HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
the Isles of Scilly, a group of small islands off the coast of Cornwall
- Enjoy
mild weather, secluded beaches, enchanting wildlife and a relaxed
lifestyle
- Visit
Dunmore East, a popular tourist and fishing village in County Waterford
on Ireland's southeastern coast
- Disembark
at the small seaside resort town of Portrush in Northern Ireland and
travel overland to the world-famous Giant's Causeway
- Discover
a geological masterpiece - 40,000 closely packed hexagonal basalt
columns of varying heights descending like a staircase into the sea
- Explore
beautiful and serene Iona, a small island in the Inner Hebrides just
off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland
- Visit
the Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, a chain of
dramatically rugged islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | Triple Classic | Main Deck Suite | Single Suite | Classic Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Premium Suite | Owner's Suite |
May 08, 2024 | May 20, 2024 | 5,995 | 8,295 | N/A | 8,795 | 8,995 | 10,095 | 11,095 | 14,195 |
May 06, 2025 | May 18, 2025 | 6,195 | 8,495 | 12,695 | 9,095 | 9,295 | 10,395 | 11,395 | 14,595 |
Rates are listed per person in USD. Promotional offers are not reflected in the rates below.
|
Start Date | End Date | (Starting from) Triple Classic | (Mid-range) Superior Suite | (High-end) Owner's Suite |
May 08, 2024 | May 20, 2024 | 5,995 | 8,995 | 14,195 |
May 06, 2025 | May 18, 2025 | 6,195 | 9,295 | 14,595 |
ITINERARY
Day
1: Arrival in Heathrow Airport, London
Welcome
to England and the start of your British Isles cruise! Our included
pre-cruise hotel night is designed to allow for a relaxing motorcoach
transfer to Portsmouth the next morning. You’ll receive
information about the time and place to meet the motorcoach at the
hotel.
Day
2: Embarkation in Portsmouth, England
Look
for the Poseidon representative in the hotel’s lobby, who
will direct you to our chartered motorcoach that will take us to
Portsmouth. Considered the home of the Royal Navy, its rich maritime
heritage sets the mood for the beginning of our exciting voyage. In the
afternoon we welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition ship Sea Spirit.
Day
3: Tresco, Scilly Isles, England
The
Isles of Scilly is a group of small islands off the coast of Cornwall
boasting mild weather, secluded beaches, enchanting wildlife and a
relaxed lifestyle. On the lovely, sand-fringed island of Tresco, Bronze
Age burial sites and romantic 17th-century castle ruins reveal a long
and dramatic history. On the hallowed grounds of a Benedictine abbey we
discover the exquisite Tresco Abbey Garden with its spectacular
collection of more than 20,000 exotic plants from all corners of the
world. Here we also find the Valhalla Museum, a collection of colorful
figureheads salvaged from the islands’ shipwrecks. Delightful
cafés and local shops enrich your experience even further.
Day
4-5: Republic of Ireland
Dunmore
East is a popular tourist and fishing village in County Waterford on
Ireland’s southeastern coast. From here it is a short journey
through scenic countryside to the House of Waterford Crystal. Here you
can take a guided tour of the factory to see the master craftsmen at
work as well as the world’s largest collection of their
wares. Also nearby there are Lismore Castle gardens which are said to
be the oldest continually cultivated gardens in Ireland and they offer
spectacular views of both Lismore Castle and the surrounding
countryside of the Blackwater valley. The lower garden was mostly
created in the 19th century and the upper one was first constructed in
about 1605, where most of the walls and terraces remain the same
although the plantings have changed to suit the tastes of those living
within the Castle. In April 2014 the Castle and Gardens were awarded an
Eco-Merit, an award that recognizes the castle teams environmental
policy and improvement plan, a system of performance monitoring and
pollution prevention.
Our
plan is to visit the the Saltee Islands. The larger island, Great
Saltee, is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland. These Islands are
privately owned and are one of the world's major bird sanctuaries. The
Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of
Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an
important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring
and autumn migrants
Day
6: Llandudno, Wales
Our
port for today is the vibrant seaside town of Llandudno in the north of
Wales. From here we embark on a scenic overland tour of Snowdonia
National Park. We drive through some of the wildest and most dramatic
landscapes in Britain as we discover craggy mountains, stunning
waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, dense woodlands and flowering meadows.
Snowdonia is also renowned for wildlife including otters, water voles,
wild ponies and rare birds such as dotterel and peregrine falcon. We
enjoy a delightful stop at the charming and distinctively Welsh town of
Betws-y-Coed in the Gwydyr Forest.
Visit
to the Conwy Castle is also on our list. UNESCO considers Conwy to be
one of "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century
military architecture in Europe", and it is classed as a World Heritage
site. Divided into an Inner and an Outer Ward, it is defended by eight
large towers and two barbicans, with a postern gate leading down to the
river, allowing the castle to be resupplied from the sea.
Day
7: Portrush, Northern Ireland
Today
we disembark at the small seaside resort town of Portrush in Northern
Ireland. We travel overland to the world-famous Giant’s
Causeway. Here we discover a geological masterpiece—40,000
closely packed hexagonal basalt columns of varying heights descending
like a staircase into the sea. According to legend, the columns are the
remains of a causeway built by a giant. In this area we are also able
to spot various seabirds such as fulmar, petrel, cormorant, shag,
redshank, guillemot and razorbill.
