Dublin

Uncover the living history of Ireland as you step through the doors of current and former stately homes and castles of Ireland. You will be welcomed into the family home of the Conyngham Family, Slane Castle; explore the world-renowned award-winning gardens at Powerscourt Estate and stop off in a local home and cookery school to learn how to make Irish scones and experience a truly warm Irish welcome at Ballyknocken 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 at the hotel, meet your guide and depart on A full day of sightseeing, beginning with a panoramic drive through the city en-route to Slane Castle. This 1,500-acre estate is situated within the Boyne Valley a short journey North of Dublin. It has been the family home of the Conyngham family since it was built in 1703 and has hosted everyone from King George IV to more than a million music fans during the Slane Concert series.

Situated in a dramatic setting by the river Boyne, Slane Castle is one of the most architecturally exciting buildings in Ireland. During a historical tour of this family home you will see its 18th Century interiors and learn of the family’s colorful history which includes them hosting many world-famous rock concerts - U2, The Rolling Stones, Guns N’ Roses and Queen to name a few.

Also pay a visit to the Slane Distillery which is both visitor center and world class working Whiskey Distillery housed within the 250-year-old stables of the iconic Slane Castle Estate. An unfolding story as unique as the smooth and flavorful, triple-casked whiskey, this distillery pays homage to the resilient nature of the Irish heritage and the surrounding lands. The fabrics of the Conyngham family tapestry are carefully woven through an interactive and immersive tour of the state-of-the-art distillery. The tour is finished in the best way possible of course - with a taste of their signature triple casked blend, Slane Irish Whiskey.

Enjoy lunch at the Castle before returning to Dublin where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide and depart on another full day tour, this time to the “Garden of Ireland”, County Wicklow.

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 and lush valleys.

The 14,000-acre Powerscourt Estate is nestled in the Wicklow Hills. It is a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Open to the public for over 50 years, a major refurbishment was carried out in 1974, but tragically, a fire broke out in the early hours of November 4, leaving only the roofless shell of the main house. The walls of the main house dating back to the 16th century stood as a stark reminder of the fire until 1996 when the rebuilding process began and today this fine house now stands proudly against the backdrop of its exquisite gardens.

Some free time is provided to explore one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland - recently voted No.3 in the World’s Top Ten Gardens by National Geographic. You may also want to enjoy some refreshments in the Terrace Café or spend time shopping in the iconic Avoca store located within the ground floor of the Powerscourt House.

After your visit here travel a short journey to the location of your lunch – a beautiful private home where you will be treated like royalty. You will be welcomed with an elderflower Bellini before sitting down to enjoy a fresh home cooked lunch including a glass of wine and followed by coffee and tea.

Continuing your tour, you will travel to Ballyknocken House & Cookery School. A charming four-star family run bed-and-breakfast, Ballyknocken is home to Catherine Fulvio, an Emmy Nominated TV chef and award-winning food writer. A regular contributor to Irish Garden magazine, Catherine has also appeared on NBC’s Today Show and is passionate about offering all guests a taste of real Ireland when they visit, creating memories to last a lifetime.

In Ballyknocken’s kitchen, you will discover how flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, butter, cream and eggs can create the perfect teatime delicacy – scones. Following the hands-on baking demonstration, you are invited to sit and enjoy freshly baked scones served with homemade jam and coffee or a cupán tae (cup of tea). Afterward, explore the picturesque herb garden and stroll around the Victorian farmhouse before heading back to Dublin.

Back at your hotel, the remainder of the day 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 your city-based 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

AM Full Irish breakfast

8:45am Meet guide in Lobby

9:00am Begin panoramic Dublin tour by private touring vehicle

10:30am Depart the city and travel on to Slane

11:30am Arrive at Slane Castle & Distillery for tour and lunch

3:00pm Return to Dublin

4:00pm Arrive back at your 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 for the Wicklow Countryside

10:00am Visit to Powerscourt Estate

12:00pm Drive to Lunch Venue

12:30pm Lunch

2:00pm Continue on to Ballyknocken House

2:30pm Scone baking in Ballyknocken Cookery School

4:30pm Return to Dublin

5:30pm Arrive at your 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 Slane Castle & Distillery, Powerscourt Estate and Ballyknocken House with hands on scone baking class

•2 course Lunch in local venues (main course + dessert with tea or coffee and one drink of choice per person) on 2 touring days

•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.

Explore western Ireland’s rugged Connemara district with stops at an Irish distillery, Kylemore Abbey and coastal Clifden, returning in the evenings to exquisite Ashford Castle, a 13th-century property that is now a 5-star hotel.

DAY 1

After flying into Dublin Airport, you will meet a representative and transfer to the hotel. Although every effort will be made to have your room available prior to the 3:00pm check in, this cannot be guaranteed.

The remainder of the day and meals will be on your own, after which you will spend the evening at the hotel.

