28th April 2025

Cruising the British Isles with Princess

When it comes to cruising, we often forget about the world-class destinations and attractions that bless the British Isles. From the legendary Loch Ness to romantic Irish castles and picturesque Cornish harbours, knowing where to start and how to maximise the sightseeing potential can be challenging. Fortunately, Princess offers a wide range of itineraries and durations, allowing you to discover the best of the British Isles comfortably, conveniently, and cost-effectively.

England's Southwest Corner

Sailing from Southampton, these hallowed shores are often the first port of call on a British Isles cruise. Steeped in legend and history, as well as an abundance of beautiful beaches and expansive coastline, there’s no denying that England’s southwest corner has long been a draw for British holidaymakers – and who can blame them? Princess’ itineraries stop at Cornwall’s Falmouth and the fabled island of Portland, along the Dorset Coast. With a healthy helping of excursions on offer, visit iconic attractions like Stonehenge, Corfe Castle, the 600-year-old Abbotsbury Swannery, Land’s End and St. Michael’s Mount, to name a few.

Natural Wonders in North Wales

Go from the spectacular southwest coast to rugged Wales, a country of modest size with a mammoth must-see list. Honing in on the northern region, your ship will call at Holyhead, a gateway to miles of unspoiled beaches, the island of Anglesey and a vast collection of medieval castles (Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Conwy being among the most spectacular). Take a tour of Snowdonia National Park, where you’ll witness jagged peaks, wind-carved gorges, lush valleys and crystalline lakes, or hop aboard the Rheilffordd Ffestiniog, the oldest railway company in the world. 

Across the Irish Sea

Teeming with dramatic coastlines, historic villages, verdant countryside and blow-your-mind beaches, Ireland should always be top o’ the list on a British Isles cruise. Princess makes ports in Cork, Dublin, and Belfast (depending on your chosen itinerary), which are ideal for covering many key attractions in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Visit The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin and wander Cork’s Blarney Castle, home to the Blarney Stone, which is said to gift the power of eloquence to whoever kisses it.

While in Belfast, be sure to explore the historic and legendary sites of the Antrim Coast. Finish with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Giant's Causeway site, an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that are almost 60 million years in the making!

Highlands, Islands & Scottish Cities

Perhaps the most extensively covered of all the British Isles destinations, Scotland is peppered with ports of call. Big-name cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh offer many world-famous attractions, most notably Edinburgh’s imposing medieval castle and Glasgow Cathedral, where you’ll find one of Britain's finest post-war collections of stained glass windows.

The Islands...

Stornoway is your stop for Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. The capital of the Isle of Lewis and Harris, it has a rich Viking heritage and has been inhabited for more than 6,000 years. The scenery here is awe-inspiring, with fjord-like lochs and dramatic sea cliffs, to barren peat moors and romantic heather-covered uplands. Onto Britain’s northernmost outpost, the Shetland Isles, where there are over one hundred islands, only a mere 16 are inhabited. Keen birdwatchers will revel in the opportunity to enjoy seabird colonies, with potential close-up views of Gannets, alongside Guillemots, Puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and Fulmars.

A Highland Legend...

Princess Cruises make port in Invergordon, your gateway to Loch Ness and an area of the Highlands known as the "Great Glen." One of the most well-known Scottish legends, the tales of the Loch Ness Monster go back as far as the 6th century, with travellers still scanning the dark waters for a sight of Nessie even today! 

Set Sail with Princess Cruises

Forgo the complicated string of expensive hotel bookings and explore the British Isles on a carefree cruise instead. With a wide choice of itineraries, durations and departure dates available for 2025, you’re sure to find a sailing that suits your tastes. Your onboard experience strikes a perfect balance of relaxed, fun, and refined. Princess strongly emphasises dining, Broadway-style entertainment and live music throughout the ship, maintaining a laid-back ambience, perfectly suited to those who like to travel to new places in style.

See all British Isles Cruises with Princess Cruises