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Cruise Itinerary |
Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas
August 23-27, 2008
| Day |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
|
| Sat |
Southampton, England |
|
5PM |
| Sun |
Cork, Ireland |
3PM |
|
| Mon |
Cork, Ireland |
|
6PM |
| Tue |
at sea |
|
|
| Wed |
Southampton, England |
5:15AM |
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* The cruise line holds the right to make schedule changes.
Southampton, England
One of the world's most famed ports,
Southampton served as the launching point of
the Mayflower and the Titanic. Today, it's
one of the busiest passenger ports and home
to a waterfront dotted with restaurants,
shops and curios. |
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The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
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Visit the Southampton Maritime Museum, which chronicles the history of Southampton and its significant role as a port for ocean liners, the most famous being the Titanic. Not to be missed is the exhibit "Titanic Voices", where visitors can hear the story of the tragic voyage in the words of survivors and those touched by the tragedy.
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Other Fun Things to Do
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- Browse the halls of The City Art Gallery, which was named the "National Fine Art Museum of the Year" in 1994.
- Take a guided tour of Old Southampton and walk along the medieval town wall.
- Explore the more than 300 acres of open park space in The Common. It's an amazing collection of flora and fauna, so remarkable, in fact, that it has been designated a site of special scientific interest.
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Shopping for Bargains
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Southampton is a shopper's delight, with several shopping areas and a wide variety of retailers. The most popular shopping center is WestQuay, located right in the city. It offers stores such as John Lewis, Waitrose and Marks & Spencers, as well as the more internationally known H&M, Gap, Sephora and Tower Records. Alternatives to WestQuay are the Marlands, which offers an even larger selection, including homeware and toy stores, and Bargate, the place to go for urban, surf or beach attire as well as the arcade, Sega Park.
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Cork, Ireland
The magnificent Cobb Harbor is just a short drive from Cork. An enchanting place, the main district of Cork sits on an island formed by the diverging channels of the River Lee. The city itself is filled with a multitude of picturesque quays and bridges. Cork is the idea spot to outfit yourself with Irish tweeds, kiss the Blarney Stone or simply relax and enjoy the charming countryside.
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The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
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When you're in Cork, you'll want to take the chance to visit Blarney, just five miles away. There you'll find the Blarney Castle, home of Ireland's "Crown Jewel" - the Blarney Stone. Take part in a tradition shared by people from all over the world: kissing the Blarney Stone. It's supposed to bestow the gift of eloquence on anyone who does.
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Other Fun Things to Do
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- Visit City Market, also known as the English Market. Dating back to 1610, the Market provides a colorful insight into local tradition and culture.
- Explore Muckross House and Gardens, an 1843 Elizabethan-style home set in a beautiful national park. Learn about the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries, and see skilled craftspeople carrying on the traditional work of their predecessors.
- Travel through the Derrynasaggart Mountains toward the Killarney National Park, where the famous lakes and tree-lined shores shimmer against a backdrop of mountain peaks.
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Get a Taste of Local Flavor
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Traditional Irish cuisine is simple and wholesome. Colcannon is a vegetable dish of diced potatoes fried with onions and covered with cream. Tripe and drisheen are local specialties, the latter being a type of blood sausage. The brown bread is also excellent. |
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