Belfast Highlights & Shopping

Your tour takes you along the city’s major thoroughfares and past many of Belfast’s impressive buildings, including the Harbor Office and the Customs House. You will also see two of the city’s most remarkable structures — the giant cranes of the Harland and Wolff Shipyards. Affectionately known as Samson and Goliath, the German-built cranes dominate the skyline. It was also in these shipyards that the ill-fated Titanic ship was built. On the grounds of City Hall, you will be able to see its poignant memorial. You'll then, continue your tour through the city to the famous Queen's University, established in 1845 by Queen Victoria as one of the three Queen's Colleges of Ireland. The Lanyon Building, located within Queen's University, is also home to The Naughton Gallery and the Canada Room, where George Mitchell laid the foundation for the Northern Ireland peace process. Next, you’ll venture a few miles outside the city to see neoclassical Stormont, the seat of the Northern Ireland Assembly. A symbol of progress to Northern Ireland’s troubled past, the power-sharing executives with responsibility for Northern affairs rule from this impressive building. Your next visit will be the political wall murals, located on the Protestant Shankill Road and the Catholic Falls Road. Then, stop for an inside visit of Belfast Cathedral — the Cathedral Church of St. Anne, whose foundation stones were first laid back in September 1899. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to shop in the bustling city of Belfast. Having marveled at the beauty and character of Belfast and all it has to offer, you will then return to the port and your ship.