England Cruise from London to Leith — 19 Days

18 nights · England · Departs London-Tilbury · Visiting Tresco Island England, Waterford, Cobh-Cork, Dingle, Galway, Killybegs, Greencastle-Londonderry, Belfast, Dublin, Isle of Man, Isle of Mull, Ullapool, Kirkwall, Invergordon, Leith-Edinburgh · Aboard Quark Expeditions on the World Explorer

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World Explorer
London Cruise Port garden path lush greenery bench Waterford Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Cork (Cobh) Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide
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Cruise lineQuark Expeditions
ShipWorld Explorer
Duration18 nights
Port calls16
Departures1 sailings
Year built2019
Guests200
Cabins112
Crew130
Length126 m
Beam19 m
Cruising speed16.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    London-Tilbury

    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.

  2. Day 3

    Tresco Island England

    Tresco is the Isles of Scilly at their most composed: white-sand coves, granite headlands and Atlantic light. Visit Tresco Abbey Garden, where subtropical plants thrive beside the ruins of a Benedictine priory. Inside, the Valhalla Museum displays ship figureheads recovered from the islands’ shores. Beyond the garden, walk quiet lanes to sheltered beaches, or watch seabirds over the rugged coast. Boat transfers connect Tresco with neighbouring islands; check local tides and schedules before you go.

  3. Day 4

    Waterford, Ireland

    Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city, founded by Vikings in 914, and its compact centre rewards exploration on foot. Begin at the Medieval Museum, where the city’s story unfolds through remarkable objects, including a fragment of ornate cloth-of-gold vestments. Then follow the Viking Triangle’s lanes to Reginald’s Tower, a riverside landmark that has stood watch for centuries. Allow time for Waterford’s celebrated crystal, still made here, and a meal of local seafood beside the River Suir.

  4. Day 5

    Cobh-Cork, Ireland

    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.

  5. Day 6

    Dingle, Ireland

    Dingle rewards travellers who prefer a working harbour to a polished resort. In County Kerry, this small town faces Dingle Bay, with the Atlantic close beyond its quays. Its lively streets bring together fishing boats, independent shops, traditional pubs and cafés. Irish is still spoken across this Gaeltacht region. Beyond town, Slea Head Drive follows cliffs and beaches toward the Blasket Islands. It reveals a rugged coast best explored at an unhurried pace.

  6. Day 7

    Galway, Ireland

    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.

  7. Day 8

    Killybegs, Ireland

    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.

  8. Day 9

    Greencastle-Londonderry

    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.

  9. Day 10

    Belfast

    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.

  10. Day 11

    Dublin, Ireland

    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.

  11. Day 12

    Isle of Man

    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.

  12. Day 13

    Greencastle-Londonderry

    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.

  13. Day 14

    Isle of Mull

    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.

  14. Day 15

    Ullapool

    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.

  15. Day 16

    Kirkwall

    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.

  16. Day 17

    Invergordon

    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.

  17. Day 19

    Leith-Edinburgh

    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.

World Explorer Cruises

Published September 28, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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