4 Day British Isles – Historic Ports Of The English Channel And Irish Sea
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
For the true explorer, expedition small-ship cruising is the best way to get off the beaten track.This experience is not just about the ship’s creature comforts but very much the destination, its nature and wildlife. Daily shore excursions by Zodiac inflatable boats allow you to step onshore and explore. A world-class, expert expedition team will help you discover each exciting destination. Onboard you’ll enjoy informative and educational lectures. These trips will be a mix of fully guided or self-guided depending on your chosen package. There’s a land touring component with shared sightseeing and transfers.
✓ Travel with Hurtigruten
✓ Explore the historic coasts and sea ports of England and Ireland on this voyage aboard our state-of-the-art hybrid ship Fridtjof Nansen
✓ Historic stops in England and Ireland
✓ Cultural highlights, learning and relaxation
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Our voyage begins in Portsmouth, a modern seafaring city with a fascinating naval heritage. Everything related to Britain’s long love affair with the waves is to be found here, so before stepping aboard, take a stroll around the cobbled streets of Old Portsmouth and enjoy the atmosphere with its character-filled pubs, quaint tea rooms and shops. Your comfortable expedition ship MS Fridtjof Nansen will be ready and waiting for you. Once you board the ship and check in, you’ll receive your complimentary wind and water-resistant expedition jacket which may come in handy with the perhaps unpredictable weather we may encounter along the way. There’ll be time to settle into your cabin and explore a bit of the ship before attending a mandatory pre-departure safety drill.
You’ll be greeted by your friendly Expedition Team. They’ll prepare you for the exciting days ahead, but their first priority will be to take you through important health and safety principles to ensure you and your fellow explorers are always safe and well throughout the cruise.
And with that, we’ll be away! MS Fridtjof Nansen will set off into the waters of the Solent, before heading to the English Channel as we plot a course for our first port of call, Cornwall.
Stretch your legs out on deck and watch and get to know the different areas of the ship, which is your new home-from-home for the next 4 days. Enjoy your first dinner aboard in one of the ship’s excellent restaurants, and look forward to many more delicious meals to come. Raise your glass and join the Captain and crew as they toast an enjoyable expedition together.
Today, we drop anchor off Cornwall, home to Arthurian legends, TV’s Poldark and the pirates of old. Delightful little Fowey is a historic harbour town set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The beautiful fishing village sits on the west side of the Fowey Estuary, a flooded valley cut by meltwater after the last Ice Age.
You’ll love the laid-back vibe here and feel an overwhelming sense of peace as you watch the fishing boats come and go and listen to the cries of gulls on the wind. Wander the crooked cobbled streets in search of gifts in the many boutiques, try a clotted cream ice, or perhaps sip a pint of local Cornish ale in one of the timeworn taverns.
Feeling a bit more energetic? Why not wander on foot to panoramic Gribbin Head, passing through woods and past beaches and small coves. It’s around here that author Daphne du Maurier set some of her famous novels. There are many other walks possible, including the ‘Hall Walk’ along the Pont Pill Creek or along the esplanade to the beach at Readymoney Cove and St Catherine’s Castle.
You might want to pay a visit to the nearby Eden Project. Here, you’ll be blown away by the vision of this immense eco-project, which features the world’s largest ‘captive’ tropical rainforest as well as a multitude of biomes, educational installations and art works.
While you’re in Cornwall, be sure to try one of the region’s most famous culinary exports, the humble Cornish pasty. Also, find time to indulge in a cream tea at one of the picturesque harbourside cafés – cream on top, jam underneath, of course.
Welcome to the Emerald Isle. Today you’ll set foot in the oldest city in Ireland, founded by the Vikings in the 10th century by a ford in the River Suir. Waterford is a well preserved and very walkable small city, famed for its beautiful crystal glass production and its Norse roots. You’ll see incredible examples of street art painted on walls and houses as you explore this city of culture, so don’t forget your camera.
