Cruise on the Regal Princess to the British Isles
Introduction
A wonderful and highly recommended late-summer cruise I took to the British Isles on the Regal Princess of Princess Cruises lasted 12 nights and visited 9 different ports in England, Ireland, Scotland, and even one port in Normandy, France.
The great advantage of cruising this itinerary is visiting and getting to know many destinations across the British Isles that are far apart from one another, without having to drive many miles by car (and on the opposite side of the road), without changing hotels even once, without unpacking and repacking suitcases at each destination, all while staying in a huge floating hotel with abundant entertainment and food. In my opinion, there is no better way for such a diverse introduction and trip across England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and even a port in France in such a timeframe.
The ship carried 3,440 passengers and 1,300 wonderful crew members who pampered guests on deck, in dining rooms and restaurants, bars, lounges, staterooms, and across everything this grand ship has to offer. Details about the ship and its amenities can be found in the article about the sister ship,
Royal Princess, which is a twin sister to the Regal Princess.
Princess Cruises is known for its high-quality cuisine and especially for its exquisite desserts. Among my personal favorites are the chocolate desserts, soufflés, and pavlova.
There are daily rotating desserts as well as fixed staples. Sugar-free desserts are available for those who need them, and of course fresh fruit and fruit salads for those who prefer. The cruise line is also renowned for its excellent service and the high standards of the waiters, chefs, and the entire food and beverage staff.
Most passengers on this sailing were Americans and Canadians, but there was also a respectable presence of Brits, Australians, and even Israelis: 5th place in passenger count with 71 Israelis.
This is quite an intensive cruise with 9 ports of call and limited downtime for resting and enjoying all the onboard ship amenities, but you see and experience an enormous amount. We barely had time to board the ship, and already the next day we arrived at our first port, continuing at this pace for several consecutive days.
There is nothing quite like returning to the ship and its pampering amenities after a fulfilling day exploring a destination: enjoying a fine dinner, watching a show or relaxing in intimate live-music lounges, catching a "Movie Under the Stars", or for those who still have energy left, dancing to the tunes of ABBA, The Beatles, 70s, 80s, or 90s music (changing daily) in the impressive Atrium (the ship's central grand hub).
Cruise Route Map:
This article describes the sailing route and attractions in the ports where I traveled on private guided tours.
Most of these ports are the standard stops for ships sailing to the British Isles. Some cruises may have one port more or less or substitute one, but this is the "classic itinerary."
Guided Port Tours
Each port section in this article includes tour recommendations.
On cruises, I highly recommend booking private or small-group guided tours rather than the ship's excursions, which take 40-50 people on a bus, move slowly, cover fewer sites, and are usually more expensive.
Book your port tours well in advance because the selection of high-quality tours and top guides is limited. Don't wait until the day of arrival to look for a taxi or random guide at the pier, as none may be available, or you might get whatever is left over without recommendations, without advance planning of the best sights, without top guides, and at a higher price.
♦ Port of Falmouth in Southwest England:
Our first port of call on this British Isles cruise was the Port of Falmouth in Cornwall, South England.
Book guided tours in the area from Viator:
At this port, we set out on a private tour with James, a wonderful guide and owner of Select South West Tours.
The tour was diverse and fascinating, lasting nearly nine hours, and included a visit to the southernmost point of mainland Britain: "Lizard Point":
The southernmost cafe in England:
A visit to a nearby park named Kynance Cove with impressive cliff and coastal scenery,
A stroll through an authentic, non-touristy fishing village called Cadgwith
In the town of Marazion, we viewed a tidal island (connected to the mainland at low tide) with a fortress called St. Michael's Mount:
At the scenic, photogenic Penzance Harbour, we stopped for a viewpoint:
At a local pub, we enjoyed the famous Cornish pasty alongside local beer and cider
and visited a fascinating historic mining area at Cape Cornwall, where the TV series Poldark was filmed.
