British Isles Cruise
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE BRITISH ISLES CRUISE ON MAJESTIC PRINCESS
Everything You Need to Know Before You Book
Introduction
There are trips that take you somewhere.
And then there are trips that change the way you see the world.
A cruise through the British Isles is the second kind.
In 13 days aboard Majestic Princess you will stand on the shores of five countries, walk streets that have been walked for a thousand years, and experience a part of the world that shaped history, literature, music, and culture in ways that still echo through everyday life today.
England. Ireland. Northern Ireland. Scotland. And Paris.
All on one cruise. One unpacking. One extraordinary journey.
This guide covers everything you need to know before booking the British Isles group cruise departing July 1 2028 aboard Majestic Princess, from the full itinerary and port highlights to cabin options, pricing, and practical planning tips.
WHY THE BRITISH ISLES?
A Living History
The British Isles is not just a destination. It is a living, breathing archive of human history.
The castles are not ruins behind velvet ropes. They are landmarks woven into the fabric of cities still very much alive around them. Edinburgh Castle looks over a city of a million people. Belfast's Titanic Museum sits in the same harbor where the ship was built. The streets of Dublin have been walked continuously for over a thousand years.
Everywhere you go in the British Isles, history is not something you visit. It is something you inhabit.
The Landscapes
Scotland's Highlands are among the most dramatic landscapes on earth. Loch Ness stretching into the distance. Ancient castles rising from hillsides wreathed in mist. Moorland in every direction under a sky that changes every hour.
Ireland's coastline is equally stunning in a completely different way. Green hills meeting dramatic cliffs meeting a steel grey Atlantic. The kind of scenery that makes you understand why so many writers and musicians came from this part of the world.
England's Cornwall, with its harbor villages and dramatic coastal walks, offers yet another version of beauty entirely. And Liverpool's waterfront, reimagined and reborn as a world class cultural destination, surprises almost everyone who visits.
The Culture
Five countries in 13 days means five completely different cultural experiences.
The warmth of the Irish. The wit of the Scots. The pride of Northern Ireland emerging from its complex history. The depth of English culture across centuries of literature, music, and art. And Paris, with its cafes, its boulevards, and its extraordinary beauty that has drawn travelers from around the world for centuries.
No other itinerary in cruising packs this much genuine cultural variety into a single sailing.
The Language
For American travelers, the British Isles offers one enormous practical advantage over most international destinations.
With the exception of France, everyone speaks English.
Navigating menus, asking for directions, chatting with locals, understanding signs and announcements - all of it is effortless in a way that international travel rarely is. You get the full experience of genuine foreign travel without the language barrier that makes some destinations feel inaccessible.
THE FULL ITINERARY
July 1 - Depart Southampton, England
. It was from Southampton that the Titanic departed on her maiden voyage. The city's medieval walls still stand in places, and the old town offers excellent dining and history within walking distance of the port.
Departure: 7:00 PM
Southampton is one of England's great port cities, steeped in maritime history
Many travelers choose to arrive in Southampton a day or two early to spend time in London before boarding. London is approximately 80 minutes by train from Southampton and is one of the world's great cities. Pre-cruise London time is strongly recommended if your schedule allows.
July 2 - Falmouth, England
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 6:00 PM
Falmouth is one of England's most beautiful and underrated destinations. Nestled on the southwestern tip of Cornwall, it sits at the mouth of the River Fal on one of the world's largest natural harbors.
What makes Falmouth special:
✔ Pendennis Castle, a stunning Tudor fortress with panoramic views over the harbor and coastline
✔ The National Maritime Museum Cornwall, one of the finest maritime museums in England
✔ Flushing and Mylor, charming neighboring villages accessible by water taxi
✔ St Mawes Castle, across the estuary and accessible by ferry
✔ Extraordinary coastal walks along the South West Coast Path
✔ An exceptional food scene built around locally caught seafood
✔ The Eden Project, one of the world's most remarkable environmental attractions, approximately 25 minutes away
Falmouth has a relaxed, creative, and genuinely warm character that surprises most visitors. It is one of those port days that people consistently describe as an unexpected highlight of the entire cruise.
July 3 - Cobh, Cork, Ireland
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 6:00 PM
Cobh, pronounced Cove, is one of the most historically significant and visually striking port towns in Ireland.
