British archipelagos and Celtic shores on Le Lyrial
From the coast of Brittany to the shores of Ireland, PONANT invites you to spend unique moments where the English Channel meets the Celtic Sea. This 9-day interlude between Saint-Malo and Dublin aboard Le Lyrial will take you to the heart of landscapes of wild and melancholic beauty. Between lush meadows, craggy cliffs, small colourful villages, peat bogs and moors, succumb to the charms of these lands steeped in mystery.
You will set sail from Saint-Malo, a town famous for the legendary Route du Rhum yacht race. The city of privateers, the diversity of its heritage and its rampart walks will not fail to delight you.
Le Lyrial will then make its way north-west to reach the Channel Islands. Here, nature reigns and offers the perfect getaway. In Guernsey, fall in love with this island that is as captivating as it is mystical. Numerous dolmens and menhirs dot the island, bearing witness to its long history and rich heritage. Next, edged with verdant plains and rocky cliffs, Herm, the smallest of the Channel Islands, will surprise you with its wild, unexplored and untouched quality.
Next, you will sail to legendary Cornwall. In Fowey, you will marvel at Mother Nature’s masterpieces. There, you will discover a spellbinding environment of majestic cliffs and vast natural spaces, conducive to escape and tranquillity.
Your ship will then sail towards the Isles of Scilly, a strange little archipelago whose landscapes seem to have come straight out of Enid Blyton's famous story, The Rockingdown Mystery. Here, long sandy beaches lie alongside green fields, while ruins of old castles stand proud on hilltops.
Your ship will head for the shores of Wales and you will sail around the island of Skomer in a zodiac dinghy. This national nature reserve surrounded by spectacular cliffs is one of the country’s most beautiful sites. An ornithological paradise, it is teeming with many species, for example, Manx shearwaters, razorbills, gannets and fulmars. The waters surrounding the island are some of the British Isles’ richest in terms of fauna and flora.
Then, Le Lyrial will reach the charming port of Kinsale, lying at the mouth of the Bandon estuary. With its narrow streets of colourful façades, its cafés, pubs, galleries and boutiques, Kinsale is one of Ireland’s most popular towns and enjoys a reputation as the country’s gastronomic capital.
You will then head for the medieval town of Youghal. From the port, you can easily get to the historical Raleigh Quarter, home to St Mary's Collegiate Church and the Clock Gate Tower. Walking along the old ramparts, which are among the best preserved in Ireland, you will be able to admire the views over the bay. An exploration of River Blackwater will reveal splendid country houses, including that of the Jameson sisters, direct descendents of John Jameson whose name is synonymous with Irish Whiskey.
Finally, you will head for Warrenpoint, a seaside resort in Northern Ireland set in an exceptional natural environment, which promises beautiful walks in the Silent Valley Mountain Park, before arriving in Dublin, where your cruise will come to an end.
- Luxury
PONANT is the World Leader in Luxury Expeditions with ultra-modern, intimate ships, offering attentive service and well-designed itineraries that touch all corners of the globe. Every cruise is a blend of adventure, exploration, and discovery—all experienced in luxurious comfort, even in the heart of extreme landscapes.
Why cruise with PONANT?
• 13 luxury small ships, able to easily navigate small waterways and visit remote destinations not accessible by large cruise ships.
• Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid-electric polar exploration yacht, sails further into the polar regions (including the Geographic North Pole).
• The youngest expedition fleet afloat.
• The leader in luxury polar expeditions for over 20 years and cultural cruising for over 30 years.
• Over 400 awe-inspiring cruises, calling at over 450 ports on all seven continents.
• Experts on board our voyages of discovery and learning to enrich guests’ understanding of the destinations.
• An exclusive partnership with Smithsonian Journeys, the the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution.
• Understated elegance on board with French-inspired cuisine, fine wines, and chic design.
• Proud to partner with Sothys, Veuve Clicquot, and Ducasse Conseil. Ships feature fabrics by Pierre Frey, beauty products from Hermès, macarons by Ladurée, and tea from Palais des Thés.
• 100% of our staterooms have a sea view and 95% have a balcony (100% on the PONANT EXPLORERS).
• Attentive yet discreet service from an experienced, multilingual onboard staff and crew.
• Open bridge access (requires approval from Captain).
• “Clean Ship” certification for the fleet in recognition of their eco-friendly features.
• All-inclusive pricing with open bar, gratuities, port fees, and taxes (including Zodiac explorations/landings on expeditions).
• The world’s first underwater passenger lounge, the Blue Eye, featured exclusively on the PONANT EXPLORER ships.
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Itinerary
Day | Port | Arrive | Depart |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Saint-Malo | 7:30 PM | |
2 | Guernsey, Channel Islands | 6:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
2 | Herm | 3:00 PM | 10:00 PM |
3 | Fowey | 8:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
4 | Isles Of Scilly | 7:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
5 | Skomer Island, Wales | 7:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
6 | Kinsale | 7:00 AM | 8:30 PM |
7 | Youghal | 2:00 PM | |
8 | Warrenpoint | 7:00 AM | 2:00 PM |
9 | Dublin | 7:00 AM |