E-mail a friendShip: Andrea
Itinerary: Scotland Slowly
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Callenish Stones
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| Day 1 : | Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland / Embark |
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| Day 2 : | Islay Island, Inner Hebrides / Jura Island |
| Day 3 : | Staffa, Iona and Lunga,Treshnish Isles |
| Day 4 : | Mingulay & Barra, Outer Hebrides |
| Day 5 : | St. Kilda Island |
| Day 6 : | Stornoway and Callanish, Isle of Lewis |
| Day 7 : | Old Man of Hoy & Orkney Mainland |
| Day 8 : | Papa Stour, Shetland Islands |
| Day 9 : | Mousa |
| Day 10 : | Fair Isle, Shetland Islands |
| Day 11 : | Port of Leith (Edinburgh) / Disembark / Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Inside | Outside | Deluxe | Master | Suite | Std Single | Sup Single | ||
| 11 | May 23, 2009 | $6,395 | $7,995 | $5,995 | $6,995 | $8,495 | $9,795 | $10,645 |
| Port charges: $110 May 23, 2009 - Book by Jan 31 '09 and save $300 May 23, 2009 - All Shore Excursions are included in the cruise rate! | ||||||||
| Destinations : Europe, Scotland Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Whale Watching |
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Come aboard the expedition ship Andrea for a journey focused on the natural beauty and abundant, diverse birdlife of Scotland’s coastal islands. Early summer is the best time to explore the Inner and Outer Hebrides and the Northern Isles. Travel out into the Atlantic for visits to once-inhabited St. Kilda and North Rona, now populated with thousands of sea birds nesting on huge cliffs that rise from the sea. On other islands, see the many Neolithic sites that make these places so mysterious and enchanting.
Day 1 : Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland / Embark
Dubbed the Empire’s Second City, this bustling metropolis is a working town and the economic engine of Scotland. Known for its architecture, Glasgow’s cathedral spires and Italianate steeples sit harmoniously alongside neo-gothic towers, the sensuous Art Nou-veau of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the titanium, glass and steel that serves as the backdrop for this contemporary city. We begin from Greenock, at the mouth of the River Clyde. In its heyday the Clyde was arguably the world’s most important shipbuilding river.
Day 2 : Islay Island, Inner Hebrides / Jura Island
Pronounced “Eye-la,” this 230-square-mile island of 3,200 inhabitants is famous for its single malt whiskies, such as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Bowmore. There will be an opportunity to visit one of them, as well as drive to Finlaggan, an island settlement in the beautiful secluded Loch Finlaggan.
Jura is the wildest island in the Inner Hebrides. The ragged west side is uninhabited and dotted with caves, arches, pillars and raised beaches bordering a vast area of rock and blanket bog. Deer, wild goats, and golden eagles thrive here, but so do palm trees in the mild climate surrounding the only substantial village, Craighurst (population: 160). It has all the necessities of life -hotel, pub, post office, church, shop, doctor and distillery! Jura fascinated George Orwell, who lived here for two years as he penned the novel 1984.
Day 3 : Staffa, Iona and Lunga,Treshnish Isles
On Staffa, noted for its basalt cliffs, visit ‘Fingal’s Cave,' inspiration for Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture. Continue to the Holy Isle of Iona, where St. Columba established his monastery in 563AD. The Abbey preserves two outstanding 8th-century crosses and a splendid collection of sculptures. Cruising past Lunga, we will be treated to rock stacks and seabirds, and upon docking we will see some of the 60,000 puffins in the surrounding hills.
Day 4 : Mingulay & Barra, Outer Hebrides
isit Mingulay, home to guillemots, kittiwakes and razorbills. After exploring the island, continue to Barra, the ancestral island of Clan MacNeil. We'll visit the clan's stronghold, Kisimul Castle, which sits just offshore from the village of Castlebay.
Day 5 : St. Kilda Island
St. Kilda was inhabited until 1930 when the
population was forced to request evacuation. This near-mystical isle, 64 km (40 mi) west of the Outer Hebrides and now a World Heritage Site, supports an abundant population of seabirds, notably puffins, fulmars and the largest gannet colony in Britain, and the Soay - a unique feral sheep left by the islanders. It also preserves many examples of houses, cleits (stone beehive shaped storage structures) and prehistoric remains. A hike to the cliffs offers a stunning 274m (900 ft) vista. To visit St. Kilda is a unique privilege and an altogether memorable experience.
Day 6 : Stornoway and Callanish, Isle of Lewis
Lewis, the largest of the Hebrides, is the famous home of Harris tweed. We’ll visit Stornoway, the island’s capital, and the Callanish Standing Stones, a Neolithic stone circle at an especially beautiful site.