We learned a great deal about the harsh, short lives of local miners in previous centuries who worked in tin and copper mines situated on sea cliffs. It is a powerful place both for the stories of workers enduring grueling, unsafe conditions and for the dramatic landscapes.
We reached locations accessible mostly only by smaller vehicles (not large cruise buses), explored authentic spots, and saw the very best of the region.
♦ Port of Cobh in Ireland
The Port of Cobh, Ireland, in southern Ireland, was our first of three Irish ports aboard the beautiful Regal Princess.
♦ A highly successful 6-7 hour private guided tour in the area from the trusted Viator site: Private Tour of Blarney Castle, Cork City and Kinsale
Cobh is a charming small town about a 15-minute drive from Ireland's second-largest city, Cork. Cork was the Titanic's last port of call before sinking.
At this port, we embarked on an approximately 8-hour tour with Brian, owner of Boru Irish Adventures, in a 7-passenger van for a customized private excursion.
The region's most famous attraction is Blarney Castle, located about 40 minutes' drive from the port.
We did not enter the castle itself due to a long line exceeding an hour and a half. Inside the castle is a legendary stone that, according to belief, grants the kisser eloquence and wishes when kissed in a specific position, drawing crowds for this reason. We viewed the castle from the outside along with the estate family home, which looks like a castle in its own right.
The vast estate surrounding the castle features beautiful gardens and ample walking trails among rock gardens, fern gardens, and even a poisonous plant garden.
From there, we continued to the lovely, colorful coastal town of Kinsale. The town boasts brightly painted buildings filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes.
It sits along a calm bay and serves as a starting point for the Wild Atlantic Way, renowned for dramatic viewpoints over green cliffs, wild beaches, and lighthouses.
We toured the southern section of this scenic route and returned to Cobh. There, we walked around the town center, featuring rows of multicolored houses, an impressive cathedral, and a lovely promenade leading right to the cruise port.
♦ Port of Dun Laoghaire near Dublin
The third port we reached was the Port of Dun Laoghaire, located about 40 minutes' drive from Dublin, Ireland's largest city and capital.
Recommended guided tours in Dublin from Viator:
Dublin features two premier attractions. One is the Guinness Storehouse / Brewery visitor center housed within the historic plant building. It is a 7-story structure with diverse exhibits detailing the beer brewing process, history, and tastings, alongside restaurants, cafes, and a massive souvenir shop.
The second attraction, entirely different from the first, is located at the city's ancient university, Trinity College Dublin, founded back in 1592.
It sits in the heart of the city in magnificent buildings and houses a beautiful library and the well-preserved Book of Kells, dating back to 800 CE, showcased in a dedicated museum.
Additionally, it is wonderful to explore the city center on foot along broad streets packed with restaurants, bars, and shops, particularly tourist-friendly Temple Bar / Temple Street, brimming with lively pubs, clubs, and flower-adorned cafes. Dublin boasts a youthful, international population with a prominent tech community.
We took a full-day tour of the city with John, a wonderful guide from John Ducie Tour Guide, who brought us to all these destinations and many more, including sculpture-filled city parks, a market, churches, and a drive through the tech district (home to Google, Meta, and many other giants). We enjoyed a traditional stew lunch accompanied by beer and cider in an ancient, active city center pub.
Traditional meat stew in a pot:
Those less keen on urban touring can venture with John on a day trip out of the city into nature and countryside towns.
♦ Port of Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland—the fourth port of the cruise—was, in my opinion, the most fascinating and multifaceted port thus far.
Recommended tours in Belfast from Viator:
We set out on a full-day tour (about eight and a half hours) with Taxi Tours Belfast and our wonderful guide, Mark. The tour began in Belfast, a city shaped by historical conflict and strife. The city is famous for its numerous murals, most centered around the turbulent Troubles period leading up to the 1998 peace agreement.
We even added our own graffiti message to the famous Peace Wall that separated sections of the city.
We saw the high wall and the gates that are still locked at night to prevent conflict, gaining deep insight into the difficult past of the city and country (part of the UK): the pain, bombings, and struggles between Catholics and Protestants. One can only admire their ability to bridge such a deep abyss of hatred and suffering to attain peace and reconciliation.
