The Ultimate British Isles Cruise Guide You Need to Read

Planning a British Isles cruise? This itinerary is one of the best ways to explore England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and even a bit of France—all in one trip. I’m sharing what my recent 12-day cruise aboard the Regal Princess with Princess Cruises looked like, including itinerary highlights, recommendations, and what to expect along the way.

There’s something magical about exploring the British Isles by sea.

From the rolling green hills of Ireland to the dramatic Scottish Highlands—and everything in between—each destination offers a unique slice of history and culture. The best part? You unpack once and wake up in a new location almost every morning—it’s stress-free, with incredible views along the way.

If you’re wondering what ports are included on a British Isles itinerary or what to do at each stop, this guide will walk you through it all. I’m sharing my full itinerary, my favourite excursions, and some practical tips to make the most of your trip. This cruise truly offers something for everyone!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my links, I may earn a very small commission, at no additional cost to you. For more information, please read my disclaimer.

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What Are the British Isles?

Not sure what the British Isles are? Let me explain!

The British Isles is a geographical term that refers to a group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe. It includes Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), the entire island of Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), and more than 6,000 smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands.

A British Isles cruise usually visits a mix of these destinations—most itineraries include stops in England, Scotland, and Ireland, with some also featuring Northern Ireland and France, like the one I took. It’s a fantastic way to experience a variety of cultures, landscapes, and historic cities in one trip.

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Why Should You Take a British Isles Cruise?

For me, this trip was a dream come true. I’ve been to England and Scotland several times—my Nana was from Glasgow, and I still have family there—but cruising the British Isles has always been on my list. It let me revisit places I love, finally see Ireland, and enjoy another thing I’m passionate about: life at sea.

Even if you don’t have a personal connection, a British Isles cruise is one of the easiest ways to explore this part of Europe. Here’s why:

• Multiple countries, one trip: England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and often France—no trains or repacking required.
• Unpack once: Wake up in a new destination each day without the stress of changing hotels.
• History & scenery: Castles, cobblestone streets, dramatic coastlines, and vibrant cities—all in one itinerary.

If you love history, culture, and stunning landscapes—or just want a hassle-free way to see Europe—a British Isles cruise is a fantastic choice.

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My 12-Day British Isles Cruise Itinerary

Here’s a quick look at what my Princess Cruises British Isles itinerary looked like on the Regal Princess in May 2025:

• Day 1: Southampton, England – Embarkation
• Day 2: At Sea
• Day 3: Cork (Cobh), Ireland
• Day 4: Dublin, Ireland
• Day 5: Liverpool, England
• Day 6: Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Day 7: Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
• Day 8: At Sea
• Day 9: Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Scotland
• Day 10: Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland
• Day 11: At Sea
• Day 12: Le Havre (for Paris), France
• Day 13: Southampton, England – Disembark

I also spent a couple of days in Southampton before the cruise and ended the trip with several days in London—you’ll find tips for those in the sections below.

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Quick Thoughts on The Regal Princess

I’ve cruised many times with Princess Cruises, and I’ve enjoyed every ship. The Regal Princess feels both elegant and approachable—especially with several dining options, great entertainment, and beautiful outdoor spaces.

My stateroom had a balcony, which was worth every penny for scenic cruising days along the stunning coastlines of Scotland, Ireland, and England.

The ship never felt overwhelming, even on sea days—there was always something to do, whether it was catching a show, enjoying live music in the Piazza, or just relaxing on deck with a nice cup of tea.

I won’t go too in-depth here because I have a full post coming on how to spend a day at sea and another all about MedallionClass, but here’s the quick version: Princess Cruises makes the whole experience feel effortless. Between their attentive service and the MedallionClass technology, everything—from ordering a drink to finding your travel companions—feels easy and stress-free.

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Pre- and Post-Cruise: Southampton and England

Southampton—May 19th-May 20th:

Since we have family in England, we decided to spend a couple of days in Southampton before boarding the Regal Princess. We took a Blacklane transfer from London Heathrow to our hotel, The Leonardo Royal Hotel Grand Harbour, and the experience was seamless. Spending a day or two before the cruise is a smart idea—it gives you time to adjust to jet lag, explore the city, and avoid travel stress in case of any delays.

Some highlights from our time in Southampton:

• 🛍 Wandered WestQuay Shopping Centre, visiting shops like Marks & Spencer and Waterstones, and enjoyed tea at Costa Coffee
• 🏰 Strolled around the historic Southampton town walls
• 🍽 Dinner at Bill’s Restaurant, and when we spent time with family, we enjoyed meals at the White Star Tavern

This pre-cruise stay gives a lovely balance of city exploration and family time before the adventure at sea.

London—June 2nd-June 6th:

After disembarking in Southampton, we took a Blacklane transfer to our hotel in London—the Premier Inn County Hall. This location was ideal, placing us near many of London’s top tourist destinations.

During our few days in the city, we explored:

• 🎡 Iconic sights like the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Park, and Covent Garden
• 🚌 A hop-on hop-off bus tour
• 🛍 Shopping along Oxford Street and The King’s Gallery
• 🍽️ Local restaurants and pubs like Locale, Red Lion Pub, Sherlock Holmes Pub, and Victory Pub inside Waterloo Station

I’ll be sharing a separate post soon with more fun ideas and recommendations for exploring London, but this was a perfect way to wrap up the cruise and squeeze in extra adventure.

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Port Highlights & Recommendations

Here’s an in-depth look at the stops on my 12-day British Isles cruise aboard the Regal Princess—with everything that my family and I did.

