Uncover the soul of Britain on a journey that blends London’s vibrant energy with the serene beauty of the Cotswolds. Stroll through royal palaces steeped in intrigue, glide along the Thames on a River cruise, and wander Oxford’s storied lanes before escaping to countryside villages frozen in time. From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, this pre-cruise experience is crafted for travelers who crave culture, history, and the thrill of discovery, culminating at the legendary Stonehenge, a timeless wonder that crowns your adventure.
DAY 1: Arrival in London
Arrive at London Heathrow or London Gatwick Airport, where you will be warmly greeted by your private driver and transferred in comfort to the prestigious May Fair Hotel, an icon of sophistication in the heart of the city.
While every effort will be made to have your room ready prior to the standard 3:00 PM check-in, early availability cannot be guaranteed. For guests arriving on early flights, we recommend reserving an additional night to ensure immediate access to your accommodation.
Arrival Note: After clearing Customs and Immigration, collect your luggage at the carousel, proceed through the “Nothing to Declare” channel, and exit into the arrivals hall where your driver will be waiting with a sign displaying the cruise line logo. If you cannot locate your driver within a few minutes, as they may be assisting other guests, please contact the local representative using the phone number provided in your travel documents.
Overnight at The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel.
DAY 2: Royal Splendor & London Icons
Wake up to a delightful breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a day that celebrates the grandeur and heritage of England’s capital.
Your morning begins with a short drive to the banks of the River Thames, where you’ll step into history at Hampton Court Palace, a masterpiece of Tudor architecture and a former home of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Explore opulent Tudor bedrooms, oak-paneled corridors, and the vast royal kitchens. Admire the magnificent chapel and banqueting hall and discover how Sir Christopher Wren transformed the palace during the reign of William and Mary. Stroll through the manicured gardens, marvel at the fountains, and lose yourself in the famous Hampton Court Maze.
Return to central London for a superb two-course lunch featuring a “Taste of Britain” menu at one of the city’s top restaurants. Afterwards, indulge in a champagne cruise along the River Thames, gliding past iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Palace of Westminster.
The afternoon continues with a guided panoramic tour of London’s most celebrated sights: Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, and the elegant Albert Memorial. Drive past world-class museums, including the Victoria & Albert Museum, and stop for a photo opportunity outside Buckingham Palace before returning to your hotel. At leisure; dinner on your own.
Overnight at The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel.
DAY 3: Oxford’s Scholarly Prestige & The Timeless Cotswolds
After breakfast, embark on a journey that blends academic grandeur with pastoral beauty. Begin in Oxford, the city of dreaming spires, where centuries of scholarship have shaped some of the world’s greatest minds. Enjoy an enlightening tour of Oxford University, including a visit to New College, founded in 1379 and renowned for its architectural innovation and illustrious alumni such as Oscar Wilde and J.R.R. Tolkien. Stroll through cobbled streets linking libraries, chapels, and lecture halls, immersing yourself in the traditions of this historic institution.
Continue into the Cotswolds, a region where time seems to stand still among honey-colored stone cottages, meandering streams, and rolling green hills. With your expert guide, explore charming villages like Burford, cascading toward the River Windrush, and Stow-on-the-Wold, with its ancient marketplace and sweeping hilltop views.
Pause midday for a traditional pub lunch in an authentic English hostelry before continuing your scenic drive through this enchanting landscape. Enjoy photo stops and guided walks in picturesque villages that embody the essence of rural England. Return to London in the evening and have dinner on your own.
Overnight at The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel.
DAY 4: Stonehenge & Embarkation
After breakfast and check-out, begin your journey to the ship with an unforgettable visit to one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, Stonehenge, the best-known prehistoric monument in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marvel at this ancient circle of stones, shrouded in mystery and legend, as you explore the site with an informative audio guide that reveals its fascinating history and theories of its origin. This awe-inspiring stop offers a perfect crescendo to your British adventure.
Please be in the hotel lobby 15 minutes prior to departure, having settled any incidentals. You will be met by a local representative for your transfer to the port and embarkation.
Land Program Step by Step
The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space may be released.
Meet and Greet & Transfer Information
• Final cruise documents will be sent via email 21 days prior to departure. These documents will include the local ground operator’s contact number on page 1, which can be used if you’re unable to locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Please note that the representative may be assisting other guests and might not be immediately visible when you exit Customs, and the baggage claim area.
• Upon arrival, look for a representative holding a sign with the cruise line’s logo, and possibly your name. If you’re uncertain or unable to locate them, airport staff can assist by directing you to the designated meeting point for cruise transfers or by paging the representative.
• Meet and greeting services and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of the land program, or for those who have booked pre-cruise accommodations through the cruise line. These arrangements are based on flight details provided at least 14 days prior to sailing.
• Guests arriving independently or before the official start date of the land program will not have transfers included. If we have not received your flight information, or if your flight details change and the Destination Services Land Team has not been informed, a transfer cannot be guaranteed. In such cases, guests will need to arrange and cover their own transportation to the land program hotel.
• For any flight updates or changes, please contact our Reservations Department as soon as possible, prior to departure.