Perched on a hillside above the harbor, with rows of brightly colored Victorian townhouses climbing toward the magnificent St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh is one of the most photographed towns in Ireland, and with good reason.
What makes Cobh special:
✔ St. Colman's Cathedral, a stunning Gothic Revival masterpiece that dominates the hillside above the town and is considered one of the finest cathedrals in Ireland
✔ The Titanic Experience Cobh, located in the original White Star Line ticket office where the last passengers boarded the Titanic before her fateful crossing
✔ Cobh Heritage Centre, which tells the profound story of Irish emigration during the famine years
✔ The Promenade, a beautiful waterfront walk with extraordinary views over the harbor
✔ Cork City, approximately 24 kilometers away and easily accessible by train, offering outstanding dining, the English Market, and the famous Crawford Art Gallery
✔ Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone, approximately 30 minutes from Cobh and one of Ireland's most visited attractions
Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic before she began her crossing of the Atlantic in April 1912. Standing on the waterfront and looking out at the harbor where that ship last touched land is a genuinely moving experience.
July 4 - Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 7:00 PM
Dun Laoghaire, pronounced Dun Leery, is the gateway to Dublin and one of the most exciting port days on the entire itinerary.
Located just 14 kilometers south of Dublin city center and connected by the DART coastal railway, Dun Laoghaire gives passengers a full day to explore one of Europe's most vibrant and beloved capital cities.
What makes Dublin special:
✔ Trinity College Dublin, home to the Book of Kells, one of the world's most extraordinary illuminated manuscripts created by Celtic monks around 800 AD
✔ The Guinness Storehouse, seven floors of history, culture, and the perfect pint at the Gravity Bar with panoramic views over the city
✔ Temple Bar, Dublin's cultural quarter with cobblestone streets, live traditional music, and an energy unlike anywhere else in Ireland
✔ Dublin Castle, at the heart of the city for over 800 years
✔ St Patrick's Cathedral, the largest cathedral inIreland, with connections to Jonathan Swift who served as its dean for over 30 years
✔ The National Museum of Ireland, with extraordinary collections spanning Irish history, archaeology, and natural history
✔ Grafton Street, Dublin's premier shopping and busking destination
✔ The Dun Laoghaire waterfront itself, with the East Pier walk offering stunning views back toward Dublin Bay
Dublin is one of those cities that rewards simply wandering. The people are famously warm, the pubs are legendary, and the culture is genuinely alive in a way that few capital cities manage.
An 11 hour port day gives passengers exceptional time to experience Dublin thoroughly.
July 5 - Liverpool, England
Arrive: 8:00 AM | Depart: 6:00 PM
Liverpool surprises almost everyone who visits.
Known internationally for The Beatles and football, Liverpool has quietly transformed itself into one of England's most dynamic, creative, and genuinely exciting cities. Its waterfront, the Pier Head, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its museums are world class and largely free. Its people are among the warmest and most welcoming in all of England.
What makes Liverpool special:
✔ The Beatles Story, the world's largest
permanent exhibition dedicated to the Fab Four, located in the Albert Dock
✔ The Cavern Club, where The Beatles first found their audience, still operating on Mathew Street and still hosting live music daily
✔ Albert Dock, a beautifully restored Victorian dock complex housing museums, restaurants, galleries, and shops
✔ Tate Liverpool, one of England's most important modern art galleries
✔ The Merseyside Maritime Museum, telling the story of Liverpool's extraordinary maritime heritage including its connections to the Titanic and the transatlantic slave trade
✔ Liverpool Cathedral, the largest cathedral in England and one of the most impressive buildings in the country
✔ The Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building, and the Port of Liverpool Building, three iconic structures that define the world famous Pier Head waterfront
✔ Anfield and Goodison Park for football fans who want to visit the homes of Liverpool FC and Everton FC
Liverpool's food scene has quietly become one of England's best, with excellent independent restaurants throughout the Baltic Triangle and city center neighborhoods.
July 6 - Belfast, Northern Ireland
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 8:00 PM
Belfast is one of the most remarkable stories in modern European history.
A city that lived through decades of conflict known as The Troubles has transformed itself into one of the most vibrant, welcoming, and genuinely exciting cities in the British Isles. The energy here is palpable. The pride in what this city has become is everywhere.
