E-mail a friendShip: National Geographic Endeavour
Itinerary: Exploring the British Isles 2008
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City Lights on the River
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | London / Portsmouth / Embark |
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| Day 2 : | Dartmouth |
| Day 3 : | Isles of Scilly |
| Day 4 : | The Skelligs and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland |
| Day 5 : | Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher |
| Day 6 : | County Donegal, Ireland |
| Day 7 : | Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland |
| Day 8 : | Isles of Rum and Skye |
| Day 9 : | Outer Hebrides: St. Kilda and Callanish |
| Day 10 : | Orkney Islands |
| Day 11 : | Fair Isle & Mousa |
| Day 12 : | Shetland Islands |
| Day 13 : | Bergen, Norway / Disembark / Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type |
| Destinations : Austria, Europe, United Kingdom Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Day 1 : London / Portsmouth / Embark
Arrive this morning in London and proceed to the coastal town of Portsmouth. Before embarking National Geographic Endeavour, we visit the Royal Naval Museum, home to the HMS Victory, the splendid three-masted flagship in which Admiral Horatio Nelson led the victorious attack at Trafalgar. (D)
Day 2 : Dartmouth
Be on deck this morning as we make a dramatic entry into the River Dart. Dartmouth has a great seafaring history. We stroll along the quaint waterfront, observing many fine old buildings that recall its nautical past. (B,L,D)
Day 3 : Isles of Scilly
On the island of Tresco we visit the fabulous Tresco Abbey Gardens. The Gulf Stream allows an astounding variety of subtropical plants to flourish at these northern latitudes, and numerous birds, including shearwaters and sandpipers, are often seen here. (B,L,D)
Day 4 : The Skelligs and Dingle Peninsula, Ireland
Today we explore the roots of Celtic Christianity. We cruise slowly by Skellig Michael to view the beehive huts of a Celtic Christian monastery, built five hundred feet high atop the island in the sixth century. A half-mile distant is rocky Little Skellig, whose white spires reveal is as a favorite roost for seabirds. Go ashore at the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Walk through the charming village of Dingle, sample an Irish coffee and browse the shops for woolens. (B,L,D)
Day 5 : Aran Islands & Cliffs of Moher
These stark islands contain many pre- and early Christian sites. Most dramatic is Dun Aengus, a stone fort dating to 4000 BC. Perched on a 200-foot cliff overlooking the sea, the view is staggering. (B,L,D)
Day 6 : County Donegal, Ireland
Donegal, in Gaelic Dun na nGall or ‘fort of the foreigners’ (i.e. the Vikings), is an ancient and dramatically beautiful area. We board Zodiacs to explore lovely Donegal Bay and drive to Glencolumbkille, one of the most traditional areas in Ireland, where Gaelic is still the primary language. In the evening, we cruise past the 2,000-foot-high cliffs of Slieve League, the highest in Europe. (B,L,D)
Day 7 : Iona and Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
St. Columba called Iona “love of my heart” and chose it as the site for his monastery. Walk through the ancient nunnery to 12th-century Iona Abbey, where sixty kings lie buried, including Duncan and MacBeth. Afternoon finds us on Staffa, an island famed for its great basalt columns and deep sea caves. It was here in Fingal’s Cave that Felix Mendelssohn was inspired to write his haunting Hebrides Overture. (B,L,D)
Day 8 : Isles of Rum and Skye
Explore the nature reserve on the Isle of Rum and see eccentric Kinloch Castle. Continue to rugged Skye, legendary for its towering Cuillin Mountains and a perfect spot for Zodiac cruises and wilderness walks. (B,L,D)
Day 9 : Outer Hebrides: St. Kilda and Callanish
Along the wild, western coast of Scotland are the Outer Hebrides, islands steeped in history and legend, where Gaelic is still widely spoken. The day is open for exploration. Weather permitting, we explore remote St. Kilda. A World Heritage Site, it was occupied from the New Stone Age through 1930. We then venture to the Isle of Lewis to see the massive neolithic Standing Stones of Callanish. (B,L,D)
Day 10 : Orkney Islands
Few places in the world have the impact of the Stone Age sites of Orkney. The standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar and the 6,000-year-old stone-slab village excavated at Skara Brae are stunning manifestations of a culture older than the Pyramids of Egypt. Later, we see the massive Cathedral of St. Magnus, built by the Vikings, and stately Balfour Castle on Shapinsay Island, where we recharge with a hearty Scottish tea. (B,L,D)
Day 11 : Fair Isle & Mousa
