Picturesque coastlines, historic castles and fascinating wildlife are just a few of the highlights of the British Isles, not to mention the varied architecture and rich cultural heritage to be found across its many port cities.
One of the best ways to see these highlights is by ship. Embarking on a cruise around the British Isles allows you to experience a variety of culture, history and nature on one trip, with different destinations every day.
British cruise line Ambassador offer several cruises featuring the British Isles, including one-night and weekend break options, as well as longer itineraries. And every sailing departs from a British port city, such as London, Liverpool or Belfast, meaning no flights and less travel hassle.
Discover a selection of cruises from Ambassador here.
Read on as we look at the Ambassador British Isles Discovery Cruise, a 12-night sailing that takes you to beautiful places around England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
British Isles Discovery
12 nights
Departure: London Tilbury
Prepare to navigate ancient sea lanes, see unique wildlife and visit iconic cities on this 12-night cruise around the British Isles.
Itinerary breakdown:
- 7 ports of call
- 3 countries
- 4 sea days
Where does this cruise sail to?
The British Isles Discovery Cruise departs from London Tilbury and sails northwards to Scotland, visiting Aberdeen and the Shetland Isles, before sailing down the west coast and through the Irish Sea before circling back around to London.
Ports of call:
- Aberdeen
- Lerwick, Shetland Isles
- Tobermory, Isle of Mull
- Belfast
- Liverpool
- Cobh, for Cork
- St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly
- London Tilbury
Cultural highlights:
This cruise takes you to some of the UK’s most vibrant cities, including Aberdeen, Belfast and Liverpool.
- Aberdeen: Learn about the city’s shipping history at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum
- Belfast: Visit the Titanic Quarter to see where the eponymous ship was built
- Liverpool: Soak up the city’s musical heritage on a Beatles walking tour
Wildlife highlights:
From a multitude of native and migratory birds to marine animals, this cruise offers the opportunity to spot some incredible wildlife.
- At sea: Look out for whales and dolphins, such as minke whales and bottlenose dolphins, as you sail
- Shetland Isles: Spot plenty of seabirds, seals and even orca at this northernmost destination
- Isles of Scilly: It’s possible to see basking sharks, the world’s second largest shark, here during the summer months
Ambassador offer several cruises supported by ORCA, one of the UK’s leading whale and dolphin conservation charities. On the British Isles Discovery Cruise, the Ambassador team is joined by ocean conservationists from ORCA who help guests to spot marine wildlife while collecting vital data to contribute to their protection.
Ambassador and ORCA working together to protect cetaceans
Ambassador is proud to partner with ORCA, a charity dedicated to studying and protecting whales, dolphins and porpoises in UK and European waters.
As part of the Ambassador & ORCA pledge, two ORCA conservationists will join a number of 2025 and 2026 Ambience and Ambition sailings.
Check out the ORCA supported cruises across the UK, Europe and North Africa here.
Why choose Ambassador
Experience breathtaking destinations, amazing entertainment, outstanding cuisine and no-fly convenience with Ambassador, where every guest enjoys the warmest welcome at sea.
Benefits of an Ambassador cruise include:
- Adult-only ships
- Comfortable accommodation
- Exceptional full-board cuisine
- A wide range of entertainment, including evening shows, plays, cabarets and live music
- Daytime activities, quizzes, dance classes and deck games
- Use of gym, swimming pool and hot tubs, as well as spa access
Embark on a unique adventure around the British Isles with Ambassador, or choose from one of many other exciting destinations, including Iceland, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
