Posted on Wednesday, 24 April 2024

See the British Isles like you never have before, by taking a round Britain cruise in the comfort of a modern cruise ship.

With short distances between ports, you'll get to see multiple legendary cities and islands, while enjoying fine dining and entertainment at sea.

One day you might be kissing the Blarney Stone in Cork, the next exploring Liverpool, and a few days later you might be spotting puffins and whales around the Orkney Islands.

And whether you prefer coastline cruises or lots of port visits, there’s sure to be a UK cruise for you.

Before you book your British Isles, round Britain, or UK coastal cruise, it's worth learning a little about what to expect, and what kind of cruise you would most enjoy.

We've collated some tips and questions to help you make up your mind.

Choose a round Britain cruise if you don't like land travel

While diminutive, visiting key attractions around the British Isles by land involves long and somewhat arduous road or rail journeys (and of course a few ferry trips).

But by taking a leisurely coastline cruise, you get to wake up at a new port every day or two, ready to disembark and explore the British Isles' many castles, ruins and natural wonders.

With a cruise, the journey is as rewarding as the destination - with comfortable cabins, fine dining and evening entertainment.

What's more, you'll never spend more than two days at sea on a round Britain cruise, unlike voyages to the Caribbean or further afield. That means more time to explore!

Choose a round Britain cruise if you're a sociable traveller

British Isles or UK coastal cruises are a great way to meet new people; everyone onboard has the same objective - to have an enjoyable and relaxing time. This is as true of a round Britain cruise as it is of a trip to the Mediterranean or the Canaries.

In the evenings, cruises are typified by leisurely dinners and cocktail events where you can chat to other passengers about the places you plan to visit.

Dress for the occasion on a cruise

As with cruises to sunnier climes, it's important to pack the right clothes.

You won’t need any reminding that the British Isles can be chilly - especially in autumn and winter, and of course at night. But even in spring or summer it can be cool out on deck. So pack plenty of warm clothes, and rubber-soled shoes for moving around the deck during your cruise.

And naturally, you should always expect rain - so bring a raincoat and umbrella, or buy an inexpensive brolly while in port.

You should also bring smart-casual clothes for evening dinners - skirts, t-shirts or blouses for ladies; trousers and shirts for gentlemen.

Some ships may require you to wear formal clothing at evening events - eg the captain's gala. As such, ladies should wear cocktail dresses or evening gowns, while men should pack a dinner jacket or suit. Many ships rent out tuxedos and other garments, so there's no need to buy a suit especially for the cruise.

Do you prefer the company of adults?

Spending days and nights on a ship with lots of children isn't everyone's idea of fun - especially if you're seeking peace and quiet during your round Britain cruise. So if you prefer the company of adults, aim to avoid UK school holidays.

You can also book with adult-only cruise operators like Saga, or take a voyage on an adult-only ship such as P&O Cruises' Arcadia. Hebridean Island Cruises, meanwhile, do not accept bookings for children under nine years old.

Are you planning a family cruise?

While there are plenty of adult-only cruises around the British Isles, there are lots of options for a family cruise. Cruise lines such as Fred Olsen and Cunard, for instance, welcome under-18s (accompanied by an adult, or course).

Ships generally include children's facilities such as arts and crafts, play areas, computer games and sporting activities. That said, much of the onboard entertainment is geared towards adults - think cocktail evenings and fitness classes.

Consider a British Isles cruise on a smaller ship

If you don't fancy going with one of the big cruise lines, there are a number of smaller, more boutique, cruise experiences to consider.

For instance, the Majestic Line operates five converted fishing trawlers which ply the Scottish Highland coast and islands in unique style.

These coastline cruises are considered by some to be among the best UK cruises.

Majestic Line cruise prices - including the popular Glen Tarsan ship - can be high due to limited capacity, so you would need to book well in advance.

Excursions may take some time

Some ports are actually quite far from the key attractions - e.g. cruises that include excursions to Glasgow or Edinburgh will likely dock in Greenock, around 26 miles west of Glasgow, and 72 miles west of Edinburgh.

