12 nights · England · Departs London-Tilbury · Visiting Dover, Dublin, Holyhead, Liverpool, Belfast, Ullapool, Kirkwall, Leith-Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Lerwick, Bergen · Aboard Viking Cruises on the Viking Vela
Image courtesy of Viking Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Viking Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Viking Vela |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 2 sailings |
| From fare | $8,699 per person |
| Year built | 2024 |
| Guests | 998 |
| Cabins | 499 |
| Crew | 465 |
| Length | 238 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 20.0 kn |
London puts royal ceremony beside a working city, with history written across its streets, squares and riverfront. From the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey, landmark visits reward unhurried exploration. The British Museum and National Gallery offer world-class collections, while Covent Garden and the South Bank make excellent walking territory. Cruise ships serving London commonly dock at Tilbury, about 25 miles east of the centre. Confirm your berth and transfer arrangements before setting out.
Dover is a working Channel port, but its appeal begins before you leave the harbour. Above the waterfront, Dover Castle has watched over the Strait for centuries, with Roman, medieval and wartime history to explore. Walk the clifftop paths for views across the water. At Fan Bay, explore a wartime tunnel complex cut into the chalk. Inland, Canterbury offers a celebrated cathedral and a compact old centre.
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.
Holyhead is more than a ferry port. It opens the way to Anglesey, an island of cliffs, castles and quiet roads. Walk Holy Island’s coast to South Stack Lighthouse, or climb Holyhead Mountain for views across the Irish Sea. The town itself is a working gateway, with regular sailings linking Wales and Ireland. Further east, Beaumaris Castle offers a striking lesson in medieval ambition.
Liverpool’s waterfront makes a striking first impression, but the city’s appeal reaches well beyond the Mersey. At Pier Head, the Three Graces—the Royal Liver, Cunard and Port of Liverpool buildings—reflect the city’s maritime wealth. The Cavern Quarter recalls the Beatles’ early years, while the Walker Art Gallery offers a strong collection of European art. Leave time to explore the Georgian Quarter’s handsome streets and independent cafés.
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.
Ullapool sits on Loch Broom, where the Highlands meet the North Atlantic. This compact harbour village is a gateway to the Summer Isles and the rugged landscapes of Wester Ross. Walk the waterfront, browse local galleries, or pause for seafood with a view of fishing boats and distant mountains. Ullapool’s small scale rewards unhurried exploration, while nearby roads lead to beaches, waterfalls and memorable Highland scenery.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Set between seven mountains and the North Sea, Bergen makes a graceful introduction to Norway’s western fjords. Its handsome harbour, Bryggen’s timber wharf and the fish market sit close together, easily explored on foot. Ride the Fløibanen funicular for a clear view across the city and islands, then linger over fresh seafood. Bergen is compact, cultured and an ideal place to begin a journey into fjord country.
Published September 2, 2026
Last updated October 11, 2026
Author: J. Richard
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!