What makes Belfast special:
✔ Titanic Belfast, consistently rated among the best museums in the world, tells the full story of the Titanic from design and construction to the tragedy and its aftermath. The ship was built in Belfast's shipyards and Titanic Belfast sits on the exact site. It is genuinely extraordinary.
✔ The Titanic Slipways, where the actual ship was built, are visible directly outside the museum
✔ The Giant's Causeway, approximately 90 minutes from Belfast, is one of nature's most stunning formations. Around 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by ancient volcanic activity, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and genuinely unlike anything else on earth.
✔ The Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a dramatic suspension bridge strung between the mainland and a tiny island, offering extraordinary coastal views
✔ Game of Thrones filming locations throughout
County Antrim, including the Dark Hedges which served as the King's Road
✔ The Cathedral Quarter, Belfast's most vibrant neighborhood with excellent restaurants, bars, and the Ulster Museum
✔ Belfast City Hall, a magnificent Baroque Revival building at the heart of the city
✔ The Black Taxi Tours, a uniquely Belfast experience in which local taxi drivers provide candid and deeply personal tours of the murals and neighborhoods that tell the story of The Troubles
Belfast has a 13 hour port day on this itinerary. It is one of the longest port days of the entire cruise and it is genuinely needed. There is more to see and experience here than almost any other stop on the journey.
July 7 - Greenock, Scotland (Gateway to Glasgow)
Arrive: 7:30 AM | Depart: 8:00 PM
The ship docks at Greenock, a historic port town approximately 45 minutes from Glasgow by train or shuttle, giving passengers a full day to explore Scotland's largest and most dynamic city.
What makes Glasgow special:
✔ Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the finest free museums in Europe, with an extraordinary collection spanning art, natural history, and Scottish culture
✔ The Riverside Museum, a stunning modern building housing Glasgow's Museum of Transport with a remarkable collection including vintage trams, cars, and the remarkable street reconstruction
✔ Glasgow Cathedral, a magnificent medieval cathedral that has stood continuously since the 12th century
✔ The Necropolis, a Victorian garden cemetery on a hill behind the cathedral with extraordinary views over the city
✔ Buchanan Street and Argyle Street, Glasgow's premier shopping destinations
✔ The Mackintosh at the Willow, a beautifully restored tearoom designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow's most celebrated architect
✔ The West End, Glasgow's most atmospheric neighborhood with independent shops, cafes, restaurants, and Byres Road
✔ The People's Palace, a wonderful museum dedicated to the social history of Glasgow's working people
Glasgow has a reputation for being the friendliest city in Scotland, and visitors consistently find that reputation well earned. The city has a warmth and directness that is uniquely its own.
July 9 - Invergordon, Scotland (Gateway to the Scottish Highlands)
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 6:00 PM
Invergordon is a small port town on the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands. What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in its extraordinary surroundings.
This port day is the gateway to some of the most dramatic and evocative landscapes in all of Scotland.
What to experience from Invergordon:
✔ Loch Ness, approximately 45 minutes from Invergordon. The famous loch stretches 23 miles through the Great Glen and is genuinely dramatic regardless of whether Nessie makes an appearance.
✔ Urquhart Castle, a ruined 13th century castle on the shores of Loch Ness with extraordinary views down the length of the loch. One of the most photographed castles in Scotland.
✔ Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, approximately 30 minutes away. A charming city on the banks of the River Ness with excellent shops, restaurants, and the Victorian Inverness Castle.
✔ The Black Isle, a beautiful peninsula of farmland, coastal villages, and woodland just across the Cromarty Firth
✔ Culloden Battlefield, approximately 45 minutes away. The site of the final Jacobite Rising in 1746 is one of the most emotionally powerful historical sites in Scotland. Walking the battlefield and visiting the outstanding visitor center is a genuinely moving experience.
✔ Cawdor Castle, the castle associated with Shakespeare's Macbeth, approximately 45 minutes from Invergordon and still privately owned and occupied
✔ The Cromarty Firth itself, where passengers frequently spot bottlenose dolphins directly from the ship or the port area
The Scottish Highlands are a landscape that defies adequate description. This is one of those port days where simply driving through the scenery is an experience in itself.
July 10 - Leith, Scotland (Gateway to Edinburgh)
Arrive: 8:00 AM | Depart: 8:00 PM
Leith is the port district of Edinburgh, located approximately 3 miles from the city center and easily accessible by tram, taxi, or shuttle.
