British & Irish Isles
« All National Geographic Explorer cruise options
- Day 1 London / Embark ship
- Day 2 Dartmouth, United Kingdom
- Day 3 Isles of Scilly
- Day 4 The Skelligs and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
- Day 5 Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher
- Day 6 County Donegal, Ireland
- Day 7 Iona & Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
- Day 8 Outer Hebrides: St. Kilda & Callanish
- Day 9 Inverewe Gardens
- Day 10 Orkney Islands
- Day 11 Fair Isle and Mousa
- Day 12 Shetland Islands
- Day 13 Bergen, Norway / Disembark
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||||
| Cat 1 | Cat 2 | Cat 3 | Cat 4 | Cat 5 | Cat 6 | Cat 7 | Cat SA | Cat SB | |
| Deals, Discounts... Savings! | ||
|---|---|---|
| Savings | Dates | |
| All Departure Dates | ||
| These special offers are applicable only to new bookings. Discounts are subject to availability, so contact us for more details. | ||
Kids under age 18 save $500 per person
Deposit & Payment Day 1 London / Embark ship
Arrive today in London and proceed to the historic coastal town of Portsmouth to embark National Geographic Explorer. (D)
Day 2 Dartmouth, United Kingdom
Be on deck this morning as you make a dramatic entry into the River Dart. Dartmouth has a great seafaring history. Stroll along the quaint waterfront, observing many fine old buildings that recall its nautical past. (B,L,D)
Day 3 Isles of Scilly
On the island of Tresco visit the fabulous Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Gulf Stream allows an astounding variety of subtropical plants to flourish at these northern latitudes, and numerous birds, including shearwaters and sandpipers, are often seen here. (B,L,D)
Day 4 The Skelligs and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Today explore the roots of Celtic Christianity. Cruise slowly by Skellig Michael to view the beehive huts of a Celtic Christian monastery, built five hundred feet high atop the island in the sixth century. A half-mile distant is rocky Little Skellig, whose white spires reveal is as a favorite roost for seabirds. Go ashore at the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Walk through the charming village of Dingle, sample an Irish coffee and browse the shops for woolens. (B,L,D)
Day 5 Aran Islands and Cliffs of Moher
These stark islands contain many pre- and early Christian sites. Most dramatic is Dun Aengus, a stone fort dating to 4000 BC. Perched on a 200-foot cliff overlooking the sea, the view is staggering. (B,L,D)
Day 6 County Donegal, Ireland
Donegal, in Gaelic Dun na nGall or ‘fort of the foreigners’ (i.e. the Vikings), is an ancient and dramatically beautiful area. Board Zodiacs to explore lovely Donegal Bay and drive to Glencolumbkille, one of the most traditional areas in Ireland, where Gaelic is still the primary language. In the evening, cruise past the 2,000-foot-high cliffs of Slieve League, the highest in Europe. (B,L,D)
Day 7 Iona & Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
St. Columba called Iona “love of my heart” and chose it as the site for his monastery. Walk through the ancient nunnery to 12th-century Iona Abbey, where sixty kings lie buried, including Duncan and MacBeth. Afternoon finds you on Staffa, an island famed for its great basalt columns and deep sea caves. It was here in Fingal’s Cave that Felix Mendelssohn was inspired to write his haunting Hebrides Overture. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Outer Hebrides: St. Kilda & Callanish
Along the wild, western coast of Scotland are the Outer Hebrides, islands steeped in history and legend, where Gaelic is still widely spoken. The day is open for exploration. Weather permitting, explore remote St. Kilda. A World Heritage Site, it was occupied from the New Stone Age through 1930. We then venture to the Isle of Lewis to see the massive neolithic Standing Stones of Callanish. (B,L,D)
Day 9 Inverewe Gardens
Visit the famous Inverewe Gardens. Tempered by the Gulf Stream, the delightful gardens are an anomaly of sub-tropical color--grown at the same latitude as St. Petersburg! (B,L,D)
Day 10 Orkney Islands
Few places in the world have the impact of the Stone Age sites of Orkney. The standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar and the 6,000-year-old stone-slab village excavated at Skara Brae are stunning manifestations of a culture older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Later, see the massive Cathedral of St. Magnus, built by the Vikings, and stately Balfour Castle on Shapinsay Island, where you will recharge with a hearty Scottish tea. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Fair Isle and Mousa
Fair Isle claims to be the most isolated settlement in the British Isles. The seventy or so inhabitants are a rugged yet amiable people, proud of their island and, of course, their world-renowned woolen crafts. After a pleasant walk around the island, join your island friends for tea. Later, Zodiac in to the uninhabited island of Mousa, where you will find one of the best examples of an Iron Age broch (fortified farm). (B,L,D)
Day 12 Shetland Islands
Drive through scenic countryside, stopping to photograph resident Shetland ponies on your way to the Jarlshof archaeological site. Here enter the Bronze Age with the ruins of 3,000 years of continuous settlement (B,L,D)
Day 13 Bergen, Norway / Disembark
Disembark this morning and connect to your return flights home.
