Ponant : 9D8N British shores and Celtic heritage

Embarkation from 16h00 to 17h00. Departure at 18h00. Your cruise ship is ready for boarding.

The main residence of the British monarch, financial hub and seat of British government, London is the economic and cultural heart of the country. A city of contrasts, attached to its traditions while buzzing with modernity, the capital of the United Kingdom has countless historic districts and notable sites to explore. From Hyde Park to the City through Westminster and Trafalgar Square, get ready to take on Londonﾒs frenetic tempo. In between a visit to the National Gallery, a stroll through Covent Garden and a trip to Tower Bridge, you can take a quiet breather in one of Londonﾒs many beautiful parks and gardens.

Ideally situated on the north tip of the island, Cowes is the main ferry terminal to the mainland and a short drive from many of the island's historic sites and family friendly attractions, including ancient castles, stately homes, museums, adventure parks, fairgrounds and wildlife parks.

The gateway to Cornwall, on the south-western tip of England, Penzance, whose Cornish name Pen Sans means “holy headland”, is sure to captivate you with its charm. This seaside town with white-sand beaches is brimming with history. It boasts a small fishing port and is home to magnificent Georgian and Regency buildings, stunning gardens with exotic plants, and the Penlee House Gallery & Museum, which traces the evolution of West Cornwall. Follow the promenade along the water’s edge: on the horizon stands St Michael’s Mount. This mysterious island, which can be reached on foot at low tide, was once a refuge for pilgrims, soldiers, monks and fishermen. Here you will deep-dive into a history rich with legends.

A small coastal town located in the South Wales, Fishguard will offer you a peaceful stop during your cruise. Nestling in the hollow of two hills, the city, once a Viking trading post, is now the ideal starting point for exploring the Welsh countryside. Across its vast expanses of fertile land, its green valleys and its magnificent moors, the region will reveal its rich historical heritage to you. Among other things, you will be able to visit mediaeval Pembroke Castle, renowned for its impressive architecture and the illustrious people who have lived there, such as Gerald de Windsor.

The fast-moving and appealing city of Liverpool sprawls along the banks of the River Mersey. This former bastion of industry in England's north-west has found its second wind, thanks especially to the highly successful redevelopment of its docks, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004. The city, the Beatles' birthplace, has lots to offer to its visitors. While a walk down the Waterfront from Pier Head to Albert Dock is a major highlight youﾒll also love the quality of ﾠmuseums such as the Walker Art Gallery and the wealth of architecture in the city. But what will really impress you is the playful and open-minded spirit of its inhabitants, which John Lennon referred to as "positive energy".

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.

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.

Disembarkation at 07h00. Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.