A Journey of Gaelic Castles, Literary Treasures & Ancient Fortresses

8 nights Jul 27, 2028

The A Journey of Gaelic Castles, Literary Treasures & Ancient Fortresses is a 8-night Polar Regions cruise aboard EXPLORA IV, operated by Explora Journeys. Departing Southampton on July 27, 2028, the voyage visits 5 ports. Fares start from $8,580 per person.

Itinerary

Day 1 Jul 27, 2028 Southampton Departs 19:00 Cruises from Southampton are part of a storied maritime heritage. Famous ships have sailed from Southampton port and, before commercial air travel, it was the gateway to the world with Hollywood celebrities like Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor passing through to board a Southampton cruise. In its atmospheric Old Town, 12th-century churches, cobbled streets, and timber-framed houses like the impressive Tudor House & Garden sit side-by-side, surrounded by one of the most complete Medieval city walls in the UK where the Bargate – the ancient entrance – still stands intact. There are bustling marina-side bars, shiny shopping districts and a vibrant cultural quarter where the Mayflower Theatre puts on West End musicals and the SeaCity Museum catalogues Southampton’s seafaring past. Some of England’s most impressive landmarks are an easy drive away, including the Neolithic wonder Stonehenge, the picturesque spa city Bath or Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern and Tower Bridge in the bustling capital of London. Discover 5,000 years of history and more on a Southampton cruise. Go to Southampton Cruises visiting Southampton

Day 4 Jul 30, 2028 Dun Laoghaire, Ireland 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore Dun Laorghaire, pronounced Dunleary, is an elegant little coastal town situated close to Dublin and is steeped in history. You’ll be sure to receive a traditional Irish welcome as you step ashore and begin your explorations. Breathe in the Irish sea air as you take a stroll along the mile-long East Pier Walk, marvelling at the stunning views across Dublin Bay, passing by the beautiful Victorian bandstand, as small boats quietly sail in and out of the harbour. Explore the People’s Park, created as a formal Victorian Garden, encircled by wrought iron railings, and housing a multitude of landscaped lawns and sweet-smelling flowers. Each weekend, market vendors bring colourful art collections and local produce here, drawing visitors in to browse contentedly. The famous James Joyce Tower and Museum, noted for its appearance in the opening scenes of the novel Ulysses, now houses many artefacts of Joyce, including letters, photographs and rare first edition books. For those feeling brave enough, take a dip in the Irish Sea at Forty Foot, a historic bathing pool, named among the best places to swim in the world. Visit Mariner’s Church, or the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, both of which are easily accessible. Go to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Cruises visiting Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland photo — Day 4 Jul 30, 2028 Dun Laoghaire, Ireland 08:00 – 20:00 12.0 hrs ashore Dun Laorghaire, pronounced Dunleary, is an elegant little coastal town situated close to Dublin and is steeped in history. You’ll be sure to receive a traditional Irish welcome as you step ashore and begin your explorations. Breathe in the Irish sea air as you take a stroll along the mile-long East Pier Walk, marvelling at the stunning views across Dublin Bay, passing by the beautiful Victorian bandstand, as small boats quietly sail in and out of the harbour. Explore the People’s Park, created as a formal Victorian Garden, encircled by wrought iron railings, and housing a multitude of landscaped lawns and sweet-smelling flowers. Each weekend, market vendors bring colourful art collections and local produce here, drawing visitors in to browse contentedly. The famous James Joyce Tower and Museum, noted for its appearance in the opening scenes of the novel Ulysses, now houses many artefacts of Joyce, including letters, photographs and rare first edition books. For those feeling brave enough, take a dip in the Irish Sea at Forty Foot, a historic bathing pool, named among the best places to swim in the world. Visit Mariner’s Church, or the Oratory of the Sacred Heart, both of which are easily accessible. Go to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Cruises visiting Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

Day 5 Jul 31, 2028 Greencastle 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whiskey at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”. Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland’s royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delver deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!