Edinburgh is consistently rated among the most beautiful cities in Europe. A 12 hour port day gives passengers exceptional time to explore one of the world's great cities thoroughly.
What makes Edinburgh special:
✔ Edinburgh Castle, perched dramatically on an ancient volcanic rock at the top of the Royal Mile. Home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum. The views over the city from the castle esplanade are extraordinary.
✔ The Royal Mile, the historic spine of Edinburgh's Old Town stretching from the castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Every close and wynd off the Royal Mile reveals another layer of Edinburgh's remarkable history.
✔ The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official Scottish residence of the British monarch, with a history stretching back to the 16th century and strong associations with Mary Queen of Scots.
✔ Arthur's Seat, an ancient volcano rising 251 meters above the city. The hike to the summit takes approximately 45 minutes and rewards with panoramic views over Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth, and on clear days, much of central Scotland.
✔ The Scottish National Museum, one of the finest museums in the United Kingdom, free to enter and covering Scottish history, science, technology, and culture across multiple extraordinary floors.
✔ Greyfriars Kirkyard, the historic churchyard famous for Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal Skye Terrier who guarded his owner's grave for 14 years.
✔ Victoria Street, a winding cobblestone street of colorful shopfronts that inspired Diagon Alley in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.
✔ The Scottish National Gallery, home to an outstanding collection of European and Scottish art in a beautiful neoclassical building at the foot of the Mound.
✔ The New Town, Edinburgh's Georgian masterpiece of planned streets, squares, and crescents representing one of the finest examples of urban planning in the world.
✔ Leith itself, which has transformed in recent years into one of Edinburgh's most exciting dining and drinking destinations, with outstanding restaurants along The Shore.
Edinburgh is one of those cities that rewards both the structured tourist and the aimless wanderer equally. There is extraordinary depth here and a 12 hour port day, while generous, will leave most visitors wanting more.
July 12 - Le Havre, France (Gateway to Paris)
Arrive: 7:00 AM | Depart: 8:00 PM
This is the port day that surprises people most.
Paris. On a British Isles cruise.
Le Havre is located approximately 2 hours from Paris by train, giving passengers a full day to experience one of the world's most celebrated cities.
What makes Paris special:
✔ The Eiffel Tower, the most visited monument in the world, with extraordinary views over Paris from the upper level
✔ The Louvre, the world's most visited art museum, home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and one of the greatest art collections ever assembled
✔ Notre Dame Cathedral, currently undergoing restoration after the devastating 2019 fire, with the exterior and surrounding Ile de la Cite still profoundly beautiful
✔ The Musee d'Orsay, housed in a magnificent former railway station and home to the world's greatest collection of Impressionist art including works by Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh
✔ Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur Basilica, perched on the highest hill in Paris with sweeping views over the city and the bohemian atmosphere of the artists' quarter below
✔ The Champs Elysees, stretching from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe
✔ The Seine River, with its extraordinary bridges, bookstalls, and the sense of a city that has been beautiful for centuries and knows it
✔ The cafes. Simply the cafes. Sitting at a Parisian cafe with a coffee and a croissant watching the city go by is one of travel's great pleasures.
An important practical note for the Paris port day:
The train journey from Le Havre to Paris takes approximately 2 hours each way. This means passengers who want to visit Paris should be organized, efficient with their time, and aware that a full round trip plus time in Paris requires careful planning. Booking an organized excursion that handles the logistics is often the most stress free approach for a port day this complex.
Alternatively, Le Havre itself is worth exploring. It was rebuilt after World War II by architect Auguste Perret and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, with a fascinating modernist architecture and the excellent Museum of Modern Art Andre Malraux.
Normandy is also accessible from Le Havre for passengers who would prefer to visit the D-Day beaches and American Cemetery rather than Paris. This is a profoundly moving experience that many travelers find equally or more meaningful than Paris.
July 13 - Arrive Southampton, England
Arrive: 7:00 AM
The journey concludes back in Southampton after 13 days and 10 destinations across 5 countries.
Many travelers choose to extend their trip with additional time in London after disembarkation, making Southampton's excellent rail connections to the capital a final convenience in a journey that has been filled with them.
