British Isles Cruise Holidays

The geographical term ‘British Isles’ can be confusing but consists of Great Britain, Ireland and around 210 surrounding inhabited islands. The largest of these other islands, or island groups, includes the Isle of Man (which has its own parliament and laws), the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Northern Isles to the north. The British Isles have a combined population of almost 72 million and include the two sovereign states of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. 

The British Isles consists of two main islands, Great Britain and Ireland, and numerous surrounding smaller islands and island groups off the north-western coast of continental Europe. These islands vary considerably in size but, counting only those which are inhabited, there are about 210. If we were to include all the uninhabited islands, then the figure would be somewhere around 6,000. Most of these are in Scotland, home to the majestic Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and the Hebrides, which you can visit on a P&O Cruises British Isles holiday.  

The British Isles are in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the north-western coast of continental Europe. They consist of the islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Orkney Islands and around 210 surrounding inhabited islands. 

Showcasing some of our very best national treasures, your P&O Cruises British Isles holiday will take you away to remote islands, hilly highlands, charming coastal towns and many hidden gems dotted along the way.

Some top destination highlights include the cheerful city of Cork, the stunning scenery of Stornoway, the Orkney Norse town of Kirkwall, the captivating Shetland Islands and the lively city of Liverpool, from where you can explore the beautiful Lake District. From Belfast you can visit one of the UK’s greatest natural wonders, the Giant’s Causeway, and from Newhaven you can reach the heart of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, where you’ll find winding cobbled streets lined with Georgian houses as well as the spectacular 11^th-century castle.

From the green pastures and ancient folklore of Ireland to iconic English cities and the wild landscape, mountains and lochs of Scotland, you’ll have chance to see more of the British Isles than you might have thought possible on a cruise around the UK and Ireland. 

Yes. No matter where you’re travelling to, you’ll still need a valid passport to board a P&O Cruises ship. That means if you are from Britain and taking a staycation cruise, you’ll  need to bring your passport. So, even if you’re planning to cruise around the UK… don’t forget your passport! 

If you’ve never been on a British Isles cruise before, you may be wondering what you need to pack. The most important item you’ll need to pack for a cruise is your passport. Even if you’re British and cruising around Britain, you’ll need to bring your passport.

Another essential is travel insurance. Again, even if you’re British and going on a cruise around the UK, you may be asked for proof of your travel insurance before you board your ship. So, please be sure to bring either a printed or digital copy of your travel insurance documentation, confirming cover for all the named guests in your party for your dates of travel. You can find out more about our travel insurance requirements at pocruises.com/travel-insurance

Then there’s the question of what clothes to bring. Of course, one of the best reasons to take a cruise around the UK and Ireland is that you can visit so many incredible destinations in just one trip and only have to unpack once. And although the British Isles can see some glorious weather in the summer months, it’s perhaps fair to say it can still be a bit unpredictable. So, as well as packing sun cream, t-shirts and shorts, you might also want to pack waterproof clothing and an umbrella. Also, it might not come as much of a surprise to learn that what you pack will depend a lot on what shore experiences you’ve got planned at your destinations. For example, if you’re planning on more active experiences like hiking in The Highlands, you’ll need to make sure you have suitable shoes and clothing for this.

If you’re looking to step out in style on Celebration Night, then don’t forget to pack your favourite cocktail dress or smart suit and tie. And if you really want to make an occasion of it, a ball gown or tuxedo will do nicely. For the majority of evenings on board your ship, you can dress as you would for a meal in a nice restaurant. So, pack suitable clothing such as smart skirts and dresses or smart jeans and trousers as well as nice tops or open-neck shirts.

When you board your ship, it may take a few hours for your suitcases to be delivered to your cabin. So, it’s always a good idea to bring along everything you need for your first day in a carry-on bag. As well as the essential items already mentioned, such as your passport and travel documentation, why not also pack a change of clothing or your bathing suit and flip-flops, in case you fancy a dip in the pool? And, when you’re off exploring ashore, your carry-on bag will come in handy for bottled drinks and souvenirs. 

A British Isles cruise will leave a lasting impression on any guest. Scotland’s islands are made up of castles, glacial valleys, mountains and lochs. Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, is renowned for its unrivalled scenery of mountains, moorland and golden beaches. Over on the Orkney Islands, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, you’ll find staggering cliffs and thriving seal colonies. And in the ancient Norse town of Kirkwall, a world of castles, Viking carvings and winding cobbled streets await.

The breathtaking beauty of UNESCO World Heritage Site the Giant’s Causeway, visited from Belfast, is one of the UK’s must-see sights. And from Cork, the Republic of Ireland's second-largest city, you can visit Blarney Castle, where you can experience Irish folklore by kissing the Blarney Stone.  

Beatles fans will be in their element on a visit to The Beatles Story in Liverpool. And, for nature lovers, the unrivalled beauty of the Lake District is waiting to be explored. 

If you’re considering a staycation cruise around the UK, you might be wondering how long this will take. With P&O Cruises, British Isles holidays are either 14 or 16 nights and will take you on a journey of discovery around the place we call home. 

The summer months of June, July and August are the best time to take a British Isles cruise if you want to enjoy the warmest weather and experience the most daylight hours. You can choose from our range of British Isle holidays during these months here. 

It’ll come as no surprise to learn that for destinations in the United Kingdom and on board your P&O Cruises ship, the currency will be in pounds sterling. However, the currency in the Republic of Ireland (which is part of the geographical term ‘British Isles’) is the euro. With stops at Irish destinations on a P&O Cruises British Isles holiday, it’s a good idea to have enough euros to cover any food, drinks, treats or souvenirs when you’re ashore. 

Yes, even if you’re from Britain and taking a cruise around the UK, you’ll still need to have suitable travel insurance in place. This is an essential requirement for all P&O Cruises holidays and a British Isles cruise is no different. So, please be aware that you may be asked for proof of your travel insurance before you board your ship. You can find out more about our travel insurance requirements at pocruises.com/travel-insurance.

You can sail to the British Isles on:

Arcadia | Britannia | Aurora