HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit
the Isles of Scilly, a group of small islands off the coast of Cornwall
- Enjoy
mild weather, secluded beaches, enchanting wildlife and a relaxed
lifestyle
- Visit
Dunmore East, a popular tourist and fishing village in County Waterford
on Ireland's southeastern coast
- Disembark
at the small seaside resort town of Portrush in Northern Ireland and
travel overland to the world-famous Giant's Causeway
- Discover
a geological masterpiece - 40,000 closely packed hexagonal basalt
columns of varying heights descending like a staircase into the sea
- Explore
beautiful and serene Iona, a small island in the Inner Hebrides just
off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland
- Visit
the Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, a chain of
dramatically rugged islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland
DATES / RATES
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | Triple Classic | Main Deck Suite | Single Suite | Classic Suite | Superior Suite | Deluxe Suite | Premium Suite | Owner's Suite |
|---|
| May 06, 2025 | May 18, 2025 | 6,195 | 8,495 | 12,695 | 9,095 | 9,295 | 10,395 | 11,395 | 14,595 |
Rates are listed per person in USD
|
| Start Date | End Date | (Starting from)
Triple Classic | (Mid-range)
Superior Suite | (High-end)
Owner's Suite |
|---|
| May 06, 2025 | May 18, 2025 | 6,195 | 9,295 | 14,595 |
ITINERARY
Please Note: The May 10, 2021
& May 08, 2022 sailings have slightly different Itineraries.
May
10, 2021 Itinerary
Day 1: Embarkation in Plymouth,
England
Welcome
to the port city of Plymouth in southwest England, where a rich
maritime heritage sets the mood for the beginning of our exciting
voyage. In the afternoon we welcome you aboard the luxury expedition
ship M/V Sea Spirit. Explore the ship and get settled in your
comfortable and spacious suite. Then join us on deck and feel the sense
of adventure build as we slip our moorings and sail out of the historic
harbor.
Day
2: Tresco, Scilly Isles, England
The
Isles of Scilly is a group of small islands off the coast of
Cornwall boasting mild weather, secluded beaches, enchanting wildlife
and a relaxed lifestyle. On the lovely, sand-fringed island of Tresco,
Bronze Age burial sites and romantic 17th-century castle ruins reveal a
long and dramatic history. On the hallowed grounds of a Benedictine
abbey we discover the exquisite Tresco Abbey Garden with its
spectacular collection of more than 20,000 exotic plants from all
corners of the world. Here we also find the Valhalla Museum, a
collection of colorful figureheads salvaged from the islands'
shipwrecks. Delightful cafés and local shops enrich your
experience even further.
Day 3-4: Republic of Ireland
Dunmore
East is a popular tourist and fishing village in County Waterford on
Ireland's southeastern coast. From here it is a short journey through
scenic countryside to the House of Waterford Crystal. Here you can take
a guided tour of the factory to see the master craftsmen at work as
well as the world's largest collection of their wares. Also nearby is
Mount Congreve, a magnificent
18th-century Georgian estate and botanical gardens containing thousands
of plant species on 70 acres of intensively planted woodland and a
four-acre walled garden.
Day
5: Llandudno, Wales
Our
port for today is the vibrant seaside town of Llandudno in the
north of Wales. From here we embark on a scenic overland tour of
Snowdonia National Park. We drive through some of the wildest and most
dramatic landscapes in Britain as we discover craggy mountains,
stunning waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, dense woodlands and flowering
meadows. Snowdonia is also renowned for wildlife including otters,
water voles, wild ponies and rare birds such as dotterel and peregrine
falcon. We enjoy a delightful stop at the charming and distinctively
Welsh town of Betws-y-Coed in the Gwydyr Forest.
Day
6: Northern Ireland
Today
we disembark at the small seaside resort town of Portrush in
Northern Ireland. We travel overland to the world-famous Giant's
Causeway. Here we discover a geological masterpiece—40,000 closely
packed hexagonal basalt columns of varying heights descending like a
staircase into the sea. According to legend, the columns are the
remains of a causeway built by a giant. In this area we are also able
to spot various seabirds such as fulmar, petrel, cormorant, shag,
redshank, guillemot and razorbill.
Day
7: Inner Hebrides, Scotland
Weather
permitting, we also plan to visit the uninhabited island of
Staffa. This island of volcanic origin is easily recognized by its
striking colonnade of hexagonal basalt pillars. Here we hope to explore
the island's most famous feature, Fingal's Cave. Reaching deep into the
island, the undulating sea plays upon the stunning matrix of columnar
basalt to create an eerie melody which was the inspiration for Felix
Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture. The rugged island also provides
nesting sites for seabirds including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Today
we also explore beautiful and serene Iona, a small island in the Inner
Hebrides just off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland. At the gorgeous
Iona Abbey, founded in 563 AD, we are spellbound by one of Scotland's
most historic and sacred sites and indeed one of the oldest Christian
religious centers in Western Europe. The adjacent graveyard is said to
be the final resting place of numerous medieval kings, including
Macbeth. In addition to its historical and religious significance, Iona
is well known for its soulsoothing tranquility, white sand beaches and
excellent birdwatching.
