Cruise · 9 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland
Nine days aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral tracing the coasts of Ireland and Scotland, from Rosyth via Slieve League’s towering cliffs, Belfast’s harbour and Cobh’s Titanic connections to Stornoway on the Outer Hebrides.
- Duration
- 9 nights
- Departs
- 2 Jun 2027
- Sails from
- Rosyth
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,149
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Passing Slieve League Cliffs on Ireland's west coast
Visits to Killybegs and CobhWith Titanic history
Cruising past Carrickfergus Castle in Belfast Lough
Time in Belfast and Dún Laoghaire for coastal walks
Stop at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis
About the trip
This nine-night cruise on Balmoral from Fred. Olsen begins and ends in Scotland’s Rosyth, setting a measured pace that combines coastal scenery with cultural stops. Early on, you slip past the Slieve League cliffs on Ireland’s west coast, sheer and rough enough to be heard from the deck. Next come Killybegs, a fishing harbour, and a slow sail past Carrickfergus Castle, its stone keep keeping a wary eye over Belfast Lough.
The ship spends time in Belfast itself, known for its shipyards and murals, before moving south to Dún Laoghaire, where the seaside walks provide a quiet contrast. From there, the itinerary dips into Cork’s old port, Cobh, with its lingering echoes of the Titanic’s last departure. Balmoral arcs back northwards with a cruise past Spike Island before calling in at Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, a chance to glimpse a very different kind of Scotland.
Fred. Olsen’s mid-sized ship is steady and unassuming, well suited to an itinerary balanced between coastal vistas and small-city stops. The extensive time aboard allows for watching the changing light on the water as the ship threads the Irish Sea, while the ports invite a measured stroll rather than a rush of excursions.
- 1 Rosyth
- 2 Slieve League
- 3 Killybegs
- 4 Carrickfergus Castle
- 5 Belfast
- 6 Dún Laoghaire
- 7 Spike Island
- 8 Cobh
- 9 Stornoway
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Rosyth, Scotland
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Pass Slieve League Cliffs, Ireland
Day 4
Killybegs, Ireland
Day 5
past Carrickfergus Castle, Belfast Lough, Northern Ireland
Scenic cruising
Day 6
Belfast, Northern Ireland
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Rosyth
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland?
- Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland is a 9 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland depart from?
- Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland departs from Rosyth.
- Who operates Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland?
- Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland cost?
- Prices for Coastal Gems & Culture of Ireland start from £1,149, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to United Kingdom? Our United Kingdom guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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