MAJESTIC PRINCESS
Majestic Princess is one of Princess Cruises' most celebrated ships, purpose built for the European market and perfectly suited to a British Isles itinerary.
Ship Highlights
✔ Capacity of approximately 3,560 passengers with a crew of 1,346 ensuring attentive and personalized service throughout
✔ 19 dining options ranging from included dining rooms to specialty restaurants
✔ The Piazza, the social heart of the ship, a multi-story atrium filled with cafes, entertainment, and activity throughout the day and evening
✔ Movies Under the Stars, Princess's signature outdoor cinema with complimentary popcorn and blankets
✔ The Sanctuary, an adults only retreat on the upper deck with plush loungers, attentive service, and a peaceful atmosphere
✔ The Lotus Spa, offering a full range of treatments, a thermal suite, and a fitness center with ocean views
✔ Princess MedallionClass technology, which personalizes your onboard experience, enables contactless service throughout the ship, and allows you to locate fellow passengers and order food and drinks directly to wherever you are on the ship
✔ World class entertainment including production shows, comedian performances, and enrichment lectures specifically curated for the British Isles itinerary
✔ An extensive library and card room for quieter pursuits
✔ Multiple pools and whirlpools including an adults only pool area
Sea Days
This itinerary includes two sea days, on July 8 between Belfast and Greenock and on July 11 between Leith and Le Havre.
Sea days on Majestic Princess are genuinely enjoyable rather than something to endure between port days. The ship's programming on sea days typically includes cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures about upcoming destinations, spa specials, wine tastings, trivia competitions, and a full schedule of activities from morning to evening.
For many passengers, sea days become favorite days of the cruise precisely because they offer the opportunity to fully experience the ship and genuinely rest between the active port days on either side.
CABIN OPTIONS AND PRICING
The British Isles group cruise offers five cabin categories at the following per person rates:
🛏️ Interior Cabin - $2,139 per person
A comfortable and well appointed cabin without a window. On a port intensive itinerary like the British Isles, where passengers spend most of their time ashore or in public areas of the ship, interior cabins represent outstanding value. You get the identical itinerary, the identical meals, and the identical experience as every other passenger on the ship.
🪟 Oceanview Cabin - $2,686 per person
A comfortable cabin with a window or porthole providing natural light and views. A step up from interior in terms of the cabin experience without the premium of a balcony.
🌊 Deluxe Balcony - $3,150 per person
A private balcony providing your own outdoor space for the duration of the journey. On a British Isles itinerary, a balcony offers the opportunity to watch port approaches and departures privately, take in coastal scenery at sea, and have a genuinely personal outdoor retreat throughout the cruise. Worth considering seriously for the enhanced experience it provides.
🛋️ Mini Suite - $3,499 per person
Significantly more living space than a standard cabin, with a separate seating area and a balcony. Mini Suites on Princess represent excellent value at the premium end of the cabin range, offering a noticeably more spacious and comfortable environment for the duration of a 13 night journey.
💎 Suite - $5,561 per person
The full suite experience with the largest cabin space, premium furnishings, enhanced amenities, and the dedicated service that comes with suite level booking. For travelers who want the ultimate experience on a once in a lifetime journey, the suite category delivers it.
want the ultimate experience on a once in a lifetime journey, the suite category delivers it.
BOOKING AND DEPOSIT INFORMATION
Deposit
A deposit of $800 per cabin is required to hold your reservation.
The deposit is fully refundable.
This is an important detail worth understanding clearly. Booking now with a fully refundable deposit means you can secure your preferred cabin today with complete peace of mind. If anything changes between now and your sailing date, your $800 comes back to you. There is genuinely no financial risk to booking early.
Why Booking Early Matters
The travelers who book earliest get first choice of cabins. On a 13 night journey, cabin location and category matter more than on a shorter sailing. The best locations on the ship, the most desirable decks, and the cabin categories that sell out first all go to those who book early.
Waiting means choosing from what remains after others have already selected the best options.
Final Booking Deadline
February 1, 2028.
This generous timeline means travelers have well over a year to plan comfortably, save toward the balance, and look forward to the journey with genuine anticipation rather than financial pressure.
Payment
Beyond the initial refundable deposit, payments can typically be arranged on a schedule that works for your situation. Contact Timothy Budz Travel Services directly to discuss payment options.