From there, we continued to the northern coastal cliff region, home to several dramatic nature sites such as the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge suspended across the cliffs to a small island. The original bridge was constructed to help fishermen reach their salmon netting posts, but it has been rebuilt several times and now serves as a popular tourist attraction.
Another impressive natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site is The Giant's Causeway, characterized by a unique natural formation of hexagonal basalt columns of varying sizes that visitors can walk over and explore.
We then continued to Northern Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, Bushmills, housed in historic buildings, where our guide explained the distillation process and we tasted whiskeys of various aging vintages.
Our next stop was the ancient ruins of Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on the northern cliffs.
To top it all off, we visited The Dark Hedges, a haunting avenue of intertwined beech trees that served as a filming location for scenes in Game of Thrones (among many other productions). As it turns out, Northern Ireland is an extremely popular filming destination for major TV series and blockbuster movies.
♦ Port of Greenock
Our fifth cruise port was Greenock in Scotland, near Glasgow.
Recommended tours from Viator for arrivals at Greenock Port:
Typical Scottish attire:
This was our first of four distinct ports in Scotland.
We embarked on a private tour with Serca Tours to Loch Lomond and the impressive Stirling Castle, which also features lovely manicured gardens and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Loch Lomond:
Stirling Castle:
The tour included several scenic roadside stops, including the Falls of Dochart,
a farm with Scotland's famous Highland cows—known for their long horns and iconic shaggy fringe, a true national symbol—which you can feed with vegetables,
a historic pub filled with taxidermy mounts, several viewpoints, and the shores of another lake, Loch Lubnaig.
It was a well-rounded excursion showcasing the region's finest highlights. Our guide was the company's owner, a Scot of Italian heritage with clear English and a spacious modern vehicle, who treated us to water, whiskey tastings, and Scottish shortbread cookies.
Scenic Cruising Day Along the Scottish Coast
After several consecutive port days, there is nothing quite like a scenic cruising day aboard the luxurious Regal Princess, especially when the weather cooperates. We spent a full day cruising the North Sea along Scotland's coastline and surrounding islands, taking in views of lush green cliffs and lighthouses, including along the Isle of Skye with its dramatic sea cliffs.
The lighthouse on the Isle of Skye:
This is the ideal time to walk the outdoor running track while taking in the views, watch a film on the giant outdoor Movies Under the Stars screen, take a swim, and enjoy the wide variety of activities offered onboard.
On sea days, joining the traditional 3:00 PM afternoon tea is highly recommended—a true treat typically found on premium cruise lines. The service is impeccable, featuring fresh scones with clotted cream and jam, exquisite pastries, and dainty finger sandwiches—a decadent inter-meal indulgence...
Today was finally a relaxing sea day dedicated to rest and onboard pampering.
♦ Port of Kirkwall
Our second port in Scotland (and sixth overall) was Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, at the northernmost reaches of Scotland.
Recommended tour from Viator:
♦ A 7-hour private tour covering most of the attractions mentioned below including port pickup: From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour
We set off on a tour (private, avoiding the large ship groups) with Jean, owner of Great Orkney Tours, who guided us through the best of this area renowned for 3,000-to-5,000-year-old antiquities set against radiant green landscapes surrounded by seas and islands. The island is populated with countless sheep and cows grazing peacefully on the green pastures.
The weather was gorgeous—blue skies most of the time, no rain, and pleasant temperatures. We began at the Broch of Gurness, the remains of an ancient settlement situated right on the coast.
The next stop: The Ring of Brodgar Stone Circle & Henge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a nearly perfect, massive Neolithic stone circle.
From there, we proceeded to the largest and most popular archaeological site, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Skara Brae Prehistoric Village. It features remarkably preserved prehistoric dwellings along the shoreline, complete with stone beds, cooking areas, and even an ancient drainage system leading to the sea. The site was long buried under sand until a powerful storm exposed one of the structures, prompting archaeologists to excavate the entire village.
