23 nights · England · Departs Portsmouth UK · Visiting Fowey, Cobh-Cork, Glengarriff, Foynes, Galway, Killybegs, Greencastle-Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Isle of Man, Greenock-Glasgow, Isle of Mull, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Aberdeen, Invergordon, Dundee, Leith-Edinburgh · Aboard Azamara Cruises on the Azamara Quest
Image courtesy of Azamara Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Azamara Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Azamara Quest |
| Duration | 23 nights |
| Port calls | 20 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $8,269 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 794 |
| Cabins | 361 |
| Crew | 408 |
| Length | 181 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Portsmouth is Britain’s great naval city, where the nation’s maritime story remains vividly present. At the Historic Dockyard, step aboard Nelson’s HMS Victory and visit the Mary Rose Museum. The Tudor warship, lifted from the Solent after 437 years, reveals extraordinary detail of life at sea. Beyond the waterfront, find lively cafés, independent shops and views from the 170-metre Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth rewards those who want history close at hand beside a working seafront.
On Cornwall’s south coast, Fowey is a handsome harbor town. It climbs steep streets above the River Fowey, where fishing boats and yachts share sheltered water. Browse independent shops, then take the passenger ferry across to Polruan or follow the coastal path toward St Catherine’s Castle. Daphne du Maurier made the estuary her home and a setting for her novels. Her presence still lends Fowey a distinctly literary air.
Cork is Ireland’s most independent-minded city, built on islands in the River Lee and shaped by its maritime past. Most cruise ships berth at Cobh, a handsome harbour town about 15 miles from Cork. A direct railway connects the two. Browse the English Market, visit St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, or seek out the city’s cafés and pubs. Allow time for Blarney Castle, a short drive away.
Glengarriff sits on Bantry Bay, where wooded hills meet the sheltered waters of southwest Ireland. From the village, ferries cross to Garnish Island, known for its Italianate gardens and sea views. On shore, the Glengarriff Nature Reserve offers trails through native oak woodland and along the river. This is a rewarding stop for travellers who favour quiet scenery over crowds. The Beara Peninsula’s winding roads begin nearby.
Foynes offers a rare encounter with Ireland’s aviation age, beside the broad Shannon Estuary. Its flying-boat terminal linked Europe and North America from 1939 to 1945. The museum features a full-size flying-boat replica and period rooms. It also tells how Irish coffee was first served here in 1943. Allow time for the estuary’s changing light and the quiet character of this County Limerick village. Foynes rewards travellers who look beyond Ireland’s better-known stops.
Galway rewards a day on foot. The compact centre opens onto the River Corrib, medieval lanes and the Spanish Arch. Stop for oysters or browse independent shops before hearing traditional music in a pub. Galway Cathedral stands beside the river, while the Latin Quarter keeps the streets lively. For a wider view, follow the seafront walk to Salthill, where the Atlantic comes within easy reach.
Killybegs is Ireland’s largest fishing port, a working harbour on Donegal’s rugged south coast. Watch trawlers unload their catch, then explore the town’s maritime story at the Killybegs Maritime and Heritage Centre. Beyond the quays, the road leads towards Slieve League, where immense Atlantic-facing cliffs rise above the sea. Come for a close view of Ireland’s fishing life; stay for Donegal’s wide horizons and fresh seafood.
Greencastle, on Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula, is a small harbour town at the mouth of Lough Foyle. Across the water lies Northern Ireland; inland, Derry/Londonderry rewards a visit with remarkably complete seventeenth-century walls and a complex history. Walk the ramparts for river views, then explore the Guildhall and Bogside murals, which record the city’s recent past. At Greencastle, the Inishowen Maritime Museum explores local fishing heritage, and the shore offers wide views across the lough.
Belfast pairs a proud maritime past with a lively, walkable centre. At Titanic Belfast, the story of the famous liner unfolds beside the shipyard where she was built. Nearby, grand City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter reveal different sides of the city, from civic confidence to café-lined lanes. Across west Belfast, political murals offer a vivid perspective on its recent history. With the Giant’s Causeway within reach, Belfast also makes a compelling starting point for Northern Ireland’s dramatic coast.
Dublin is a city best explored on foot, where Georgian squares, lively lanes and centuries of history sit close together. From Dublin Port, the centre is a short drive away, making a day ashore easy to shape. See the Book of Kells at Trinity College, then trace the Liffey through the city centre. A pint in a traditional pub is an invitation to linger.
