Honeymoon Journey

Charlie & Graci
Bauer

British Isles Explorer · Viking Sky

Departs
Friday, July 24, 2026
Returns
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Duration
20 Nights

Booking details available in your private travel portal 🔒

Pre-Cruise · Oxford & London
Daytime
Depart Milwaukee (MKE) — Economy
Exact flight times TBD — Viking will email air itinerary ~3 months prior to travel. Arrive London Heathrow (LHR) next day.
Flight
Morning
Arrive London Heathrow (LHR)
Clear customs & immigration. Collect baggage.
Flight
~60–90 min
Viking Transfer: LHR → The Randolph Hotel, Oxford
Approx. 55–75 miles via M40 — about 1.5 hrs depending on traffic. Viking arranged coach/private transfer included with Great Homes, Gardens & Gin pre-cruise package.
Transfer
Afternoon
Check In — Old Bank Hotel, Oxford
Central Oxford, steps from the famous colleges and landmarks. Your Viking Tour Director is available to help plan your time in Oxford. Optional walking excursion around the city available, or explore on your own.
Hotel
Afternoon
Welcome Sloe Gin Gathering
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome sloe gin reception at the hotel. A lovely way to kick off your 4-night Oxford extension and your honeymoon!
Hotel
All Day
Highclere Castle & Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Journey through rolling countryside to Highclere Castle — Privileged Access to the "real Downton Abbey," built in Victorian Gothic style by Sir Charles Barry. Taste Highclere Castle Gin. After lunch, visit the Bombay Sapphire Distillery for a tour and tasting. Return to Oxford for an evening at leisure. Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L).
Excursion
All Day
Broughton Castle, Banbury
Panoramic drive to medieval Broughton Castle — home of the influential Fiennes family. The castle served as the setting for Wolf Hall. Admire the estate's eclectic architecture, elegant interiors, and manicured gardens during a private viewing. Lunch included, then return to Oxford. Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L).
Excursion
All Day
Chavenage House & Highgrove Gardens
Drive to Chavenage House — the Cotswolds estate known from Poldark. Welcomed by one of the owners for a personal guided tour. Lunch in the Great Hall with sweeping views. Continue to Highgrove — the private home of King Charles III — to stroll the beautiful gardens. *Highgrove Gardens subject to availability; Buscot Park may be substituted. Pack bags tonight for early transfer tomorrow. Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L).
Excursion