The site also features a museum and estate manor.
Skaill House:
We continued to a scenic picnic and coastal walk along the dramatic green sea cliffs of Yesnaby
and from there to a smaller stone circle surrounded by sheep, the Standing Stones of Stenness, dating to the Neolithic period and considered among the oldest stone circles in the British Isles.
We then drove back toward the port town of Kirkwall, crossing causeways with sweeping views of the coastline, visible World War II shipwrecks,
and the Churchill Barriers built to block German U-boats during the war.
We visited the Italian Chapel (built by Italian prisoners of war) and concluded our day in Kirkwall's charming town center.
It was a comprehensive and rewarding tour led by a deeply knowledgeable guide.
♦ Port of Invergordon in Scotland
The Port of Invergordon in Scotland was our seventh port of call. It is a charming small town adorned with colorful wall murals, with the cruise dock located right in the town center.
Recommended tour from Viator:
♦ Tour of surrounding attractions including Loch Ness, Inverness, and a castle. Lasts 6-8 hours, matched to ship port hours, departing near Invergordon pier: Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness, Inverness & Outlander sites
We joined an 8-hour guided tour with Roy, a lovely guide from Highland Discovery Tours and Travel, who took us through the best of the Highlands. The most iconic landmark in the area is, of course, Loch Ness, famed for the legends and tales of its mythical monster (which may still be lurking!).
We arrived at the picturesque lake shore in gorgeous weather. Instead of a monster, we were greeted by an energetic black dog swimming enthusiastically and fetching a ball.
People were swimming in the lake, boating, and we enjoyed a leisurely walk along the shoreline while keeping an eye out for Nessie...
On the lake shore sits a caravan where a dedicated monster hunter has lived for 32 years, devoting his life to spotting the creature with telescopes, binoculars, and monitoring gear. He also sells small monster sculptures and souvenirs to sustain his research.
Nearby lies Inverness, Scotland, a large and stately city set along a broad river with handsome architecture, a castle, and a bustling high street (featuring even a Primark). Its bridges are decorated with floral hanging baskets, and there is a peaceful islet where the river splits in two.
The surrounding area features woodlands and gorges with easy, scenic walking trails that we explored with Roy. We also stopped at historic villages, visited a farm with shaggy Highland cattle alongside goats and alpacas,
toured a century-old whisky distillery with a sleek modern visitor center at The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery, and browsed a huge woolen mill store selling clothing and souvenirs alongside preserved historic looms.
Another diverse and enriching tour in ideal weather, emphasizing pristine nature and scenic vistas.
♦ Edinburgh - Scotland
The fourth and final city we visited in Scotland during our British Isles cruise was Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful and captivating city in the country. The ship anchors off the picturesque town of South Queensferry in a photogenic bay. Guests are tendered ashore by boat, passing under and beside three iconic bridges built across three different centuries. During the tender ride, you enjoy stunning views of the majestic Regal Princess in all her glory.
Recommended guided tours in Edinburgh
At the pier, we met our fantastic private guide, Paul, owner of King Tours Scotland (at every port we thought we had found the absolute best guide, only to be happily surprised again at the next stop). He drove us directly into Edinburgh's historic Old Town, dominated above by Edinburgh Castle in all its grandeur.
We parked near a food market at the base of the castle and strolled through stunning streets lined with striking heritage buildings, including the famous Royal Mile, colorful Victoria Street lined with lively pubs and restaurants, and atmospheric closes.
Victoria Street:
As we walked, Paul shared engaging insights into Edinburgh's history, society, and politics, enriching the stories with local legends that truly brought the city's past to life. After thoroughly exploring the city center, we visited the massive castle perched atop an extinct volcanic rock, commanding sweeping panoramas over the city.
Following our castle visit (with its extensive exhibits, historic chambers, battlements, and artillery), we returned down to the city center right into the excitement of a large, flag-filled rally supporting Scottish independence.
