You are very aware of the UK and Ireland as a destination, but it is ironically often overlooked. Here are some ideas on how and why you should consider this destination:
First, some social studies to start. For the purposes of our discussion:
- The United Kingdom is England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Each of these is a distinct country, but not by the same definition we would use. They are ONE nation.
- The Republic of Ireland is a separate nation (and part of the EU), although people most often visit both Ireland and Northern Ireland together.
WHY Go to the UK and Ireland?
They’re not known for great weather or fantastic food, so here are some other reasons to visit:
- History: The islands are full of centuries-old castles, Roman ruins and family heritage.
- Culture: There are unique music, art, and cozy pubs.
- Ease & Proximity: Ports of call are close together, and it’s not difficult to get around.
- Scenery: The rugged coastlines of the British Isles are beautiful (and often overlooked).
HOW to Go
- Cruise Ship: ALL the cruise lines operate itineraries here and you only unpack once!
- Land Tour: Most attractions in the UK & Ireland are near the coastline, but if you want to go a bit farther from the coast, a land tour is the way to do it.
- Independent Wandering: English is widely spoken, and it’s easy to navigate.
Most Frequented Ports of Call
- London: Your gateway to the Royal Family, the Tower of London, and West End theatre.
- Dublin: Friendly locals, Guinness, and literary roots that stretch from Joyce to Yeats.
- Edinburgh: Walk the Royal Mile, visit Edinburgh Castle, or attend a festival.
- Belfast: Explore the history, Titanic heritage, and do day trips to the Giant’s Causeway.
- Liverpool: Beatles fans rejoice—this is your pilgrimage stop.
- Scottish Highlands: Loch Ness and castles straight out of your Outlander dreams.
WHO Goes to the UK & Ireland
- History buffs, and those that love centuries-old buildings and castles.
- People investigating their family heritage.
- Pub crawlers, and those that like small towns, or distinct neighborhoods.
- Those wanting to experience the rugged scenery of these islands’ coastlines.
WHEN to go to the UK & Ireland:
- May through September weather is when the weather is most moderate, but also the most crowded and most expensive.
- The winter months are less crowded, and will cost you less.
- Pack a raincoat at any time of the year.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about travelling to the UK and Ireland. When to go; navigating London; getting to the cruise ship port, and how to make the most of your trip:
In Case You Missed It:
18 SUMMERS to Travel with Kids and Grandkids? It’s actually more like 10 SUMMERS!
https://pamperedcruiser.com/only-18-summers/
AMA WATERWAYS: AMA is on all the European Rivers, as well as Vietnam, Colombia, Southern Africa, and Egypt.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/ama-waterways-private-sale-90-day-final-payment/
MANAGING your LUGGAGE. Overpacking is a rookie mistake… time to LIGHTEN UP.
https://pamperedcruiser.com/luggage-a-refrigerator-sized-problem-2/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
AMA Waterways’ KRISTIN KARST. Learn all about AMA when Bob interviews AMA’s Founder, Co-Owner and Brand Ambassador while on board her namesake ship, AMA Kristina.
Remember to SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel while you’re there. It really helps us, and we can produce more content for you!
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
REGENT Seven Seas
We’re running a PRIVATE SALE with Regent this month, and can get you $1000 OFF any of the cruises to the UK and Ireland listed below, as well as just about everything else in their inventory. Regent is the highest end and most inclusive of the cruise lines.
London round departing June 16 for 12-days
- Visit Edinburgh, Invergordon, 2 stops in the Shetland Islands, Bergen, Faroe Islands, Hebrides, Belfast & Dublin
- Prices from $12,599 (Less Private Sale discount of $1000)
London to Belfast departing June 28 for 7-nights
- Visit Falmouth, Cork, Holyhead, Liverpool
- Fare from $8199 (Less Private Sale discount of $1000)
London round-trip departing August 12 for 20-nights. Includes Iceland
- Visit Edinburgh, Invergordon, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, 6 port stops in Iceland, Hebrides, Londonderry, Belfast, Cork.
- Fares from $18,999 (Less Private Sale discount of $1000)
London to Edinburgh departing May 10, 2027 for 11-nights
- Visit Fowey, Cork, Holyhead, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow, Kirkwall, Aberdeen
- Fares from $9799 Less
- Or leave July 2, 2027 from $11,199 (Less Private Sale discount of $1000)
WANT TO SHOP? Here’s a link to REGENT’s Cruise Search Tool:
https://www.rssc.com/cruises?insider=mmjy-sue-bob-bradley-the-pampered-cruiser
Azamara Small-Ship Experiences
You’ve heard of the R-Class vessels that hold just 680 guests. Azamara has four of these ships, and they offer an affordable small-ship experience. Here’s some UK & Ireland itineraries.
