Cobh & Cork
Navigating rough seas and reaching the shores of Ireland. Ah, the unpredictable seas of the Atlantic Ocean. For those of us who have embarked on a cruise, we know that not every day on the open waters is smooth sailing. Sometimes, the waves can reach daunting heights of about 4 meters, causing a bit of turbulence for the passengers aboard. But for us seasoned cruisers, it's nothing more than a walk in the park.
After six eventful days of crossing the Atlantic as part of our two-week Western Europe Transatlantic voyage on Celebrity Apex, we finally arrived at our first port of call: Ireland. Our ship gracefully docked in Cobh, a picturesque seaside town that exudes the charm and spirit of the Irish culture. As we stepped ashore, we couldn't help but appreciate the colourful homes that lined the streets, creating a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Cobh
The first port of call was Ireland, and we docked in Cobh, a lovely seaside Irish town where the homes are colourful that line the streets, all nestled around a magnificent church perched up on the hill. The cathedral is one of the tallest buildings in Ireland, standing at 91.4 metres.
Cobh is also the last known place the Titanic visited before its sad departure; there was a museum just off the ship, although we didn't get a chance to visit it.
After a quiet stroll around Cobh, we were on the very convenient train a few steps from the ship that commuted to and from Cork every half hour for only a €6.90 return. The trip was 20 minutes to Cork and was a scenic commute for all to enjoy; we loved the beautiful little fishing villages and nature scapes as we whizzed by.
Cork
Arriving in Cork, you have a ten-minute stroll to the city centre by the riverside, where you can roam the streets and enjoy the architecture and beautiful churches scattered around the city as the little rivers and bridges surprise you as you walk. The city centre also has a selection of city walks should you have the time; they would be ideal for unwrapping the city and enjoying the sights thoroughly.
Cork is home to the Blarney Castle, where a stone says, 'Whoever kisses, OH! He never misses, to grow eloquent' and Jameson Whiskey, so plenty to keep visitors entertained. With only a few hours, we kept to the city to be back on the ship before departure time.
As we sailed towards the UK, we enjoyed a beautiful dinner in our favourite restaurant on the ship, Raw on Five, devouring Japanese and champagne, followed by our first magical sunset for the week.
