Trip Overview
This 10-day spring voyage circles Ireland and Northern Ireland, perfectly timed to coincide with blooming gardens, extended daylight, and fewer crowds. Travel aboard the privately chartered Exploris One and experience a balance of natural beauty, cultural richness, and relaxed cruising.
Begin with a pre-cruise hotel night in Dublin, with time for tailored excursions and a smooth arrival. Embark in Belfast and follow a scenic route along the famed Wild Atlantic Way. Visit well-known and lesser-traveled destinations, including the Giant’s Causeway, Titanic Quarter, Derry’s medieval walls, Mount Stewart, Connemara, the Cliffs of Moher, and the Aran Islands. Choose from a variety of excursions focused on gardens, history, architecture, and archaeology. Overnight port calls in Galway and Belfast offer opportunities to enjoy local cuisine, traditional music, or time at leisure. Onboard lectures with expert guides provide deeper context throughout the journey.
There will also be an opportunity to join a pre-trip extension in Dublin and a post-trip extension to Kilkenny. With limited space available, we encourage you to reserve your cabin today.
Schedule by Day
Depart home city on independent overnight flights to Dublin, Ireland.
Upon arrival in Dublin, transfer to the hotel and enjoy time to unwind or join an optional guided walking tour of the lively capital. This evening, gather for a welcome orientation and reception at the hotel.
Overnight: In Dublin (hotel to be announced)
Meals: R
Begin the day with your choice of two excursions: explore Hillsborough Castle & Gardens, the official Northern Ireland residence of the British monarch, where you'll tour the elegant Georgian estate and enjoy a garden walk led by one of Hillsborough’s official horticulturists; or visit Newgrange, a UNESCO World Heritage site and extraordinary Neolithic tomb that predates both Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Giza.
Afterward, travel to Belfast for lunch at The Morning Star, a beloved family-run pub and restaurant operating since 1810. Later in the afternoon, board Exploris One and settle in before joining the Captain’s welcome reception and dinner. The evening concludes with traditional Irish music and dance performed onboard.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
Start your morning with a lecture before embarking on a city tour of Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Highlights include a visit to the Titanic Museum, located at the very shipyard where the Titanic was built, offering a captivating glimpse into maritime history.
In the afternoon, choose from three distinct experiences: explore Mount Stewart Home and Gardens on a guided tour of one of Northern Ireland’s most exquisite estates; enjoy an Irish whiskey tour at a leading Belfast distillery, where you’ll learn about the tradition of whiskey-making followed by a tasting of select local varieties; or dive into Belfast’s complex political past on a Black Cab tour, guided by locals who share personal stories about the Troubles as you view the city’s iconic murals and peace walls.
In the evening, you may choose to dine onboard or venture ashore to sample the city’s excellent restaurants or immerse yourself in its lively pub scene.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
From our berth in Lisahally, start your morning with a choice of two memorable excursions. The first option is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, where you can stroll among more than 40,000 striking hexagonal basalt columns shaped by ancient volcanic forces—a breathtaking natural marvel rich in legend. Explore the visitor center to learn about both the science and stories behind this dramatic coastline before wandering the rugged cliffs and listening to the roar of the Atlantic waves.
Alternatively, choose to discover Derry-Londonderry, a city steeped in history and known for its remarkably preserved 17th-century city walls. Enjoy panoramic views as you walk along the walls, then visit St. Columb’s Cathedral, a historic site dating back to 1633, and the Tower Museum, where engaging exhibits bring the city’s past to life.
After your excursion, return to the ship for a leisurely afternoon at sea, complemented by the ongoing lecture series.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
Today is a full day in County Donegal, a stunning region in Ireland’s northwest known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich heritage, and lively culture. You can choose to explore Glenveagh National Park, where majestic mountains, serene lakes, and lush valleys surround a 19th-century castle and beautifully maintained woodland gardens. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic drive through the Glen Colmcille area, stopping at the Folk Museum and Salthill Gardens—an historic walled garden located just steps from the sea, thoughtfully transformed over time by master gardener Elizabeth Temple into a truly remarkable space.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
After a morning lecture, head ashore to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, where life has thrived since the Stone Age and Gaelic remains the island’s living language. Wander across the windswept limestone terrain, visit a local goat cheese farm for a tasting, and explore Dún Aonghasa, an impressive prehistoric cliffside fort that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean.
In the afternoon, arrive in Galway, a vibrant city celebrated for its seaside charm, lively festivals, traditional music, and rich artistic and culinary scenes. Enjoy a guided tour to get acquainted with the city before having free time to explore on your own, whether dining ashore or immersing yourself in Galway’s renowned music culture.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
Today offers two full-day excursion options. Option one invites you to discover the rugged beauty of Connemara with visits to Kylemore Abbey, where you’ll tour the restored interiors and Victorian walled gardens, followed by a stop at Ballynahinch Castle for a picnic lunch, a guided tour, and some free time to explore the grounds.
Option two takes you to Kiltumper, the private garden of celebrated Irish writer Niall Williams, whose work reflects a deep connection to gardening and rural life. (visit dependent on Niall Williams’ travel schedule.) After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Burren National Park—a striking limestone landscape renowned for its rare wildflowers, distinctive karst formations, and rich archaeological sites, including ancient tombs and stone forts that speak to Ireland’s ancient past.
