College is a real treat, offering an insight into the Christian Gospels and an opportunity to marvel at the Long Room, which has a copy of every book published throughout Ireland and the UK. From Trinity, we head to Dublin Castle, where a private guide shares ancient and contemporary tales.

Under bright autumn skies in Liverpool, guests bustle off the ship for The Beatles Story – unsurprisingly a popular option – but there’s also the Royal Albert Dock, a Unesco World Heritage Site, the city’s two cathedrals and even a trip to the Lake District, where guests can try a different kind of cruise along Windermere, England’s longest lake.

It’s easy to see the beauty of a British Isles cruise – it feels leisurely: distances between ports are short and there’s plenty of time to spend at each. A short train ride through the British countryside and I’m home, having avoided airports, with no currency to change up, and having seen a bit more of what our isles have to offer. 

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Cruises from Southampton

Open your door to europe’s wonders on a cruise from southampton.

From the Blue Lagoon in Iceland to the black-sand beaches in Greece, discover the world’s wonders on a cruise from Southampton. With various destinations, durations and dates, find the voyage that fits your schedule. Taste the flavors of the Mediterranean, tour palaces in Russia and float down dazzling fjords in Norway. Or walk in the footsteps of royalty as you visit the British Isles. The choice is yours with Princess®.

Find the Best Cruises from Southampton

British Isles Cruises

Watch history books come to life on a cruise from Southampton to the British Isles. Tour Edinburgh Castle, sip on famous stouts in Dublin and hunt for legendary sea monsters in Invergordon. Indulge in homemade scones and jam on a visit to a local cottage. Or relive the glory days of the world’s most beloved boy band on a trip to Liverpool. Discover lands full of mysteries and mythologies, only with Princess.

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Mediterranean Cruises

Laced in history and romance, the Mediterranean is a traveller’s playground. On a cruise from Southampton, find your passion amidst the canals of Italy or on the sun-drenched shores of Greece. See lands sculpted by volcanoes on the Canary Islands. Or walk in the footsteps of gladiators past at the Colosseum, and explore the archeological ruins of Pompeii — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Learn more about Mediterranean Cruises

Scandinavia & Baltic Cruises

Hear about tales and tsars from centuries past on a cruise from Southampton to Scandinavia and the Baltic. Get up close to historical treasures like Viking ships in Oslo and Kronborg Castle in Copenhagen.

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Norway & Iceland Cruises

Experience tranquility and natural beauty on a cruise from Southampton to Norway and Iceland. During an overnight stay in Alta, search for the Aurora Borealis while sipping on hot chocolate. Come face-to-face with Europe’s largest glacier as you sail down the iconic Norwegian Fjords. Or take a dip in Reykjavik’s Blue Lagoon and rediscover your sense of wonder. See for yourself why it’s called the land of fire and ice.

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Transatlantic Cruises

Relive the golden age of ocean travel on a Transatlantic cruise from Southampton. Unwind at sea and jump into adventure at each destination. Choose from voyages that take you through the British Isles to the Land of Fire and Ice — Iceland. Or visit ports in Spain and France as you make your way to North America on a cruise from London by way of Southampton. Indulge in the best of land and sea with a Transatlantic cruise from Princess.

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Canada & New England Cruises

Travel through time as you sail to Canada and New England on a cruise from Southampton. Walk in the footsteps of Paul Revere, hike through Acadia National Park and indulge in crab cakes and fresh-caught lobster along the way. Bask in the coastal beauty of Prince Edward Island, and spend two days exploring the French influences of Quebec City on a 24-day voyage to the Northern seaboard and back.

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What to Know About Cruises from Southampton

Southampton at a Glance

• Language: English
• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Docking: Your cruise from Southampton docks at the Port of Southampton, approximately 1.5-2 hours from London.
• Attire: We suggest dressing in layers as temperatures fluctuate throughout the year and even throughout the day. This includes a light shirt, sweater and jacket.
• Transportation: While taxis are available around the city, you can also get around by bus or train.

Things to Do in Southampton

Admire the Neoclassical architecture of this charming port city as you stroll past historic gems like the Tudor House or Saint Michael’s Church. Shop at the ultra-modern Westquay, home to an assortment of shops and restaurants. Or drive to the countryside and learn about the mystery of Stonehenge before boarding your cruise from Southampton.

Ships That Cruise from Southampton

Sky Princess®

Experience one of the newest additions to our fleet on a cruise from Southampton. Home to a pizzeria and jazz theatre, Sky Princess® redefines sea travel with luxurious amenities and MedallionClass® service.

