How to see Britain's best festivals and events on a cruise
Some of Britain’s biggest events are just a sail away. Here are a few experiences you could enjoy while on a round-Britain cruise…
Edinburgh Festival and Military Tattoo
Exploring Edinburgh’s world-class attractions and rich history is always memorable but even more so when a visit coincides with the Scottish capital’s most colourful events. During an overnight stop at Rosyth with Princess Cruises, you can head to the city to experience the theatre, comedy, music, opera, dance and excitement of the Edinburgh International and Fringe Festivals.
Alternatively, there’s the chance to immerse yourself in the pomp and splendour of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with its massed bands, bagpipes, traditional dance and fireworks displays.
Princess Cruises’ eight-day Ireland, Scotland and Wales cruise aboard Pacific Princess from Dover includes a stop in Edinburgh to coincide with the festival. The cruise also calls at St Helier, Milford Haven, Dublin and Invergordon before returning to Dover. From £1,639pp, departing August 17, 2019 (0344 338 8663; princess.com).
The Isle of Man TT
Every May and June, tens of thousands of motorcycling fans descend on the Isle of Man for the TT races. Bikes whoosh past spectators at a ferocious rate, providing thrills that can only be appreciated in person. The fastest speed recorded is 206mph in 2015 by Kawasaki rider James Hillier on his Ninja H2R.
When the race is not in progress, cruise passengers can experience a trike tour around the TT racing circuit. This takes you from the Grandstand, through pretty towns and villages, along winding roads, across the Ballaugh Bridge and over the spectacular mountain section.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Grand British Isles Discovery cruise on board Marco Polo includes a stop at the Isle of Man in time for the TT races. The cruise also calls at Newcastle, Scrabster, the Orkney and Shetland Islands, Oban, Belfast, Dublin, Ringaskiddy (for Cork) and the Scilly Isles. From £1,119pp, departing Portsmouth on May 19, 2019 (0844 98 3787; cruiseandmaritime.com).
Changing of the Guard
Tower Bridge, one of the world’s most exclusive cruise ports, is only mainly open to ultra-luxury small ships. One example is Silversea’s Silver Cloud, on which you would spend the night alongside HMS Belfast before setting sail on a cruise around the British Isles and Iceland next June.
The capital’s top attractions are a walk or tube ride away. Art lovers may head to the Van Gogh EY exhibition at Tate Britain and ballet fans may enjoy the trio of classics at the Royal Opera House (The Firebird, A Month in the Country and Symphony in C).
By adding Silversea’s four-night pre-cruise signature collection to your trip, you’d spend two nights each at the five-star Langham Hotel in London and the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. In London you’ll go behind the scenes of the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and head inside for a tour of the State Rooms, the Queen's Gallery and more. Also included is a special after-hours visit to the Tower of London to experience the Ceremony of the Keys.
From Bath, there’s a tour of Salisbury Castle where four of the Magna Carta manuscripts are preserved, a sunrise drive to Stonehenge, a private tour of Wiltshire’s crop circles with an expert lecturer and lunch in Oxford, the ‘City of Dreaming Spires’.
Silversea’s 14-night London to Reykjavik all-inclusive cruise on board Silver Cloud departs from Tower Bridge and also visits Guernsey, the Scilly Isles, Milford Haven in Wales, Skomer Island, Douglas, Iona, Trishnish Island, Pierowall, the Faroe Islands, plus ports of call in Iceland, all led by an expedition team. From £8,190pp (pre-cruise signature collection extra), departing June 4, 2019 (0844 251 0837; silversea.com).
The British Open
The British Open, a major tournament on the golfing calendar, celebrates its 148th anniversary in 2019 (July 14–21) at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Join a cruise with Azamara Club Cruises and not only will you gain coveted entry tickets but can also play five rounds at top courses such as Royal Birkdale and the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry. When not teeing off, there are stately homes, castles, gardens and distilleries to explore.
Azamara’s 12-night British Isles and The Open voyage on board Azamara Journey departs from Leith and also calls at Edinburgh, Invergordon, Belfast, Londonderry, Dublin, the Isle of Man, Guernsey, Waterford and Liverpool. From £5,719pp, departing July 17, 2019 (0844 493 4016; azamaraclubcruises.co.uk).
The Dublin Festival of Curiosity
This unique festival blends technology with imagination throughout Dublin each July to create a playful experience for 50,000 visitors. Enjoy pop-up installations, performance art and theatre by day, and secret tours and guided evening bicycle rides by night. There’s nothing like a touch of curiosity paired with pub-crawling to make your Dublin visit that much more magical.
Saga’s 13-night all-inclusive cruise departing from Dover on board new ship Spirit of Discovery includes a stop in Dublin and also calls at Newcastle, Edinburgh, Orkney Islands, Belfast, Liverpool, Cork, Portland, Guernsey and Southampton. From £5,008pp, departing July 10, 2019 (020 3131 4043; iglucruise.com).
Cowes Week
Every year, a number of small and medium-sized cruise ships on Northern European itineraries are welcomed to the Isle of Wight to enjoy the delights of Cowes, as well as the island’s beautiful coastline and landscapes. Although none actually visit during Cowes Week (August 10-17, 2019) when the Solent is packed with around 1,000 competing boats and you can actually take part in the regatta.
Solent Boat Charters & Training offers the opportunity to join a professional skipper and crew competing in the regatta’s Cruising Class aboard a Bavaria 38 Match racer/cruiser yacht. Open to all, no previous sailing experience is necessary (although you must declare your fitness to sail) – the aim is to experience Cowes Week without the pressures of top-level racing.
You can book single or multiple days: Saturday or Sunday £249 per day; Monday to Friday £199 per day. Solent Boat Charters & Training (02380 658 790; solentboatcharters.com).
Mouth of the Tyne Festival
This festival is now in its 15th year (July 5-8, 2019) and attracts 100,000 visitors. It features outdoor concerts at Tynemouth Priory and Castle (Rick Astley is among the 2019 line-up), free world-class street entertainment, a jazz stage and more. Hundreds of local children learn new music skills in the weeks leading up to the event and participate in a colourful parade to kick things off. Surf lessons take place a stone’s throw away and cruise ships enter the River Tyne just beyond the headland.
Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ 11-night Round Britain & River Seine Experience on board Magellan is a round-trip from Newcastle and arrives back in the city in time for the Mouth of the Tyne Festival. It also calls at Dundee, Kirkwall, Tobermory, Dublin, Cobh, St Mary’s, St Peter Port, the River Seine and Rouen. From £1,949pp, departing June 21, 2019 (0844998 9559; cruiseandmaritime.com).
