A Warm Welcome and a Friendly Pint Await
Departs June 13, 2023 on Azamara Pursuit
On this immersive itinerary you can truly connect to authentic heart of local life and culture.
There’s a lot more to Ireland than rolling hills, pastoral countryside, and friendly locals, although you’ll certainly find plenty of them on this intensive voyage of the Emerald Isle.
Pricing starting from $5,443 CAD per person, including port charges, and based on double occupancy in a Verandah Stateroom.
International airfare additional
Dublin, Ireland
London (Southampton), England
Your journey begins in Dublin and we start it off right. With an overnight and a late stay in port, you’ll have more time for all the culture, history, buzz, and warmth of this dynamic capital. And of course, a glass of the country’s famous “black stuff” at the iconic Guinness Storehouse. Next, discover all the charms that lie between the Mourne Mountains and the glacial fjord of Carlingford Lough in picturesque Warrenpoint. In Belfast, it’s hard to miss the monuments to this shipyard city’s Titanic past. Explore the Titanic Quarter or travel down the scenic Antrim Coast to Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO site, the Giant’s Causeway.. We stay late so you can take in all the top attractions, impressive galleries, and world-class restaurants of this exciting city.
From there we sail on to the riverside city of Londonderry where youth culture meets some of the country’s oldest and best preserved monuments and it’s easy to stroll the city’s quaint restaurants, hearty pubs, and fantastic shops. In Donegal, catch a glimpse of a forgotten Ireland, far from tourist hot spots. Travel back in time at Donegal Castle, explore the Gothic ruins of the Franciscan Abbey, and stroll through The Diamond—Donegal’s city center—to pick up authentic Donegal tweed garments and Aran knitwear. You’ll appreciate your late night in Galway, one of the country’s liveliest cities, before sailing down the River Shannon to Foynes, the heart of Ireland to enjoy the rugged Cliffs of Moher or travel to nearby Limerick for an authentic dose of craic (Gaelic for good times) at a lively pub. Next we call on Cork, the last port of call for RMS Titanic, a quaint seaside town that has remained largely unchanged since that fateful day in 1912. A late stay allows you to soak up its rich seafaring history and visit one of the country’s greatest treasures, the Blarney Castle, built 600 years ago.
Enjoy a luxurious day at sea before your Irish journey ends in Southampton, another iconic port town, where you can carry on to the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge, just north of Salisbury.
There’s a story waiting around every corner in Dublin. Spend time in Temple Bar and watch the city come alive, take a ghost tour to discover Dracula’s unnerving connection to Dublin, and behold a view you’ll never forget from the Observation Wheel. Of course, no Irish adventure is complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse where you’ll learn the history of Ireland’s most popular stout.
Beautifully situated between the Mountains of Mourne and the glacial fjord of Carlingford Lough, the picturesque seaside town of Warrenpoint is home to charming sights and natural wonders. It’s also the gateway to some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic spots, including the Ring of Gullion and the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Stroll along the slipways where the Titanic was built and explore a stunning new museum dedicated to the ship’s famous, ill-fated journey. Set out from the city and explore the otherworldly landscape of the Giant’s Causeway, with its hexagonal natural rock formations. Wet your whistle at the Bushmills distillery or settle into a classic pub for a pint of Guinness.
Northern Ireland’s second largest city, Derry’s ancient walls hide a saga of strength and struggle. Today this emerging cosmopolitan city is complete with quaint restaurants, hearty pubs, and fantastic independent shops. Walk along river Foyle and take in the stunning Peace Bridge. Tour the city’s ancient walls and explore its historic buildings. Or, travel to the Counties Londonderry and Donegal for a bounty rolling hillsides and natural splendor.
Authentically Irish, Donegal is a jewel in the crown of the Emerald Isle. With the iconic Blue Stack Mountains in the distance, Donegal’s rugged coastline gives way to welcoming seaside pubs, while its charming city center (known as The Diamond) blends quaint modern shops with 15th century castles, abbeys, and monuments paying tribute to the storied past of the region.
Dating back to 1124, Galway has a storied history, surviving everything from Norman invaders and Cromwellian conquests to the Irish Potato Famines of 1845-1852. Nowadays, Galway is considered one of Ireland’s most enchanting cities, with brightly colored shops, excellent bars and restaurants, traditional Irish music sessions, and an average of 122 festivals and events each year.
Halfway down the majestic River Shannon. Foynes is a port with its fair share of aviation and culinary history. It was the first place in Europe to welcome transatlantic flights of innovative seaplanes, and it’s the birthplace if Irish Coffee. Watch the world drop off at the nearby Cliffs of Moher, find a peaceful escape in Adare, Ireland’s proclaimed prettiest town, or live it up in Limerick (rhyming optional).
The final port of call on the Titanic’s ill-fated maiden voyage, Cobh is rich in maritime history and steeped in quaint Irish charm. Take the Titanic Trail walking tour, visit Spike Island, or hop on the train to explore the nearby city of Cork. Searching for the gift of gab? Check out the Blarney store a short drive from the city.
Spend the day sailing in style aboard your boutique hotel at sea. Indulge in a treatment at Sanctum Spa, stay ship shape with a class at our fitness center, or lounge the day away on our sunny pool deck.
In the evening, savor inspired Italian cuisine at Aqualina, or relish in a classic steakhouse experience at Prime C. Plus, you’ll find plenty of exciting evening entertainment, from thrilling shows at Cabaret Lounge to intimate performances in the Living Room.
It was the departure point for the Mayflower in 1620, and for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912. The charms of London are not far away, but pray tarry in the south to explore other wonders, including Bath, with its natural hot springs and stunning architecture and the mysterious megaliths of Stonehenge, or venture all the way west to Lands End, and the wild moorlands and pirate haunts of Cornwall.