Day
8: Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Weather
permitting, we also plan to visit the uninhabited island of Staffa.
This island of volcanic origin is easily recognized by its striking
colonnade of hexagonal basalt pillars. Here we hope to explore the
island’s most famous feature, Fingal’s Cave.
Reaching deep into the island, the undulating sea plays upon the
stunning matrix of columnar basalt to create an eerie melody which was
the inspiration for Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
The rugged island also provides nesting sites for seabirds including
guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Today
we also explore beautiful and serene Iona, a small island in the Inner
Hebrides just off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland. At the gorgeous
Iona Abbey, founded in 563 AD, we are spellbound by one of
Scotland’s most historic and sacred sites and indeed one of
the oldest Christian religious centers in Western Europe. The adjacent
graveyard is said to be the final resting place of numerous medieval
kings, including Macbeth. In addition to its historical and religious
significance, Iona is well known for its soul-soothing tranquility,
white sand beaches and excellent birdwatching.
Day
9: St. Kilda, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The
Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, are a chain of
dramatically rugged islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland.
The most isolated of these is St Kilda. This remote and stormravaged
island was continuously inhabited for at least two millennia by peoples
of extraordinary hardiness. But as the modern world closed in after
World War I, the remaining inhabitants chose to evacuate. Now we find
only their rough stone buildings and distinctive storehouses called
cleitean, all set amidst some of the most dramatic island scenery in
the British Isles. Nature-lovers will be delighted, as the island is
home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds, two early types of sheep,
and over 130 species of flowering plants. We’ll also plan for
a close cruise-by of Stac Lee, a sea stack about four miles northeast
of St. Kilda’s main island of Hirta. It is home to part of
the world’s largest colony of northern gannet. When St. Kilda
had a permanent population, islanders would come here, precariously
leaping ashore to hunt birds and gather eggs
Day
10: Kirkwall, Orkneys
Today,
we’ll disembark in Stromness for an overland tour of
Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands off the northeastern coast
of Scotland. Attractions such as the well-preserved 5000-year-old
village site at Skara Brae and the ancient Ring of Brodgar within the
UNESCO World Heritage Site “Heart of Neolithic
Orkney” showcase the world-class cultural heritage of the
island. We finish our island tour in the charming village of Kirkwall,
where find the landmark Saint Magnus Cathedral, built in the Romanesque
style in the 12th century. You will also have free time to roam the old
streets of Kirkwall and enjoy its unique atmosphere before we head to
our next destination..
Day
11: Fair Island
On
Fair Isle—an isolated island of rolling moorlands and rugged
coastlines—one is easily enchanted by historic crofts,
picturesque lighthouses, and friendly locals. The island is famous
among birders for its abundance of British birds and for its numerous
records of eastern rarities and migrants.
Fair
Isle is also one of Europe’s best places to watch seabirds,
especially puffins, at close range.
Additionally,
the island is notable for the abundance and diversity of its
wildflowers. Seals are also commonly seen in its bays. Finally, during
our visit it will be possible to see and purchase articles hand-knitted
in the intricate and distinctive style for which Fair Isle has been
celebrated for hundreds of years.
Day
12: Isle of May, Scotland, Bass Rock
Isle
of May and Bass Rock... Both of these uninhabited islands are in the
outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. The Isle of
May is a national nature reserve and includes significant colonies of
puffins, guillemots, razorbills, shags, cormorants and terns. Harbor
seals and grey seals can be spotted along the shores. There are also
some historic architectural sites, including St. Ardin’s
Chapel, the lighthouse and the Low and Light Cottages.
The
island known as “the Bass” plays host to over
150,000 northern gannets in the breeding season, making it the
world’s largest colony of these magnificent birds. The
island’s steep walls are white with guano and the sky all
around is darkened by the vast multitude of seabirds in flight. Our
voyage is perfectly timed to coincide with this amazing
spectacle—truly one of the wildlife wonders of the world.
Day
13: Disembarkation in Edinburgh, Scotland
After
breakfast on board Sea Spirit we say farewell in Leith,
Edinburgh’s vibrant port district. We provide transfers to
the airport or to Edinburgh city center if you wish to spend more time
in the wonderful capital of Scotland.
Sea Spirit (Luxury Expedition, 114-guests)
The ice-strengthened small all-suite expedition ship Sea Spirit (originally Renaissance V) was built in 1991 in Italy. From that time she has changed several operators and regions of navigation, cruising in Singapore, Alaska, Pacific Basin, Arctic and Antarctica. The vessel was modified in late 2010. Providing spacious suites for accommodation of maximum of 114 passengers (the smallest suite is 20 sq. meters) the Sea Spirit at the same time features maneuverability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage hotel night;
- Group
transfer to Portsmouth on the day of embarkation;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions windbreaker jacket;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
RATES
DO NOT INCLUDE:
- Airfare;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- The
cost of any applicable medical tests (such as COVID-19) or vaccinations
required either by a national government or Poseidon Expeditions
before, during or after the cruise;
- Mandatory
emergency evacuation insurance to a minimum coverage of US$ 100,000 per
person;
- Staff
gratuities.
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
- Sea
Kayaking: USD 195
- Photography
- Free