18 Aug Dover, England
Embark Quest for Adventure. Depart 1700.

Dover is situated at the mouth of a valley in the chalk uplands that form the famous white cliffs. A pre-Roman settlement existed on the site and, as Dubris, the place was important for Roman traffic with the European mainland.

The town's strategic position on the south coast has been evident throughout its history. Archaeological digs in the area have revealed that the area has always been a focus for people entering and leaving Britain.

Bombed and shelled during World War Two, the shattered seafront was subsequently redeveloped after the war and is now the foremost passenger port in the United Kingdom.

20 Aug Cobh, Ireland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The port of Cobh, pronounced ‘cove’, is the gateway to the south-west of Ireland, and makes the perfect base from which to discover traditional towns and picture-perfect scenery. Rich in history, the port is where thousands embarked on voyages across the Atlantic during the turbulent years of the mid-19th century.

During your visit, perhaps journey into the city of Cork, considered by residents to be the true capital of Ireland, or maybe savour the picturesque delights of the Kingdom of Kerry or explore a number of historic buildings including Blarney Castle. On the quayside there is a memorial to the victims of the Lusitania, many are buried in the old church cemetery. The ship was sunk off Kinsale in 1915 by a German submarine and the survivors were brought back here. Another unhappy association with Cobh is with the Titanic, 'the safest liner in the world'. Queenstown was her last port of call on her fateful maiden voyage.

21 Aug Dublin, Ireland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1745.

Located on the eastern side of Ireland and intersected by the Liffey, this delightfully compact capital is home to two cathedrals, Dublin Castle, Trinity College, with a library containing beautifully illuminated manuscripts, and the National Gallery, where Caravaggio’s The Taking of the Christ can be admired.

If shopping is your vice, lively O’Connell Street, pedestrianised Grafton Street and the Powerscourt Townhouse won’t disappoint, or you may be fortunate to catch a lunchtime concert on a stroll through St Stephen’s Green.

Then, of course, there is the renowned Temple Bar district, the cobble-paved arts and entertainment hub that is the perfect place to unwind at the end of the day with a Guinness.

23 Aug Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Located on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, Kirkwall’s most striking feature is the 12th-century sandstone Norse St Magnus’ Cathedral. This busy port is the gateway to some of Europe’s finest archaeological sites, including the 5,000-year-old chambered tomb of Maes Howe, the mysterious Standing Stones of Stenness and the Stone Age Ring of Brodgar.

There’s also a fascinating Stone Age village, that of Skara Brae, which was revealed after an especially fierce storm in 1850. With our choice of excursions you can visit some of the island’s archaeological attractions, explore its rugged landscape or visit one of the world’s most northerly and most famous whisky distilleries.

24 Aug Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Arrive 0800. Depart 1400.

The remote Shetland Islands lie 200 miles to the north of Aberdeen and, of almost 100 islands, only 20 are inhabited. The capital of the islands, known as leir vik (mud bay) by the Vikings, is located on the largest island of Mainland.

From its humble beginnings as a group of fishermen’s huts, the town began to take shape during the Anglo-Dutch wars of the mid-17th century when Fort Charlotte was constructed here. Today, Lerwick is a colourful town with a lively waterfront and meandering lanes alongside fine Victorian buildings.

25 Aug Torshavn, Faroe Islands
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The Faroe Islands are situated in the North Atlantic, north-west of Scotland and half way between Iceland and Norway, and consist of 18 islands with only one uninhabited.

The focal point of life on the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, is one of the tiniest capitals in the world and is nestled on the southern flank of Streymoy Island. The town was named after the Viking god, Thor, when Norwegian Vikings settled the islands in AD800, and across the harbour lies Tinganes, the rocky peninsula where the ancient Vikings met.

Quiet fjords and sheltered bays provide safe anchorage for the fishing fleet and an idyllic location for pretty villages, where traditional timber, turf-roofed homes are lovingly maintained.

