LuxuryCruiseTickets.com | Portsmouth to Edinburgh

Edinburgh is to London as poetry is to prose, as Charlotte Brontë once wrote. One of the world's stateliest cities and proudest capitals, it's built—like Rome—on seven hills, making it a striking backdrop for the ancient pageant of history. In a skyline of sheer drama, Edinburgh Castle watches over the capital city, frowning down on Princes Street’s glamour and glitz. But despite its rich past, the city’s famous festivals, excellent museums and galleries, as well as the modern Scottish Parliament, are reminders that Edinburgh has its feet firmly in the 21st century.Nearly everywhere in Edinburgh (the burgh is always pronounced burra in Scotland) there are spectacular buildings, whose Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian pillars add touches of neoclassical grandeur to the largely Presbyterian backdrop. Large gardens are a strong feature of central Edinburgh, where the city council is one of the most stridently conservationist in Europe. Arthur's Seat, a mountain of bright green and yellow furze, rears up behind the spires of the Old Town. This child-size mountain jutting 822 feet above its surroundings has steep slopes and little crags, like a miniature Highlands set down in the middle of the busy city. Appropriately, these theatrical elements match Edinburgh's character—after all, the city has been a stage that has seen its fair share of romance, violence, tragedy, and triumph.Modern Edinburgh has become a cultural capital, staging the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival in every possible venue each August. The stunning Museum of Scotland complements the city’s wealth of galleries and artsy hangouts. Add Edinburgh’s growing reputation for food and nightlife and you have one of the world’s most beguiling cities.Today the city is the second most important financial center in the United Kingdom, and the fifth most important in Europe. The city regularly is ranked near the top in quality-of-life surveys. Accordingly, New Town apartments on fashionable streets sell for considerable sums. In some senses the city is showy and materialistic, but Edinburgh still supports learned societies, some of which have their roots in the Scottish Enlightenment. The Royal Society of Edinburgh, for example, established in 1783 "for the advancement of learning and useful knowledge," remains an important forum for interdisciplinary activities.Even as Edinburgh moves through the 21st century, its tall guardian castle remains the focal point of the city and its venerable history. Take time to explore the streets—peopled by the spirits of Mary, Queen of Scots; Sir Walter Scott; and Robert Louis Stevenson—and pay your respects to the world's best-loved terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. In the evenings you can enjoy candlelit restaurants or a folk ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a traditional Scottish dance with music), though you should remember that you haven't earned your porridge until you've climbed Arthur's Seat. Should you wander around a corner, say, on George Street, you might see not an endless cityscape, but blue sea and a patchwork of fields. This is the county of Fife, beyond the inlet of the North Sea called the Firth of Forth—a reminder, like the mountains to the northwest that can be glimpsed from Edinburgh's highest points, that the rest of Scotland lies within easy reach.

YOUR DOOR-TO-DOOR ALL-INCLUSIVE FARE INCLUDES

Private executive transfers*
International roundtrip flights*
Business Class upgrades at reduced rates
Domestic charter flights as required
Pre-and post-cruise hotel night/s, or day-use hotel as required
Transfers and luggage handling*
All onboard luxury inclusion; food & beverages
Butler service, onboard gratuities and Wi-Fi
All excursions and landings
Highly qualified Expedition Team
Complimentary expedition gear in cold water regions

*Terms and Conditions apply

Day One: Portsmouth, UNITED KINGDOM

Portsmouth, also known as Pompey, is home to three historically significant ships: HMS Victory, Nelson’s renowned flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar; HMS Warrior, the first ironclad warship; and the Mary Rose, Henry VIII’s warship that sank in the Solent near Southsea Castle. These remarkable vessels are housed at the Historic Dockyard, the home of the Royal Navy and the site of the world’s first dry dock. The Historic Dockyard is one of the top ten visitor attractions in the UK.

However, Portsmouth is more than just a city of history. It is a vibrant university city with much to offer both visitors and residents. The city boasts a Premier League football team, a stunning seafront, excellent shopping, and a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, and bars.

Portsmouth is also home to the tallest publicly accessible structure in the UK, the Spinnaker Tower, which stands proudly on the edge of Portsmouth Harbour at Gunwharf Quays. The harbour itself has served as a backdrop for numerous films and television programmes, including Tomorrow Never Dies (James Bond), Oscar and Lucinda, Making Waves, Silent Witness, Mr Bean, and EastEnders. The surrounding area was also extensively used in the filming of Tommy, The Who’s legendary rock opera.

