7 Night Castles & Kilts cruise departing from Dover to Dublin onboard Crystal Serenity.

From scones and scotch to castles and crystals, the United Kingdom enchants with a mystic charm.

Highlights of this cruise:

Dover (London), England
For centuries, Dover has been a symbol of England's royal fortitude. The port's legendary White Cliffs have long been a welcomed landmark for seafaring travelers. The solid Dover Castle has faced invasions by Roman, French and even English troops. London's legendary sights, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Whitehall and the fashionable West End, lie just 80 miles from historic Dover.

Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Formerly a coal town, Newcastle Upon Tyne is today a hip and trendy destination, reinventing itself after the heady days of full-steam-ahead industrialization screeched to the near standstill of recession. "Geordies," as the locals are known, give Newcastle a distinct character-and a practically indecipherable dialect. The tough life of the Geordies has imbued in them, somewhat surprisingly, the gift of optimism, one they share willingly and generously. The people are one wonderful draw of the area; another is the Northumberland coast and Pennine hills, home to some of England's loveliest scenery and ruins of Hadrian's Wall. For all the appeal of the land, you may find it hard to leave the city, with its famed suspended-deck Tyne Bridge, graceful Victorian Central Arcade and charming Grainger Town, the beautiful and historic heart of the city.

Edinburgh/Queensferry Landing, Scotland
Dominated by a medieval castle on a towering crag, Edinburgh is the celebrated capital of Scotland and boasts more than a thousand years of vibrant historical heritage.

The Exchange building, the famous Royal Mile featuring St. Giles Cathedral and John Knox House, as well as Palace of holyroodhouse, the Queens official, are only a few of the architectural masterpieces found in this delightful Scottish city.

Stavanger, Norway
For centuries, Stavanger and its surrounding areas have played a leading part in Norway's maritime history - from the time when Viking kings battled in Hafrsfjord, through the period of the "White Sails," steamships and modern super tankers. As a result of its prime geographical location, Stavanger is considered the most important oil city in Norway.

Douglas, Isle of Man
A Viking kingdom more than a thousand years ago, Douglas is today the capital of the Isle of Man. The shopping high street, filled with some of Europe's biggest retailers as well as local shops, leads to the magnificent sea front lined with restaurants, theaters and museums. The Douglas Horse Trams also run along the harbor, transporting riders to a simpler time. Douglas is famed for its nighttime illuminations along the shore, which light up landmarks such as the stately Tower of Refuge, to create an unforgettable after-dark vista.

Dublin, Ireland
The Irish capital, Dublin, enjoys one of the loveliest settings in Europe. Craggy Howth Head shelters the natural harbor at Dublin Bay and the gurgling River Liffey flows through the center of town. The ancient Egyptians, as well as Norman and Viking warriors, visited Dublin. However, the city's most pervasive surviving influences come from the 18th and 19th centuries when elegant Georgian mansions were first built along the river and then outward from its shores. The arts also flourished during this period and Dublin served as the birthplace of some of our greatest literary figures such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce to name only a few.