Ancient Isles: England, Ireland & Scotland

Fly overnight to London. Embark in the city center in time for lunch and set sail down the Thames.

Visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and climb inside the HMS Victory. Visit the partially restored Tudor warship Mary Rose, deployed by King Henry VIII. Alternatively, join the naturalist guide for a drive to the lively estuary at Titchfield Haven to walk the trails and look for visiting birds.

Stroll the medieval streets of Fowey (pronounced “Foy”) before visiting the Eden Project, a botanical garden with vast biomes. In the afternoon, visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, left derelict after WWI and recently restored, or choose to explore Fowey’s town center.

Sail the isles of Scilly and see Tresco Abbey Garden’s flourishing garden, filled with historic ruins and subtropical plants.

Arrive in colorful Cobh, a place steeped in maritime history. Visit the fascinating Heritage Centre and walk in the footsteps of the many Irish who fled the hardships of 19th century Ireland and immigrated to America.

Sail by Skellig Michael, a Celtic Christian hermitage where beehive huts and remains of a 7th-century monastery still stand. Visit Valentia Island for its dramatic cliffs and a visit to The Skellig Experience Visitor Center. Spend the afternoon discovering the picturesque seaside town of Dingle.

Visit Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Known for its religious and cultural heritage, Dun Aengus is a Celtic stone fort perched on a cliff’s edge.

Discover northwestern Ireland: a wild and windswept region where Gaelic is still spoken. Steeped in history and folklore, the dramatic landscape of counties Sligo and Donegal inspired the works of W.B. Yeats.

Visit the sacred island of Iona and its 12th-century abbey, believed to be the origin of the Book of Kells. Explore Staffa Island, famed for its geometric basalt columns and Zodiac into dramatic Fingal’s Cave.

Visit the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, boasting incredible seabird colonies. Conditions permitting, make a landing at the uninhabited St. Kilda, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, see the Neolithic Callanish Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis.

Discover the Stone Age megaliths of the Ring of Brodgar and the 5,000-year-old stoneslab village of Skara Brae. Step into medieval St. Magnus Cathedral, crafted from local red and yellow sandstone.

The Shetland Islands archipelago is characterized by incredible cultural traditions and dramatic landscapes. Experience this for yourself while stepping ashore at one of the many remote islands in the region.

Drive through a rolling landscape with Shetland ponies. Explore the ruins at Jarlshof, which reveal 4,000 years of near-continuous settlement. Sail from Shetland Island to Bergen, Norway.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Included

Accommodations; meals indicated; alcoholic beverages (except premium brands); excursions; services of expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; gratuities to ship’s crew.

Exclusions

Air transportation; extensions; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD, etc.; insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of $2,500 is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms may apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
180 or more days – $750 of deposit retained (may be applied to future trip by trip operator)
179 to 120 days – 100% of deposit
119 to 90 days – 25% of total trip cost
89 to 60 days – 50% of total trip cost
59 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The main Ancient Isles: England, Ireland & Scotland cruise begins in London, England (LHR) and ends in Bergen, Norway (BGO). Group flights are recommended for this cruise, and your AdventureSmith Specialist can assist with details for your specific departure. General recommendations are to arrive to London by mid-morning on embarkation day (day 2 of itinerary). A hospitality room at a central hotel will be available from 9:00am on day of embarkation for luggage storage and refreshments, before a transfer to the ship at noon. Disembarkation is after breakfast on day 15 of the itinerary. Plan to depart Bergen on the final day of the cruise no earlier than 10:30am. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include walking, hiking, kayaking, inflatable boat/skiff excursions, photography, wildlife observation and morning yoga and stretching.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Emergency medical evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip, with a minimum recommended coverage of $100,000 per person. Trip cancellation insurance is optional but highly recommended. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. You must purchase your travel insurance policy within 15 or 21 days of booking (depending on plan) for it to cover pre-existing medical conditions; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free 

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.