Scotland, Ireland, and England with Pullmantur Cruises. Pullmantur Cruises' new "Exclusive Destinations" itinerary offers an in-depth exploration of the British Isles with stops in some of the most iconic cities in its history.
Article from CruisesNews magazine, issue 47 – December 2018
Pullmantur Cruises tries to surprise every year with its "Exclusive Destinations", and the new one for 2019, Expedition to the British Isles, really manages to capture the attention of any experienced cruiser, as it is not easy to find such an interesting route on the market, with stops in five ports in Scotland, as well as in Ireland and England.
The 15-day cruise aboard the Zenith will depart on July 6, 2019, from Trondheim, Norway, as the ship will spend the summer season cruising the Norwegian Fjords. Getting there won't be a problem, as Pullmantur, as usual, provides charter flights and transfers from both Madrid and Barcelona.
Passengers will discover the stories behind cities like Liverpool, Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and the captivating landscapes around Invergordon, Lerwick, and Kirkwall. This cruise will also visit the Shetland, Orkney, and Faroe Islands, where deeply rooted traditions thrive.
The Zenith ship was remodeled in 2012 and has 720 cabins that can accommodate 1,828 passengers.
After departing from Trondheim, the first stop will be Lerwick, the capital of Scotland's Shetland Islands, where the verdant landscape is dotted with sheep that produce the high-quality wool of the same name. Purchasing a knitted garment with the renowned Fair Isle design is practically a must here, and it will be one of the most useful souvenirs of our travels around the world.
Next, the Zenith will arrive in Invergordon, a port very close to Loch Ness, offering the opportunity to visit one of the most mythical places in the world, as well as imposing medieval castles. South Queensferry is the name of the next stop, although it is actually a town a couple of kilometers from Edinburgh, the true highlight of the fifth day of the cruise. A capital city of imposing buildings such as Holyrood Palace and the 11th-century Edinburgh Castle, which houses royal jewels and the National War Museum of Scotland, although some cruisers might prefer to immerse themselves in the Scotch Whisky Experience, where they learn all the secrets of production, history, and varieties of this universal spirit.
The Zenith will then head north to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, which played a pivotal role in both World Wars, as evidenced by the still-visible remains of several warships along its coast. Furthermore, Neolithic monuments such as the Ring of Brodgar and the village of Skara Brae evoke ancient cultures dating back 5,000 years.
The Shetland, Orkney and Faroe Islands, with their incredible landscapes, provide the ideal counterpoint to the urban scale.
After a day at sea, the cruise will arrive in Dublin, a city that needs no introduction: pubs, the Guinness brewery, the impressive Trinity College, St. Patrick's and Holy Trinity Cathedrals, and even the haunting Kilmainham Gaol. Dublin is a city with a special charm and a memorable history dating back to the Vikings and Celts.
Liverpool will be the stop on the ninth day, a cultural and cosmopolitan city, steeped in the spirit of The Beatles, but also offering interesting attractions such as the World Museum, with treasures from all over the globe, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. However, it is the imposing Royal Liver Building that will capture your attention, and for the first time in its history, it will have a visitor center that allows you to climb the clock tower for panoramic views of the city.
Belfast, the largest metropolis in Northern Ireland, is the next stop. Once the epicenter of political conflict, it is now a peaceful city with many attractions. From here, we can take a day trip to the famous Giant's Causeway, a coastal natural wonder formed by some 38,000 hexagonal basalt columns, or stay in the city and visit the Titanic Museum, located on the very site where the infamous ship was built. Another unique option is to follow the mural route, which depicts different episodes of the conflict.
The following day, the Zenith will arrive in Greenock, Glasgow's natural harbor, one of the most striking cities we'll see on the route. Glasgow exudes energy at every turn; it's a university city that attracts professors and students from all over the world. Its main campus, nestled between nature and the city, houses an impressive central building in the Neo-Gothic style, but architecturally, the city is a paradise where different styles converge, from Art Deco to the most cutting-edge avant-garde.
British culture. Loch Ness, the Titanic Museum, the Guinness brewery, and the Beatles footprints in Liverpool—all pop icons of British culture.
The final stop on this impressive cruise will be Tórshavn, in the Faroe Islands. We return to nature and wild landscapes after so much urban intensity. The village of Saksun is a place of infinite beauty that seems straight out of a fantasy film, but waterfalls, lakes, and cliffs are everywhere in the Faroe Islands.
The cruise will end in Trondheim, surely leaving an unforgettable memory for its passengers, who will have spent 15 days visiting stunning cities without worrying about onboard expenses, thanks to Pullmantur Cruises' All-Inclusive plan, which includes top brands and Mediterranean cuisine. The Spanish-language service has won nine awards at the Cruise Excellence Awards, organized by Cruisesnews.
And for those who want even more, Pullmantur's The Waves service offers a range of privileges such as upgraded suites with personalized service, priority access, a private club, a solarium, free Wi-Fi, premium beverages, and much more…
It's 15 days of total immersion in British and Irish culture.
