Thistle & Slate – Kirkwall, Belfast & Cork

About this cruise

A trip this long changes your rhythm entirely, and that's very much the point. 12 nights from Southampton on August 2, 2026, visiting Invergordon, Kirkwall and Stornoway, with additional stops along the British Isles & Western France. The itinerary clusters several port calls together. Fast-paced for a few days, then the sea days hit and you can catch your breath. The route threads through 3 countries along the British Isles & Western France coast: United Kingdom, Ireland and France. You get around 11 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Majestic Princess has 9 restaurants on board, which means you could eat somewhere different nearly every night. One of the underrated parts of a longer cruise: you actually get to know people. The couple from dinner, the group at trivia, the bartender who remembers your drink. An August departure puts you in the best summer conditions: long days, warm nights, plenty of sun. Good route, good ship, good timing. It all lines up.