Walk around the Viking Triangle, so named for the three-sided shape made by the thousand-year-old walls that once surrounded the city. Along the route you’ll encounter Reginald’s Tower, which offers great views from the top, and the Bishop’s Palace Museum, an exquisite architectural jewel that houses many treasures from Waterford’s colourful past.
For an authentic taste of times past, drop in on the King of the Vikings museum where, within the atmospheric ruins of a medieval monastery, you’ll get an amazing virtual reality adventure featuring bearded warlords, battle axes and dragon boats.
Visit the nearby 12th century Kilkenny Castle, one of the earliest Norman stone castles, or take in the beautiful scenery with a cycle ride along the Waterford Greenway. A visit to the Copper Coast UNESCO Geopark offers spectacular scenery as well as a ruined castle and an ancient dolmen.
And let’s not forget that Waterford is home to some of the world’s finest crystal glass, so a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre is a must. Of course, make sure you find time to drop into a traditional Irish pub, such as The Munster Bar or The Gingerman before we head back to the ship.
Our expedition up the coast of the British Isles comes to an end in Liverpool. It’s a city that needs no introduction, and yet people are always surprised when they visit for the first time. There’s a curious blend of the old and the modern here, and you can feel a sense of history and the pull of the sea in this most maritime of cities.
Famously, Liverpool is also where The Beatles are from, and you can’t come here without going on a city tour to visit all the places associated with them. Penny Lane, Strawberry Fields, the boys’ childhood homes and – of course – the iconic Cavern Club, are just some of the destinations fans should tick off.
This lively city by the wide River Mersey has been a key trade and migration port from the 18th to the early 20th centuries and there’s still a sense of imperial grandeur when you look at the Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
Before heading home why not explore the city and perhaps wander along the Mersey waterfront where the iconic mercantile buildings known as the ‘Three Graces’ – the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building – are to be found. Don’t forget to look out for the famous Liver Birds – the city’s very own mythological creatures.
Then grab a bite at the Royal Albert Dock and reflect on the adventure you’ve had over the past few days on this short but sweet voyage through history!
Cabin Bedding and Upgrades
Bedding on board the cruise is restricted to the following configurations. If you wish to upgrade your cabin, the following amounts are payable in addition to the package price prior to travel:
Polar Outside (RR): INCLUDED
The Polar Outside cabins are primarily on the middle decks with windows, most are spacious, have flexible sleeping arrangements and TV for excellent and high standard accommodation. Can accommodate two to four passengers.
Arctic Superior (TY)
Arctic Superior class cabins are comfortable and roomy accommodation and most have balconies. Flexible sleeping arrangements, sofa beds, TV and other features make this one of our most popular categories. Our Arctic Superior concept includes an amenity kit, kettle, tea and coffee. Can accommodate two to four passengers. Upgrades from AU$193 per person, twin share or AU$280 per person, single (subject to availability).
Expedition Suite (MF)
These suites are large, well-appointed cabins with expansive windows and most have balconies. Some have a private outdoor hot tub. The suites feature flexible sleeping arrangements with comfortable sofas, sitting areas and TV. They can accomodate up to four people. Expedition suites are exclusively in upper and mid-deck locations. Our Expedition Suite concept includes a bathrobe, espresso maker, and more. An exciting welcome gift awaits all suite guests in their cabin. Upgrades from AU$751 per person, twin share or AU$2,139 per person, single (subject to availability).
Please request your cabin upgrade in the 'special requests' field. Availability and price will then be confirmed and added to your invoice upon acceptance.
MS Fridtjof Nansen is designed for unforgettable expeditions in the spirit of Norwegian polar hero Fridtjof Nansen. From the innovative hybrid electric-powered engines that enables us to quietly glide into the pristine wilderness to the elegant, modern cabin furnishings, everything is created with your adventure in mind.
To know more about your ship, please click HERE.
Onboard Features
Expedition Cruise
Onboard Activities
Landing Activities
Notes
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity.
These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers. As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only and subject to availability. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost.
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and cruise details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
For all international voyages, it is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they have a valid passport and they meet the visa requirement. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
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