Grand British Isles Discovery

• Day One – Depart London Tilbury

  Depart: 1600hrs

  Board Columbus, today, and settle in to your cabin as she sets sail this afternoon.

• Day Two – Rotterdam, Netherlands

  Arrive: 0900hrs

  Depart: 2000hrs

  Columbus reaches her first port of call today: the Dutch maritime city of Rotterdam. Step ashore to see the stunning architecture of the Erasmus Bridge and the remarkable Markthal food market. Browse the world-class museums, explore the lovingly preserved Old Harbour and stroll past nearby Delfshaven's step-gabled houses and ancient wharves.

• Day Three – At sea

  Spend today relaxing on board.

• Day Four – Kirkwall, Orkney

  Arrive: 0700hrs

  Depart: 2200hrs

  Today Columbus arrives in Kirkwall, Orkney's historic capital. Wander the streets and marvel at magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, or join an excursion to Scapa Flow, Churchill's famous Barriers or the Italian Chapel.

• Day Five – At sea

  Spend today relaxing on board.

• Day Six – Tobermory, Mull

  Arrive: 0600hrs

  Depart: 1700hrs

  The small town of Tobermory on the beautiful island of Mull, with its picturesque, multi-coloured houses encircling the waterfront, is a delightful place to explore, as is nearby Duart Castle, the famous seat of Clan Maclean.

• Day Seven – Dublin, Ireland

  Arrive: 0830hrs

  Depart: 1900hrs

  Today Columbus arrives in Dublin. This great city of culture, once home to Joyce, Yeats, Wilde and Swift, is one of Europe's most engaging capitals. Grafton and O'Connell Streets are popular with visitors, as are the city's famous bars and pubs, cafés and coffee shops.

• Day Eight – St Marys, Scilly Isles

  Arrive: 1000hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  This morning finds us in the Isles of Scilly. Columbus anchors here in sheltered waters, giving you the opportunity to go ashore to explore Hugh Town on St Mary's, the flower-strewn byways beyond, and stunning Tresco, where the famous Abbey Gardens house Britain's finest subtropical plant collection.

• Day Nine – St Peter Port, Guernsey

  Arrive: 0600hrs

  Depart: 1900hrs

  Guernsey's St Peter Port welcomes us this morning. See 800-year-old Castle Cornet, which guards the entrance to the harbour, wander the town's cobbled central quarter and make the most of the island's tax-free shopping.

• Day 10 – Honfleur, France

  Arrive: 0730hrs

  Depart: 1615hrs

  Crossing the Channel, your next port of call is Honfleur at the mouth of the Seine. Wander the streets behind the pretty harbour, or perhaps join an optional excursion into the surrounding countryside.

• Day 11 – Antwerp, Belgium

  Arrive: 1200hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  Today Columbus arrives in Antwerp, the Diamond Capital of the World. Explore the city, which was once home to the painter Rubens, or perhaps join optional excursions to the lovely Belgian cities of Bruges and Brussels.

• Day 12 – Arrive London Tilbury

  Arrive: 0800hrs

Days marked above with an anchor include ports where you will be transferred to shore by landing boat. These ports may be inaccessible for customers with mobility difficulties as a result. Any days not listed will be spent at sea.

• Passport requirements
  British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.
• Foreign Office travel advice

  Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.