Portsmouth is Britain’s great naval city, where the nation’s maritime story remains vividly present. At the Historic Dockyard, step aboard Nelson’s HMS Victory and visit the Mary Rose Museum. The Tudor warship, lifted from the Solent after 437 years, reveals extraordinary detail of life at sea. Beyond the waterfront, find lively cafés, independent shops and views from the 170-metre Spinnaker Tower. Portsmouth rewards those who want history close at hand beside a working seafront.
Douglas, the Isle of Man’s capital, welcomes visitors with a broad seafront. Its Victorian promenade and Manx Museum offer a concise introduction to the island’s history. Ride the electric railway north to Ramsey, or visit Tynwald Hill, where the island’s parliament holds its annual open-air sitting. Beyond town, rugged cliffs, sandy bays and quiet roads reward exploration on foot or by car.
Greenock places you on the broad Firth of Clyde, with the hills of Argyll rising across the water. Once a shipbuilding and trading powerhouse, this port rewards a closer look at its waterfront. The neoclassical Custom House, built between 1818 and 1822, is one of Scotland’s finest examples of its kind. Glasgow’s museums and architecture are within reach, while the Clyde coast offers quieter views and small-town stops.
Arrive on Mull for Atlantic light, white-sand bays and rugged green hills. At Craignure, Duart Castle rises above the Sound of Mull, guarding this strategic channel for centuries. Tobermory’s brightly painted harbour rewards a stroll among independent shops, cafés and waterfront views. Beyond the villages, watch for white-tailed eagles, otters and red deer across moorland and coast. Allow time for narrow roads and changeable weather; the island’s quieter pleasures rarely come at speed.
Stornoway is the working heart of Lewis, where fishing boats share a harbour with ferries and visiting ships. Lews Castle houses Museum nan Eilean, while its grounds make an easy first walk. The road west leads to Callanish, where prehistoric standing stones rise above the Atlantic-facing moor. Here, Gaelic heritage is not a display alone; it remains part of daily life, heard in place names and conversation.
Kirkwall is Orkney’s compact capital, where Norse history remains part of everyday life. Begin at St Magnus Cathedral, a striking red-sandstone landmark founded in 1137. Nearby, the ruins of the Earl’s and Bishop’s palaces reveal the power once held here. Beyond town, prehistoric sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar make a compelling excursion. Leave time for the harbor, local shops, and a dram of island whisky.
Lerwick feels more like a North Atlantic outpost than a Scottish port, with stone-fronted streets facing a working harbour. Shetland’s capital rewards a stroll along the waterfront and through narrow lanes. The Lodberrie, an eighteenth-century merchant’s house built partly over the sea, is one of its most distinctive landmarks. Visit Shetland Museum and Archives for the islands’ Norse heritage and contemporary life. Beyond town, open moorland, sea cliffs and wildlife offer a striking change of scale.
Aberdeen’s grey granite catches the light, giving Scotland’s northeast city a character all its own. The Aberdeen Maritime Museum traces how shipbuilding, fishing and North Sea oil shaped the city. Old Aberdeen is a handsome quarter of cobbled lanes and historic buildings. At King’s College, founded in 1495, the crown tower and chapel offer a striking glimpse of Scotland’s university heritage.
Invergordon sits on the Cromarty Firth, where the Highlands meet a deep-water estuary shaped by centuries of maritime history. From the quayside, travel to Inverness, Culloden Battlefield or Loch Ness. Each offers a distinct view of Highland history and landscape. Closer to port, Invergordon’s murals tell local stories, while the waterfront reflects the town’s enduring connection to the sea.
Dundee brings Scotland’s design, maritime and industrial history to the banks of the River Tay. At V&A Dundee, striking architecture houses exhibitions celebrating Scottish creativity and design from around the world. Nearby, Discovery Point tells the story of Captain Scott’s Antarctic ship, RRS Discovery. Explore the waterfront and historic streets, or make a day trip to St Andrews or the Angus coast.
Leith brings Edinburgh within reach, but rewards those who stay by the water. Once a working port, this lively district pairs maritime history with independent restaurants, galleries and a strong local character. At Ocean Terminal, step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal residence now open to visitors. Trams and buses connect you with the capital: Edinburgh Castle, its museums and Georgian streets make an easy day ashore.
Published September 25, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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