The compact nature of the UK means few sea days in favour of an itinerary filled with stunning land views and exciting excursions.
Below, we've listed some of the top spots to visit by sea in the UK as well as some of the most exciting companies with exclusive British itineraries available right now.
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Top UK staycation cruise lines
Cunard
Cunard have British Isles itineraries which offer up to 12 nights of sailing, stopping in some of the UK's top destinations. There are itineraries which head either west or east around the mainland.
Fred Olsen
Fred Olsen have the best variety of British cruises. There's options to sail for just one night to Scotland from Northern England, itineraries focused on the delights of the Scottish Highlands, alongside longer options circumnavigating the whole country including stops at some of its furthest points - the Shetland islands and Guernsey.
Princess
Princess have plenty of options, with many of their itineraries also visiting either France, Ireland or Iceland to extend your trip. They even have a ‘Tropical Grand Adventure’ which begins by visiting a range of locations on the British Iles before heading to Spain and crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean.
Saga
For the over 50s, Saga have great British options that are different to their competitors. They have trips focusing solely on England's south cost, the Scilly Isles and Guernsey, as well as longer cruises stopping at ports across the country.
Read a full guide to cruise companies departing from the UK here
British port destinations
England
Dartmouth
Where: On Devon’s glorious south coast near the English Riviera
Scenery: On the River Dart, Dartmouth stands proudly with its steep cobbled streets, impressive naval college and tree-lined hills.
Best reason to visit: Dartmouth's seafood is some of the best in the UK. Enjoy local Brixham’s daily catch at Rockfish or pair your shellfish with champagne and views at the Embankment Bistro.
Dover
Where: In the ‘Garden of England’ on the South-Eastern Kent coast
Scenery: The famous white cliffs will welcome you to Dover as they beam out against the blue hues the sea and sky.
Best reason to visit: Dover Castle played a key part in the history of Britain and is a fascinating day trip. Built from 1066, you can discover Medieval and war time history in one iconic place.
Falmouth
Where: One of Cornwall's most important harbours, Falmouth lies on the South coast, not far from Land's End.
Scenery: The luscious coastline here wriggles around peninsulas, creating interest at every turn. Falmouth itself has the buzz and authenticity of a working fishing port.
Best reason to visit: Head off on a wildlife safari to see dolphins, sharks and seals in their natural habitat.
Fowey
Where: On Cornwall’s exotic South Coast, just upstream of its namesake river
Scenery: It's easy to imagine this area as a former piracy hotspot with its ferns providing shelter and quaint cottages being somewhere to hide.
Best reason to visit: Taking time to walk around this charming town is a must-do. Pick up some gorgeous crafts, admire the views between the pastel cottages and devour a classic Cornish cream tea.
Isles of Scilly
Where: Drifting off the South Western tip of Cornwall, around thirty miles from the mainland
Scenery: An archipelago of small islands dotted about in turquoise waters - definitely an unexpected sight for the UK.
Best reason to visit: Tresco Abbey Gardens care for subtropical plants which cannot be found in the rest of the UK. The former abbey has housed plants from New Zealand and Brazil for over 200 years and the views are superb.
Liverpool
Where: This city on England's North-Western coast welcomes you with its iconic harbour.
Scenery: Royal Albert Dock is jam packed with historic, red brick buildings that are home to galleries, museums, shops and restaurants.
Best reason to visit: Any music fan will love the Beatles Story where you'll be whisked into sixties culture via the lives of those four young boys from Liverpool.
Newcastle
Where: Sitting on the North-Eastern coast, just under the border with Scotland, Newcastle is a great starting point or port on route to Nordic cruise adventures.
Scenery: The cruise terminal is perfectly placed between the city and the beach. Enjoy the metropolitan buzz or the long stretch of yellow sand.
Best reason to visit: the quayside is the place to be on a sunny afternoon in Newcastle. Renovated after its industrial past, enjoy the promenade, bridges and local makers' market.
Plymouth
Where: Britain's most southerly city in the county of Devon
Scenery: The green cliffs of Heybrook Bay on right and Kingsland on your left welcome you into this busy port.
