Summer in the Isles - 2022
Discover the Channel Islands & Isles of Scilly aboard the MS Serenissima
- 22 August 2022
Here is a perfect getaway for those who enjoy visiting islands, small ship cruising and the chance to explore on foot. Join the MS Serenissima in Portsmouth and visit some of the most idyllic islands including Alderney, Sark, Tresco and St Martin’s with their crystal clear waters and fine white sandy beaches that would not disgrace a Caribbean island. We also visit Bryher, a rarely visited gem and almost never included on cruise schedules.
During our seven night island hopping voyage, we will explore on foot amazing little contained worlds as well as the stunning sub-tropical Abbey Gardens on Tresco. Such an itinerary would be difficult to arrange independently and the MS Serenissima is the perfect small ship for such a venture. A maximum of 95 passengers allows us to explore places otherwise inaccessible to larger ships and with our nimble Zodiac craft, we can land on out of the way coves and be footloose in a way that would be totally impractical for larger groups of passengers.
Useful links & Travel Advice
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Our View
“The United Kingdom is surrounded by a number of island groups offering wonderful scenery, wildlife and small communities and our voyage will include time in two of these groups: the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly. Our small ship, the MS Serenissima, is able to anchor and use local boats or the ship’s Zodiacs to land at the small harbours which serve the islands and, with just 95 passengers we will not overrun the islands but instead will be absorbed into the towns and island life. Our time will be spent walking the nature trails, spotting marine wildlife and experiencing life in these remote communities.”
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Itinerary
Day 1 Portsmouth, England.
Embark this afternoon. Transfers will be provided from Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station at a fixed time. Alternatively car parking facilities are available at the port. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.
Days 2 to 4 Alderney, Herm, Guernsey & Sark, Channel Islands.
We will spend our first two and a half days exploring the islands of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. On Guernsey, the ‘Island of Flowers’ there will be the option of a walking tour of St Peter Port including a visit to Castle Cornet, a 12th century battlement which guards the entrance to St Peter Port harbour. Alternatively, enjoy a panoramic drive during which we will see the beautiful coastline and beaches and visit the Little Chapel, built in 1914 as a miniature version of the famous basilica at Lourdes and covered in fragments of shattered china, or join a cliff walk along the scenic coastline. We will sail the short distance to Herm, the smallest inhabited Channel Island and, at just one and a half miles long and half a mile wide, perfect for exploring on foot. Here, you will have free time to explore, perhaps take a stroll over to Shell or Belvoir Beach whilst our naturalists will be ashore on the lookout for wildflowers and birds. On Alderney, visit the island’s only town, St Anne, which has all the old-world charm of a Normandy village with tiny squares and pastel shaded cottages and shops. Maybe join a short walk to see the German fortifications or a longer walk with our naturalists heading to the cliffs to see the birdlife. At Sark we will use our Zodiacs to land on this peaceful traffic-free island. Horse-drawn carriages take us along the narrow lanes alive with the songs of chaffinches, skylarks and mistle thrush as we see the narrow isthmus which joins Little Sark and Big Sark and the enchanting gardens at La Seigneurie. Those feeling active may wish to hire a bicycle and explore independently. On our final day we will set sail over lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon at sea as we cross the Channel.
Days 5 to 7 Tresco, Bryher, St Martin’s, St Agnes & St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly.
We continue our island exploration with two and a half days in the Isles of Scilly. From our central anchorage, we will use our Zodiacs and local tenders to visit a number of the islands in the group. We will visit traffic-free Tresco, walking its idyllic lanes from the beach to the famous subtropical Abbey Gardens. Defying the Atlantic weather, this miracle of a garden is home to more than 20,000 species of plants from over 80 countries. Enjoy time to wander at your own pace along the paths, maybe visit the Valhalla collection of ship figureheads from ships wrecked on the islands or relax in the café. On St Agnes we find the most south westerly community in the UK. Surrounded by rocks and reefs this delightful tiny island offers marvellous coastal walks. The small island of Gugh lies across a narrow sandbar and here we find a single stone monolith called the ‘Old Man of Gugh’ which dates back to the Bronze Age. We will tender ashore to Bryher, the smallest of the inhabited Isles of Scilly. Take the chance to wander along the tracks that cross the island amongst hedgerows and fields bursting with wildflowers. Those feeling active may wish to climb Watch Hill, where in the past islanders would keep watch for ships in distress or alternatively take a stroll to one of the beautiful beaches. See the northernmost island of the group, St Martin’s, a small island community of just 120 residents. Enjoy time to explore independently, climb to one of the viewpoints for vistas over the islands and the offshore seal colonies or maybe join one of our expedition team on a guided walk. On St Mary’s, the largest island in the archipelago (yet still only six square miles), you can enjoy some time in the shops in Hugh Town, walk the historic Garrison Walls or visit the Iron Age burial chamber at Bant’s Carn. On our final day we will set sail over lunch and have a leisurely afternoon at sea as we return to Portsmouth.
Day 8 Portsmouth.
Disembark this morning. Transfers will be provided to Portsmouth Harbour Railway Station at a fixed time.
Dates and Prices
22 to 29 August 2022 | ||
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Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
2 Standard Stateroom | £3295 | £3095 |
3 Classic Stateroom | £3595 | £3395 |
4 Superior Stateroom | £3895 | £3695 |
5 Deluxe Stateroom | £4295 | £4095 |
6 Junior Suite | £4695 | £4495 |
7 Owner’s Suite | £5095 | £4895 |
8 Serenissima Suite | £5395 | £5195 |
10 Standard Single | £3295 | £3095 |
Tour Reference Code: SCSE220822
Price Includes: Seven nights aboard the Serenissima on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board • Noble Caledonia expedition team • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes
Not Included: Travel insurance.
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Deckplan
Serenissima
The charming MS Serenissima began her career as the Harald Jarl, cruising the Norwegian coastline and fjords. Extensively renovated in 2003 she was rechristened MS Andrea and began her life as a classic cruise ship, and was chartered by Noble Caledonia for a number of years. In spring 2012 MS Andrea was purchased by our longstanding associates Volga Dream and renamed the MS Serenissima. After a thorough renovation and upgrading, the charming MS Serenissima commenced cruise operations in April 2013 and we have chartered her for the majority of each year since knowing her to be perfect for small ship cruising. With her small size she can navigate into small, remote ports inaccessible to the big cruise ships and appears an impressive sight when moored. With her fleet of Zodiacs she is capable of both destination and expedition cruising.
Our View
“The United Kingdom is surrounded by a number of island groups offering wonderful scenery, wildlife and small communities and our voyage will include time in two of these groups: the Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly. Our small ship, the MS Serenissima, is able to anchor and use local boats or the ship’s Zodiacs to land at the small harbours which serve the islands and, with just 95 passengers we will not overrun the islands but instead will be absorbed into the towns and island life. Our time will be spent walking the nature trails, spotting marine wildlife and experiencing life in these remote communities.”
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