Watch Before You Go · Viking Video Library

▶British Isles Explorer — Full Cruise Video▶Great Homes, Gardens & Gin▶Visit Oxford & Highclere Castle▶Your Excursions Explained (Viking TV — Rupert Woodard)▶Karine Meets Shetland Ponies▶Viking Sky — Ship Details & 360° Tour
The Voyage · Viking Sky · British Isles Explorer
Morning
Viking Transfer: Old Bank Hotel, Oxford → Viking Sky, Greenwich
Breakfast at the hotel, then check out. Approx. 55 miles via M40/A40 — about 1.5–2 hrs. Viking coach departs Oxford mid-morning. Arrive Greenwich Pier for check-in. Meal: Breakfast (B).
Transfer
2:00 PM
EMBARK Viking Sky — Stateroom 3046
Deluxe Veranda stateroom. Explore the ship, attend safety drill, unpack and settle in.
Ship
7:30 PM
Shore Excursion: Ceremony of the Keys — Tower of London
One of London's most exclusive ceremonies, held nightly since the 14th century. Return to ship by ~11 PM. Ship remains docked overnight.
Excursion
9:00 AM
Shore Excursion: The World of Shakespeare
Explore Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the stories of Elizabethan London.
Excursion
~1:00 PM
Return to Ship · Lunch & Sailaway
Be back aboard before 2:00 PM departure. Enjoy sailaway from Greenwich — passing the Thames waterfront, Canary Wharf, and the Thames Estuary.
Ship
Evening
Evening at Sea — Specialty Dining Opens May 30
Sailing south toward Dover overnight. First full evening aboard — consider making specialty restaurant reservations once onboard.
Ship
8:00 AM
Arrive Dover — Docked at Port
No excursion booked today. ~10 hours of free time to explore independently.
Ship
All Day
Free Time — Dover & Canterbury
Explore Dover Castle (dramatic clifftop fortress) on your own, then consider a ~30-min taxi or bus ride to Canterbury Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Or stroll the White Cliffs of Dover for iconic views of the English Channel.
Free Time
5:30 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 6:00 PM
Be back aboard by 5:30 PM.
Ship
All Day
Sailing the English Channel & Celtic Sea
A glorious day at sea as Viking Sky rounds the tip of Cornwall and heads north toward Ireland. Watch for land at Land's End. Enjoy the spa, pool deck, or simply relax on your veranda. Resident Historian lectures: History of Britain, The Hanseatic League, The Vikings, The Bayeux Tapestry.
Ship
8:00 AM
Tender Ashore to Dún Laoghaire
Anchor port — tender boats ferry guests ashore. Allow 15–20 min each way. Dún Laoghaire is a charming seaside suburb ~14 km from Dublin city centre (30 min by DART train).
Transfer
10:15 AM
Shore Excursion: Trinity College & Museum of Literature Ireland
Visit Trinity College Dublin — home of the Book of Kells — and the new Museum of Literature Ireland. Returns ~5:45 PM, leaving free time before late departure.
Excursion
~6:00 PM
Free Time — Dún Laoghaire or Dublin
About 5 hours free after the excursion before the 11 PM departure. Consider dinner at a traditional Irish pub in Dún Laoghaire (great seafood) or take the DART back into Dublin for the Temple Bar area.
Free Time
10:30 PM
Final Tender — Return to Ship
Last tender back before 11:00 PM departure. Do not miss — tender schedule confirmed in Viking Daily.
Ship
9:30 AM
Shore Excursion: The Lake District by Train & Boat
Journey through the English countryside to the Lake District — Wordsworth country. Scenic train journey + boat on one of the lakes. Returns ~6:30 PM.
Excursion
~7:00 PM
Free Time — Liverpool Waterfront
About 4 hours after returning. The Albert Dock and Pier Head are close to the cruise terminal. Consider dinner in the Baltic Triangle or a quick visit to the Beatles Story at the Albert Dock.
Free Time
10:30 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 11:00 PM
Ship
8:30 AM
Shore Excursion: Ffestiniog Railway & Lunch
Ride the historic narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway through Snowdonia, with a Welsh country lunch included. Returns ~4:30 PM.
Excursion
~4:30 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 6:00 PM
Short time back in Holyhead before sailing. Grab a coffee and enjoy the harbor views.
Ship
9:30 AM
Shore Excursion: Giant's Causeway
UNESCO World Heritage Site — the extraordinary hexagonal basalt columns on the Antrim Coast. Returns ~3:00 PM.
Excursion
~3:00 PM
Free Time — Belfast City Centre
About 3 hours free. The Titanic Belfast museum is a short taxi from the port (~10 min). The Cathedral Quarter has excellent restaurants and craft beer.
Free Time
6:00 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 6:30 PM
Ship
Morning
Scenic Sailing — Approaching Scottish Highlands
Late arrival (noon) — enjoy the morning sailing through the Minch and approaching the dramatic Highland coast from your veranda.
Ship
12:00 PM
Tender Ashore — Ullapool
Anchor port — tender to the small fishing village of Ullapool. Allow 15–20 min each way.
Transfer
12:45 PM
Shore Excursion: Knockan Crag Hike
Hike the famous geological trail at Knockan Crag NNR in the Northwest Highlands — one of the world's great geological sites with stunning loch and mountain views. Returns ~3:45 PM.
Excursion
~4:00 PM
Free Time — Ullapool Village
About 1.5 hours in the charming whitewashed village. The Ceilidh Place is a wonderful café/bar/bookshop. Fresh seafood is exceptional here. Tender back well before 6:00 PM.
Free Time
5:30 PM
Last Tender — Return to Ship
Ship
9:45 AM
Shore Excursion: Orkney's Wartime Legacy
Explore Scapa Flow, the Italian Chapel, and WWII history of this remarkable archipelago. Returns ~1:45 PM.
Excursion
~2:00 PM
Free Time — Kirkwall
About 3 hours free. Visit the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral (12th century, free entry) and stroll the medieval streets. Excellent Orkney whisky and cheese shops. Highland Park Distillery is a short walk from town.
Free Time
4:30 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 5:00 PM
Ship
9:15 AM
Shore Excursion: Royal Yacht Britannia & Edinburgh Castle
Tour HM Yacht Britannia — the Queen's former floating palace — followed by Edinburgh Castle on the volcanic rock above the city. Returns ~4:15 PM. Note: Aug 8 is Edinburgh Fringe season — extraordinary street performers throughout the city!
Excursion
4:00 PM
Return Tender to Ship — Departs 5:00 PM
Tender from Newhaven Harbour back to Viking Sky. Allow 15–20 min tender ride.
Ship
9:30 AM
Shore Excursion: Balmoral Castle & Ballater Village
Visit the Royal Family's beloved Highland estate and the charming Royal Deeside village of Ballater. Returns ~5:15 PM — very close to departure, confirm tender time with Viking Daily.
Excursion
~5:00 PM
Last Tender Back — Departs 5:00 PM
This excursion runs 7.8 hrs from 9:30 AM, returning ~5:15 PM — very tight with 5 PM departure. Confirm final tender time with ship staff. The excursion operator will coordinate with Viking.
Timing Note
8:30 AM
Shore Excursion: Sheepdogs of Shetland
A uniquely personal Shetland experience — watch working sheepdogs in action with local handlers at a working farm. Returns ~12:00 PM.
Excursion
12:00 PM
Free Time — Lerwick
About 5 hours to explore this charming Norse-tinged island capital. Stone lanes, the Shetland Museum, historic Fort Charlotte, and wonderful local craft shops. Try Shetland lamb or fresh seafood for lunch.
Free Time
4:30 PM
Return to Ship — Departs 5:00 PM
Ship
9:30 AM
Shore Excursion: Hike to Øvre-Eide Farm
A beautiful hike above Bergen with panoramic fjord and city views, visiting a historic farm. Returns ~2:00 PM. Final excursion of the voyage!
Excursion
~2:00 PM
Free Time — Bergen
Generous free time in one of Norway's most beautiful cities. Stroll the UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, ride the Fløibanen funicular to Mt. Fløyen for stunning views, explore the historic fish market, or visit Troldhaugen (Grieg's home). Pack bags tonight for tomorrow's disembarkation.
Free Time
Evening
Final Night Aboard Viking Sky
Last dinner and evening aboard. Consider the World Café or specialty dining to celebrate the final night of your honeymoon voyage. Ship stays overnight in Bergen.
Ship
Morning
DISEMBARK Viking Sky — Bergen
Bags set outside stateroom door the night before. Disembarkation typically begins ~8 AM, organized by deck/group. Enjoy final breakfast onboard.
Ship
Morning
Viking Transfer: Viking Sky → Bergen Airport (BGO)
Approx. 15–20 km from Bergen cruise terminal to Bergen Flesland Airport (BGO) — about 30–45 min by coach. Viking arranges transfer.
Transfer
TBD
Depart Bergen (BGO) — Economy
Exact flight times TBD. Likely connection through Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, or Copenhagen. Long travel day — typically 14–18 hrs including connections.
Flight
TBD
Arrive Milwaukee (MKE)
Welcome home, Mr. & Mrs. Bauer. 20 unforgettable nights complete.
Flight

