Southampton to Copenhagen Cruise

Day 1 - Southampton

Arrive: Tue 10 June 2025 / Depart: Tue 10 June 2025 at 21:00

Standing on a triangular peninsula formed at the place where the rivers Itchen and Test flow into an eight-mile inlet from the Solent, Southampton has figured in numerous stirring events and for centuries has been of strategic maritime importance. It was from here that the Pilgrim Fathers departed for America in the tiny Mayflower in 1620 and many great ocean liners, such as the Queen Mary and the Titanic have followed since. The image of the thousand-year-old city was greatly blemished by the bombing during World War II and postwar planning caused changes almost beyond recognition.

Day 2 - Portland, Dorset, UK

Arrive: Wed 11 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 11 June 2025 at 19:00

Day 3 - Falmouth

Arrive: Thu 12 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 12 June 2025 at 17:30

England’s Cornish coast is often touted as being one of the loveliest on earth, and Falmouth is testament to that. A lovely jumble of traditional seaside charm, long stretches of sandy beach and quintessential Britishness, Falmouth offers much in the way of entertainment. Think bags of style, a community spirit and a modern, arty, edge, and you have just about summed Falmouth up. It was recently voted as the UK’s best town to live, so it must be doing something right! With Falmouth, appearances can be deceptive – while one might think it is a twee seaside village that owes its livelihood to tourism, it is actually a university town, full of art galleries, independent book shops and of course buzzing bars and restaurants. Get a taste of the student life by wandering the seafront and the Prince of Wales Pier, ice-cream in hand. While the town might have embraced its future, its past is still very relevant. A major port in the 18-century the National Maritime Museum has a great deal of history on offer. For those who want to stretch their legs further afield and really enjoy the glorious English countryside, why not indulge your senses with a coastal trek along the Lizard Peninsula. Beautifully bordered by sea and open landscapes, expect to see tiny fishing villages hidden in their coves, dramatic coastal landscapes and even the Lizard Lighthouse, one of Marconi’s experimental wireless stations. Don’t forget to get yourself a cream tea – a Cornish institution – to congratulate yourself at the end!

Day 4 - Cobh

Arrive: Fri 13 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 13 June 2025 at 19:00

It may be small, but Ireland’s personality packs a big punch. Ask any local to explain why Ireland is the most beautiful county in the world and you’ll be chatting like old friends in no time. And rightly so; rich heritage dating back to the 5th century includes castles, the book of Kells and craggy coastline, so why not talk about it? Famously quirky cities are everywhere – think Galway on the west, Cobh to the south and Dublin to the east. Add fabulously beautiful landscapes – from the sheer splendour of the Cliffs of Moher to the wildness of Skellig Islands and you’ll understand why an Ireland cruise is a bit of adventure. As the Irish proverb goes, “May the road rise up to meet you”, (good luck on your travels), get ready to enjoy your Ireland luxury cruise where the music, cheer and yes, the Guinness, flows freely. Just don’t forget your umbrella.

Day 5 - Dublin

Arrive: Sat 14 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 14 June 2025 at 19:00

Atmospheric cobbled streets, with buskers scraping fiddles and characterful pubs inviting passersby inside, is Dublin in a snapshot. A city of irrepressible energy and lust for life, Ireland's capital is as welcoming a place as you'll find. Horse-drawn carriages plod along cobbled centuries-old streets, blending with an easy-going, cosmopolitan outlook. Known for its fun-filled gathering of pubs, any excuse works to enjoy a celebratory toast and chat among good company. Home to perhaps the world's most famous beer - slurp perfect pourings of thick, dark Guinness - cranked out for the city's thirsty punters. Learn more of the humble pint's journey at the Guinness Storehouse. Dublin has come along way since the Vikings established a trading port here, back in the 9th Century. In the time since, the city became the British Empire's defacto second city, and the Georgian imprint still adds oodles of historic character. Learn of 1916's Easter Uprising, when the Irish rebelled and established their independence here, as you visit the infamous, haunting Kilmainham Gaol. The uprising's leaders were tried and executed in these dark confines. Dublin's St. Patrick's Cathedral has immense history below its steep spire, which dates back to 1191. There's rich literary heritage to leaf through too, and the city's streets were rendered vividly in James Joyce's classic Ullyses. The Museum of Literature celebrates the full scope of Dublin's lyrical talents. Trinity College also has a prestigious roll-call of alumni - visit to see the Book of Kells, a beautifully illustrated bible of the medieval era.