We enjoyed traditional fish and chips at a restaurant overlooking lively Victoria Street, stopped to view the Scottish Parliament Building, and visited the delightful waterfront suburb of Leith with its picturesque river promenade.
We concluded with a leisurely hour-long walk through Edinburgh's expansive, beautifully maintained Royal Botanic Garden. Admission to the gardens, as with all major municipal museums throughout Edinburgh, is free of charge.
An exceptional tour of a gorgeous, vibrant city in perfect weather (blue skies and 20-23°C / 68-73°F) led by one of the finest guides we have ever encountered.
A Day of Relaxation at Sea
After Edinburgh, the ship sailed south along the eastern coast of England before crossing the English Channel toward the port of Le Havre in France. This was our second sea day without a port call, giving us another opportunity to relax, indulge in the ship's amenities, and watch a beautiful sunset at sea.
♦ Port of Le Havre - France
The 9th and final port on our British Isles cruise was the only stop located outside Great Britain: the Port of Le Havre in Normandy, France.
This port is often marketed with "(Paris)" in parentheses, and many excursions sold by the ship head directly to Paris, located about a 2.5-hour drive each way. Around 500 passengers from our ship took ship tours to Paris, which is why the vessel enjoys an extended stay in port.
Tours to Paris and the Normandy Coast from Le Havre Port on Viator:
We chose to explore Le Havre itself for a half-day (plenty of time to cover its principal sights) and spend the remainder of our final cruise day enjoying the ship.
The city's main attraction is its long, expansive beachfront.
We rented complimentary city bicycles (located near the Ferris wheel) and rode along the promenade bordering the beaches and the marina.
The city features several notable architectural landmarks: start at the main square, home to the City Hall designed by renowned architect Auguste Perret.
Perret also designed the city's striking main church: St. Joseph's Church, built from reinforced concrete and stained glass, crowned with a soaring, hollow 107-meter-tall lantern tower.
Another fascinating nearby building is "Le Volcan", an eye-catching white volcano-shaped structure serving as the city's cultural arts center.
We also visited the Hanging Gardens (Les Jardins Suspendus) situated atop a hill overlooking the city and harbor. It is an old military fortress repurposed into botanical gardens and greenhouses with panoramic city viewpoints, unique art installations, and a maze near the entrance.
Final Hours on the Ship
The final afternoon and evening on the Regal Princess are dedicated (besides quick packing) to enjoying the ship's amenities one last time, relaxing by the pool,
and catching up on experiences we missed during our action-packed cruise: such as watching the illuminated fountain show on the top pool deck (staged nightly at 9:45 PM),
enjoying Movies Under the Stars with warm fleece blankets and fresh popcorn, watching one last romantic sunset over the receding port, and sharing a wonderful farewell dinner with our dining room staff who had practically become friends. We discovered cozy nooks on the ship we hadn't yet explored, listened one last time to the live bands in the central piazza while sipping a final cocktail, and started dreaming up our next cruise adventures. That's the best way to disembark—knowing there's another voyage to look forward to...
Weather Throughout the Cruise
Throughout our entire cruise, the weather was exceptionally kind: almost no rain, partly cloudy skies most days, and comfortable temperatures ranging between 20-25°C (68-77°F). We barely touched our jackets the entire trip.
Such weather is quite rare, as the British Isles are known for frequent precipitation. The Scots even have a joke about it: when asked "When do you get summer?", they reply, "Last year it was on a Tuesday...".
London
And of course, a few words about wonderful London. The ship departs on its round-trip itinerary from Southampton in southern England, and flights from abroad arrive in London; therefore, it is highly recommended to pair this cruise with a few days exploring London before or after the voyage (or both!).
Recommended transfers from London to Southampton or from London airport to your hotel:
London is a massive, vibrant metropolis where you can spend days sightseeing and still crave more. Shopping in London is an experience in itself, as detailed in London Shopping.
In the article London Itineraries, you will find detailed 3-day London itineraries along with recommended hotels. I also recommend incorporating Guided Tours in London, which provide immense added value to any trip.