That said, cruise operators will provide comfortable transportation.

Cormorants or castles?

Many British isles cruises focus on key UK and Irish port cities such as Holyhead, Liverpool, Glasgow (Greenock), Cork and Belfast, and exclude more remote areas - for example, the north west coast of Scotland.

Port city-focussed cruises allow you to explore attractions like Edinburgh Castle or the Blarney Stone near Cork.

If you want to experience the joys of the British Isles' more remote areas, you'll need to book cruises that include destinations such as the Orkney Islands or the Shetland Islands.

Examples of excursions in the Shetland Islands include hikes along lofty, rugged cliffs with all its incredible marine bird life; visits to Jarlshof Ruins (7th century remains of a Norse community); and visiting the famous Scalloway Castle and seeing wild Shetland ponies.

Orkney trips include Neolithic sites such as the Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Maeshowe Tomb; and nature reserve walks where you get to see guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars, razorbills and puffins.

If you really want to experience the British Isles at its wildest and most isolated, then booking UK cruises that include these northerly outposts is a must.

Choose a longer cruise if you love the sea

Typically, a 14-night round Britain cruise would appeal to those who love the open sea.

These generally circumnavigate Britain with ports-of-call that might include Dublin, Belfast, the Channel Islands, Holyhead, the Orkneys and Shetlands.

Take a shorter round Britain cruise if you prefer city visits

For those who prefer to explore port cities and land-based stays (or who have less time), short cruises from three nights would be a better option.

For example, a three-night northern mini-cruise might depart from Liverpool, sail around the north of Scotland, then stop-off in Edinburgh before concluding in Newcastle.

Cruises around the UK 2024, 2025, 2026…

A key point about cruises around the UK is that you’ll need to book well in advance. You can’t generally take a spontaneous cruise.

Instead of a last-minute round Britain cruise in 2024, you’ll need to think summer 2025, or even 2026.

Think about where you want to visit on your round Britain cruise

The UK and Ireland have many historic cities and natural wonders to enjoy. It's worth thinking about which appeals to you most before booking a cruise.

You may want to look at cruises around England only, or you may wish to include Scottish or Irish ports-of-call.

When it comes to choosing the best UK cruises, it really depends on what you want from your sea-borne adventure.

Here are some round Britain cruise destination highlights:

Belfast

Explore the six-storey Titanic Belfast and learn about this once-great ocean liner, then visit the last remaining White Star Line ship, the SS Nomadic.

Other highlights include the Giant's Causeway - an incredible geographical phenomenon featuring about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns; and exploring the historic city itself.

Edinburgh

Arguably one of Britain's most beautiful cities, Edinburgh is famed for its imposing castle, it's pretty Georgian "new town" and the cobbled Royal Mile, which tapers down from the castle to Holyrood Palace.

Glasgow

Edgier than Edinburgh yet just as culture-rich, Glasgow boasts more than 20 museums, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (free to enter).

Liverpool

Visit the Cavern Club where the Beatles started out; the waterfront Albert Dock; and a clutch of Grade I listed buildings, including the Liver Building overlooking the River Mersey.

London

Alongside beautiful castles and palaces, the UK capital boasts numerous vast art galleries, including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and The National Gallery.

Take a trip along the Thames to see key attractions like the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the skyscrapers of the city.

Newcastle

Bustling Newcastle is famed for the many mighty bridges that straddle the Tyne, as well as the nearby The Angel of the North sculpture - and its friendly locals.

Orkney Islands

Around 70 islands packed with birdlife and archaeological sites, not to mention whisky distilleries and geological marvels like the 450-foot sea stock known as "The Old Man of Hoy''.

Tobermory

Now the Isle of Mull's main town, this 18th-century fishing village is loved for its painted cottages and whisky distillery.

Wildlife lovers will go for the red golden and white-tiled eagles. As a cruise ship passenger, you can also avail boat trips to spot seals, dolphins and whales.

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