Important Reminders

◆UK ETA Required: U.S. citizens must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK before travel. Apply at gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta
◆Pre-Cruise Extension Includes: 4 nights at the Old Bank Hotel, Oxford · 7 meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches) · 4 guided tours: Oxford city; Highclere Castle (Privileged Access) & Bombay Sapphire Distillery; Broughton Castle; Chavenage House & Highgrove Gardens · Viking Tour Director throughout · All transfers. Highgrove Gardens subject to availability — Buscot Park is the alternative.
◆Passports: Must be valid 6 months beyond Aug 12, 2026. Bring color copy of photo/signature pages for ship check-in.
◆Specialty Dining: Reservations open May 30, 2026 on MyVikingJourney.com. Book early — specialty restaurants fill quickly.
◆Flight Details: Full air itinerary arrives by email ~3 months prior (around late April 2026).
◆Anchor Ports: Dublin, Ullapool, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen require tender boats. Tender schedules confirmed in the Viking Daily onboard newsletter.
◆Aberdeen Timing: The Balmoral excursion (7.8 hrs) runs very close to the 5 PM departure. The ship will not hold for late guests — the excursion operator coordinates return.
◆Travel Insurance: Trip Mate Plan #GR625V · Emergency: 1-866-303-1918 (US/Canada) or 1-816-905-3998 (international collect)
◆Viking Agent: Johnny Santos · (888) 663-8454 ext. 8242