Celtic Journeys: Cruise itinerary and Ports of Call

You can get a good idea of our itinerary, ports of call, and time at sea here. A list of shore excursion ideas is coming soon. I encourage you to arrive in London the day prior to get acclimated to the time change, rest up, see a bit of the city, and eliminate the worry of delayed or cancelled flights contributing to missing the cruise departure.

Thursday, July 2nd 2009

Your flight departs for London, arriving on Friday the 3rd. British Airways and Northwest Airlines both provide non-stop service from Seattle and many other cities to London Heathrow. Guests will transfer from London’s airports to Greenwich to board the ship. Overnight in Greenwich allows guests to attend a play in London’s theatre district, or take a tour or the city.

Friday, July 3rd, 2009: Greenwich

Stand on the line where east meets west at the Greenwich Royal Observatory, home of 0’ longitude. On the River Thames, tour the Cutty Sark clipper ship and the National Maritime Museum. Use the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, which passes beneath the Thames between Cutty Sark Gardens and Island Gardens. Admire the architecture of the Royal Naval College, or simply stroll the borough, named a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997.

Saturday, July 4th. 2009

Ms Prinsendam sails at 11:00am to begin its journey down the Thames River to the North Sea. Our journey takes a turn to the north and we cruise up the east coast of England en-route to our first port of call. Tonight, the “colonials” aboard Prinsendam will celebrate Independence Day from England. Can you think of a better place to celebrate independence from Britain, than cruising down the Thames?

While I cannot promise the fireworks we enjoyed in France in 2005, be assured it will be a memorable event!

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Today is spent at Sea cruising north, past the English counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Lincoln. Northwest Travel will host a get-acquainted reception and cocktail hour this evening after dinner. Enjoy your day at sea.

Monday, July 6th, 2009: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England

This is a vibrant city on the north bank of the Tyne River, boasting a number of architecturally significant bridges. No longer dependant upon its coal industry, Newcastle is a cosmopolitan center with a vibrant night life and art scene. His port of call is a stepping off point for many of the border counties between Scotland and England.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009: South Queensferry, Scotland

This port serves Edinburgh. We have the entire day to explore the history of this historic city. Visit the Castle, walk the Royal Mile, enjoy the street performers that make their living entertaining tourists, have a pint of the local bitter, a shop for the family tartan. There are many different tour possibilities offered here. I am working on tee times at the Old Course at Saint Andrews and will update this information if I am able to secure this.

Wednesday, July 8th 2009: Scrabster, Scotland

This quiet fishing village, located on Thurso Bay, is about as quaint a spot as you can imagine. Scrabster, just south of the Orkney Islands is an ideal place to schedule a fishing charter. If fishing isn’t your thing, take a walk along the sea cliffs or through the village.

Thursday, July 9th 2009: Dunvegan, Scotland

This seaside village on the Isle of Skye is the land of Clan MacLeod. It’s a great place to walk the countryside, have a cup of tea in the village, or tour the castle. The original buildings, seat of Clan MacLeod, date back to the 13th Century.

My plans include an excursion and tour to the Talisker Distillery for a taste of Whisky (Gaelic uisge-beatha).

Friday, July 10th 2009: Belfast, Northern Ireland

The capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast was known in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the ship making capital of the world. The Titanic and sister ships Olympic and Britannic, are among myriad vessels to be built in the yards of Belfast. Tours are scheduled to the original ship building offices and the slips down which Titanic launched in 1911.

Take a pub tour of the city, visit the haunts of author CS Lewis, join a tour visiting the curious basalt formations of The Giant’s Causeway, or visit a recreation of Belfast at the turn of the 20th century.

Saturday, July 11th 2009: Dublin, Republic of Ireland

A visit to see the book of Kells at Trinity College, visit the Irish Houses of Parliament, or do a pub tour in the Temple Bar section of town. You might also consider a literary tour with a focus on James Joyce and his novel Ulysses, featuring one day in the life in Dublin by his fictional character of Leopold Bloom.

Archaeology enthusiasts should consider a day trip out to the megalithic tombs at Newgrange, purported to be 1,000 older than the stone circle at Stonehenge and every bit as mysterious.

Because we are in Dublin and Belfast until late in the evening, I will find a pub with genuine Irish music and dance for the group to enjoy.

Sunday, July 12th 2009: Dunmore East, Waterford, Republic of Ireland

The Waterford Crystal Factory and showroom is undoubtedly the most visited site near this port of call, and justifiably so. Take the tour of the factory, then place your order for shipping to your home. It’s nearly a pilgrimage for visitors to this part of Ireland.

Walk the streets of Waterford, one of the many Viking settlements along the east coast of the island. The region is known for freshwater angling. If you want to take the time, Blarney Castle is a 2-hour drive away. As hokey as it sounds, kissing the Blarney Stone is a unique, though slightly slimy experience.

Monday, July 13th 2009: Cardiff, Wales

This capital city of Wales is located across the Severn River from the English city of Bristol. There are a variety of tours available in the city, and attractions ranging from a world class art museum, to sailboat rentals, to visiting a 2,000 year old castle.

Visitors may also consider visiting some of the idyllic Welsh countryside or shop along the waterfront.

Tuesday, July 14th 2009: Falmouth, England

This historic sailing center on the Cornish peninsula is chock full of sea-going history. Visits to Penzance and Lands End aren’t out of the question here, just 40 miles (one hour) away.

Closer by, visitors have Pendennis Castle to explore, a number of world class gardens to enjoy, and the National Maritime Museum to educate them.

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009: Portland, England

Another port of call that puts you in great proximity to wonderful tour sites in the south of England, Portland is one of England’s premier shipping ports. Visitors to Portland are very near the Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge, and a short hop from Dartmoor, made famous by Arthur Conan Doyle in the Hound of The Baskervilles. The moors are a beautiful and mysterious experience. A visit to Bath is a day’s excursion away.

Portland has been a quarry for centuries, its stone used in construction in St Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the United Nations Building in New York.

Thursday, July 16th, 2009: Guernsey, Channel Islands

While dependent on England, the Channel Islands are self governing states of the British Commonwealth. Flowers bloom year round owing to a mile marine climate. Visitors can experience a walking tour of the island, take a watercolor course, or take a tour of the island’s WWII history.

Friday, July 17th, 2009: Dover, England

Prinsendam arrives in the Port of Dover early on Friday. Customs should be cleared by 9:00am, allowing passengers to disembark for touring or a return to the airport to fly home. Dover is about 2 hours drive time from Heathrow Airport.

Guests will have the opportunity to fly home later in the day after catching transportation to Heathrow. This drive will take approximately 2 hours.

Flights return to the United States later the same day.

Last Updated: Tuesday, April 29, 2008