Cobh (Cork), Ireland 🇮🇪

This stop was deeply personal for us—ancestry-based! My great-grandfather was born in Killbrittain, a small town just outside Cork, and we had done a lot of research ahead of time. With our private driver, Jessie, we were able to visit his childhood home—an incredible experience.

We also drove and walked around Kinsale, before stopping for lunch at Kitty O’Se’s. A tip: try a Murphy’s beer—it was fantastic! Before heading back to the ship, we explored a little bit of Cork’s city centre.

Dublin, Ireland 🇮🇪

We had to tender into port, where our private driver, Hogan, met us. Instead of sticking to the typical tourist route, we explored the Irish countryside—driving past Enya’s and Bono’s homes, into County Wicklow, and taking in stunning scenery with historical insight. Lunch at West Wicklow House included the perfect pint of Guinness—highly recommend.

We wrapped up the day on Grafton Street (yes, I stopped in the Disney Store!) and drove past Trinity College—next time I’ll see the Book of Kells!

Liverpool, England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Unfortunately, high winds prevented the ship from docking, so we missed the stop entirely. We were supposed to meet my dad’s cousin—our first in-person visit in 10 years! Things like this can happen on cruises, and while it was disappointing, we made the most of it.

Belfast, Northern Ireland ☔️

The day we were in Belfast was a bank holiday—it was cold, windy, and rainy. We took a cab to the Titanic Museum and then wandered into town to explore the open shops. We returned to the Titanic Museum, had a snack at the café, and toured the museum itself. It was very interesting, though busy—next time, a non-holiday visit might be ideal.

Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Home of my Nana’s family! Another private driver, Graham, met us at the port dressed in his Scottish kilt. Highlights included:

• Visiting Luss and taking in a stunning view of Loch Lomond
• Enjoying a wee dram of whisky as Graham played the bagpipes in a small park overlooking the loch
• Lunch at the Lion & Unicorn Pub near Stirling
• Driving by Stirling Castle and visiting Doune Castle for Outlander & Monty Python connections
• Visiting Cambuslang, my Nana’s hometown

This was an incredibly personal and memorable day.

Orkney Islands, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The weather wasn’t ideal—rainy and windy—but the town was charming and the locals were wonderful. We took a shuttle into town, wandered the shops, enjoyed some local eats, and visited St. Magnus Cathedral. A shorter stop, but still very enjoyable.

Edinburgh, Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Since we’ve been to Edinburgh several times, we ventured outside the main city with private driver John from Dalmeny Cars. Highlights included:

• Tendering under the Forth Bridge—my great-great-grandfather worked on it!
• Driving past private estates and filming locations for The Princess Switch, A Castle for Christmas, and Outlander
• Seeing highland cows and visiting Midhope Castle, which is the filming location of Lallybroch from Outlander
• Dinner at Rosslyn Inn after visiting family in Bonnyrigg

Even though we’ve been to Edinburgh before, this day felt like a dream!

Le Havre, France 🇫🇷

Le Havre was a quieter stop. Shops and restaurants were closed because it was Sunday and a marathon was happening. We took a cab into town, explored a local farmer’s market, and wandered the sights before heading back to the ship. If the weather had been better, we would have visited Honfleur—maybe next time!

Shore Excursion Tips for a British Isles Cruise

One of the best parts of cruising the British Isles is the variety of options for exploring each port—from ship-organized excursions to independent adventures.

Ship-Organized Shore Excursions

If you’ve done shore excursions before, you know they’re perfect for worry-free sightseeing. The ship ensures you get back on time, and sometimes they provide exactly the itinerary you’re looking for.

Private Drivers & Guides

On this trip, we relied entirely on private drivers or our own walking tours. Private guides are extremely reliable and can tailor the day to your interests. Highlights for us:

• Visiting ancestral homes in Cork and Glasgow
• Seeing countryside spots outside the typical tourist routes
• Scheduling meals and breaks exactly how we wanted

Private drivers can also be economical if you split the cost with friends or family. Book early—even private guides sell out fast!

Walking Tours & Independent Exploration

Never underestimate a self-guided walking tour. Even without a guide, you can enjoy a lot just by exploring at your own pace. This is what we did in the Orkney Islands and Le Havre—no plans, just wandering and discovering hidden gems.

Packing & Practical Tips

If you’re planning a British Isles cruise, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Weather: Layers are key—sun, rain, wind, and chill can all happen in one day.
• Wi-Fi & Connectivity: Regal Princess and Princess Ships in general offer Wi-Fi packages for checking maps or staying in touch.
• Sea Sickness: Pack remedies such as wristbands, medications or patches
• Currency & Payments: Most ports accept cards, but it’s helpful to have a small amount of local currency on hand. Bringing some U.S cash onboard is also useful if you want to tip crew members or use it in the casino.
• Adapters & Chargers: The ship uses North American plugs (some staterooms may also have USB outlets). A universal travel adapter with multiple USB ports comes in handy, and a portable charging bank is useful for days when you’re exploring ports.

I’ll also be sharing a dedicated packing post soon, including my favourite gear and travel essentials.

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Final Thoughts: Is a British Isles Cruise Worth It?

This 12-day British Isles cruise on the Regal Princess was truly one of our favourite trips. The scenery, people, and experiences in each port made every day special, and the onboard time was equally wonderful—elegant yet relaxed, with great dining, entertainment, and plenty of outdoor spaces.

My parents and I have been on several cruises, and we all agreed we would do this one again in a heartbeat. We’re already dreaming of a return trip! If you’re considering a British Isles cruise, it’s a fantastic way to explore multiple countries, enjoy incredible landscapes, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Stay tuned for my upcoming posts on:

• What to Do on a Day at Sea with Princess Cruises
• Everything You Need to Know About MedallionClass
• What to Pack for a British Isles Cruise

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