SECTION 6 — PRACTICAL PLANNING INFORMATION
Passport Requirements
A valid passport is essential for this itinerary. All ports visited require a valid passport for entry.
Additionally, most European countries and the United Kingdom require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel date. This means your passport should be valid through at least January 2029 for a July 2028 sailing.
Check your passport expiration date now. If renewal is needed, begin the process well in advance. Passport processing times can vary significantly and a passport issue is one of the most stressful and completely avoidable travel problems.
Currency
This itinerary crosses multiple currencies:
✔ England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland use the British Pound (GBP)
✔ Ireland uses the Euro (EUR)
✔ France uses the Euro (EUR)
Having a small amount of local currency for each destination is advisable, though credit cards are widely accepted throughout all ports on this itinerary. Notify your bank of your travel dates before departure to avoid card issues abroad.
Time Zones
The United Kingdom and Ireland operate on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or British Summer Time (BST) during July, which is 8 hours ahead of Pacific Time and 5 hours ahead of Eastern Time.
France operates on Central European Summer Time (CEST) during July, one hour ahead of BST.
Electrical Adapters
The United Kingdom and Ireland use a different electrical plug type (Type G, three rectangular pins) than the United States. France uses Type C or E (two round pins).
A universal travel adapter is strongly recommended. Most electronics (laptops, phone chargers, camera chargers) are dual voltage and will work with just an adapter. Hair dryers and straighteners may require a voltage converter in addition to an adapter.
What to Pack
The British Isles in July is generally mild and pleasant but the weather can be variable. Here is what experienced travelers consistently recommend:
✔ A waterproof jacket, non negotiable. Rain is possible at any port on this itinerary.
✔ Layers, temperatures can vary significantly between morning and afternoon
✔ Comfortable walking shoes with good support. These port days involve significant walking on varied terrain including cobblestone streets.
✔ A day pack or small bag for port excursions
✔ A camera, the British Isles is extraordinarily photogenic
✔ A universal travel adapter
✔ Copies of all travel documents both physical and digital
✔ Travel insurance documentation
✔ Any prescription medications with extras in case of delays
✔ A small umbrella that fits in your day pack
Dress Code Onboard
Princess Cruises operates a Smart Casual dress code for most evenings, with Formal or Dress Your Best nights on select evenings during the cruise.
Smart Casual means collared shirts, slacks, dresses, or skirts for evening dining. Swimwear and shorts are appropriate for daytime deck activities but not for evening dining rooms.
Formal or Dress Your Best nights typically occur twice on a 13 night sailing. These evenings are when passengers choose to dress more elegantly for dinner, though Princess does not enforce strict formal requirements. A suit or blazer for men and a cocktail dress or elegant pantsuit for women is appropriate.
Tipping and Gratuities
Princess Cruises adds a daily gratuity charge to your onboard account. This covers gratuities for your cabin steward, dining room team, and other crew members who provide service throughout the cruise.
The daily gratuity rate varies by cabin category. Prepaying gratuities before sailing is an option that removes this consideration from your onboard account and is a popular choice for many travelers.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for any international cruise, and particularly for a journey of this length and investment.
A comprehensive policy covers:
✔ Trip cancellation or interruption due to illness, injury, or unforeseen circumstances
✔ Medical expenses abroad, which are not covered by most US health insurance plans
✔ Emergency medical evacuation, which can be extraordinarily expensive without coverage
✔ Lost, stolen, or delayed luggage
✔ Travel delays and missed connections
The cost of travel insurance is typically a small percentage of your total trip cost. The cost of not having it when something goes wrong can be significant.
This is a conversation Timothy Budz Travel Services has with every client before any international booking.
SECTION 7 — PRE AND POST CRUISE EXTENSIONS
Pre Cruise — London
Southampton is approximately 80 minutes by direct train from London Waterloo station, making a pre cruise London extension extremely practical.
Arriving in England a day or two before your July 1 departure allows you to:
✔ Recover from jet lag before boarding
✔ Explore one of the world's great cities at a relaxed pace
✔ Eliminate the stress of a same day transatlantic flight and ship boarding
✔ Experience Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the British Museum, the West End theatre scene, and the extraordinary variety of London's neighborhoods
London hotel options range from budget to ultra luxury across every neighborhood. Contact Timothy Budz Travel Services for London hotel recommendations and booking assistance.
