11-night Ancient Isles: England, Ireland, And Scotland Southbound Cruise

May 2, 2025

Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic Explorer

Edinburgh/Portsmouth, UK

Vacation Offer ID 1576820

Reference this number when contacting our travel specialist.

From $12,245

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Overview

Ship Info

Activities & Services

Staterooms

Deckplans

The Signature Collection – Exclusive Amenities
The Signature Collection Sailings offer Exceptional Value and Exclusive Amenities.

Cruise Inclusions

11-nights accommodations
All meals aboard ship
And more

Destination Guide
Suggested Shore Excursions

Destination	Arrival	Departure
Edinburgh Optional Private Excursions Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience! Edinburgh: Royal Edinburgh - 8 hours With Scotland's most famous castle dominating the city, Edinburgh provides a fantastic introduction to this magical country. This morning you will receive a warm welcome by your local guide as you disembark your cruise for your full day sightseeing tour (8 hours) by private vehicle. You will first head up to Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and have the opportunity to admire striking views across the city. Drive along the Royal Mile to the imposing Holyrood Palace, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland. Continue the Royal theme this afternoon, with a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia. Built in Scotland, and now permanently moored here, this famous ship hosted many official voyages during her working life. Your guide will bring the Royal Yacht Britannia’s intriguing history to life prior to the short transfer back to your cruise ship. You will tour the staterooms of the palace if no member of the Royal Family is staying here at the time. Highlights: Privately guided tour of Edinburgh Castle Visit Holyrood Palace (Subject to Royal Visit) Discover the history of the Royal Yacht Britannia Tour Duration: 8 Hours Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information Physical Activity Level: Light Inclusions: Private transport by BMW 7 Series or similar for 1 or 2 passengers or Viano (6 passenger seats) or similar for 3, 4, or 5 passengers or Sprinter for 6 passengers. Expert local guide for stated sightseeing 8 hours in Edinburgh Entrance fees to all sights and museums All taxes Exclusions: All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs Gratuities Supplement for public holidays Anything not specifically mentioned in the “Inclusions” list above. Edinburgh: Introducing Edinburgh - 4 hours The capital city of Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most dramatically-situated cities in Europe; this setting has had a profound effect on its historical development and today your expert local guide unravels these themes on a half-day sightseeing tour. The focal point of the city is Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress that symbolises the Scottish nation and is home to the 'Honours of Scotland', the oldest set of Crown Jewels in the British Isles. From the impressive military installations there are stunning views of the city. The Royal Mile stretches down on from castle through the 'Old Town' of Edinburgh, at the heart of which is St. Giles Cathedral. This fascinating Gothic church is topped by a fine medieval spire in the shape of a crown. At the foot of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Palace, the Queen's Official Residence in Scotland. The palace's neighbour is the much more recent Scottish Parliament Building; its striking contemporary designs are in eye-catching contrast to the classical style of the palace. Tour of palace staterooms is included if no member of the Royal Family is present at time of visit Highlights: Take in the stunning views of the city from Edinburgh Castle, a royal fortress home to the oldest set of Crown Jewels in the British Isles At the foot of the Royal Mile see Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament Building Tour Duration: 4 hours Tour Can Operate: Morning / Afternoon Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information Physical Activity Level: Light Inclusions: Private transport by luxury car or minivan An expert local guide for 4 hours Entrance fees to all sights and museums All taxes Exclusions: All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs Gratuities	05/02/2025	05/02/2025
Aberdeen	05/03/2025	05/03/2025
Shetland Islands	05/04/2025	05/04/2025
Orkney Islands	05/05/2025	05/05/2025
Outer Hebrides	05/06/2025	05/06/2025
Iona	05/07/2025	05/07/2025
Staffa, Inner Hebrides	05/07/2025	05/07/2025
West Coast of Ireland	05/08/2025	05/09/2025
Cobh Optional Private Excursions Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience! Cobh - Cork/Blarney Shore Excursion - Full Day Tour Arrive at port and meet with your driver/guide who will escort you around Cork today. Drive through the attractive City of Cork which hosts some fine Georgian architecture, the imposing St Finbarr’s Cathedral, great shopping and many pubs. Continue your journey into the Irish countryside to the pretty town of Blarney. Continue on to visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, famous for its stone, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all those who kiss it. The stone itself is set in the wall below the battlements and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (holding on to an iron railing) from the parapet walk. Lunch at a local pub. Following lunch visit Cork City Gaol. Here you can step back in time to see what 19th Century life was like in Cork – inside and outside prison walls. Amazingly life like figures, furnished cells, sound effects and fascinating exhibitions are to be seen. Return to your ship this evening. Inclusions: Private Driver Guide Entrance to Blarney Castle Entrance to Cork City Gaol Lunch Cobh's Highlight's Shore Excursion - Cobh/Midleton - Full Day Tour Meet with your professional driver & local guide who will escort you around East Cork today. Your first stop of the day is a visit to *Cobh Heritage Centre* a dramatic exhibition of the origins, history and legacy of Cobh. Known previously as Queenstown this was the main port for Irish emigrants to Canada and the United States. The story of the Titanic and the White Star line is also told at the Cobh Heritage Centre. Continue on this morning for a visit of the *Stephen Pearce Pottery* Gallery. Spend the late morning touring the pottery. Browse around the Pottery showroom and Gallery shop, or view their latest exhibition in the Gallery. Lunch today at the famous *Ballymaloe House,* the renowned Irish country house hotel and restaurant owned and run by the Allen family over 40 years. Darina Allen is one of Europe's most famous chefs and has a cookery school also on the grounds of Ballymaloe. Nestled in a 400 acre estate in rural East Cork, Ballymaloe House is only 20 miles from the historic city of Cork and minutes from the breathtaking south coast. Ballymaloe prides itself on offering a warm welcome, award-winning cuisine which celebrates the best of local, seasonal produce. This afternoon, enjoy a visit to *The Old Midleton Distillery* which is a wonderful, worthwhile excursion. Tour the distillery and learn how the world famous Irish whiskey is made. Included: Private Driver Guide Cobh Heritage Centre Stephen Pearce Pottery Gallery Lunch at Ballimaloe House Entrance to the Old Midleton Distillery Not Included: Gratuities	05/10/2025	05/10/2025
Isle of Scilly	05/11/2025	05/11/2025
Fowey	05/12/2025	05/12/2025
Portsmouth, UK	05/13/2025	05/13/2025

Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic Explorer

National Geographic Explorer is the world’s ultimate expedition ship. Her design and equipment is the result of almost 200 years of collective expedition experience. Originally built for service along Norway’s coast as part of the famed Hurtigruten, or Coastal Express, her excellent maneuverability and just-right size made her a natural choice for addition to the fleet. Drawing on nearly 50 years of pioneering expedition history and expertise, the cruise completely redesigned and rebuilt her. Explorer is uniquely equipped with an ice-strengthened hull and advanced navigation equipment for polar expeditions; a roster of tools for exploration; and a well-appointed interior with vast expanses of glass for an unprecedented connection to the regions that explores. She provides a peerless expedition cruise trip.

Ship Statistics

Maiden Voyage: 2008
Registry: Norway

Passenger Capacity: 148

Dining

Bars & Lounges

Onboard Activities

Outdoor Activities

Wellness

Oceanview

Outside Cabin (02) $13,045

Category: 02

Cat 2 with Window #317-320, 335-336 - Cabins feature two lower single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), and one large window. They offer a writing desk, reading lamps, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming.

Outside Cabin (03) $13,900

Category: 03

Cat 3 with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340, 342, 344, 346, 348, 350 - Cabins feature two lower single beds (some can convert to a queen-sized bed), one large window, and two sitting chairs and a small table and ample storage. They have a writing desk, reading lamps, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming.

Outside Cabin (04) $14,467

Category: 04

Cat 4 with Window #201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228 - Cabins feature two lower single beds and at least one large window. Cabin 217, 226 & 228 feature one queen-size bed. All cabins feature climate controls, a TV showing the ship's position and programing. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. The dining room is on this deck and accommodates all guests at once.

Solo Outside Cabin (SB) Call for pricing

Category: SB

Cat Solo B with Window #203, 208 - These cabins feature one lower single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-walled shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming. The dining room and ship's bow are easily accessible.

Solo Cabin (SA) Call for pricing

Category: SA

Cat Solo A with Window #309-312, 329-334 - These cabins feature one lower single bed and a large window, a writing desk, reading lamp, bathroom with a roomy glass-wall shower stall, and a TV showing the ship's position and programming.

Balcony

Balcony Cabin (05) $16,912

Category: 05

Cat 5 with Balcony #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224 - These cabins feature a balcony with sliding glass doors, feature one queen-sized bed, a writing desk and chairs, climate controls, a TV showing the ship's position and programing. Bathrooms are also generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall. (Cabin 221 has two lower single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen.)

Suite

Suite (06) $19,778

Category: 06

Cat 6 Suite with Balcony #213 - These spacious cabins have private balconies, two lower single beds that can be converted into a queen, a writing desk, chairs, and a TV. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.

Suite (07) $22,778

Category: 07

Cat 7 Suite with Balcony #215, 219, 230 - These large cabins with private balconies have either two lower single beds that can convert to an Olympic-sized queen. They have seating areas and can be converted to triples. Bathrooms are generously sized with a roomy glass-walled shower stall and twin sinks.

Price is per person, double occupancy.

Costs Include: All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals , nonalcoholic beverages* aboard ship and meals on land as indicated, air transportation where indicated as included, shore excursions, sightseeing and entrance fees, special access permits, transfers to and from group flights, use of taxes and service charges, and services of our expedition staff.
*Alcoholic beverages except super-premium brands and crew tips now included on Explorer and Orion.

All fares are quoted in US Dollars.

Bridge Deck