Itinerary Notes
Costs Include:All accommodations aboard ships or in hotels per itinerary or similar, all meals and nonalcoholic beverages aboard ship, 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, gratuities (except to ship’s crew), taxes and service charges, services of a ship physician on most voyages, and services of our expedition staff.
Not Included:
Air transportation (except where shown as included), extensions, passport, visa, immigration fees, scuba diving (where available), meals not indicated, baggage/accident/travel protection plan, items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, e-mail, and laundry. Gratuities to ship's crew at your discretion.
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is varies by sailing, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cruises for up to 8 nights | . |
| 90 days or more | $250 |
| 89-60 days | deposit |
| 59-30 days | 55% trip cost |
| 29-0 days | 100% trip cost |
| Cruises with 9 more more nights | . |
| 120 days or more | $250 |
| 119-90 days | deposit |
| 89-60 days | 30% trip cost |
| 59-30 days | 55% trip cost |
| 29-0 days | 100% trip cost |
National Geographic Explorer
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 148
- Luxury Expedition Ship
The National Geographic Explorer is a state-of-the-art expedition ship accommodating 148 guests in 81 outside cabins. It is fully stabilized, enabling it to navigate polar passages while providing comfort. The National Geographic Explorer houses technology for sea exploration, such as Zodiacs, kayaks, hydro-phones, underwater HD cameras and a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV). Additional accommodations include multiple dining venues, a lounge area designed specifically for educational presentations and a luxury wellness spa.
Public areas include two restaurants, a lounge and bar, library, observation lounge, spa, fitness center, and sauna. A mud room with lockers provides storage for guests’ expedition gear. Meals: Served in single seatings with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling. Menu is international with local flair.
Cabins: All cabins face outside with windows or portholes. Each has private facilities and climate controls.
Expedition Equipment: Hydrophone, kayaks, remotely operated vehicle (R.O.V.), snorkeling gear, Splash-Cam, underwater video camera, video microscope, and Zodiac landing craft.
Services include a full-time doctor, Undersea Specialist, Wellness Specialist, LEXspa Therapist, and Video Chronicler. There is internet access for guests, a business center, and laundry. Our "Open Bridge" policy allows guests to learn about the art of navigation and state-of-the-art navigational equipment from our Captain and Officers.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | Cat 1 Main Deck with one or two portholes. #301-308 |
 | Cat 2 Main Deck with window. #317-320, 335-336. |
 | Cat 3 Main Deck with Window #313-316, 321-328, 337-340,342, 344, 346, 348, 350. |
 | Cat 4 Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. # 103-104, 107-180, 201-202, 204-207, 210, 212, 217, 226, 228. |
 | Cat 5 Upper Deck with Balcony. #209, 211, 214, 216, 218, 220-222, 224. |
 | Cat 6 Veranda Deck Suite #101-102; Upper Deck Suite with Balcony #213. |
 | Cat 7 Upper Deck Suite with Balcony. #215, 219, 230. |
 | Cat SA C Deck Solo - Cabins 309-312, 329-334. Single cabins with window. |
 | Cat SB Upper and Veranda Decks with Window. #105-106, 203, 208. |