Day 7 : Old Man of Hoy & Orkney Mainland
Cruise past the Old Man of Hoy, a distinctive stone formation, then explore Orkney. Visit the 4,000-year old Ring of Brodgar, one of Europe’s finest ancient Neolithic monuments, and also Maes Howe, a Neolithic chambered cairn from 2700 BC. Continue to Kirkwall, a fine country town dominated by the massive Magnus Cathedral, dating from 1137.
Day 8 : Papa Stour, Shetland Islands
At Papa Stour, discover a population of 20 and one of Britain’s most dramatic coastlines – sea stacks, twisting tidal channels and rugged cliffscapes – perfect for Zodiac touring. In the afternoon, cruise to Foula, the most remote
permanently inhabited island in the UK – just barely, with a population of 31.
Day 9 : Mousa
Mousa is the site of the best preserved broch in the world, a fortified structure unique to Scotland. We’ll climb to the top of the 40ft high tower.
Day 10 : Fair Isle, Shetland Islands
Visit Fair Isle’s National Trust Bird Observatory, with its great skuas and puffins. Visit a museum devoted to the island’s heritage.
Day 11 : Port of Leith (Edinburgh) / Disembark / Return Home
We finish in Leith, port for the city of Edinburgh, the princess city, home of Holyrood Palace, fine museums, galleries and shops and the new Scottish parliament. Transfer to the airport in the morning for flights home.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy unless noted as a single cabin category.
-Category 7 & 8 cabins are single cabins for solo travelers. Triple occupancy cabins are available - 15% discount on double occupancy rates for all 3 travelers in Category 1 & 2 cabins.
Ship Description: Andrea
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MS Andrea at Night
This rugged vessel began her career in the 1960s as the Norwegian coastal cruiser Harald Jarl. Following a $20 million-plus conversion in 2003, she now offers a high degree of comfort and service on any expedition cruise in Antarctica, South and Central America and Europe.
Andrea carries a fleet of Zodiac landing craft, ready to take her passengers on a moment's notice for close-up explorations of Antarctica's otherwise inaccessible beaches, rocky outcroppings and shallow streams where wildlife thrives. Her conversion included construction of a large observation platform on the forward deck, and there is ample outside and sheltered teak deck areas for viewing the passing environs.
Passengers are welcome on the bridge, which is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communications equipment. The Andrea is classified as an ice strengthened cruise ship worldwide by Det Norshe Veritas, and meets all SOLAS and IMF safety at sea requirements. She is equipped with bilge-keel stabilizers. Ice masters, officers and crew are European, and a knowledgeable expedition team from both sides of the Atlantic coordinates Zodiac forays ashore, lectures and other activities that engage and enlighten guests during their Antarctica travel.
She features 57 mostly outside cabins, with lower beds, private bath facilities, individual climate control, satellite TV, telephone and safe. There are five single cabins. Distinctive 18th-century Gustavian-style furnishings and decor are seen in the cabins and public areas, creating an intimate, club-like atmosphere on your Antarctica cruise. The Shearwater Restaurant accommodates all passengers in one leisurely seating, offering fine continental cuisine prepared by Andrea's master chefs. The Kittiwake Lounge/Bar doubles as an on board lecture venue. The Cormorant Lounge offers forward-viewing observation windows, a small library and internet/e-mail access for guests. Andrea also has a fitness room for guests to utilize during their travels to Antarctica. An elevator is available for passenger use.
InsideInside cabin with two twin beds (34, 36, 37, 38) or double bed (33), private bath with shower, TV, desk, located on Atlantic Deck. |
OutsideOutside cabin with twin (401, 403, 411, 412, 414, 417, 419, 420, 422, 302, 303, 309, 319) or double (310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316) beds, private bath with shower, TV, desk, porthole or picture windows. |
DeluxeDeluxe stateroom with twin beds, private bath with shower, TV, desk, porthole or picture windows. One also has a sofa bed. Cabins 404, 405, 406, 408, 409, 410, 418, 305, 306, 307, 308, 320, 321, 322. |
MasterMaster staterooms with twin (702, 605, 503, 505, 507, 407, 318) or double (603, 604) beds, private bath with shower and/or tub, TV, desk, picture windows or portholes. Some also have sofa beds. |
SuitePresidential and Owner\\\'s Suites with double bed, private bath with tub, TV, desk, picture windows. 601, 602. |
Std SingleStandard singles with private bath with shower. Porthole windows. TV, desk. 421, 424, 304. |
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Sup Single Superior singles with private baths with showers. Porthole or picture windows. TV, desk. 501, 402, 317. |