26 Aug Djupivogur, Iceland
Arrive 1200. Depart 2300.

Djúpivogur is a quiet fishing village in eastern Iceland, at the head of Berufjord. Since the 16th century, Djúpivogur has been used as a commercial port and has a very small population.

Beyond the port, there's some truly stunning scenery; particularly the mountainous backdrop which can be viewed in the distance. You could spend your time visiting the area's museum, or perhaps mooch around some of the local shops or have a bite to eat in one of its various restaurants.

27 Aug Seydisfjordur, Iceland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Snow-capped mountains, tumbling waterfalls and 19th-century wooden houses characterise the fi shing town of Seydisfjordur, which is one of Iceland’s most picturesque towns.

Surrounded by mountains, this beautiful part of the country has inspired many artists and is home to a number of art and music festivals. Here you can experience the town’s laid-back atmosphere or go hiking to see the Hengifoss Waterfall.

28 Aug Akureyri, Iceland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Named after the Akureyri, one of the numerous spits of land in Pollurinn, the capital of northern Iceland was originally settled by Vikings during the ninth century AD. Danish merchants later based their summer camps here and in 1778 the town was granted a municipal charter by Denmark.

The outstanding natural harbour and productive agricultural region surrounding Akureyri fostered the development of the town and today’s visitors will find a wealth of entertainment and attractions including museums, lovely botanical gardens and the church.

Akureyri has a robust cultural scene, with several bars and reputable restaurants, such as Greifinn, Bautinn, RUB 23 Steak/Sushi and Café Karólína. The Icelandic folk dance ensemble "Vefarinn" comes from Akureyri. Folk culture in general is more prevalent in Akureyri than in Reykjavík. During the summer there are several festivals in Akureyri and its surroundings. One example is the medieval festival held every summer at Gásir.

29 Aug Isafjordur, Iceland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Formerly one of Iceland’s main trading ports and sheltered by mountains on three sides, Isafjordur remains the largest settlement in the Westfjords region and offers spectacular scenery, with rock formations that are up to 14 million years old.

The Westfjords region is separated from the mainland by an isthmus six miles across, which according to local legend was built by three trolls who wanted to live apart from humans. The harsh environment is home to an array of wildlife including the arctic fox, seals, whales and huge colonies of seabirds.

30 Aug Grundarfjordur, Iceland
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Visionary 19th century novelist Jules Verne was so inspired by the spectacularly volcanic terrain of the Snaefellsnes (Snow Mountain) peninsula, on which the Icelandic cruise port Grundarfjörður is located, that he set his epic tale ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’ at its heart – Snaefellsjokull.

This is the glacier on top of the 3,000-year-old dormant volcano which dominates the peninsula and over which locals and visitors now go hiking, skiing and snowmobiling. Across the peninsula are some remarkable rock formations which are described in local folklore as petrified trolls.

It is also home to an array of wild birds including arctic terns, puffins and cormorants while rare plants grow among the lava fields. Grundarfjörður is one of its collection of small fishing villages and dates back to 1786 when its superb natural harbour in a fjord between snow-capped mountains turned it into one of Iceland’s major trading centres. According to legend, Eric the Red set off from Grundarfjörður to find Greenland.

31 Aug Reykjavik, Iceland
Arrive 0800.

Reykjavik, which translates as ‘Smoky Bay’, is the world’s most northerly capital city. It has become increasingly popular in recent years, as more and more travellers discover its hotbed of geothermal activity, demonstrated by a range of extraordinary sights including eerie lava formations, bubbling geysers, hot springs, volcanoes and glaciers.

The town itself sprawls out from the harbour and has all the trappings of a progressive European city fused with a beautiful old town, which boasts colourful architecture, whitewashed buildings and narrow streets. Our selection of excursions also explores the surrounding areas, from desolate moorland, thriving national parks and picturesque lakes, all imbued with beguiling folkloric legend.

01 Sep Reykjavik, Iceland
Disembark after breakfast