Dublin to Edinburgh departing July 15 for 13-nights
- Visit Dublin (overnight), Holyhead, Liverpool, Isle of Man, Belfast, Greenock, Invergordon, Dundee, Edinburgh (overnight).
- Fares from $4859
Dublin to London departing June 19, 2027 for 11-nights
- Visit Dublin (overnight), Belfast, Killybegs, Galway, Foynes, Bantry Harbour, Waterford, Cork, Portsmouth
- Fares from $4069
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES Cultural Immersion by Yacht
Carrying less than 200 guests, these ships are in Antarctica in our winter months, and conduct CULTURAL EXPEDITIONS in our summers.
London round-trip departing May 1, for 10-nights
- Visit London (overnight – docked at Tower Bridge), Edinburgh (overnight), Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cornwall.
- Fares from $5499
London to Glasgow departing May 11, 2027 for 9-nights
- Visit London (overnight – docked at Tower Bridge), St. Malo, Isles of Scilly, Cork, Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast
- Fares from $make something up.
ATLAS Fares Include: Shore excursions and ship-board activities, as well as an open bar, and gratuities.
LAND CRUISES with COLLETTE
You can’t go everywhere on a ship, but if you like the variety, inclusiveness, and structure of cruise itinerary, you can find that with Collette and with groups no larger than 24. Here are some itineraries in the UK & Ireland:
ENGLAND & SCOTLAND from Edinburgh to London for 14-days
- Start in Edinburgh for 2-nights, then on to the Lakes District. Stop in at Liverpool and visit Strawberry Fields. Next you’re off to the Cotswolds, then see Bath, and stay in Cornwall for 2 nights, and then finish in London for 2-nights.
- 2026: Departures April through November from $5899
IRELAND from Dublin to Kilkenny for 15-days
- Visit Dublin, Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Wild Atlantic Way, Fermanagh, Devenish Island, Enniskillen, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Dingle, Kilkenny.
- 2026: Departures March through November from $5399
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
If you want to experience OUTDOOR Ireland & UK on a small ship with walking, wildlife spotting, sea kayaking, zodiac rides, Photography expert, see the puffins, for outdoor enthusiasts.
Around the British Isles: Portsmouth (London) to Edinburgh for 12-days
- Visit Cornish port of Fowey to visit a family farm, beaches on the Isles of Scilly, Cork’s natural harbour, rugged and sparsely populated west coast of Ireland (Dingle Peninsula), but still has the occasional neighbourhood pub, Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Aberdeen.
- 2026: Depart in April or May from $12,745
- 2027: Depart in April or May from $14,290
Around Scotland from Dublin to Edinburgh for 8-days
- Visit Rathlin Island for world’s largest Puffin colony, Isle of Skye in the Hebrides for fishing villages and medieval castles, Loch Ewe, Shetland and Orkney Islands for incredible rugged scenery, and Viking heritage.
- 2026: April and May from $8111
- 2027: June from $8390
RIVER CRUISES – AMA
There aren’t any river boats in the UK or Ireland, but we’re holding space on a couple of European cruises with an extra discount:
RHINE RIVER: Amsterdam to Basel departing March 28 for one-week
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf, Rhine Gorge, Rudesheim, Ludwigshafen, Strasbourg, Breisach, Basel
- Window Fares: $4548. Our Group Price: $4320
- Twin Balcony Fares (BA Cateogry): $6548. Our Group Price; $6220
Paris & Normandy round-trip Paris departing September 17, 2026 for one-week
- Visit Les Andelys, Le Havre, Honfleur, Normandy Landing Beaches, Caudebec-en-Caux, Rouen, Vernon, Paris (overnight).
- Optional 2-night Paris Extension
- Window Fares $5349. Our Group Price: $5082
- French Balcony Fare: $6548. Our Group Price: $6220
Do You Have an Upcoming Viking Cruise?
Viking’s BON VOYAGE incentive allows you to book your next Viking cruise in the 35 days BEFORE you board, and get some extra goodies for doing so:
- $100 per person on board credit
- 6-month final payment date
- $100 per person OFF one-week cruises, and bigger discounts for longer itineraries.
We made a short video about the Bon Voyage Program if you’d like more details:
https://youtu.be/gBM8IvjIb3U?si=Vy9UDiSqZQYHWR32
Contact us to book your NEXT VIKING CRUISE
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