Best reason to visit: Plymouth has the UK’s largest aquarium, which will transport young and old alike to the wonders at the bottom of the sea. Explore both the ocean and coral reefs in their large exhibits.
Portland
Where: An island off the Dorset coast connected to the mainland by sand spit
Scenery: The island is formed of limestone with a rugged beauty of old quarries, naval batteries and a historical prison.
Best reason to visit: Take an excursion to Abbotsbury Swannery where you'll enjoy a gorgeous bus ride along the coast to a botanical gardens that 1,000 mute swans call their home.
Portsmouth
Where: On the Hampshire south coast opposite the Isle of Wight
Scenery: Portsmouth is an important naval town with obvious historic and current links to the sea, such as Southsea Castle and the huge air carriers that often linger in the docks.
Best reason to visit: A trip to the Mary Rose and HMS Victory will tell the tales of Britain's naval past. The former is the ruin of the Tudor ship that was raised from the sea in 1982 and the latter can be explored on foot, allowing a glimpse into Napoleon's world.
Southampton
Where: The UK’s largest cruise port on the south coast
Scenery: Southampton is a modern city; heavy air bombardment meant intense rebuilding after WWII. Expect to see plenty of nautical activity as you pass the terminals and harbour.
Best reason to visit: Before you embark, fans of history should explore the Solent Sky museum with its Spitfire and Harrier, to see how Southampton's linked to the aviation industry.
Torquay
Where: On the ‘English Riviera’ in the southern county of Devon
Scenery: Long stretches of sand await in this huge natural bay with fishing and pleasure boats aplenty, plus beautiful seafront gardens.
Best reason to visit: Walk around Berry Head for sea views on all sides, including a great vista of Torbay. Visit the lighthouse, Napoleonic fort and delicious café.
Northern Ireland
Belfast
Where: Northern Ireland’s main cruise port on its north-eastern side
Scenery: Heading into the bay you'll find natural harbours and castles, with a bustling city waiting to welcome you.
Best reason to visit: As seafarers, cruisers often have a fascination with the Titanic and it's luxurious, yet devastating history. The Titanic Belfast experience lies on the original area of construction and features an underwater cinema, six storeys of galleries and gantry rides.
Scotland
Aberdeen
Where: On Scotland’s Eastern shores bordering the Cairngorms National Park
Scenery: A city skyline awaits with towers both modern and historic and rugged coastline to both the north and south.
Best reason to visit: Golf enthusiasts will be in their element with an excellent course in the city and the renowned Cruden Bay just a short journey away.
Edinburgh
Where: The capital city lies just north of the Scottish borders on the eastern coast
Scenery: The city's cruise terminals have been modernised and boast gorgeous views over the firth, whilst the city itself is dominated by the castle sitting atop the extinct volcano and Arthur's Seat gently guarding close by.
Best reason to visit: There's so much to do in Edinburgh but a trip to the Royal Mile is a must. Enjoy the shops, pop in a cafe for some local delicacies and finish at the castle to learn about the city and capture the stunning views.
Greenock
Where: Sail past the Isle of Arran to Greenock on the eastern Scottish shores, just a short journey away from Glasgow
Scenery: Greenock itself is a lovely small town with beautiful Victorian architecture financed by the old herring and shipbuilding trades.
Best reason to visit: Take a short transfer to Glasgow where old and new seamlessly blend to make an exciting, innovative city. We recommend taking the time to peruse the city's important art galleries, such as the Glasgow School of Art designed by Mackintosh the Burrell Collection full of artistic artifacts.
Invergorden
Where: A great entry port to the Scottish Highlands, just north of Inverness.
Scenery: There's hills, glens and locks aplenty with a sense of peace in every direction.
Best reason to visit: A trip south to the capital of the Highlands is a great option, as is a journey North to Dunrobin Castle where a fascinating museum, gorgeous gardens and a chance to see birds of prey soar in their native habitat await.
Inverness
Where: The gateway to the Highlands on Scotland’s eastern coast just north of Loch Ness.
