Day 1: Embarkation in Dublin, Ireland
Welcome to Ireland! Your adventure begins in Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature famous for its ties to literary greats like James Joyce and, of course, for being the birthplace of Guinness. This afternoon, you’ll board your ship – the Ocean Victory. When you’ve boarded, settle into your cabin, then have a safety briefing at 5 pm. Toast as you set sail into the Irish Sea! If you arrive in Dublin with time to spare, it’s highly recommended you do some exploring. Maybe visit the Guinness Storehouse, St Patrick’s Cathedral or Trinity College for fascinating architecture and history.
Day 2: Portrush
Located on the Antrim Coast, Portrush is one of Northern Ireland's most scenic resort towns. Here, you might visit medieval Dunluce Castle (made famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones) or the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway – this volcanic formation consists of around 40,000 interlocking hexagonal basalt columns that emerge from the water, making for a truly striking scene. This afternoon, you’ll visit nearby Rathlin Island, where you’ll see some of Ireland’s largest seabird colonies. Keep an eye out for puffins, guillemots, razorbills, fulmars and kittiwakes.
Day 3: Tobermory
Explore Tobermory – the largest town on the Isle of Mull. See the golden eagles that frequent the island’s cliffs and the colourful buildings that line the harbour. Immerse yourself in Scottish island life as you rub shoulders with locals in the pubs and cafes that line the streets. Maybe stop to browse the boutique galleries selling works by local artists. You might also visit the Tobermory Distillery – one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.
Day 4: St Kilda
Visit St Kilda, located in the Outer Hebrides just off Scotland’s west coast. This archipelago is Britain’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for both its human-made and natural wonders. See the ruins of the stone village – a reminder of the communities who called this island home for 4000 years, living off the abundant colonies of gannets, fulmars and puffins. The final 36 islanders left in 1930 after deeming the land too difficult to farm. You’ll see the cliffs teeming with almost a million birds, including the UK’s largest colony of puffins, and you might catch sight of the endemic St Kilda wren and the Soay sheep – a small breed of sheep that resembles its ancestor from thousands of years ago.
Day 5: Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the largest town in the Orkney Islands, located off the northern tip of Scotland. Today, you’ll uncover this town’s Scottish and Norse heritage as you explore its charming narrow streets. St Magnus Cathedral is a highlight – founded in 1137, this sandstone cathedral showcases Romanesque architecture. You might also visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Neolithic Heart of Orkney. This archaeological site includes Skara Brae (the best-preserved Neolithic settlement in western Europe), the Ring of Brogdar (emblematic of Orkney, this religious shrine was built sometime around 2500 BC to 2000 BC) and the Standing Stones of Stenness (which might be the earliest henge monument in Britain).
Day 6: Invergordon
The charming port town of Invergordon sits in the Scottish Highlands, overlooking the calm waters of the Cromarty Firth. Nearby is the famous Loch Ness, known for the legend of the Loch Ness monster – grab your binoculars and get ready for a day of exploring these mountainous landscapes and learning about the myths that surround this region.
Day 7: Disembarkation in Aberdeen, Scotland
After breakfast, disembark at Aberdeen, also known as the ‘Granite City’. Say farewell to the crew and your new travel friends, then hop on an included transfer to either Aberdeen Airport or downtown Aberdeen, where your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay to spend more time exploring the Scottish Highlands, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
