Dublin

Discover the rich history and culture of Dublin City balanced out by a visit to the “Garden of Ireland” as you explore the Wicklow countryside. Sample some local whiskies and visit some of the key attractions such as Book of Kells, St Patrick’s Cathedral, historic Glendalough and the beautiful Palladian mansion, Russborough House.

DAY 1

Fly into Dublin Airport, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Although every effort will be made to have your room available prior to the 3:00pm check in, this cannot be guaranteed.

Your luxury hotel has a distinguished address looking out onto the glorious St. Stephen's Green. You’ll find that it is in the heart of the city and is known for their exquisitely appointed guest rooms, fine dining and elegant afternoon tea.

The remainder of the day and meals are on your own, after which you will overnight at the hotel.

DAY 2

Following breakfast, you will depart your hotel accompanied by a badged local guide. You will enjoy a full day of sightseeing, taking in many of the city’s most popular attractions. Dublin is the capital of the Irish Republic and the city takes pride in its rich history and culture. The bricks and mortar of its streets provide the stage to what is a truly great city, a city built on hundreds of years of history and culture. With its ancient past, Dublin is built upon a collage of the generations which have come before us. From Vikings to Georgians you will find their ideas imprinted upon the city’s DNA. In addition to its splendid public buildings, Dublin is particularly rich in domestic architecture of the 18th Century. Fine Georgian mansions, many of them with historical associations, lend sober beauty to the city’s wide streets and spacious squares.

Travelling through the city, you will pass The Customs House, located on the north bank River Liffey. It was designed by James Gandon and completed in 1791. Crossing the River Liffey to Dublin’s south side, you will soon pass The Old Parliament House, now the Bank of Ireland and Trinity College. Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1, it is Ireland’s oldest college. Located in its Library is the world-famous Book of Kells, a hand illuminated manuscript of the Gospels. A stop will be made for you to view this world-renowned treasure, which lies deep with the walls of this historic building.

Your tour of the city will continue passing the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam, National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and St. Stephen’s Green. Next, pass Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral en route to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1190, St. Patrick’s is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean here from 1713 to 1745. The pulpit from which he preached is still to be seen.

Continue your drive passing the renowned Guinness Brewery, home of the famous Black Stuff for which Dublin is famous. Then head to Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed public park and also home to Dublin Zoo. Here you will see the homes of Ireland’s President and American Ambassador. On the north side of Dublin’s River Liffey, you will pass the Four Courts, Ireland’s courts of justice. The north side boasts the wide boulevard of O’Connell Street and here you will pass the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 rising and birthplace of the Irish nation.

After lunch in a local establishment you will visit the home of Pearse Lyons Distillery which is housed in the 12th Century St. James’ Church. In 2013 the church was acquired by Dr. Pearse Lyons, whose family are buried in the graveyard on the grounds.

Here, whiskey is only part of the story. Whether you are an intrepid whiskey enthusiast, culturally curious or just an inquisitive visitor, you are sure to enjoy a journey through 800 years of history at St. James with the local storytellers. As a listed building, the church underwent extensive restoration and has uncovered many curious stories that bring the past to life. The headstones located in the graveyard of the church shed light on the trades that The Liberties welcomed in the past. Tradesmen and women who worked as coopers, distillers, linen merchants, shoemakers, bakers, bishops and soldiers have all found a resting place at St. James’ Church. Through a storytelling guide you will hear their stories during your visit, and how they led their lives in the Liberties.

Inside the former St. James Church, which now distils Pearse Irish Whiskey, enjoy a sensory experience, as you are guided through each step of the distilling process ending your tour with an opportunity to sample three of the Pearse Irish Whiskey range. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, explore the graveyard independently or perhaps purchase gifts in the shop.

Following this tour, you will be returned to your hotel where the evening is at leisure and dinner is on your own.

DAY 3

Following breakfast in your hotel you will depart for your full day tour to the “Garden of Ireland”, County Wicklow. Take in a brief panoramic overview of the city before heading south. Leaving the city of Dublin, you will encounter the wild heather-covered glens and tranquil landscapes for which the Irish countryside is famous.

Soon you will be traveling into the green and uncrowded Wicklow Mountains with their rounded summits, lush valleys and the impressive 6th-century monastic ruins of Glendalough. Upon arriving at Glendalough, you will marvel at the settlement founded by St. Kevin, a hermit monk who died about 618 A.D. The ruins, tucked into a glen with two small lakes, include the remains of early churches, a roofless cathedral and a well-preserved round tower dating back from the 10th century. This most romantic of monastic sites was one of Ireland's greatest pilgrimage centers up to the middle of the 19th century. During your visit, you will enjoy a special audio-visual presentation highlighting Glendalough and the history of monasticism in Ireland.

Lunch will be served in a local establishment before continuing on your journey.