Day 6 Aug 1, 2028 Greencastle 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore The Eire Force is strong along the Wild Atlantic Way. Scout the filming sites of Star Wars movies on the rugged cape of Mailin Head. Taste the legends of Donegal County in gin and whiskey at Sliabh Liag Distillery. Take a swing at the two courses at Ballyliffin, which golfing superstar Rory McIIroy proclaims, “are must-play championship links”. Step back in time at Grianan of Aileach, a massive man-made stone ring fort and one of Gaelic Ireland’s royal sites. Go with the flow along the Lough Foyle to the bold Greencastle, built in 1305 by the Earl of Ulster. Or delver deeper into nearby Derry to see how its “Troubles” have eased into a vibrant and beautiful community. And never forget, “Go mbeidh an fórsa leat” or “May the force be with you”!

Day 7 Aug 2, 2028 Greenock (Glasgow) 09:00 – 18:00 9.0 hrs ashore At your MSC cruise port of call in Greenock, Scotland, you’ll be just a short trip away from Glasgow. Glasgow is a sprawling post-industrial metropolis on the banks of the River Clyde. An upbeat cruise destination, it boasts great bars, clubs and restaurants. Its museums and galleries are some of the best in Britain, while the city’s impressive architecture reflects the wealth of its eighteenth- and nineteenth-century heyday. Set on the banks of the mighty River Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, has not traditionally enjoyed the best of reputations. However, the cityscape has been spruced up, and many visitors are knocked out by the architecture, from long rows of sandstone terraces to the fantastical spires of the Kelvingrove Museum. Glasgow has some of the best-financed and most imaginative museums and galleries in Britain – among them the showcase Burrell Collection and the palatial Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – nearly all of which are free. Glasgow’s architecture is some of the most striking in the UK, from the restored eighteenth-century warehouses of the Merchant City to the hulking Victorian prosperity of George Square. Most distinctive of all is the work of local luminary Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose elegantly Art Nouveau designs appear all over the city, reaching their apotheosis in the stunning School of Art. MSC Northern Europe cruises also offer excursions to Stirling. Straddling the River Forth a few miles upstream from the estuary at Kincardine, Stirling appears, at first glance, like a smaller version of Edinburgh. With its crag-top castle, steep, cobbled streets and mixed community of locals, students and tourists, it’s an appealing place. Stirling was the scene of some of the most significant developments in the evolution of the Scottish nation as commemorated by the lofty Wallace Monument high on Abbey Craig to the north-east.

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 32-day span: $5,915 · range $5,915–$8,580

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

Not available

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

Not available

Suite

from $8,580

$1,072 / night

Fare rows

Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,580

$1,072 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $8,900

$1,112 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,350

$1,168 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $9,800

$1,225 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,350

$1,293 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Ocean Grand Terrace Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $10,900

$1,362 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $12,500

$1,562 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Premier Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $12,950

$1,618 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Penthouse

Cabin grade

Available

from $15,150

$1,893 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $16,950

$2,118 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cove Residence with Whirpool

Cabin grade

Available

from $17,850

$2,231 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Retreat Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $20,100

$2,512 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Serenity Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $35,700

$4,462 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Cocoon Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $40,150

$5,018 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $89,250

$11,156 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Owner's Residence

Cabin grade

Available

from $98,150

$12,268 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 21, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Explora Journeys and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

All cabin grades (16) Detailed cabin specs available at booking.

Name	Supplier code	Type
Cove Residence	CO1	Suite
Cove Residence with Whirpool	COJ	Suite
Cocoon Residence	CR	Suite
Deluxe Penthouse	DP	Suite
Grand Penthouse	GP	Suite
Ocean Grand Terrace Suite	GT	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR1	Suite
Owner's Residence	OR2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT1	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT2	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT3	Suite
Ocean Terrace Suite	OT4	Suite
Penthouse	PH	Suite
Premier Penthouse	PP	Suite
Retreat Residence	RR	Suite
Serenity Residence	SR	Suite

Ship

Your ship EXPLORA IV 5★ **72,810** GT **892** guests EXPLORA IV is the latest LNG-powered ship in our fleet, reflecting our continued commitment to decarbonising our marine operations and reducing environmental impact. A sanctuary of space and serenity, EXPLORA IV invites guests to reconnect – with themselves, the ocean, and the world around them. Go to EXPLORA IV Cruises on EXPLORA IV

A Journey of Gaelic Castles, Literary Treasures & Ancient Fortresses

Itinerary

Pricing

Current prices

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

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