Cruises From the Port of Newcastle

Port Location: The port of Newcastle, also known as the Port of Tyne, is the only cruise port on the eastern side of the UK and is situated between Harwich and Leih on the River Tyne. The port area is in North Shields.

Transport: Newcastle International Airport is about 9.7 kilometres from the Port of Newcastle. The city's Metro runs from the airport to many parts of the city. Taxis and bus routes can get you anywhere you want to go in Newcastle, including the port. Large parts of the city of Newcastle are generally free of a lot of traffic, making it easy to explore on foot.

Description: The Port of Newcastle is considered to be the gateway to Northumbria. This is England's most northern region and is know for the dramatic coastline and its many castles. Cruises from Newcastle are a great way to experience some the most beautiful views in England and appreciate the history of Northern England.

Sightseeing and Excursions: Before and after cruises from Newcastle you can find plenty to do to keep you busy. Probably one of the most popular areas in Newcastle is the renewed downtown Quayside area. Set right along the banks of the River Tyne, this area is full of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. The beautiful backdrop of Quayside is made up of seven picturesque bridges that date from 1849. Probably the one that stands out the most is the Tyne Bridge.

In the North Shields area of the port is the Tynemouth Priory. This was at one time one of the biggest fortifications in the United Kingdom with battlements extending over the beaches to the North Sea.

There are excursions that offer tours to places like historic Durham. This tour includes a visit to a Norman castle and cathedral in ancient Durham. Another excursion is perfect for lovers of art. It goes to the Bowes Museum that has one of the most expansive collections of fine art found anywhere.

Beaches: If you want to experience the beaches here before departing on cruises from Newcastle, a short Metro ride or drive can get you from the Port of Newcastle to Whitley Bay, an old-fashioned English seaside resort. Only 20 minutes from the city you can find Tynemouth Long Sands, a golden beach with the cliffs as a backdrop. This beach is famous for surfing.

Shopping: There are plenty of large shopping centres in Newcastle. One of the biggest in the UK is the Eldon Square Shopping Centre. Besides the mall, there is more eclectic shopping opportunist down the many side streets in the area. The busiest street for shopping is Northumberland Street. The Newcastle side of Quayside also includes an array of interesting shops.
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Getting to the Port of Liverpool

Port Location: The Port of Liverpool is located on the River Mersey three kilometres inland from the Irish Sea. It is in Lanchashire County on the western coast of England and is the embarkation point for Liverpool cruises. The Port is a short distance from John Lennon Airport in Liverpool.

Transport: Liverpool has two bus operators for sightseeing called City Sightseeing and City Explore Bus Tour. They both have stops at Pier Head Landing making it easy for cruise passengers to take in the sights before and after their cruises. The local trains to liverpool(Merseyrail) has a stop two blocks inland behind the Port of Liverpool Building.

Description: The Port of Liverpool is turning into one of the more popular starting points for a number of cruise lines. Not only does the city of Liverpool itself have a strong cultural heritage, but the Port of Liverpool is also home to national museum collections so large that they are second only to London.

The cruise ships moor in the area of the Port at the Pier Head Landing Stage, which is only a 10-minute walk from the Albert Dock. The Albert Dock has the largest group of listed buildings in the UK. Here, some of the oldest warehouses in the Port of Liverpool have been converted to a number of facilities including museums like the Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, and The Beatles Story.

Sightseeing and Excursions: There are a number of excursions to take and sights to see to occupy your time before and after a cruise that sails from the Port of Liverpool. For Beatles fans there is The Beatles Story located in the Albert Dock area. An audio tour guides you through the lives of the Beatles from childhood to stardom. Also located on the Albert Docks is the Tate Liverpool where you can soak up world famous artworks.

Before or after Liverpool cruises, take in the Mersyside Maritime Museum, which is full of exhibits depicting the history of Liverpool's shipping history. The displays include models of passenger liners and exhibits of maritime disasters like the Lusitania and the Titanic. Enjoy one of the tours on the Mersey Ferry. You can choose between a cruise on the Mersey River or of the Manchester Ship Canal.

Beaches: There are many beaches near the Port of Liverpool. Some of the closest include Fort Rock Beach and Crosby Beach, which are 2 miles away. Mockbeggar and Hightown beaches are within 4 miles.

Shopping: The Albert Dock warehouses are known for the shopping opportunities that can be taken advantage of before setting out on Liverpool cruises.
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