DETAILS

FULL LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
PLEASE NOTE: THIS OVERLAND OPTION IS DESCRIBED BELOW AS A PRE-CRUISE EXTENSION, BUT CAN ALSO BE OFFERED AS A POST-CRUISE EXCURSION. IT OPERATES FROM THE TURNAROUND PORTS OF SOUTHAMPTON, DOVER, HARWICH AND TOWER OF LONDON, WITH MINOR VARIATION TO THE ITINERARY ON EMBARKATION/DEBARKATION DAY BASED ON THE SCHEDULED PORT OF CALL

DAY 1 – Arrive Dublin
Begin this four-night cruise extension with a two-night stay in the vibrant capital of Ireland to experience the cultural and historic side of the country which is known as ‘Celtic Tiger’.

On arrival at the airport in Dublin, collect your luggage and proceed through Customs clearance. After clearing Customs, conitinue out to the Arrivals Hall where you are met by a local representative who escorts you to your waiting transport and driver for the approximate 30-minute drive from Dublin Airport to your hotel, where you check in and enjoy a welcome drink. (Please note that rooms will be made available as soon as possible, however the official check-in time is 2.00pm.) Once settled in, the remainder of the evening is free for relaxing and independent dining.

DAY 2 – Dublin
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then set out on a panoramic tour of Dublin’s highlights. Sightseeing will include Dublin’s Georgian district, including driving past Merrion Square, St. Stevens Green, Grafton Street, Newman House Trinity College, the National Museum and the National Gallery. On the northern side of the River Liffey you’ll see the General Post Office on O’Connell Street, a focal point of an important British uprising, and the Dail, the Irish Parliament. Return to the hotel past the world famous Guinness brewery. The afternoon is at leisure, and your Tour Director will be happy to arrange additional activities such as golf or horse riding for you.

This evening a 15-minute stroll brings you to the Burlington Hotel for a night of unmistakable entertainment and a four-course meal. Noel V Ginnity and a selection of the very best Irish singers and dancers offer a delightful show, and the evening is crowned off with an Irish coffee before heading back to the hotel.

DAY 3 - Dublin to Wicklow Mountains to London
After breakfast and check-out, the day begins with a guided half-day excursion to the Wicklow Mountains for some stunning scenery. Travel across vast sweeps of heather clad moors and bogs to reach these 400 billion year old granite mountains. The Ice Age rounded and shaped the mountains, and created deep valleys. You will also visit the ruins of Glendalough, an ancient monastery in one of the most picturesque settings of the Wicklow Mountains. This magical place was established in the 6th century by Bishop St. Kevin.

The morning excursion concludes at the Dublin Airport, where you check in for the flight to London’s Heathrow Airport. Arriving in London, collect your luggage and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day and dinner are at your leisure.

DAY 4 – London
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and proceed on a panoramic sightseeing tour of London, passing the city’s major sights such as the London Eye, Tower of London, London Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Free time is allowed for lunch on your own, followed by a visit to arguably London’s most historic palace, the Palace of Hampton Court. Built by Cardinal Wolsey it was later taken over by Henry VIII as a royal residence. View the palace itself and the beautiful gardens, and experience the world famous maze as well.

Returning to the hotel in the late afternoon, take some time to freshen up before a night out at one of London’s oldest pubs, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. Today’s current building has been here since 1666, however the Horn Tavern was recorded as being on the site as early as 1538. Enter this historical building with history creaking through its ancient timbers from past revelers who included Samuel Johnson, Charles Dickens, Ambassadors and Prime Ministers over the centuries. Sit down to a three-course meal of traditional English pub fare before returning to your hotel for the night.

DAY 5 – London onwards
Today you depart London to board your ship after breakfast and hotel check-out. En route there will be time to take in a guided walking visit to either Colchester, Canterbury, Winchester or additional London sights, depending on the port city where your cruise begins.
 
SHORT LENGTH TOUR DESCRIPTION
A two-night stay in the vibrant capital of Ireland gives the opportunity to experience the cultural and historic side of the country known as ‘Celtic Tiger’. There is also the opportunity to see some of the stunning scenery of the Emerald Isle before enjoying a traditional evening of unmistakable Irish entertainment. A short flight across the Irish Sea brings you to the majestic city of London for a further two nights. See the major highlights of the city, such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, as well as a meal in one of London’s most historic pubs.
 
TIMING BREAKDOWN
DAY 1
- Arrival at the airport in Dublin, baggage claim and Customs clearance
- Transfer from the airport to hotel, approximately 30 minutes from Dublin Airport
- Check-in and welcome drinks
- Remainder of the evening is free for independent dining
- Overnight in Dublin (Westbury Hotel or similar)

DAY 2
09:00 - Panoramic tour of Dublin’s highlights
- Return to hotel for afternoon at leisure
19:00 - Walk to Burlington Hotel for entertainment and four-course meal
19:15 - Arrive Burlington Hotel
19:30 - Dinner and show starts
22:00 - Show ends, return to hotel on foot
22:15 - Arrive at hotel
- Overnight in Dublin

DAY 3
08:00 - Check out, begin excursion to the Wicklow Mountains by coach and with guide
12:00 - Arrive Dublin Airport and check-in for flight to London Heathrow (Aer Lingus or BMI) Drinks and snacks available at the airport and in-flight for purchase
14:00 - Depart Dublin
15:15 - Arrive London Heathrow, collect luggage and transfer to hotel
17:00 - Arrive hotel and check-in
- Remainder of the day and dinner at leisure
- Overnight in London (Renaissance Chancery Court or similar)

DAY 4
09:00 - Panoramic sightseeing tour of London with coach and guide, no entrances
12:00 - Time at leisure for lunch
13:00 - Excursion to the Palace of Hampton Court
17:00 - Return to hotel
18:45 - Depart hotel for Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub
21:00 - Return to hotel
- Overnight in London

DAY 5
Harwich Guests:
09:00 - Depart London with luggage onboard the motorcoach for the Roman city of Colchester
10:15 - Arrive Colchester for a guided visit
12:30 - Guided walking tour ends, free-time
13:30 - Reboard motorcoach for transfer to Harwich
14:00 - Arrive Harwich cruise terminal

Dover Guests:
09:00 - Depart London with luggage onboard the motorcoach for Canterbury
10:30 - Arrive in medieval Canterbury
12:30 - Guided walking tour ends, free time
13:30 - Reboard motorcoach for transfer to Dover
14:00 - Arrive Dover cruise terminal

Southampton Guests:
09:00 - Depart London with luggage onboard the motorcoach for Winchester
10:30 - Arrive in medieval Winchester
12:30 - Guided walking tour ends, free time
13:30 - Reboard motorcoach for transfer to Southampton
14:00 - Arrive Southampton cruise terminal

London Tower Bridge Guests:
09:30 - Depart the hotel for the British Museum. Luggage is transferred to the ship by luggage van
10:00 - Arrive at the British Museum for a self-guided visit; drinks and snacks are available for purchase in the museum
13:00 - Depart British Museum for the boat pier at Westminster
13:30 - Depart Westminster pier by public boat along the Thames
14:00 - Arrive at the Tower of London Pier; guests are escorted on foot to check-in for their cruise

Approximate duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
 
OPERATIONAL NOTES
- Includes four breakfasts and two dinners
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- At the Dublin hotel the Tour Director will arrange additional activities for individuals such as golf or horse riding
- The chronological order of sightseeing is subject to change

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