DAY 2

Following breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will depart accompanied by a local guide and travel west to the wildly rugged landscape of Connemara. Along the way, you will visit the Kilbeggan Distilling Company, the oldest distillery of its kind in Ireland.

The story of its survival of the years is inspiring, as the townspeople banded together and bought the distillery when it fell on hard times. As you will discover, they are proud of the Kilbeggan distilling process and the resulting Irish whiskey. During a behind-the-scenes tour of the warehouse, you will meet the one of the distillers and participate in a masterclass of tasting 4 of the most distinctive whiskeys, as well as the opportunity to bottle your own whiskey to take home.

Continuing on, you will pause for lunch and by late afternoon, check into the exquisite Ashford Castle, where you will spend the next two evenings. The former home of the Guinness family, the 5-star castle-hotel is a 350-acre estate on the shores of Lough Corrib. It dates to the early 13th century and first opened as a hotel in 1939. The accommodations and amenities are extraordinary.

Upon arriving, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure, leaving you plenty of time to settle in, dine in one of the restaurants and enjoy this legendary property however you wish. As you meander about, the castle will exude history and luxury, making each moment an experience that you will long remember.

DAY 3

Following breakfast at Ashford Castle, you will depart for the heart of the Connemara district. Its landscape is one of contrasting and wonderfully unspoiled scenery. Majestic mountains, rocky coastlines, eerie bog lands and a multitude of lakes and rivers—it’s all there in Connemara.

Your first stop will be at Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden, a remarkable estate on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul that has been restored to its Victorian Era splendor. As you will learn while touring, Benedictine nuns have owned the former castle and property for more than 100 years. Now restored to its original glory, the lakeside abbey boasts dozens of bedrooms and an abundance of Victoria Era innovations.

The walled garden has also been meticulously restored using seed varieties from the 1800s so it reflects the appearance of an authentic Victorian garden. Divided in two by a mountain stream, the sprawling garden contains herbs, vegetables, fruit trees and heated glass houses that mirror the ones that were once here.

After an enlightening guided tour of the abbey and independent time to explore further, you will head for coastal Clifden. A serene setting bordered by bog land, the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Bens mountains, the town is considered the unofficial capital of Connemara.

As an introduction to town, you will stop at the site where British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown landed following the world’s first nonstop transatlantic flight in June 1919. Their flight preceded Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo transatlantic flight by eight years, although their northern route was much shorter and took half as long. Still, it was a remarkable achievement in aviation history.

Following lunch in Clifden, you will enjoy free time to explore the charming, surprisingly cosmopolitan town. Late in the afternoon, you will return to Ashford Castle for dinner and to spend another delightful evening.

DAY 4

After breakfast, the morning will be free. If you wish to sightsee, arrangements can be made for the hotel to securely store your luggage. At noon, you will check out and transfer 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 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 no-shows 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 the hotel for a 3:00pm check in.

If you have an early-morning arrival, you may wish to book an extra night so your room is available upon arrival.

The remainder of the day and all meals will be 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

AM Full Irish breakfast

8:45am Meet guide in the hotel lobby

9:00am Depart Dublin and travel west

10:30am Tour Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery

1:00pm Depart for lunch venue

1:30pm Lunch

3:00pm Depart for Ashford Castle

5:30pm Arrive at Ashford Castle for check in

Dinner at the castle hotel

Overnight at Ashford Castle

DAY 3

AM Full Irish breakfast

8:15am Meet guide in the hotel lobby

8:30am Depart Ashford Castle for Kylemore Abbey

10:00am Visit to Kylemore Abbey

12:30pm Depart for Clifden Town

1:15pm Stop for for lunch followed by free time to explore

3:30pm Depart Clifden for Ashford Castle

5:30pm Arrive at the castle hotel

Dinner at the castle hotel

Overnight at Ashford Castle

DAY 4

AM Full Irish breakfast

12:00pm Hotel check out

The morning is at leisure and lunch is on your own

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 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. Bring your own travel adaptor for electronic devices.

Documents and Visa Requirements

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

Hotel addresses

Shelbourne Dublin

27 St Stephen's Green, Dublin, 2 Ireland

Phone: +353 1 663 4500

Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle Estate, Cong, Co. Mayo, F31 CA48, Ireland

Phone: +353 94 954 6003

*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:

•1 night at the Shelbourne Hotel or a similar hotel in a deluxe king room (One king bed) or a deluxe double room (Two queen beds)

•2 nights at Ashford Castle in a Corrib Room – or a similar hotel

•Transfers

•Tours per the itinerary

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

•Entrance to Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery including distillers tour and “bottle your own” whiskey

•Entrance to Kylemore Abbey

•2-course lunch in local venues (main course + dessert with tea or coffee and one drink per person) on 2 touring days

•Dinner in Ashford Castle on two nights (starter, main course + dessert with tea or coffee and ½ bottle of wine per person)

•All government taxes and charges

Please Note: Guests booking their own flights independently 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, gravel or natural paths. There may 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.

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 no-shows and their hotel space released.