Princess offers 17-day “Ring of Kerry” cruisetour of Britain in 2017

 
     Enjoy the best of both worlds when you choose a Princess Cruises British Isles cruisetour on the Caribbean Princess in 2017. “The Ring of Kerry”, a 17-day cruisetour features a 5-day land tour of Ireland, and a 12-day British Isles cruise. It is offered on several dates from  April through September , 2017. 

     You will fly to Shannon, Ireland, then transfer to Limerick, where your tour begins. Free time to explore, before enjoying a traditional Irish Welcome, a fun ceili at a Bunratty location with dinner, wine and entertainment. After spending the night at the hotel near there, the next day you will depart by motorcoach to the Cliffs of Moher, including views of the Clare coastline to Killimer and a ferry crossing to Tarbert. Check into your Killarney Plaza hotel before enjoying an evening pub dinner with traditional Irish entertainment.

     After breakfast the next day, tour the Ring of Kerry, one of the most magical places in Ireland. After lunch, return to Killarney for a tour of Muckross House, a beautiful, old estate. Back in Killarney, enjoy a fun-filled horse-drawn Jaunting Car Ride to ancient Ross Castle. Enjoy dinner tonight at a local pub. The next day, motorcoach to Cork, and board a private boat  for Garinish Island for sightseeing, before the day ends back at your hotel in Cork.
     In the morning, you’ll depart Cork for your flight to London, where you’ll be transferred to Southampton to board the Caribbean Princess, sailing out that evening.  Many optional tours will be offered during your 12-day cruise.

The first port is St. Peter Port, in Guernsey, the Channel Islands. Take the ferry to Sark, one of the last feudal states in Europe ruled by a hereditary Seigneur. Cars are not allowed on this island of dramatic cliffs and rocky coves , and your tour is conducted by horse-drawn carriage. You will see the wide expanses of greenhouses housing the important carnation and flower crops so essential to the island’s economy    

The next day it's back to Cork, Ireland, where you can take a tour to Blarney, to kiss the Blarney Stone!

Next is Dublin, one of the most intimate cities in Europe and easy to explore. Most of the city’s remaining 18-century buildings have been restored, taking you back to bygone days. You can stroll through the cobblestone streets where pubs abound. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Malahide Castle, or the magnificent aristocratic gardens of Powerscourt Estate. One tour will take you to the picturesque setting of Glendalough’s ancient ruins of the St. Kevin Monastery, dating from the 6th century.

Your next stop is Liverpool, England, home of the Beatles.  Follow in their footsteps on one tour.  Vist Chester, considered one of the UK's most beautiful cities, and one of the best-preserved, with some parts of the city walls dating back over 2,000 years.

The following day you will arrive in Belfast. Among the many optional tours is a trip to Londonderry, a merchant colony built in 1618. It is the most complete walled city in the British Isles, whose walls have changed little since they were built.

Your next port is Glasgow, Scotland, where the pipes will call out to you! You will enjoy everything from picturesque lochs to the romantic and serene Lowlands and the rich countryside, brimming with castles and battle sites. Glasgow is felt to be the most exquisite Victorian city in the United Kingdom, and one can’t help but marvel at its architecture.

Enjoy a day at sea now, before arriving at Inverness. Exciting opportunities await, such as a full-day tour of the heather-covered hills of the Highlands, and a visit to Cawdor Castle. This medieval castle is still home to the Earls of Cawdor today. Other points of interest include Loch Ness and the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Another tour brings you to Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the clans were defeated by the British in the 1700’s.

Edinburgh, Scotland is your next port. Visit the 12-century Edinburgh Castle, Floors Castle, a 10th century abbey, Holyrood Palace, St. Andrews (the golf town) and more. (Note: On tour departure dates in August,  you will have the opportunity for a shore excursion to the famed Military Tattoo in Edinburgh.)

After another day at sea,  you’ll arrive at Le Havre, France, where you will have a chance to take the train to Paris for a day, or visit the beaches at Normandy, and several other small towns along the northern coast of France.

.
               

        The next day you’ll arrive back in Southampton, for your flight home. Or you may chose to add a London hotel package after the cruise, to soak up the culture, attend a show or do a little shopping. Panda Travel in Phoenix has Early Booking Discounts available now. Call them at 602 943 3383 or 800-447 2632, or email them at vacations@pandatravel.com

(itineraries subject to change)