28/08/2022 Southampton

Southampton

Embark Spirit of Adventure. 

Depart 1800.

29/08/2022 St Helier ⚓, Jersey

St Helier ⚓, Jersey

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set in St Aubin’s Bay, St Helier is the capital of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. Originally a fishing village, it was named after the Frankish missionary allegedly martyred here in the sixth century. The harbour is guarded by Elizabeth Castle, a late-Tudor fortress that can be reached by a causeway at low tide. The pedestrianised town centre is dotted with reminders of Jersey’s close ties to France, as seen in the street names. The History Museum relives the island’s past while its seafaring legacy is exhibited at the maritime museum.

Optional excursions

Head underground in the war-time tunnels to learn about the island’s Nazi occupation during World War two.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

30/08/2022 Brest, France

Brest, France

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Set in a natural harbour on Brittany’s Finistere Peninsula, the naval port of Brest is a modern city with a strong seafaring past. Under German occupation the port was a major U-boat base and whilst many of the city’s older buildings did not survive the war, the Château de Brest still dominates the mouth of River Penfeld. The medieval tower of Tour Tanguy stands opposite the Chateau while modern sights include the Pont de I’lroise cable bridge and the sprawling Oceanopolis aquarium.

Optional excursions

Discover the delightful half-timbered houses and twin spires of the Gothic Cathedral in medieval Quimper.

31/08/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

01/09/2022 Dún Laoghaire ⚓ (for Dublin), Ireland

Dún Laoghaire ⚓ (for Dublin), Ireland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1730.

From Dún Laoghaire, an included sightseeing excursion visits Dublin. Set at the mouth of the River Liffey and backed by the Wicklow Mountains, Ireland’s compact capital city is easy to explore on foot. A tapestry of architectural styles highlights its long history as best seen in Christ Church Cathedral, founded by Vikings in the 11th century, 13th-century Dublin Castle and Georgian Trinity College. Its well-designed green spaces include St Stephen’s Green and Phoenix Park, home to Dublin Zoo. No wonder such literary figures as Wilde, Joyce, Yeats and Swift have found inspiration here. An included sightseeing excursion will point out the city’s varied sights.

Included sightseeing excursion

An included sightseeing excursion will point out Dublin’s varied sights.

⚓  Land by launch or tender

02/09/2022 Greenock, Scotland

Greenock, Scotland

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Well-known as being the birthplace of James Watt, Greenock is a historic, industrial town that stands on the banks of the River Clyde. It is well-situated for exploring Glasgow, a cultural hub with a rich history and architecture created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, or perhaps discover Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Optional excursions

From Greenock, head for Glasgow, a cultural hub with a rich legacy of trade and ship building. Admire the fine Victorian and art nouveau architecture or enjoy some free time to explore this city at your leisure.

03/09/2022 Cruise the St Kilda Archipelago

Cruise the St Kilda Archipelago

Cruise through this volcanic archipelago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, part of the westernmost Outer Hebrides. A million seabirds flock here each year at the height of the breeding season, including the UK’s largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

04/09/2022 Portree ⚓, Isle of Skye

Portree ⚓, Isle of Skye

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The Isle of Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides, is famed for its wild and rugged landscapes. Of particular note are the photogenic Old Man of Storr rock pinnacles, craggy Quiraing and the waterfall-fed Fairy Pools. The capital of Portree is set on the east coast, and colourful fisherman cottages front the harbour. Exhibitions and film screenings at the Aros experience centre explore the local Gaelic culture and surrounding natural wonders.

Optional excursions

Set off on a scenic tour around the Trotternish Ridge to see such natural wonders as the Old Man of Stor and Quiraing landslip.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

05/09/2022 At Sea

Spend the day at sea.

06/09/2022 Liverpool, England

Liverpool, England

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Liverpool evolved during the Industrial Revolution as a nexus for trade, as reflected in the historic centre and the restored Royal Albert Dockyards. It is also a city synonymous with the cultural revolution of the 1960s. On the waterfront, visitors are greeted by the iconic ‘Three Graces’, which includes the Royal Liver Building. Other notable attractions include neo-classical St George’s Hall, the Tate and Walker art galleries and such fine parks as 200-acre Sefton Park with its Victorian palm house. An included sightseeing excursion is an excellent way to take in the main sights.

Included sightseeing excursion

Explore the city further during an included sightseeing excursion.

07/09/2022 Fishguard ⚓, Wales

Fishguard ⚓, Wales

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Surrounded by the rolling meadows of the Pembrokeshire Coastal National Park, Fishguard is well placed for exploring its many nature trails. On a small head overlooking sweeping Cardigan Bay are the ruins of an old fort from the Napoleonic era. In 1797, the garrison fired blanks at the approaching French fleet, forcing them to land further along the coast. The failed invasion is illustrated on a tapestry displayed at the Fishguard Library. The town’s other claim to fame is as the setting for the 1971 film Under Milk Wood, with locals acting as extras alongside famous movie stars Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole.

Optional excursions

Medieval Pembroke Castle has a scenic setting on a rocky promontory overlooking the Milford Haven and is accredited as the birthplace of the Tudor dynasty.

⚓ Land by launch or tender

08/09/2022 Falmouth ⚓, England

Falmouth ⚓, England

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle welcomes visitors to this corner of the Cornish coast from its vantage point high up on a headland. Falmouth owes its prosperity to Sir Walter Raleigh, who once commented that the naturally deep harbour would make an excellent port and the rest is history. The arrival of the railways in the mid-1800s coincided with Falmouth’s maritime decline, seeing it pivot into a popular Victorian seaside resort thanks to its fine beaches. The town’s connection to the sea is explored at the National Maritime Museum.

Included sightseeing excursion

A panoramic drive will take in the Cornish coast’s varied sights.

⚓  Land by launch or tender

09/09/2022 Portland, England

Portland, England

Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.

The Isle of Portland is part of the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. It is connected to the mainland by 18-mile-long Chesil Beach – a wild, windswept ridge backed by a saline lake that is a popular spot with lovers of the great outdoors. Featuring one of the world’s largest artificial harbours, Portland served as the HM Naval Base until the end of the 20th century and was a central embarkation point for Allied forces on D-Day in 1944. Henry XIIIs 16th-century castle marks one end of the island with the Bill promontory, Dorset’s southern tip, at the other end. Alternatively, visit nearby Weymouth or Dorchester.

Optional excursions

The fossil-rich Jurassic Coast comprises such natural wonders as Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge Bay.

10/09/2022 Southampton

Southampton

Arrive 0700.

Disembark Spirit of Adventure after breakfast.

Please note: Some of the highlights detailed may only be seen on optional excursions or by exploring independently.