Cruises Around the British Isles & Atlantic Coast

Luxury British Isles & Atlantic Coast Cruises

Don't be tempted to dismiss the idea of a British Isles cruise before taking the time to study the itinerary. A British Isles small ship cruise will see you finding calls at remote and virtually inaccessible locations, gateways to stunning scenery and amazing historical sites and some wonderful full day calls at cities and towns you have long wished to explore. From seeing cities such as London, Edinburgh and Dublin, to the UK's wonderful wildlife and natural beauty, being a cruise tourist in your own country can be a genuinely enlightening experience.

Many British Isles cruises continue down to France's Atlantic Coast, with several ex-UK options making for an even easier departure. Expect a wide variety of landscapes, history and culture; these historic cities have thrived as centres of trade and commerce with hillside neighbourhoods, imposing forts, palaces and markets all tinged with a hardened edge of authenticity born from the untamed winter weather among a landscape of deep valleys, rugged mountains, pine forests, lakes, untamed Atlantic coastline and beautiful beaches for sunbathing or surfing, with wine and cuisine a real highlight.

The Small Ship Difference in the British Isles and Atlantic Coast

A small ship cruise in the British Isles and France's Atlantic Coast will offer a more in-depth exploration of the region and often the chance to dock right in port or just a short tender away, as well as experience locally-led, often included in-depth excursions from wine tastings and out-of-hours castle visits to nature and city tours with local guides, as well as expert destination lectures while on board the ship.

Luxury Small Ship British Isles and Atlantic Coast Cruise Itineraries

Of course, one of the best things about a British isles cruise is the possibility of a UK departure, allowing you to skip the airport! Some itineraries depart from Edinburgh, Dover or Southampton for a handy getaway, or will sometimes begin in a Scandinavian or Baltic port before returning to the UK. You'll likely explore the Scottish isles, with the likes of whisky distillery tastings, walks in the highlands, visits to fishing villages and local guided tours all on agenda. You may also call into - less glamorous but equally interesting - UK ports such as Liverpool or Belfast.

Then, many British isles cruises cross into the channel isles such as Guernsey and the lovely St. Peter Port, or the sunny island of Jersey which blends British seaside charm with a discernible French influence, before heading over to the Atlantic coast. Or you may begin in ports such a Dublin or Lisbon and make your way to Bordeaux or Edinburgh, visiting all of Atlantic Europe's most famous destinations such as Biarritz, Galicia, Lisbon, Porto, and Brittany's Belle-Île-en-Mer - the largest of Brittany's islands, whose wild coastal landscapes inspired some of Monet's most famous paintings.

Luxury Cruise Lines That Visit the British Isles and Atlantic Coast

One of our favourite British Isles cruise lines is Hebridean Island Cruises and departures on the charming Hebridean Princess around the beautiful Scottish Isles. Alternatively, Oceania have some great options for British Isles cruises that often include a call in Kirkwall or Stornoway, as well as Seabourn and their round-Britain voyages, and Ponant's expedition-style cruises visiting Britain's more rugged and unspoilt corners, such as the outlying Shiant Isles and remote Treshnish and Canna islands, famous for their puffins and seals.

Windstar, Silversea, and Regent are also visitors to both the British Isles and Atlantic Europe on their itineraries, and for something different, the tiny 122-guest SeaDream has cruises that include Fishguard, St Mary's on the Isles of Scilly, Fowey, Douarnenez, Belle Île and Bordeaux.

The Best Time to Cruise in the British Isles & Atlantic Coast

The best time to visit the British Isles is between May and September for - with luck - sun and warmth, or opt for a departure in the shoulder season of April or October for more unreliable, but often lovely, weather and fewer crowds. France's Atlantic Coast can enjoy temperatures in the high teens in the shoulder seasons so this can be a lovely time to travel, with July and August hot and busy, so you may wish to avoid these months.