DAY 1:
Please note: Timings may vary depending on actual flight times
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
Fly into either London Heathrow or London Gatwick Airport.
Transfer to your hotel for 3:00pm check in.
The remainder of the day and all meals are on your own
Overnight at The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 2:
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Full English breakfast at your hotel
8:45am Depart hotel by executive coach
10:00am Arrive Hampton Court for entry and guided tour with expert guide
12:30pm Depart Hampton Court, short drive and arrive lunch venue
1:15pm Lunch
3:00pm Thames River cruise
3:45pm Panoramic coach tour with photo stop
6:00pm Approximate return to your hotel, dinner on own
Overnight At The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 3:
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Full English breakfast at your hotel
7:30am Depart hotel by executive coach
9:30am Arrive Oxford. Guided walking tour ending with entry to New College
12:30pm Depart Oxford
1:15pm Two course lunch in a Cotswold’s local village pub or restaurant
2:30pm Cotswold’s Village tour with photo stops
3:45pm Depart The Cotswolds
6:30pm Approx. arrival back at the hotel.
Overnight At The May Fair Hotel or similar hotel
DAY 4:
Timing Itinerary & Points of Interest
AM Full English breakfast at your hotel followed by check out
8:45am Depart hotel for Stonehenge
11:15am Arrive Stonehenge
1:15pm Depart Stonehenge
2:30pm Approximate arrival at the ship in Southampton for embarkation
General Information
Electricity
The local current is 230V / 50Hz, and outlets use three square pins. Most sockets have an adjacent switch to control power. We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for your electronic devices.
Expected Weather:
Weather in the United Kingdom is highly unpredictable, and rain can occur at any time. Average daytime temperatures typically range from 60–70°F (15–21°C), with cooler evenings around 50–55°F (10–13°C). Prepare for moderately mild conditions and bring layers to adapt to changing temperatures.
What to Bring:
Pack comfortable clothing suitable for mild weather and supplement with a warm sweater or rainproof jacket. Sensible footwear is essential, as rural attractions and even some urban areas feature uneven terrain that can be wet. Include a hat and sunglasses for outdoor excursions.
Currency:
The official currency is Pound Sterling (£). U.S. dollars are not accepted; however, all major credit cards are widely recognized.
Documents and Visa Requirements:
A valid passport is required. Please check with your local embassy for the most up-to-date visa information for your nationality.
Hotel Address & Contact:
The May Fair Hotel
Stratton St, London W1J 8LT, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 20 7629 7777
Please Note: In the event of unforeseen circumstances, an alternative hotel may be arranged. Any substitute accommodation will match the original in both rating and quality. You will be informed of any changes prior to your departure. If no such notification is provided, your stay will proceed at the hotel specified in this program.
Program Includes:
•3 nights at the May Fair Hotel (Superior Room) or similar luxury accommodation
•Transportation and the services of an English-speaking tour guide for two full days of sightseeing, including the associated expenses
•A “Taste of Britain” two-course meal with a drink at a top London restaurant
•Entry to Hampton Court Palace with a guided tour led by an expert Hampton Court guide
•River Thames cruise with live commentary
•A two-course meal with a drink in a traditional Cotswolds village pub
•Entry to New College and a guided walking tour of Oxford
•Entry to Stonehenge with an audio guide
•Transfers as per itinerary
Program Excludes:
•Meals or services not mentioned above
•Gratuities
•Hotel incidentals, including mini bar and room service
•Personal expenses
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Hints & Restrictions
•For guests who utilize a wheelchair or have accessibility needs, lifts are available, and approximately 90% of the sites are wheelchair accessible. Guests must be able to walk up and down the steps of the tour coach with little to no assistance.
•Visitors with hearing or visual impairments can enjoy the sites using sign language audio guides and tactile displays. Guests using a scooter or wheelchair should contact the cruise line in advance to have their booking noted.
•Please note: Wheelchairs must fold, and scooters need to be disassembled to fit in the coaches. Accessible rooms in the hotel must be requested in advance and are subject to availability.
•This program includes periods of extended walking and standing. Guests must be able to independently board and disembark coaches and other modes of transport. Those requiring assistance should travel with a companion.
•Weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable flat walking shoes are strongly recommended.
Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. This program is not recommended for guests who require the use of a wheelchair or mobility scooters. Guests with mobility concerns are advised to carefully assess their personal physical capabilities and stamina. Participants must be able to independently board and disembark from transportation, including motor coaches, and should be accompanied by an able-bodied companion if assistance is needed. Guests who choose to use independent transportation or wheelchair services provided by third-party companies may do so at their own risk and responsibility. We encourage guests to contact the cruise line in advance to discuss any specific mobility-related questions or concerns before booking this program. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Booking, Pricing & Cancelation:
All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. No refunds or partial refunds will be issued for any unused portion of the program. This includes, but is not limited to, missed transfers, accommodations, guided tours, meals, or activities. All venues, hotel stays, tour guides, and logistical services are secured and pre-paid well in advance to ensure a seamless experience for all participants.
