16 nights · England · Departs Southampton · Visiting Greencastle-Londonderry, Stornoway, Seydisfjordur, Akureyri, Reykjavik, Isafjordur, Siglufjordur, Torshavn, Lerwick, Leith-Edinburgh · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 4
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 4 |
| Duration | 16 nights |
| Port calls | 11 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $14,025 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 463 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 268 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Southampton is a working port with a rich maritime past. Walk its medieval city walls, then visit SeaCity Museum, where exhibits explore the city’s connection to the Titanic. The Mayflower began its 1620 voyage from Southampton, and the Titanic sailed from here in 1912. Beyond the waterfront, the New Forest’s heathland and Winchester’s cathedral make rewarding excursions.
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.
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.
Seyðisfjörður sits at the end of a deep fjord, framed by steep mountains and waterfalls. Its colorful wooden houses and blue church give the small town a character unlike Iceland’s larger ports. Walk the rainbow-painted street, visit the Skaftfell arts centre, or follow trails toward nearby cascades. The road over Fjarðarheiði offers wide views, though weather can change quickly. Here, East Iceland feels close, quiet, and distinctly local.
Akureyri sits at the head of Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, with mountains rising beyond its compact harbour. Walk uphill to Akureyrarkirkja, then browse cafés and shops along Hafnarstræti. The town’s botanical garden grows thousands of plant varieties despite its northern latitude. From the waterfront, boats head out to watch whales. Road trips reach Goðafoss and the volcanic landscapes around Lake Mývatn. Akureyri rewards a day spent both in town and beyond.
Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.
Ísafjörður is the Westfjords’ principal town, set between a sheltered harbor and steep, often snow-streaked mountains. Walk its compact center to see colorful timber houses, then visit the Westfjords Heritage Museum in the historic harbor district. Its exhibits trace the fishing trade that shaped life along Iceland’s remote western coast. Beyond town, dramatic fjord scenery unfolds along winding roads. With a full day ashore, consider the drive to Dynjandi, one of the region’s most striking waterfalls.
Set beneath steep mountains at the head of a narrow fjord, Siglufjörður feels close to Iceland’s northern edge. Once the center of Iceland’s herring boom, this compact harbor town preserves its story at the Herring Era Museum. Walk the waterfront, then explore restored herring buildings and exhibits tracing the industry’s rise and fall. Beyond town, mountain roads and hiking routes open onto the dramatic Tröllaskagi Peninsula. Its fjord setting and steep peaks make the town as memorable as its past.
Tórshavn is one of the world’s smallest capitals, yet it offers a revealing introduction to the Faroe Islands. Begin at Tinganes, where red-painted timber buildings cluster on a narrow headland beside the harbor. The Løgting, the Faroese parliament, meets nearby, continuing a political tradition rooted in the islands’ Norse past. In the compact center, cafés, shops and museums offer an easy pause before the Atlantic’s open horizons reclaim your attention.
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.
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.
Southampton is a working port with a rich maritime past. Walk its medieval city walls, then visit SeaCity Museum, where exhibits explore the city’s connection to the Titanic. The Mayflower began its 1620 voyage from Southampton, and the Titanic sailed from here in 1912. Beyond the waterfront, the New Forest’s heathland and Winchester’s cathedral make rewarding excursions.
Published August 16, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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