Post Cruise — London or Beyond
Returning to Southampton on July 13 provides an easy connection back to London for a post cruise extension before your transatlantic flight home.
Alternatively, some travelers choose to fly from London to Paris for a few additional days in France after the cruise, extending the journey in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.
The flexibility of Southampton's rail connections makes both pre and post cruise extensions genuinely easy to arrange.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this a group cruise where everyone has to do everything together?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions about group cruises and worth addressing clearly.
A group cruise means everyone books together under the same group block to access better pricing. Once onboard, every passenger is completely independent. You dine when you want, explore ports on your own schedule, and experience the cruise entirely on your own terms.
Think of it as traveling alongside familiar faces rather than a structured tour where everyone moves in lockstep. The group part is about the booking. The experience is entirely your own.
Do I need to be an educator to join this cruise?
No. While Timothy Budz Travel Services works extensively with educators and this cruise is well timed for the summer break calendar, the group is open to all travelers.
What if I want to book a different cabin category than others in my group?
Each cabin is booked and priced individually. Members of the group can book different cabin categories entirely independently of each other. There is no requirement to match cabin types with other group members.
Can I book excursions independently or do I have to use Princess excursions?
You can book excursions through Princess or independently. Both options have advantages.
Princess excursions offer the assurance that the ship will wait for you if an excursion runs late. Independent excursions can offer smaller groups, different experiences, and sometimes better pricing, but if they run late the ship will not wait.
For port days with complex logistics like Paris from Le Havre, a Princess excursion or organized tour is often the most stress free option. For more straightforward ports, independent exploration is entirely manageable.
What is the best cabin category for this itinerary?
This depends entirely on your priorities and budget.
For travelers who plan to spend most of their time ashore and value simplicity over cabin space, an interior cabin represents extraordinary value on a per-night basis.
For travelers who want natural light and a connection to the sea throughout the journey, an oceanview or balcony cabin significantly enhances the onboard experience.
For travelers who want genuine comfort and space for a 13 night journey, a Mini Suite provides noticeably more living space at a price point that represents good value relative to the full suite category.
The balcony is worth considering specifically on this itinerary because the coastal scenery of the British Isles, viewed from your own private outdoor space during port approaches and sea days, adds a dimension to the journey that is genuinely special.
Is the $800 deposit really fully refundable?
Yes. The deposit is fully refundable. You can book today with complete peace of mind knowing that if anything changes, your deposit comes back to you.
This is one of the most important details about this cruise and one that removes the hesitation many travelers feel about booking something this far in advance.
BOOKING THROUGH TIMOTHY BUDZ TRAVEL SERVICES
When you book the British Isles cruise through Timothy Budz Travel Services you are not just making a reservation. You are working with someone who genuinely cares about getting every detail right.
Here is what that means in practice:
✔ Personalized cabin recommendations based on your specific priorities and budget
✔ Ongoing monitoring of your booking after it is confirmed
✔ Passport and documentation reminders well before departure
✔ Excursion guidance and recommendations for each port
✔ Pre and post cruise hotel assistance for London extensions
✔ Travel insurance consultation and options
✔ A single point of contact for every question between now and July 2028
✔ Someone in your corner if anything changes or goes wrong
All of this at no additional cost to you. Timothy Budz Travel Services is compensated by Princess Cruises, not by charging clients extra fees.
The service is genuinely free. The value is genuinely real.
SECTION 10 — READY TO BOOK?
The British Isles group cruise on Majestic Princess is one of the most extraordinary journeys available in cruising today.
13 days. 10 destinations. 5 countries. 1 unpacking.
England. Ireland. Northern Ireland. Scotland. And Paris.
A fully refundable $800 deposit holds your preferred cabin while the best options are still available.
Rates are locked and held through February 2028, giving you well over a year to plan comfortably and pay in manageable stages.
The best cabins go to those who book first.
To reserve your cabin or to ask any questions about this cruise, contact Timothy Budz Travel Services today:
📞 888-512-3444
📧 tim@timothybudztravel.com
🌐 timothybudztravel.com/mbg/12-day-british-isles-cruise-on-the-majestic-princess
Or message Timothy Budz Travel Services directly on Facebook.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a genuine conversation about one of the most remarkable travel experiences available anywhere in the world.
Thoughtful travel, simply planned. ✈️