Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea

Description

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.

Join PONANT aboard Le Dumont-d’Urville for a 7-day cruise on an exceptional itinerary to discover the rich cultural history and stunning landscapes of the Celtic lands.

Begin your voyage in Glasgow, Scotland’s warm cultural capital with a rich artistic and architectural heritage.

Your ship will sail first to Kyle of Lochalsh, gateway to the Isle of Skye. Not to be missed is Eilean Donan, one of the most recognizable castles in the world and an iconic symbol of Scotland. You may recognize the castle as the Scottish headquarters of MI6 in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough.

Continue along the Hebrides archipelago and call at Tobermory, a charming fishing port on the Isle of Mull with multi-coloured houses and whose distillery produces a renowned single malt scotch whiskey. Lose yourself in the local lore of Duart Castle before proceeding to a mystical abbey on the Isle of Iona, home to the first Christian settlement in Scotland.

Le Dumont-d’Urville then sails for Belfast, Northern Ireland’s dynamic capital and gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Giant’s Causeway, whose 40,000 iconic basalt columns resulted from a volcanic eruption some six million years ago.

Your ship sails next towards Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland and a UNESCO City of Literature, where Trinity College holds the legendary and important Book of Kells. Dublin is also home to Guinness, whose brewery has been pouring the world-famous stout for over 250 years.

End your voyage in the quaint seaport of Holyhead, Wales. From here, a drive across the Isle of Anglesey brings you to the mainland and to the medieval Caernarfon Castle, which together with three other northern Welsh castles built by King Edward I are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Your cruise comes full circle as you disembark in Fairlie, a quaint village outside Glasgow.

Trip Name

Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2017/2018 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the first ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Dumont d'Urville will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. Through its two restaurants, Le Dumont d'Urville will invite you on a journey to elegance and epicureanism. In a relaxed atmosphere, a first dining area located on Deck 3 and able to seat 70 will serve grilled meats daily, along with a variety of salads and desserts. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. PUBLIC AREAS Like Le Boréal and its sisterships, Le Dumont d'Urville has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides: Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1 GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

In the heart of the Clyde Valley, the bustling city of Glasgow contrasts starkly with the wild beauty of the surrounding countryside. Scotlandﾒs biggest city overflows with landmarks from its extensive artistic heritage and outstanding architectural tradition. The cityﾒs chequerboard layout makes walking through the major pedestrian thoroughfares easy: go with the flow and let the lively street atmosphere take you past the many Victorian monuments. Donﾒt miss the collections on display in the numerous museums and art galleries. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is an outstanding example.

Day 2 - Day 2 KYLE OF LOCHALSH, SCOTLAND

Kyle of Lochalsh ("Straits of the Alsh Inlet") is a small port town at the foot of the bridge connecting the mainland to the Isle of Skye. It is set amidst extraordinary natural beauty and serves as a gateway to the Scottish Highlands and to several castles that preserve the history and traditions of the clans who once ruled here. Eilean Donan Castle, on a tiny island overlooking the confluence of three lochs, is one of the most picturesque and most-filmed castles in Scotland. Armadale Castle and Gardens, historic residence of Clan Donald, is also within easy reach of the town.

Day 3 - Day 3 TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULL & IONA, HEBRIDES

TOBERMORY, ISLE OF MULLLocated at the northernmost tip of the lovely Isle of Mull, Tobermory has to be one of the most beautiful natural seaports on Scotland’s West Coast. Founded in 1788, this ancient fishing village has been converted to a leisure port highly appreciated today for its surroundings and the quiet charm it exudes. You will definitely be won over by the row of many-storied houses on the hillside, illuminating the harbour with their vibrant colours. Although the real spectacle is outdoors, no less interesting are the Mull Museum dedicated the local history and the exhibitions at the An Tobar art gallery.IONA, HEBRIDESOf all the islands in the Inner Hebrides, Iona is by far the most conducive to contemplation and meditation. And for good reason... it is here that St Columba landed from Ireland in 563 and undertook to establish Christianity in Scotland. Now an abbey, the islandﾒs true spiritual centre stands where the ancient monastery founded by the Irish missionary was built. Many kings of Scotland, including the legendary Macbeth, are buried in the nearby cemetery. In sunny weather, arriving on the Isle of Iona is a stunningly beautiful experience.

Day 4 - Day 4 BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

The capital city of Northern Ireland is located on the very tip of Belfast Lough, in the north-east of the Emerald Isle. Along the waterfront, the building shaped like a fragmented liner is non other than the Titanic Belfast, a homage to the famous transatlantic liner, with full-scale reconstructions making for an insightful experience of the Belle Epoque. In the historical centre, you’ll also travel back in time when you see the majestic Edwardian columns of the City Hall, and the imposing neo-gothic towers of Queen’s University for example. The carved wooden façades of the Victorian pubs will certainly entice you in for a pint of beer or chilled cider.

Day 5 - Day 5 DUBLIN

The Irish capital stretches along the banks of the Liffey to Dublin bay, on the East coast of Ireland. Discover Ireland’s warm conviviality in the pedestrian district of Temple Bar. Its cobbled streets are brimming with fabulous shops, pubs and arts centres. Next to Trinity College, famous for its 18th century library, you can stroll along Grafton Street: in one of its famous tea shops, try a delicious scone and clotted cream served hot and melt-in-the-mouth with jam. Not far from here, the majestic O’Connell bridge leads you to the avenue with the same name, on which Spire, a luminous contemporary sculpture presides.

Day 6 - Day 6 HOLYHEAD, WALES

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Day 7 - Day 7 FAIRLIE (GLASGOW), SCOTLAND

The village of Fairlie can be found less than an hour away from lively Glasgow. In the north of Ayrshire county, on the western Scottish coast, this charming little town faces the Isle of Arran. The originality of Kelburn Castle, built in the 12th century, stems from its façade covered in graffiti by four famous Brazilian graffiti artists. This artistic statement as well as the castle’s estate and gardens, which can be discovered during a pleasant walk, are well worth a visit.

Day 8 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Experts including early British historian Miriam Davis.
An exceptional itinerary to discover the Celtic lands of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Wales.
UNESCO World Heritage sites en route: Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast, Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.
An opportunity to visit Eilean Donan castle and the Isle of Skye.
An overland exploration of the Hebrides, from the Isle of Mull to Iona.
A visit to the Dublin, a UNESCO Literature City, and a chance to view the Book of Kells.
An optional pre-cruise program in UNESCO World Heritage-listed Edinburgh.