Return to the ship in the late afternoon for a special sundowner cruise along the Cliffs of Moher, where you can admire these iconic cliffs bathed in the glow of the setting sun.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
The lecture series continues this morning as we approach Valentia Island, just off the Kerry Peninsula. You’ll have two morning excursion options to choose from: first, enjoy a guided stroll through Glanleam Gardens, a rare subtropical haven where plants from New Zealand, Chile, and the Himalayas flourish thanks to the island’s mild climate influenced by the Gulf Stream; or second, take a guided walk to Bray Head, where sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Skellig Islands, and dramatic cliffs await. Both excursions include free time to relax and soak in the coastal charm of Knightstown, with its picturesque harbor, colorful buildings, and warm local spirit.
In the afternoon, visit The Skelligs, a pair of small islands just off the Dingle Peninsula’s rugged coast, to admire Skellig Michael, a UNESCO World Heritage site and early Christian monastic settlement perched high above the sea.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, D
This morning, you’ll arrive in Cobh, a picturesque harbor town steeped in history as the final departure point for countless Irish emigrants. Choose from three enriching experiences:
Option 1: Visit Fota House, Arboretum & Gardens - a magnificent Regency estate celebrated for its elegant architecture and sprawling grounds filled with rare and exotic plant species. Stroll through beautifully designed landscapes that reflect generations of botanical care.
Option 2: Explore the vibrant coastal town of Kinsale, renowned for its brightly painted buildings and reputation as Ireland’s culinary capital. Enjoy a guided walk that includes tastings of local delicacies, followed by free time to discover the town’s charming shops and cafés.
Option 3: Stay close to the port and discover the maritime heritage of Cobh. Walk directly from your ship to the Titanic Experience, delving into the town’s rich history.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at sea before joining the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner onboard.
Overnight: Exploris One
Meals: B, L, R, D
After breakfast, disembark Exploris One in Dublin for flights home or join the Kilkenny post-trip extension.
Meals: B
Pricing
Category | Double Occupancy, Per Person | Single Occupancy |
| Premium Stateroom, Deck 3 | $8,990 | $13,900 |
| Ocean Stateroom, Deck 3 | $9,990 | $15,990 |
| Superior Stateroom, Deck 4 | $10,790 | $17,290 |
| Deluxe Stateroom, Deck 4 | $11,590 | Inquire |
| Balcony Stateroom, Deck 5 | $12,590 | Inquire |
| Navigator Suite, Deck 7 | $13,990 | Inquire |
| Discovery Suite, Deck 5 | $15,990 | Inquire |
| Grand Suite, Deck 7 | $17,490 | Inquire |
| Owner's Suite, Deck 7 | $18,990 | Inquire |
Accommodations
- One hotel night in Dublin, Ireland
- Eight nights aboard Exploris One
Extensions
Optional Pre-Tour Voyage Extension: The Heart of Dublin May 18-21, 2026
Kick off your Irish adventure with two nights in the city centre, staying at the stylish Conrad Dublin. Dive into the city's rich history with visits to Trinity College and the Book of Kells, a private peek inside Marsh’s Library, and a stop at the iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Tap into Irish culture at the interactive EPIC Museum, wander the beautiful Botanic Gardens, and even learn to pour the perfect pint of Guinness like a pro. With just the right mix of expert-led experiences and time to explore on your own, this pre-trip extension is the perfect way to ease into the magic of Ireland.
- $1,990 per person, double occupancy
- $2,590 single occupancy
Optional Post-Tour Voyage Extension: Kilkenny, Cashel & the Medieval Heartland May 30 - June 2, 2026
Continue your journey inland to experience the island’s rich cultural and architectural heritage from a new perspective. This three-day land extension offers a curated look at Ireland’s medieval heartland - where ecclesiastical ruins, romantic follies, and aristocratic estates speak to centuries of spiritual, artistic, and political life. Wander the cloisters of Jerpoint Abbey, stroll Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile, and tour the striking Rock of Cashel, once the seat of kings and bishops. Along the way, enjoy immersive cultural moments set amid the timeless beauty of the Irish countryside.
- $2,390 per person, double occupancy
- $2,990 single occupancy
This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy and requires participants to be in good health and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. To make the most of what each locale has to offer, shore excursions will be active, and you will often be spending much of the day off the ship. These adventure-filled days will be offset by relaxing time spent cruising at sea, with the opportunity to enjoy the passing coastal scenery, the ship’s amenities, and the full lecture program.
Travel on land will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoaches, with the longest drives lasting approximately an hour. Daily activities can involve up to two miles of walking (with more strenuous optional hikes), often over unpaved paths, grassy areas, uneven terrain, and cobblestoned streets. Many historic buildings do not have elevators, and you will sometimes encounter steps without handrails. Exploris One has an elevator that connects all passenger decks. However, the ship does not have facilities for wheelchair-dependent passengers; there is no wheelchair-accessible cabin nor chair lift on board. Aboard the ship, you should feel comfortable walking on a rocking surface at times.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all of the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