Day
8: Outer Hebrides, Scotland
The
Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, are a chain of
dramatically rugged islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland.
The most isolated of these is St Kilda. This remote and stormravaged
island was continuously inhabited for at least two millennia by peoples
of extraordinary hardiness. But as the modern world closed in after
World War I, the remaining inhabitants chose to evacuate. Now we find
only their rough stone buildings and distinctive storehouses called
cleitean, all set amidst some of the most dramatic island scenery in
the British Isles. Nature-lovers will be delighted, as the island is
home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds, two early types of sheep,
and over 130 species of flowering plants.
Day
9: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Upon
arrival at the historic port of Kirkwall we embark on an overland
tour of Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands off the
northeastern coast of Scotland. Attractions such as the wellpreserved
5000-year-old village site at Skara Brae and the ancient Ring of
Brodgar within the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Heart of
Neolithic Orkney” showcase the world-class cultural heritage
of the island. Back in the charming village of Kirkwall we also find
the impressive Saint Magnus Cathedral, built in the Romanesque style by
Vikings in the 12th century.
Day
10-11: Shetland Islands
On
the uninhabited island of Mousa we find the famous Broch of Mousa,
the finest preserved Iron Age fortification in the British Isles. At
over 40 feet tall, this 2,000-year-old round tower is the tallest broch
still standing and is among the bestpreserved prehistoric buildings in
Europe. The island itself supports a rich diversity of plant life and
is also known for grey and common seals, Arctic terns, and a
significant colony of stormpetrels. We come alongside at the port of
Lerwick on Mainland, the largest of the Shetland Islands. On a walking
tour of this historic town we visit the awardwinning Shetland Museum to
learn all about Shetland's fascinating heritage and culture.
From
here we take a scenic overland coach ride through the fertile
countryside of Dunrossness to discover Shetland's best destinations.
Birders will relish the opportunity to visit the historic lighthouse at
Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of Mainland Shetland. These
rugged cliffs attract thousands of seabirds and the grassy slopes above
are particularly great for enjoying close encounters with puffins
amongst beautiful wildflowers. Also on the itinerary is Jarlshof, one
of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the British Isles. Here
we discover beautifully preserved stone structures spanning 5,000 years
of human settlement, including Bronze Age oval houses, Pictish
wheelhouses, an Iron Age broch, a Viking longhouse and a mediaeval
farmhouse.
On
Fair Isle—an isolated island of rolling moorlands and rugged
coastlines—one is easily enchanted by historic crofts,
picturesque lighthouses, and friendly locals. The island is famous
among birders for its abundance of British birds and for its numerous
records of eastern rarities and migrants. Fair Isle is also one of
Europe's best places to watch seabirds, especially puffins, at close
range. Additionally, the island is notable for the abundance and
diversity of its wildflowers. Seals are also commonly seen in its bays.
Finally, during our visit it will be possible to see and purchase
articles hand-knitted in the intricate and distinctive style for which
Fair Isle has been celebrated for hundreds of years.
Day
12: Bass Rock, Scotland
Bass
Rock is an uninhabited island in the outer part of the Firth of
Forth in the east of Scotland. This bastion of volcanic rock, also
known as “the Bass”, plays host to over 150,000
northern gannets in the breeding season, making it the world's largest
colony of these magnificent birds. The island's steep walls are white
with guano and the sky all around is darkened by the vast multitude of
seabirds in flight. Our voyage is perfectly timed to coincide with this
amazing spectacle—truly one of the wildlife wonders of the
world.
Day
13: Disembarkation in Leith (Edinburgh),
Scotland
After breakfast on board Sea Spirit we say
farewell in Leith, Edinburgh's vibrant port district. We provide
transfers to the airport or to Edinburgh city center if you wish to
spend more time in the wonderful capital of Scotland.
May 08, 2022 Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Heathrow
Airport, London
Welcome to England and the start of your British Isles cruise! Our
included pre-cruise hotel night at the Hilton Garden Inn, near Terminal
2, is designed to allow for a relaxing motorcoach transfer to
Portsmouth the next morning. You’ll receive information about
the time and place to meet the motorcoach at the hotel.
Day 2: Embarkation in
Portsmouth, England
Look for the Poseidon representative in the hotel’s lobby,
who will direct you to our chartered motorcoach that will take us to
Portsmouth. Considered the home of the Royal Navy, its rich maritime
heritage sets the mood for the beginning of our exciting voyage. In the
afternoon we welcome you aboard the deluxe expedition ship Sea Spirit.