Day 6 - Greenock

Arrive: Sun 15 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sun 15 June 2025 at 19:00

A titan of culture and character, with a disarmingly warm welcome, Glasgow is a lively, Scottish city with bucket-loads of personality. Built on a bedrock of hard-work, and deep industrial roots, the city is a fascinating balance of old and new. Architectural treasures like the elegant Glasgow City Chambers of 1888 blend with new, angular shocks like the Riverside Museum and armadillo-shaped Clyde Auditorium - both part of a clutch of exciting new developments along the River Clyde’s banks. View less Also towering over the river - and perhaps Glasgow’s mightiest symbol - is the Titan - a colossal crane and an almighty reminder of Glasgow’s heritage as a constructor of giant battleships and cruise liners. It is far from a grey industrial city these days, however, and leafy parks, manicured gardens and stacked galleries douse the city with its colour and cultural intrigue. George Square is at the heart of it all, overlooked by Glasgow City Chambers and adorned with memorials, columns and statues honouring influential Scots and Prime Ministers of history. The sounds of shoppers and searing bagpipes rattle along the bustling Buchanan Street, where you can stroll and shop to your heart’s content. Stumble across the West End - Glasgow’s quirkier side - which is brimming with brightly painted cafes and pubs of character and characters, and the perfect spot for a sit-down. Glasgow’s Medieval Cathedral is the city’s oldest building and one of Scotland’s oldest cathedrals, while the university is an immaculate, turreted and vaulted temple of learning. With enormous concert halls, overflowing museums and storied castles, Glasgow is one of the United Kingdom’s most characterful, rewarding cities.

Day 7 - Belfast

Arrive: Mon 16 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 16 June 2025 at 23:00

Reborn as a cool, modern city, Belfast has successfully left its troubles behind, emerging as a hotbed of culture and architecture, where the comfort of a cosy pub is never far away. Take a voyage of discovery in its maritime quarter, home to a celebrated museum dedicated to the most famous ship ever built, which was constructed right here in the city’s shipyards. A walk across the Lagan Weir Footbridge brings you to Belfast’s fascinating Titanic District – an area of the city devoted to its rich ship-building heritage. The state-of-the-art Titanic Museum brings the story of the doomed vessel to life, and is the largest museum dedicated to the infamously ‘unsinkable’ ship. Wind up a nautical-themed ramble along the Maritime Mile with a visit to SS Nomadic, the smaller cousin of the Titanic, and a ship which serves as a fascinating time capsule back to the pomp and grandeur of the Titanic, while also telling its own stories of service in both World Wars. There’s just enough time to give the 10-metre long Salmon of Knowledge sculpture a quick peck for luck, before continuing to explore. A stark barbed wire and graffitied sheet metal barrier marks an abrupt scar through the city’s residential areas. The Peace Line was constructed during the height of the Troubles, when Belfast was plagued by sectarian divisions between Protestants and Catholics. Nowadays, you can jump in a black taxi tour to see the colourful murals and living history of the walls, which stand as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. After exploring the city’s historic divisions, a reminder of Belfast’s uniting creativity can be found at the Metropolitan Arts Centre – a seven-storey tall building, which invites light to gloriously cascade inside. The Cathedral Quarter is a cobbled blend of flower-adorned pubs, restaurants and theatres, and venues where music spills out onto the streets at night, and many a pint is cheerily shared.

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - Stornoway (Isle Lewis)

Arrive: Wed 18 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 18 June 2025 at 19:00

The Hebrides, or Western Isles, are a group of more than 500 islands off Scotland's west coast in the Atlantic Ocean of which about one hundred are inhabited. They are divided into the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The Inner Hebrides are comprised of Skye, Mull, Islay, and Jura. The Outer Hebrides include Lewis and Harris, North and South Uist, Benbecula, Barra, Saint Kilda, and the Flannan Islands. The archipelago covers an area of 4,500 square miles (7,200 sq km). Most of its islands are covered by sparse vegetation and boast a fairly mild climate. Tourism, sheep and cattle raising, and the manufacture of textiles are the principal sources of income. The most famous export item is no doubt the excellent Harris tweed.