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Day Two: St Peter Port, GUERNSEY

The picturesque capital of Guernsey proves that you don’t need to travel to the Caribbean to find white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. St Peter Port is both charming and atmospheric, brimming with vibrant floral displays, quaint stone churches, and brightly painted boats. Summers here are typically sunny and pleasantly warm, so the weather is rarely a concern.

As the capital of Guernsey, St Peter Port is where much of the island’s buzz can be found. This is best experienced by wandering its cobbled streets, pausing to take in the stunning scenery and perhaps capturing a few photographs along the way. Originally French, with its historical name being St. Pierre Port, the town dates back at least 800 years, with its ancient stone castle and maze-like streets serving as a reminder of its past.

After exploring the historic castle, why not embrace local tradition by enjoying a cream tea, perhaps accompanied by a refreshing glass of cider? If the weather is on your side, few things are more invigorating than a hike along Guernsey’s dramatic cliffs, offering breathtaking views of wildflowers, sandy shores, and the sparkling English Channel.

For those keen to explore further, the tiny island of Herm is just a 20-minute boat ride away. This tranquil retreat is home to no cars, one pub, a handful of cows, some puffins, and around 50 residents.

But don’t be deceived by St Peter Port’s nostalgic charm—this seaside town has earned a reputation as a foodie paradise. From casual beachside cafés to Michelin-starred restaurants, visitors can indulge in delicious, locally sourced cuisine that reflects the island’s rich culinary heritage.

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Day Three: Tresco, Isles of Scilly, UNITED KINGDOM

For many visitors, Tresco is considered the most beautiful of the Isles of Scilly, largely due to its stunning Abbey Garden. This extraordinary garden is home to thousands of exotic plant species from around 80 different countries. It was established in the 1830s by plant collector Augustus Smith on the site of an old Benedictine Abbey. By constructing a network of walled enclosures around the Priory ruins, he was able to channel the weather up and over the gardens, creating a unique microclimate. He also carved three terraces from the rocky southern slope to make the most of Tresco’s mild Gulf Stream climate. Even in the depths of winter, hundreds of plants continue to bloom here.

Another fascinating feature of the Abbey Garden is its remarkable collection of figureheads from ships that were wrecked around the Isles of Scilly, offering a poignant reminder of the area’s maritime history.

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Day Four: Calf of Man, Isle of Man, UNITED KINGDOM

There is no calf on the Calf of Man. The name of this small island, located just off the Isle of Man, has nothing to do with cows. It originates from the Old Norse word kalfr, meaning a small island near a larger one. Covering just 250 hectares (618 acres), the Calf of Man is separated from its larger neighbour by a narrow stretch of water.

Four lighthouses were built on the island and nearby rocks to guide passing ships. While vessels may avoid the treacherous waters, grey seals thrive here, using the rocky outcrops to rest and swim among. Though there are no calves, a small number of Manx Loaghtan sheep roam the island. These rare, multi-horned sheep are descendants of primitive breeds once found across Scotland and the surrounding islands.

Once a private sheep run, the Calf of Man was donated as a bird sanctuary and is now managed by Manx National Heritage. During the summer months, wardens live in the island’s old farmhouse to monitor wildlife, research bird populations, care for the sheep, and keep an eye out for brown rats. These unwelcome visitors arrived in 1871 after escaping a sinking ship and quickly became a major threat to seabird chicks. However, thanks to a successful rat eradication programme, seabird numbers have rebounded.

One of the most remarkable species found here is the Manx shearwater, which breeds between March and August. Named after its strong presence in the waters around the Isle of Man, this seabird is best spotted from a boat, as it only returns to its nesting burrows under cover of darkness. Gliding just above the surface, it appears to be ‘shearing’ the water—a truly mesmerising sight.

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Day Five: Lunga, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Five: Iona, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Six: Inverie, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Seven: Shiant Islands, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Seven: Dunvegan, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Eight: St. Kilda, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Eight: Boreray Island cruising, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Nine: Fair Isle, Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Ten: Farne Islands, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Ten: Lindisfarne Island, UNITED KINGDOM

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Day Eleven: Edinburgh (Leith), UNITED KINGDOM

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The second smallest vessel in the Silver Seas collection, Silver Endevour is one of the newest expedtion vessles, built in 2021. The small capacity means that you will experience more intimate voyage with a very impressive crew to guest ratio of almost 1:1.

Despite the smaller nature of Silver Endeavour, the vessel still manages to pack a punch when it comes to dining, with four dining venues to choose from.

Silver Endeavour has 106 Cabins aboard with 9 cabin options raning from the Classic Veranda Suites to the Owner's Suite. All suites feature Butler Service, fridge and bar, complimentary WiFi and Champagne on arrival.