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Northern Ireland

Cruise Travel, Destinations, England, Europe, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Wales

British Isles Explorer Cruise Experience: On Board and On Shore

Catherine Sweeney
November 23, 2025
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British Isles Explorer Cruise Experience: On Board and On Shore

On board and on shore with Viking Cruises

About Catherine Sweeney

Catherine Sweeney is a travel enthusiast with a lifelong passion for going places. A weekend getaway, an international journey, a cross-country road trip, or a local jaunt — they’re all on her radar. And it’s all made extra special when she’s enjoying the finer things in life with Mr. TWS, her husband and co-blogger. Get inspired as they share photos and stories highlighting the best of destinations, food, wine, history, culture and the arts.

Thank you, Getting on Travel!

Traveling with Sweeney, Best Baby Boomer Travel Blogs 2022, Getting on Travel

2018 NATJA Silver Award Winner

Recent Posts

  • British Isles Explorer Cruise Experience: On Board and On Shore
  • British Isles Cruising with Viking: Excursions in England and Wales
  • Exploring Scotland and Its Islands on a Viking Cruise
  • From Cities to Farms – Iceland’s Culture, Heritage, and Cuisine
  • Exploration and Relaxation — Collette Tour Excursions in Iceland

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Somewhere on the English Channel just after sunset Somewhere on the English Channel just after sunset. New on the blog — the second in a series of posts about our @vikingcruises British Isles Explorer cruise. This one features destinations and shore excursions in England and Wales. Link in bio. #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #cruisetravel #britishislescruise #travelgram #englishchannel #vikingjupiter
Well done, Scottsdale! Great turnout for #nokings Well done, Scottsdale! Great turnout for #nokings #nokingsscottsdale #saveourdemocracy #notaterrorist #notpaid #loveamerica #
A few splashes of immersive art from the “Eternal A few splashes of immersive art from the “Eternal Nature” exhibition at @artemuseum_lasvegas to inspire you to check out this cool venue when in Las Vegas. Definitely a must-visit for the art lover in you. #artemuseumlasvegas #immersiveart #artlovers #visitlasvegas #lasvegasartscene #travelforart #travelingram #travelblogger
Cruising with @vikingcruises on their British Isle Cruising with @vikingcruises on their British Isles Explorer itinerary from London to Bergen included a wonderful introduction to Scotland and its Northern Isles. Here’s a glimpse of Inverness (Central Highlands), Shetland Islands, Ullapool (Western Highlands), Orkney Islands, and Edinburgh. Link in bio for latest post about the Scotland portion of our cruise. #myvikingstory #vikingcruises #britishislescruise #scotlandtravel #shoreexcursions #northernisles #edinburghscotland #inverness #shetlandislands #orkneyislands #traveler #travelingram
Nice #mondaymemories of the Sonoma County coastlin Nice #mondaymemories of the Sonoma County coastline during our California road trip at the end of August to celebrate my birthday. Sonoma County has been near and dear to my heart since I first visited when I was nine years old — that’s a very long time! ☺️ #visitsonomacounty #sonomacounty #sonomacoast #californiavibes #lovecalifornia❤️ #travel #travelgram
I'm so thirsty! #thirstythursday memories of @thec I'm so thirsty! #thirstythursday memories of @theclancysf where we relaxed in the courtyard lounge after arriving in San Francisco last week. A fire and wine combination -- I like it! #sanfrancisco #chardonnay #winelover #california #fireandwine #marriottbonvoy
Cheers to all on this #WineWednesday! Wilson Winer Cheers to all on this #WineWednesday! Wilson Winery — What a lovely place to taste luscious wines on a sunny and warm afternoon. During our time in Sonoma County last week, we stopped at @wilsonofdrycreek for wine tasting in the Dry Creek Valley of Healdsburg, California. We enjoyed each wine we sampled and came home with a couple bottles of Zinfandel (for which they are renowned) #sonomacounty #winecountry #californiawine #drycreekvalley #vineyardviews #winetasting #wilsonwinery #travelforwine #visitsonomacounty
Ah, the great outdoors! In Iceland there are plent Ah, the great outdoors! In Iceland there are plentiful activities for adventure, exploration, and fun as we experienced on our @gocollette Best of Iceland tour. Check out our latest blog post - link in bio - for info and pics about whale watching, glacier cave exploration, bay cruising, and indulging in natural geothermal baths. #catherinexcollette #gocollette #bestoficeland #whalewatching #husavik #langjökull #mývatn #baycruise #travelgram #travelblogger #guidedtravel #visiticeland #icelandtours