Day 3: Tresco, Scilly
Isles, England
The Isles of Scilly is a group of small islands off the coast of
Cornwall boasting mild weather, secluded beaches, enchanting wildlife
and a relaxed lifestyle. On the lovely, sand-fringed island of Tresco,
Bronze Age burial sites and romantic 17th-century castle ruins reveal a
long and dramatic history. On the hallowed grounds of a Benedictine
abbey we discover the exquisite Tresco Abbey Garden with its
spectacular collection of more than 20,000 exotic plants from all
corners of the world. Here we also find the Valhalla Museum, a
collection of colorful figureheads salvaged from the islands’
shipwrecks. Delightful cafés and local shops enrich your
experience even further.
Day 4: Dunmore East,
Republic of Ireland
Dunmore East is a popular tourist and fishing village in County
Waterford on Ireland’s southeastern coast. From here it is a
short journey through scenic countryside to the House of Waterford
Crystal. Here you can take a guided tour of the factory to see the
master craftsmen at work as well as the world’s largest
collection of their wares. Also nearby is Mount Congreve, a magnificent
18th-century Georgian estate and botanical gardens containing thousands
of plant species on 70 acres of intensively planted woodland and a
four-acre walled garden.
Day 5: Saltee Islands,
Republic of Ireland
Our plan is to visit the the Saltee Islands. The larger island, Great
Saltee, is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland. These Islands are
privately owned and are one of the world's major bird sanctuaries. The
Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of
Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an
important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring
and autumn migrants.
Day 6: Llandudno, Wales
Our port for today is the vibrant seaside town of Llandudno in the
north of Wales. From here we embark on a scenic overland tour of
Snowdonia National Park. We drive through some of the wildest and most
dramatic landscapes in Britain as we discover craggy mountains,
stunning waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, dense woodlands and flowering
meadows. Snowdonia is also renowned for wildlife including otters,
water voles, wild ponies and rare birds such as dotterel and peregrine
falcon. We enjoy a delightful stop at the charming and distinctively
Welsh town of Betws-y-Coed in the Gwydyr Forest.
Visit to the Conwy Castle is also on our list. UNESCO considers Conwy
to be one of "the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th
century military architecture in Europe", and it is classed as a World
Heritage site. Divided into an Inner and an Outer Ward, it is defended
by eight large towers and two barbicans, with a postern gate leading
down to the river, allowing the castle to be resupplied from the sea.
Day 7: Portrush and
Rathlin Island: Northern Ireland
This morning, we disembark at the small seaside resort town of Portrush
in Northern Ireland. We travel overland to the world-famous
Giant’s Causeway. Here we discover a geological
masterpiece—40,000 closely packed hexagonal basalt columns of
varying heights descending like a staircase into the sea. According to
legend, the columns are the remains of a causeway built by a giant. In
this area we are also able to spot various seabirds such as fulmar,
petrel, cormorant, shag, redshank, guillemot and razorbill.
This afternoon, we’ll pause at Rathlin Island, the only
inhabited offshore island of Northern Ireland with a population of
about 150. It’s a popular spot for daytrippers, who come to
see the tens of thousands of common guillemots, kittiwakes, puffins and
razorbills. The island is of prehistoric volcanic origin, and is one of
43 Special Areas of Conservation in Northern Ireland.
Day 8: Inner Hebrides,
Scotland
Weather permitting, we also plan to visit the uninhabited island of
Staffa. This island of volcanic origin is easily recognized by its
striking colonnade of hexagonal basalt pillars. Here we hope to explore
the island’s most famous feature, Fingal’s Cave.
Reaching deep into the island, the undulating sea plays upon the
stunning matrix of columnar basalt to create an eerie melody which was
the inspiration for Felix Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
The rugged island also provides nesting sites for seabirds including
guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Today we also explore beautiful and serene Iona, a small island in the
Inner Hebrides just off the Isle of Mull in western Scotland. At the
gorgeous Iona Abbey, founded in 563 AD, we are spellbound by one of
Scotland’s most historic and sacred sites and indeed one of
the oldest Christian religious centers in Western Europe. The adjacent
graveyard is said to be the final resting place of numerous medieval
kings, including Macbeth. In addition to its historical and religious
significance, Iona is well known for its soul-soothing tranquility,
white sand beaches and excellent birdwatching.
Day 9: Outer Hebrides,
Scotland
The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles, are a chain of
dramatically rugged islands off the west coast of mainland Scotland.
The most isolated of these is St Kilda. This remote and storm-ravaged
island was continuously inhabited for at least two millennia by peoples
of extraordinary hardiness. But as the modern world closed in after
World War I, the remaining inhabitants chose to evacuate. Now we find
only their rough stone buildings and distinctive storehouses called
cleitean, all set amidst some of the most dramatic island scenery in
the British Isles. Nature-lovers will be delighted, as the island is
home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds, two early types of sheep,
and over 130 species of flowering plants.