Russborough House was built between 1741 and 1750 and is regarded as one of Ireland’s most beautiful houses. It has magnificent views of the Blessington Lakes and Wicklow Mountains. The house which is beautifully maintained and lavishly furnished contains fine furniture, tapestries, carpets, porcelain, silver and much of the Beit collection of paintings. It also includes stucco ceilings by the Lafrancini brothers, intricate plaster work and a fine mahogany staircase. Russborough dates back to 1741 when it was privately owned and in 1978 the then owners, Sir Alfred and Lady Beit left the gift of learning, art and architecture with us. Russborough is also home to a beautiful maze, stunning walled gardens and a 3D exhibition which was created to honor Sir Alfred’s love and gift of capturing magical moments with his camera.

County Wicklow is famous for its sheep, so it is no surprise that sheepdog herding is a large part of country life here. You are able to witness the skill and intelligence of the border collies in action as they follow the command of a whistle in varied pitches to herd the sheep around the fields of Russborough.

Return to Dublin city and your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at your leisure and dinner is on your own.

DAY 4

After breakfast, the morning is free for independent sightseeing or shopping in Dublin city center. Hotel check out time is 12:00pm, at which point you will meet your guide in the lobby. Once your baggage has been loaded on to the bus, you will depart your hotel around 12:30pm and be transferred to the ship for embarkation.

Land Program Details Step by Step

•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. •Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.

•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.

•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.

Extra Nights

•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.

•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.

If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included

DAY 1

Fly into Dublin Airport.

Transfer to local Hotel (3:00pm check in)

Should you have an early morning arrival you may wish to book an extra night so your room is available when you arrive.

The remainder of the day and all meals are at your leisure.

Overnight at the Shelbourne Hotel, St Stephen’s Green or similar hotel

Meet and Greet and transfers

•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.

•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.

•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.

•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.

DAY 2

Full Irish breakfast

9:00am Meet guide in Lobby and begin panoramic Dublin tour by motor coach

Visit Trinity College with the Book of Kells and St Patrick’s Cathedral

1:00pm Lunch will be served in local establishment

2:30pm Travel to Pearse Lyons

2:45pm Visit to Pearse Lyons Distillery

4:30pm Depart for your hotel

5:00pm Arrive back at the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Shelbourne Hotel, St Stephen’s Green or similar hotel

DAY 3

AM Full Irish breakfast

8:15am Meet guide in the hotel lobby

8:30am Depart city center hotel for Wicklow Countryside

10:00am Visit to Glendalough

11:45am Drive to Lunch Venue

12:00pm Lunch

1:30pm Continue on to Russborough House

2:30pm Guided tour of Russborough House

Followed by Sheepdog Demonstration & free time to explore

4:30pm Return to Dublin

5:30pm Arrive back at the hotel, dinner on own

Overnight at the Shelbourne Hotel, St Stephen’s Green or similar hotel

DAY 4

AM Full Irish breakfast

12:00pm Hotel check out

The morning is at leisure and lunch is on your own. If you wish to sightsee or shop independently during the morning, arrangements can be made for the hotel to securely store your luggage.

12:15pm Meet guide in the lobby

12:30pm Transfer to the ship for embarkation

Expected Weather:

Weather in Ireland is very unpredictable. The average high in Dublin from June through August is approximately 18°C (65°F) and the average low is approximately 12°C (51°F).

What to Bring:

Prepare for moderately mild weather at all time and be able to supplement basic dress with a warm sweater and/or a rainproof top. Pack sensible footwear, as most rural attractions and even some urban areas are best described as “rugged terrain,” and the ground is wet occasionally. Also bring hats and sunglasses.

Local Currency:

Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Electricity:

230v / 50hz (plugs are 3 square pins). An adjacent switch typically controls outlets. Some hotels will have adaptors available, although this cannot be guaranteed. We recommend bringing your own travel adaptor should you have electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

Please check with your embassy for up-to-date visa information. Valid passports are required.

Hotel address:

Shelbourne Dublin

27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 2 Ireland

Phone: +353 1 663 4500

*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.

Program Includes:

•3 nights at the Shelbourne Hotel – Deluxe King Rooms (One king bed) and Deluxe Double Rooms (Two queen beds) or similar hotel

•Transfers

•Tours per the itinerary

•Services of professional English-speaking tour guide for transfers and tours

•Entrance to Pearse Lyons Distillery, Book of Kells, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Glendalough Visitor Centre and Russborough House (guided tour of house and sheepdog demonstration)

•Two 2-course lunches in local venues (includes tea or coffee and one drink of choice per person)

•Porterage based on 2 pieces of baggage per person at hotel - in and out

•All government taxes & charges

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.

Program Excludes:

•Meals or beverages not listed above

•Gratuities to drivers or tour guides

•Hotel incidentals, including mini bar and room service

•Personal expenses

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.