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Regal Princess®

Sip, shop and stroll along the SeaWalk® to take in sweeping views of the seas below on a cruise from Southampton. Between the cuisine and entertainment, every moment is unforgettable aboard Regal Princess®.

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On a cruise out of Southampton, you can also enjoy best-in-class service and expert-crafted activities on board Enchanted Princess®, Island Princess® and other excellent ships in the Princess fleet.

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We get you where you need to go.

Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

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Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax.

Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise in Southampton. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative.

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12-Day British Isles

20th June 2024

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Prices From £ 1,076 pp

The new Regal Princess, sister ship to Royal Princess, is a spectacular example of the next generation of innovative Princess ships.

Take the hassle out of your holiday search and let our knowledgeable cruise agents find you the perfect cruise by phone! Call 02380 658 386

Tailor your experience with a range of upgrade packages. Ask us about upgrading to Princess Plus or Princess Premier to add onboard drinks, wi-fi, tips and so much more!

Your Itinerary

• Date   Port Arrive Depart
• 20/06/2024 Southampton – 16:00
• 21/06/2024 At Sea – –
• 22/06/2024 Cobh 07:00 18:00
• 23/06/2024 Dun Laoghaire 07:00 19:00
• 24/06/2024 Liverpool 06:00 16:00
• 25/06/2024 Greenock 08:00 18:00
• 26/06/2024 At Sea – –
• 27/06/2024 Kirkwall, Orkney Islands 07:00 18:00
• 28/06/2024 Invergordon 07:00 18:00
• 29/06/2024 Queensferry 08:00 19:00
• 30/06/2024 At Sea – –
• 01/07/2024 Le Havre 07:00 20:00
• 02/07/2024 Southampton 07:00 –

Extras / What's Included?

Choose to upgrade, cabins & prices, ship features.

Premium Mini-Suite with Balcony

The Premium Mini-Suite offers a spacious cabin with an extra-large balcony. Features and fine amenities are standard in a Premium Mini-Suite stateroom and they include a welcome glass of champagne, Twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed, Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow, Two flat-panel televisions, Private bathroom with combination tub and shower with Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110-volt, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings as well as daily housekeeping service.

Choose a luxurious Mini-Suite with balcony which is substantially larger than a Balcony stateroom and receive a complimentary welcome glass of Champagne. Mini-Suites include a separate sitting area with sofa bed and two flat-panel televisions. For families or groups needing a little extra space, Mini-Suites offer an appealing and affordable option.

Mini-Suite with Exclusive VIP Touches

A premium stateroom category featuring our best located Mini-Suite staterooms, as well as the great amenities found in all Mini-Suites — plus premier dining benefits and luxurious perks. Each night, enjoy Club Class Dining, an exclusive dining area featuring expedited seating with no wait, additional menu options, dedicated wait staff and tableside preparations. Other amenities include priority embarkation and disembarkation, a complimentary one-time wine set-up and so much more

Deluxe Balcony Stateroom

Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger. Staterooms also come with a pullman bed to accommodate a 4th passenger, a Balcony with patio furniture, Private bathroom with shower with Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service, Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow.

Balcony Stateroom

The spacious Balcony stateroom is appointed with fine amenities such as Twin beds that convert to a queen size bed, Private bathroom with shower, Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk, 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service, Evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow and outstanding views from an approximately 41 square foot private balcony. 

Some Balcony staterooms may have a partial or fully obstructed view from the balcony.

The Interior stateroom is approximately 166 to 175 square feet and richly appointed with fine amenities such as Twin beds that convert to a queen size bed, Private bathroom with shower, Shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, 100% Egyptian cotton linens Satellite TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, safe, closet, phone and desk 110V, 60-cycle alternating current (AC) with standard U.S. plug fittings, Daily housekeeping service, and an evening bed turn-down, with chocolates on your pillow.

Some also have pullman beds to accommodate 3rd and 4th passengers.

Other Details

Adults Only: Kids allowed

Childrens Facilities: Available

Nursery: None

Smoking: Some

Gratuities: A discretionary gratuity of $12 per person for mini-suites and suites, and $11.50 per passenger in all other staterooms per day (including children) will be automatically added to your shipboard account on a daily basis. A 15% gratuity is added to bar charges and dining room wine accounts. This is shared amongst the beverage staff and their support staff. Casino dealers and Lotus Spa personnel do not share in these gratuities, as not all passengers utilise these services.

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