Fair Isle claims to be the most isolated settlement in the British Isles. The seventy or so inhabitants are a rugged yet amiable people, proud of their island and, of course, their world-renowned woolen crafts. After a pleasant walk around the island, we join our island friends for tea. Later, Zodiac in to the uninhabited island of Mousa, where we find one of the best examples of an Iron Age broch (fortified farm). (B,L,D)
Day 12 : Shetland Islands
Drive through scenic countryside, stopping to photograph resident Shetland ponies on our way to the Jarlshof archaeological site. Here we enter the Bronze Age with the ruins of 3,000 years of continuous settlement. (B,L,D)
Day 13 : Bergen, Norway / Disembark / Return Home
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender for the Category 1 and 2 cabins. Even if a cabinmate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-50% off standard double rate for third traveler in Category 3 cabins
-Kids under age 18 save $500 per person
- FUEL SURCHARGE of $10/day
Ship Description: National Geographic Endeavour
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MS Endeavor
Don’t let her accommodating public and private spaces, the posh quiet and rich collection of books in her Library, or the lavish observation space on her decks fool you — the National Geographic Endeavour is an expedition ship, designed for discovery and active exploration, not just passive passing-by. The Endeavour heads out equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs, enabling us to make landfall in all the remote and riveting locations that beckon — and to make a somewhat dashing "entrance" in a host of coastal towns and cities! We offer kayaking opportunities wherever possible and frequent walks or hikes. We can set a pace for more demanding walkers and simultaneously provide a rewarding experience for strollers, too. There’s no age limit to our adventurous opportunities — anyone who feels fit and is interested is welcome to participate. And because navigation is an underlying theme, our "Open Bridge" policy will provide you with one of the more gratifying memories of the many you’ll make. It is simply magical to stand on the bridge during your Antarctica travels, watching your highly skilled Captain guide his crack crew up to a bird wall of astonishing proportions for a no-binoculars-necessary view, or navigate a narrow and charming river The spontaneity and flexibility that characterizes our expedition style means there is literally something new to experience and enjoy daily on our Antarctica cruises.
Public Areas: Lounge with bar and facilities for films, slide shows and lectures; Library; Swimming Pool; Fitness Center; Sauna; Hair Salon; Gift Shop; Bridge.
Meals: Served in one seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling.
Cabins: All cabins are above the waterline and face outside with windows or portholes. Each has private facilities, radio and climate controls.
Special Features: Zodiac landing craft, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, Undersea Specialist, high-tech underwater equipment, on board Video Chronicler, guest e-mail station, certified massage therapist, laundry service and the services of a full-time doctor.
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Cat 1 Main Deck: #221, 224 A Deck: #309-311, 314-316, 352, 353, 355, 357 All cabins feature lower beds, a writing desk and a porthole. |
Cat 1 Single Sole Occupancy: A Deck #312, 318, 354, 356 All cabins have a writing desk and a porthole. Single cabins have one lower bed. |
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Cat 2 Upper Deck: #122, 125 (both with large view window) Main Deck: #201-204, 206, 208, 210-212, 214-218, 220 Double cabins have two lower beds and two portholes. All cabins have a writing desk. Note: Cabins #208, 210 - Two twin beds can covert to one double |
Cat 2 Single Sole Occupancy: #205, 219, 222 All cabins have a writing desk. Single cabins have one lower bed. |
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Cat 3 Main Deck: #209 A Deck: #300, 350, 351 These spacious cabins comfortably accommodate two or three people if desired, all with at least two lower beds and two portholes. Each has a separate sleeping and sitting area. |
Cat 4Upper Deck: #102, 104-112, 114-116, 118, 120, 121, 123 Convenient Upper Deck cabins feature two lower beds and a writing desk. Most have two large windows. Note: Cabins #111, 114, 117, 118 - Two twin beds can covert to one double bed. |
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Cat 4 Single Sole Occupancy: #124, 126, 127 Convenient Upper Deck cabins feature one lower bed and a writing desk. Most have two large windows. |
Suites Upper Deck: #117, 129 These are the finest accommodations on board. Suites have separate sleeping and sitting areas, convertible sofa to accommodate a third person and large view windows. |
