Most British cruise passengers never  consider  a voyage around the British Isles, which is a shame as the journey  has a lot going for it.

For one thing, it’s a cost-effective way of seeing the UK without the hassle of traffic jams or the expense of hotels. As on all cruises, your cruise fare will cover accommodation and meals in the main dining rooms and self-service restaurants.

And as you can use sterling for most of the holiday (you will need euros if you visit the Republic of Ireland), there are no foreign exchange  commission  charges either. These cruises are an easy way to tick   off some of  the best places  in Great Britain – cities such as Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh, pretty  towns like St Peter Port in Guernsey or Falmouth in Cornwall, and Scottish islands such as the Orkncys or Tobermory.

Round-Britain cruises operate mainly in spring and summer, when the days are getting longer and the weather should be at its best, but it’s so unpredictable that it’s impossible to recommend a good time to go.

Here are some of the key attractions in the most-visited ports:

BELFAST

The Titanic Belfast museum, dedicated to that ill-fated ship which was built in the city, has nine galleries that tell the story from construction and launch to the sinking and the discovery of the wreck in 1985. The Giant’s Causeway is incredible and well worth the two-hour drive from the city.

EDINBURGH

If your ship docks in Leith (the other cruise port  is Rosyth), cross the dock  and hop on the Royal Yacht Britannia for a tour of the ship. Other top attractions include Edinburgh Castle and the Scotch Whisky Experience.

DUBLIN

You could take a cultural tour ticking off sights including the cathedral, Dublin Castle and the National Museu m, but come on. This is Ireland. The must-see sights are the Guinness Storehouse and Oldjameson Distillery.

LIVERPOOL

A firm favourite with round-Britain cruisers thanks to its connections with the Fab Four. Fans should make a bee-line for the Beatles Story; otherwise put the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Tate Modern and Liverpool  Cathedral  on your  must-do list.

GREENOCK

This is the port for Glasgow, about 45 minutes away by coach or train. City sights include Cathedral Square, the medieval Provand ‘s Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, or visit one of the whisky distilleries just outside town. Tours also visit Loch  Lomond  (there  are seaplane rides over the water) or imposing Inveraray Castle.

ST  PETERPORT

This is the capital of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, and a charming town with cobbled  streets  and  a pretty  harbour.  Stay in town  to see Castle  Cornet  and Hautcvillc House, where Victor Hugo spent 14 years in exile. Outside town, there are island tours, museums that provide insights into life during the German occupation between 1940 and 1945, cliff walks and boat rides to the neighbouring small islands of Herm and Sark.

TOBERMORY

A pretty harbour town where walking is one of the best activities if the weather is good and time allows. Otherwise there arc whale and dolphin-watching boat trips, or stay in town for shopping and an al-fresco lunch enjoying the views.