British Isles-which lines do this?

[CasaM]

We are celebrating our 50th anniv in 2017 and we'd like to do a cruise of the British Isles. Our heritage is Scottish and Irish, so hitting those ports would be especially important to us. Which cruise lines should we look at?

[CasaM]

I just found a thread with this info....should have looked first before asking! I have alot of research to do and now have a place to start.

[yaletownboy]

I just found a thread with this info....should have looked first before asking! I have alot of research to do and now have a place to start.

 

We are on NCL's 11 Day cruise in May. Our Roll Call is here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2388697

[Bob++]

If you want to visit your ancestral places, you may find a cruise too rushed. Maybe you should consider a land-based holiday, which would give you a lot more time to explore your roots.

[flamomo]

I did a 12 day British Isles cruise earlier this year with Princess, and it was great. We visited the following ports:

Liverpool

Southampton

St Peter Port, Guernsey

Cork

Dublin

Belfast

Glasgow

Orkney Islands

Invergordon

Edinburgh

Le Havre

[TMLAalum]

We sailed the Silhouette in August for a 14 night British Isles cruise r/t from Amsterdam that included an overnight in Edinburgh for the Tattoo. The ports-of-call included Guernsey Is., Cobh, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Shetland Is., Inverness, Edinburgh and Bruges with a minimum of 8 hours in each.

 

We had full days every day with private tours in nearly every port so I felt we experienced more than a taste of Ireland, Scotland & Wales (from Liverpool).

 

We'd previously spent 7 weeks in the British Isles on land trips using timeshare trades, vacation rentals and hotels and loved those holidays, too!

 

For a first taste, a cruise is a good start. Be sure that whatever line you choose gives you extended days in port, research thoroughly so you can select the most important sights you want to see, and join your sailing's roll call for ideas and to possibly sign on with a private tour organized by a roll call cruise mate!

[4774Papa]

We did a British Isles cruise on Celebrity Infinity in May 2013 and an NCL cruise out of Copenhagen that included three ports in the BI.

 

Both were excellent, but I give the edge to Celebrity.

 

Here are my reviews.

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=221137

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=264272

[CasaM]

Thank you all for your comments and reviews. We are also considering doing a few days in Glasgow before or after a cruise. DH has some walking issues so a pure land trip is not on our agenda at this point.

[pickypicky]

I have my eye on a July 2018 itinerary with Azamara. I like it because it hits a lot of places on my wish list and, most importantly, ends in Edinburgh (Leith) so we can do a little more extensive exploration from there.

[yaletownboy]

I've also read that the Peace Walls in Belfast are suppose to be brought down. . . eventually (2023) so better start making plans before then. lol

 

http://www.citylab.com/politics/2016/08/belfast-peace-walls-demolition/496070/

[Bob++]

My DW has mobility problems too. When in Glasgow, you could consider hiring an electric wheelchair for the day: http://www.mobilityequipmenthiredirect.com/mobility-equipment-hire/c1012-wheelchair-hire-in-glasgow-scotland/

 

Thanks to the EU, the UK is pretty wheelchair friendly these days - dropped kerbs, easy access shops and public transport, and disabled-friendly toilets.

Edited November 6, 2016 by Bob++

[Alaskanb]

We will be on the Caribbean Princess British Isles cruise in late May. I grew up in England and spent summers south of Glasgow. If you would let us know what heritage places are important to you we can help to make sure you see them.

[roothy123]

50th anniversary calls for something really good. I'd suggest Oceania. They are fantastic, and while prices seem a little high, keep in mind that airfare is usually included, plus they do not nickel and dime you. We did a British Isles/Norway cruise a few years ago which was fabulous.