We’ll also plan for a close cruise-by of Stac Lee, a sea
stack about four miles northeast of St. Kilda’s main island
of Hirta. It is home to part of the world’s largest colony of
northern gannet. When St. Kilda had a permanent population, islanders
would come here, precariously leaping ashore to hunt birds and gather
eggs.
Day 10: Kirkwall, Orkney
Islands
Today, we’ll disembark in Stromness for an overland tour of
Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands off the northeastern coast
of Scotland. Attractions such as the well-preserved 5000-year-old
village site at Skara Brae and the ancient Ring of Brodgar within the
UNESCO World Heritage Site “Heart of Neolithic
Orkney” showcase the world-class cultural heritage of the
island. We finish our island tour in the charming village of Kirkwall,
where find the landmark Saint Magnus Cathedral, built in the Romanesque
style in the 12th century. You will also have free time to roam the old
streets of Kirkwall and enjoy its unique atmosphere before we head to
our next destination.
Day 11: Shetland Islands
On Fair Isle—an isolated island of rolling moorlands and
rugged coastlines—one is easily enchanted by historic crofts,
picturesque lighthouses, and friendly locals. The island is famous
among birders for its abundance of British birds and for its numerous
records of eastern rarities and migrants. Fair Isle is also one of
Europe’s best places to watch seabirds, especially puffins,
at close range. Additionally, the island is notable for the abundance
and diversity of its wildflowers. Seals are also commonly seen in its
bays. Finally, during our visit it will be possible to see and purchase
articles hand-knitted in the intricate and distinctive style for which
Fair Isle has been celebrated for hundreds of years.
Day 12: Isle of May and
Bass Rock, Scotland
Both of these uninhabited islands are in the outer part of the Firth of
Forth in the east of Scotland. The Isle of May is a national nature
reserve and includes significant colonies of puffins, guillemots,
razorbills, shags, cormorants and terns. Harbor seals and grey seals
can be spotted along the shores. There are also some historic
architectural sites, including St. Ardin’s Chapel, the
lighthouse and the Low and Light Cottages.
The island known as “the Bass” plays host to over
150,000 northern gannets in the breeding season, making it the
world’s largest colony of these magnificent birds. The
island’s steep walls are white with guano and the sky all
around is darkened by the vast multitude of seabirds in flight. Our
voyage is perfectly timed to coincide with this amazing
spectacle—truly one of the wildlife wonders of the world.
Day 13: Disembarkation in
Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland
After breakfast on board Sea Spirit we say farewell in Leith,
Edinburgh’s vibrant port district. We provide transfers to
the airport or to Edinburgh city center if you wish to spend more time
in the wonderful capital of Scotland.
Sea Spirit (Luxury Expedition, 114-guests)
The ice-strengthened small all-suite expedition ship Sea Spirit (originally Renaissance V) was built in 1991 in Italy. From that time she has changed several operators and regions of navigation, cruising in Singapore, Alaska, Pacific Basin, Arctic and Antarctica. The vessel was modified in late 2010. Providing spacious suites for accommodation of maximum of 114 passengers (the smallest suite is 20 sq. meters) the Sea Spirit at the same time features maneuverability and friendly atmosphere of small ships. All suites have private facilities and exterior views. Some of the suites feature private balconies for enjoying fantastic landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctica.
(Click image to view Ship details)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- 1
pre-voyage night on Day 1 in Hilton Garden Inn London Heathrow Terminal
2; (only for the May 8, 2022 sailing)
- Group
transfer to the ship for embarkation;
- Shipboard
accommodation;
- All
meals on board throughout the voyage;
- Tea
and coffee station 24 hours daily;
- All
scheduled landings/excursions (subject to weather conditions);
- Leadership
throughout the voyage by our experienced Expedition Leader &
Expedition Team;
- Branded
Poseidon Expeditions windbreaker jacket;
- Rubber
boots for shore landings for the time of the cruise;
- Welcome
and Farewell cocktails;
- All
port fees;
- Group
transfer to airport or central location right after disembarkation;
- Pre-departure
materials;
- Digital
Voyage Log;
- Wi-Fi
on board.
Not Included
- Airfare;
- Visa
and passport fees (if applicable);
- Luggage
and trip cancellation insurance;
- Soft
drinks and alcoholic beverages other than those for special events and
celebrations;
- Personal
expenses such as laundry and telecommunication charges;
- Tips
for the local guides and drivers;
- Emergency
evacuation insurance to a minimum coverage of US$ 100,000 per person;
- Staff
gratuities.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
ADVENTURE
OPTIONS
