Cobalt Tides – Belfast, Cork & Portland

About this cruise

A trip this long changes your rhythm entirely, and that's very much the point. 12 nights from Hamburg on July 9, 2026, visiting Invergordon, Belfast, Greenock (Glasgow), Cobh (Cork), Portland and Southampton. Port days and sea days take turns, which is about as well-paced as a cruise itinerary gets. Crossing 3 borders through the British Isles & Western France: United Kingdom, Ireland and United States. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. You get around 12 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Mein Schiff 2 takes the food seriously, with 11 restaurants to choose from. 8 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. Longer sailings have a different energy. People relax into it, stop rushing, and start actually talking to each other. Suits retirees, remote workers, or anyone who doesn't need to be anywhere else for a while. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Hamburg has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A July departure puts you in the best summer conditions: long days, warm nights, plenty of sun. If you've been thinking about a cruise, this 12-night sailing is a strong place to start.