The best cruises to Wales
Hapus St. Diwrnod’s Ddewi (Happy St. David’s Day) to all the Welsh cruisers out there! In honour of the Welsh patron saint we’re running through the best itineraries available to see the land of leeks, daffodils and Ryan Giggs.
From the bustling capital of Cardiff to the more rural Plas Newydd and Holyhead – a cruise is a great way to see the many delights and wonders of Cymru.
We’ve highlighted some of 2014’s best itineraries below.
Mwynhewch!
Noble Caledonia
11 nights, 25 April 2014
Small ship specialist Noble Caledonia undertakes a yearly ‘Britain and Ireland in Bloom’ voyage that makes the most of the British springtime.
The company’s Island Sky will visit the traffic-free island of Tresco as well as the gardens of Inverewe and Gigha in Scotland. The cruise will be bolstered by visits to Holyhead and Iron Age villages as well as prime examples of early Christian culture.
Prices from £4,295
Celebrity Cruises
10-night, 13 June 2014
Celebrity Cruises 10-night British Isles cruise calls at the northern port of Holyhead – which is actually two islands away from the Welsh mainland.
The area’s rugged landscape has been used by settlers for centuries, making it dense with British history – although somewhat overlooked in comparison to other national hotspots.
The surrounding Anglesey countryside also isn’t short of a golf course or two either!
Expect unbelievable scenery.
Prices from £2,458 for two guests
Voyages of Discovery
14-days, 4 May 2014
All Leisure Group’s Voyages of Discovery has its own ‘National Treasures of the British Isles’ itinerary which is being ran in partnership with the National Trust.
Circumnavigating the British Isles, the sailing sets off from Portsmouth and heads west – eventually coming to Cardiff.
While in the Welsh capital, guests are able to explore the country’s thriving metropolis as well as its abbeys, culture and fine Victorian manors.
The shopping isn’t bad either!
Prices from £1,939
Crystal Cruises
Seven-nights, 17 August 2014
Ultra luxury cruise line Crystal Cruises is offering a ‘Taste of the British Isles’ sailing, which gives guests an opportunity to see the UK’s history in the absolute lap of luxury.
Crystal calls at the welsh port of Holyhead and offers excursions to the beautiful St. Cybi’s Church – located inside one of Europe’s only three-walled Roman forts. The history stretches further back than that too – with prehistoric sites also mentioned within the itinerary.
For the brave of heart there’s a chance to visit the maritime museum and learn about the 100 or so shipwrecks that have occurred within the area…
Prices from £2,274 per person
Swan Hellenic
15-days, 1 July 2014
Up-market brand Swan Hellenic shares the advantage of being part of the All Leisure Group stable of cruise lines and also has the company’s partnership with the National Trust – which also helped out with this British Isles itinerary.
The cruise docks in the spectacular area of Plas Newydd – which gives great access to Snowdonia, the first National Park in Wales.
Guest speakers on-board this cruise include Tim Earl, naturalist; The Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales and Adrian Tinniswood, architectural and social historian.
Prices from £2,405 per person
Have we missed any cruises to Wales? Let us know!
And for more information visit Cruise Wales