Day 10 - Kirkwall

Arrive: Thu 19 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 19 June 2025 at 19:00

Scattered just off the northern tip of Scotland, Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands - a scenic archipelago of fascinating, dual heritage. The Viking influence is deep, while a prehistoric past and World War history adds to the endless stories that these dramatic islands have to tell. Sparse and beautiful, let the sweeping seascapes of frothing waves, and dance of the northern lights, enchant you as you explore. Windswept beaches are inhabited by whooping swans, while grassy cliffs hide puffins amid their wavy embrace. View less Sea caves and crumbling castles - and the dramatic meeting of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean add to the romantic beauty of these lands, which may be physically close to the UK, but feel an entire world away. The sandstone St. Magnus Cathedral is the centrepiece of Orkney's main town - a place of winding lanes and atmospheric walks - and Britain's northernmost cathedral is a masterpiece that took 300 years to complete. Started in 1137, the beautiful cathedral is adorned with mesmerising stain-glass windows and has been evocatively named as the Light of the North. Look down over the ruined Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces nearby from the tip of the cathedral's tower. Or, test out the islands' history-rich distilleries, which produce smokey single malts - said to be the best in the world. You can also venture out to Europe's best-preserved Stone Age Village, at the extraordinary World Heritage Site of Skara Brae, which offers an unparalleled vision into prehistoric life.

Day 11 - Aberdeen, Sierra Leone

Arrive: Fri 20 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 20 June 2025 at 19:00

Standing on the rocks of Sierra Leone’s Western Peninsular, the rusting, photogenic Aberdeen Lighthouse welcomes sea-faring visitors ashore. Aberdeen juts out into the Atlantic waves to the north of Sierra Leone’s sprawling capital city, Freetown. A lively, well-heeled spot, Aberdeen has a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere, which attracts adventurous holidaymakers and explorers to these shores. The air is thick with history too - a colony was established here to repatriate former slaves of the British Empire, and you can explore the monuments and reminders of this important past in Freetown. The Cotton Tree is a national symbol of liberation, while former slaves would walk through King’s Yard Gate as they reclaimed their freedom. Sierra Leone is known for offering up some of the best beaches in Western Africa. The most accessible of which is the golden band of sand of Lumley Beach, which stretches from Aberdeen for three miles down to Lumley - the southern portion forms a palm-backed party spot for locals. Quieter, tranquil options fringe the Western Peninsular’s wider coastline, away from Aberdeen, where the lush Western Area National Park rolls down to meet the sandy shores. River No 2 Beach is a gorgeous option on an unspooling river estuary, with coils of silky sands all around. Enjoy the peace, while watching as the pink sun is subdued by the Atlantic’s waves.

Day 12 - Edinburgh, UK

Arrive: Sat 21 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 21 June 2025 at 23:00

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - Skagen

Arrive: Mon 23 June 2025 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 23 June 2025 at 18:00

Skagen is the northernmost town in Denmark, at the tip of Jutland on the Kattegat strait. It became a holiday resort at the end of the 19th century and a colony for artists and writers. Painters and poets were the first to see the light - literally. Particularly the Skagen Group of painters made the place famous.

Day 15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Arrive: Tue 24 June 2025 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 24 June 2025

Effortlessly cool and down to earth, Copenhagen is a contemporary, clean and classy highlight of Scandinavia. A city built to be liveable, Copenhagen has refused to compromise, resulting in a forward-thinking metropolis that’s green and clean. Swim in the waters of Havnebadet Islands during summer, or shelter from winter’s bite by snuggling in beside a roaring open fire during winter. You can even hop on a train to Sweden, traversing the famous span of a Nordic Noir star - the Öresund Bridge. It takes just a touch over half an hour to step off the train in Malmö. There’s only one way to truly explore Copenhagen and that’s on two wheels. Easy bike hire schemes will get you moving across this flat city, designed with bikes at the forefront of the mind. Choose a model with electronic assistance to take the strain out of any journey, giving you the freedom to whizz around and explore the modern angular architecture of the centre, and the pastoral colours of Nyhavn waterfront. Head out to the Little Mermaid statue, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale - the strikingly-restrained statue is the perfect landmark for Copenhagen; unshowy, self-assured and utterly irresistible. The Danish concept of hygge is very much alive here, and you’ll feel that warm cosy feeling as you visit cafes illuminated by the warm glow of hanging filament bulbs, and stuffed to the brim with thick, dusty books. Home to mega-brewer Carlsberg, Copenhagen is also a city for hop enthusiasts, and there is a thriving craft brewing scene to sample. Danish Smørrebrød sandwiches are a must try, or for something a little more substantial, settle in for a culinary voyage and try a taster menu – the city’s restaurants are littered with Michelin stars.