From the amuse-bouche to dessert, the Pan-Asian Lo From the amuse-bouche to dessert, the Pan-Asian Lotus menu in the @vikingcruises Jupiter Chef's Table specialty restaurant was a delight. Each course was paired with a lovely wine. Shown here: Goan Potato Chop, Chili Soft Shell Crab, Red Lotus granite, Thai Spiced Rack of Lamb, Sea Bream (a subsitue made for pescatarian @mrtws1 -- chef is very accommodating), a premium Tempranillo paired with lamb), Yuzu Cheesecake. Be sure to book a dinner at Chef's Table when you cruise! Menus vary. #myvikingstory #chefstable #panasiancuisine #cruisedinner #vikingjupiter #travelingram #foodiefriday #vikingcruises
As I always say … one minute you’re packing for a As I always say … one minute you’re packing for a trip, next thing you know you’re home again. Time flies! We’re back in Scottsdale after a great @vikingcruises British Isles cruise on which we visited interesting and beautiful destinations, enjoyed onboard experiences, and met some very nice people. This photo is of our final port — Bergen, Norway — taken from a hilltop overlooking the city center and harbor. I loved Bergen! #myvikingstory #cruisetravel #bergennorway #beautifuldestinations #travelgram #visitnorway #beautifulviews #scandinaviancity #vikingcruises
Hanging out with the sweet Shetland ponies on the Hanging out with the sweet Shetland ponies on the Shetland Islands of Scotland on a British Isles cruise shore excursion. #myvikingstory #travelgram #shoreexcursion #travelblogger #scotland #shetlandpony #vikingcruises
A lovely excursion in the Scottish Highlands yeste A lovely excursion in the Scottish Highlands yesterday through the countryside and the city of Inverness. This is a sampling of photos we took along the way with @vikingcruises. #myvikingstory #shoreexcursions #inverness #scotland #traveler #lovetotravel #cruisetravel #vikingcruises
What a great @vikingcruises cruise! Yesterday’s ex What a great @vikingcruises cruise! Yesterday’s excursion took us to Edinburgh, Scotland. Here’s a glimpse. #myvikingstory #edinburgh #scotland #shoreexcursion #travelgram #cruisetravel #britishislescruise #vikingcruises
The fascinating ancient stones of the Ring of Brod The fascinating ancient stones of the Ring of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands of Scotland — they’re older than Stonehenge! Gorgeous day to see them on our @vikingcruises #myvikingstory #cruisetravel #britishisles #travelgram #travelblogger #shoreexcursion #orkneyislands #scotland #ringofbrodgar #unesco #vikingcruises
Another lovely evening on the Viking Jupiter saili Another lovely evening on the Viking Jupiter sailing the Irish Sea after a wonderful day in Northern Ireland. Dinner was The Restaurant and then nightcap and entertainment in the Explorer’s Lounge. Life is good. #myvikingstory #traveltuesday #travel #cruisetravel #britishisles #vikingjupiter #vikingcruises
A quick selection of photos from our tour of Belfa A quick selection of photos from our tour of Belfast. A life-long resident of Belfast, our wonderful local guide Gerald had much to share about its history (including The Troubles), current affairs, key landmarks, cultural aspects and much more. He also had a wonderful sense of humor that we really enjoyed. Loved this stop on our @vikingcruises British Isles Explorer cruise. #myvikingstory #cruisetravel #belfast #northernireland #britishisles #travel #lovetotravel #travelingram #vikingcruises
Just a few photos from our day in Liverpool, Engla Just a few photos from our day in Liverpool, England on our @vikingcruises British Isles Explorer cruise. A lot more to share later. Now we’re headed to Belfast! #myvikingstory #liverpool #travelengland #cruisetravel #britishislescruise #travelingram #beatlesfan #coolcities #vikingcruises
Welcome to Douglas on the Isle of Man, a lovely sm Welcome to Douglas on the Isle of Man, a lovely small city on a beautiful island. Our @vikingcruises shore excursion included a drive around the island and time on our own in Douglas. At the end of the video you can catch a glimpse of our ship, the Viking Jupiter. #myvikingstory #isleofman #travelblogger #britishisles #cruisetravel #shoreexcursion #travelnow #vikingcruises
Travel 🚢 and romance ❤️— a wonderful combination! Travel 🚢 and romance ❤️— a wonderful combination! @mrtws1 and I were feeling the love on the Explorer’s Lounge deck of the @vikingcruises Jupiter as the beautiful full moon rose over the Irish Sea. #myvikingstory #fullmoon #irishsea #romantictravel #lovetotravel #travelgram #cruisetravel #vikingcruises
Sailing day on the Irish Sea with @vikingcruises — Sailing day on the Irish Sea with @vikingcruises — worked out in the fitness center with a view, walked along the ship’s promenade, appreciated onboard art, joined (and won) a trivia contest, attended an enrichment lecture and ended the day at Manfredi’s (Viking’s specialty Italian restaurant. Very nice! #myvikingstory #cruisetravel #irishsea #britishisles #travelgram #travelblogger #vikingcruises
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