Scenery: The magnificent castle dominates the skyline and the wide, shallow River Ness glides through this small city.
Best reason to visit: A trip south to Loch Ness will immerse you in thousands of years worth of myths and legends. Take a boat trip to appreciate the loch’s sheer size or head to Urquhart Castle for some of the best scenery in Scotland.
Kirkwall
Where: Capital of the Isle of Orkney, north of the Scottish mainland
Scenery: Kirkwall is a historic, bustling town within a gorgeous archipelago. Arrive on a sunny day and it's hard to think of a better place to be in the UK.
Best reason to visit: The Orkneys have the highest concentration of prehistoric sites in Europe and so it would be amiss to visit without seeing one. The Ring of Brodgar are the oldest standing stones in Britain dating back to 2700 BC and Skara Brae is a Stone Age settlement that was uncovered in 1850.
Lerwick
Where: Capital of the Shetland Islands, Lerwick is far north of the Scottish mainland and a regular stop on the way to Norway and Iceland.
Scenery: The welcoming harbour shines with it's sandstone buildings which guard the undulating hills and lochs behind.
Best reason to visit: An excursion to the close-by Sumburgh Head nature reserve affords the change to see dolphins, orcas and minke whales.
Newhaven
Newhaven is a docking district in the city next to Leith.
See Edinburgh
Oban
Where: On the western shores of Scotland opposite the Isle of Mull and not far from the mighty Ben Nevis
Scenery: Oban is a gorgeous town surrounded by pure wilderness. A myriad of islands, glistening water, a never ending forest and a dominating mountain backdrop make this town extremely special.
Best reason to visit: Oban is well known for its whisky, which is one of the main reasons for the town's historic prosperity. The Oban distillery will bring the process of creating this single malt to life.
Portree
Where: On the eastern shores of Skye which lies between the mainland and the Outer Hebrides.
Scenery: Colourful houses await you in the small dock. Take an excursion into the island to see nature in its most beautiful, rugged form.
Best reason to visit: Just up the coast lies the famous Old Man of Storr. Getting to the bottom of this amazing rock is a steep climb but if you're able, it's well worth it for the sheer majesty of the views. The basalt rock is 55 metres tall and is the last remains of a volcanic plug formed 2,800 years ago.
Queensferry
Queensferry lies just to the west of the country's capital.
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Rosyth
Rosyth lies just the other side of the Queensferry crossing, a short coach ride from the capital.
See Edinburgh
Stornoway
Where: The capital of the Outer Hebrides on the Isle of Lewis off the western shores of the Scottish Highlands.
Scenery: A beautiful harbour awaits with the small town surrounded by gentle hills and trees, which shine amber in the Autumn.
Best reason to visit: There's lots of excursions on offer but one of our favourite things to do in Stornoway is to explore the town and soak up it's charm. Enjoy some of the local produce and the region’s music spilling out of from the pubs.
Ullapool
Where: One of the larger towns in the Scottish highlands, on the beautiful west coast.
Scenery: Ullapool sits on the scenic Loch Broom and is guarded on all sides by highland mountains, including the iconic Stac Pollaidh to the north. It's a working port and so if you're up early, catch a glimpse of the fishermen bringing in the day's fresh catch.
Best reason to visit: Ullapool has some of the best sea food in the UK and there's no better place to sample it than in the iconic Seafood Shack which pairs the produce with simple flavours, letting it shine. Think langoustines with garlic and thyme butter or traditional cullen skink.
Wales
Holyhead
Where: On the island of Anglesey in North Wales.
Scenery: Anglesey is home to lighthouses and beautiful island walks. Head out of town to find rolling hills and green pastures sitting alongside the bright blue sea.
Best reason to visit: Take a short journey to the mainland and Portmerion. Built for fifty years during the twentieth century to mimic an Italian village, this unexpected tourist destination will make you wonder if you're still really in Wales.
GET.cruises will help you find the best cruise deals. Search for your perfect cruise holiday and compare prices from all the major travel agents.
