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2016 sees an exceptional choice of Round Britain sailings

british coasts

With 7,500 miles of coastline it’s no surprise that cruising around Britain and Ireland is high on many travellers’ bucket lists. By Gary Buchanan

Seeing this green and pleasant land from the sea was particularly fashionable in the 1920s and now, after decades of decline, a voyage through the seas that surround this scepter’d isle is once again proving to be a highlight of the cruising calendar

First-time cruisers and regular voyagers alike have become increasingly attracted to explore the diversity of Britain’s coastline. For Brits it’s an opportunity to see their own backyard from a unique perspective and join their ship in convenient ports without having to fly. There are no luggage restrictions, parking is usually free and once on board guests can relax as the vistas of this historic land unfold.

Passengers tend to be over 50 and appreciate the themes and enrichment lecture programmes which often feature on these Giant's Causewaycruises. They also enjoy walking tours, exploring historic sites and demand more from their excursions than a potted version of local history.

Summer is a perfect time to discover Britain’s coastline with imposing castles, picture-perfect gardens and ports that overflow with quaint museums and unusual art galleries.

At Invergordon, a tour of romantic Dunrobin Castle with its superb art collection is a highlight; a call at Glengarriff on Bantry Bay in Northern Ireland allows the chance to head to Garnish Island and its Italian Gardens; while at St Peter Port, Guernsey and St Helier in Jersey idyllic beaches and VAT-free shopping await. History comes to life at St Michael’s Mount which rises dramatically from the Cornish sea and is a popular tour when ships call at Falmouth. Torosay Castle on the Sound of Mull is a highlight of a visit to Tobermory, while at Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, there’s the opportunity to explore the 5,000-year old Neolithic settlement at Skara Brae.

A host of cruise lines offer a variety of Round Britain cruises, possibly the most unusual is a seven-night Rule Britannia cruise aboard Saga Pearl II which offers a non-stop voyage around Britain, departing Dover on May 28, 2016.

There are several other sailings with Saga Cruises including a 14-night Around Britain & Ireland cruise aboard 720-guest Saga Sapphire which departs Dover on August 18. The ship heads to Bournemouth, where guests can watch the air festival; Poole; St Peter Port in Guernsey; Cobh and Killybegs in Ireland; Holy Loch for the Cowal Highland british coasts Games in Dunoon; Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands and Invergordon.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering a range of voyages around our shores. A 10-night Land’s End to John O’Groats sailing on the upgraded Boudicca departs Falmouth on May 24 and calls at Liverpool; Inner Hebrides; Kirkwall; Invergordon; Scrabster; Tobermory and Belfast before returning to Falmouth. A similar eight-night Lochs of Scotland cruise on Boudicca departs Liverpool on September 22.

The flagship Balmoral offers a 10-night UK Castles cruise departing Newcastle on June 18 and there’s a 10-night Closer to the UK & Ireland sailing on Braemar from Southampton on July 6. The 11-night ‘Great British Cruise’ aboard Braemar is a round-trip voyage from Southampton departing on 8 August sailing to Falmouth; Cardiff; Barrow-in-Furness; Liverpool; Lerwick; and Rosyth (Edinburgh). There’s also an 11-night ‘Tinsel and Hogmanay’ cruise on Black Watch departing Tilbury on December 22.

Nathan Philpot, Sales & Marketing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, says the Around the UK and Ireland cruises have grown hugely in popularity. He said: “We will be operating eight distinctive cruises that take in the best of Ireland and the British Isles – an extra two on 2015. There are many places around the UK and Ireland that are difficult to see and visit on land, such as Scottish lochs and cruising Fingal’s Cave.

“We work closely with our destination partners to offer some fantastic, not to mention unique, shore excursions where guests can visit the Eden Project, Giant’s Causeway, The Beatles Story and Loch Ness.

“With our UK cruises we look to create a theme within the itinerary and for our UK Castles cruise in June, which takes in some of the most impressive fortifications in Britain including Tintagel Castle, Dover Castle, Cawdor Castle and Beaumaris Castle.

“We also incorporate national events within our itineraries such as the Highland Games and Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

“Our first Around the UK Christmas cruise in 2016 will see Black Watch arrive in Edinburgh in time for Hogmanay and the legendary New Year celebrations.”

Philpott added: “There is also the benefit of not having to have a passport. If clients are British citizens on a Fred. Olsen Around the UK cruise we accept a range of identification, including a driving licence, EU National ID card and Councilissued bus pass or travel card.”

Famed for time-honoured traditions, Cunard has a 12-night British Isles Culinary Discovery cruise aboard Queen Elizabeth departing Southampton on June 23 sailing to South Queensferry (Edinburgh); Invergordon; Kirkwall; Stornoway; Greenock; Belfast; Liverpool and Guernsey. P&O Cruises VP marketing, Christopher Edgington, said: “Britain has the most stunning scenery, wildlife and memorable landscape. Our 2016 itineraries give guests the opportunity to experience the outer reaches of the British Isles in one convenient holiday.

“Oriana is offering an eight-night and a 12-night itinerary taking in highlights such as Dublin, Skye, Stornoway, Orkney and Shetland including sail-bys of parts of the coast which can only be seen from the sea. These itineraries are increasingly popular as there’s no need to travel too far from home or change currency. It is also a great way for us to support tourism here in the UK.”

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