Elevated view of Chesil Beach and the town of Portland in Dorset at sunset, with the long shingle spit curving along the coast and warm sunlight reflecting on the sea.

Portland, Dorset, England

Cruises to Portland, UK

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Things to do in Portland

Want everything all at once? Welcome to Portland. This tied island (connected to the mainland by the Chesil Beach) sits like a limestone battleship off the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Jurassic Coast, packed with ruins, swans, ancient cathedrals and stones so old they make your great-grandparents look like TikTok influencers. Every corner throws something different at you—prehistoric mystery, medieval ambition, Victorian naval grit—all in a place only four miles long.

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  • Large flock of white swans swimming together at Abbotsbury Swannery in Dorset, with rolling green hills and blue skies in the background.

    Walk through the 600-year-old Abbotsbury Swannery where swans nest in their hundreds and cygnets fluff around your ankles.

  • Gothic architecture of Salisbury Cathedral in Portland, with its soaring spire and ornate façade, surrounded by green lawns and autumn-colored trees under a clear sky

    Stand under the spire of Salisbury Cathedral, a Gothic marvel with one of only four original Magna Cartas on earth tucked away inside.

  • The stone ruins of Corfe Castle perched on a grassy hill in Dorset, surrounded by green hedgerows and rolling hills under a clear blue sky.

    Gaze at the ruins of Corfe Castle, a 1,000-year-old stronghold once so strategically important that monarchs and mercenaries fought tooth and nail over it.

  • Stonehenge stone circle in Wiltshire, featuring massive upright sarsen stones topped with horizontal lintels, set against green grass and a partly cloudy blue sky.

    Stare down the standing stones of Stonehenge, a 5,000-year-old puzzle that refuses to give up its secrets no matter how many audio guides you download.

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Shore excursions to explore in Portland

Princess Cruises lines up tours here that aren’t just pleasant—they’re jaw-dropping. These excursions throw you into prehistoric circles, Tudor halls, giant chalk figures, swan colonies, tanks and vineyards (because exploring is thirsty work).

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  • Interior view of Salisbury Cathedral’s nave, with tall Gothic columns, vaulted ceilings and rows of wooden chairs leading toward a stained glass window at the far end.

    Best of Stonehenge & Salisbury

    Step into 5,000 years of mystery with a two-hour drive to Stonehenge, where you’ll circle the massive stones like a druid with a camera. Afterwards, head to Salisbury, one of the world’s most charming cathedral cities, to see the spire, the cloisters and an original Magna Carta (no, you can’t touch it).

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  • Expansive vineyard at sunset with neat rows of grapevines stretching into the distance, glowing in warm golden light against rolling hills.

    Local Connections: Visit to an English Countryside Vineyard with the Langham Family

    Ahhh, the Langham Wine Estate. This 30-acre vineyard grows Champagne grapes in Dorset soil and makes award-winning sparkling wine entirely on site. You’ll be guided by a member of the Langham Family or winemaker Daniel Ham through the vines, the production area and into the tasting room for a tutored sampling. A countryside picnic built on local ingredients rounds out this very English twist on luxury.

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  • White swans swimming in a lake at Abbotsbury Swannery, with ducks scattered among them and bright rolling hills in the background beneath a cloudy sky.

    Abbotsbury Swannery & Gardens

    Step into a living swan colony founded by monks in the 14th century and still thriving today. Over 1,000 swans nest here, and between May and June you might see hundreds of tiny cygnets tottering through the reeds. After the lagoon, visit the subtropical gardens first planted in 1765 and now a riot of rare botanicals.

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  • World War II Sherman tank nicknamed "Fury" on display at Bovington Tank Museum, driving along a dirt track with a Union Jack flag and a crew member visible on top.

    Relics from the Great War: The Bovington Tank Museum

    Swap swans for steel at the world’s largest collection of armored fighting vehicles. Bovington Tank Museum holds over 300 tanks from 26 countries, including the German Tiger 131 and the British Mark I. Interactive exhibits, soldiers’ stories and six enormous halls make this a thunderous half-day journey through 20th-century warfare.

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  • Historic stone building in Cerne Abbas, Dorset, featuring gabled roofs, mullioned windows and a walled garden with spring daffodils under a partly cloudy sky.

    Athelhampton and The Stone Giant of Cerne Abbas

    Drive through the Dorset countryside to meet the 180-foot-tall Cerne Abbas Giant carved into the hillside—a chalk figure whose origins are as mysterious as Stonehenge. Then tour a Tudor manor built in 1485, exploring its Great Hall, King’s Room and award-winning gardens before pausing for refreshments. 

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  • Aerial view of Corfe Castle ruins on a grassy hilltop in Dorset, with crumbling stone walls and towers surrounded by countryside and distant woodlands.

    Scenic Countryside & Corfe Castle

    This 1,000-year-old ruin once guarded the Purbeck Hills and still dominates its village below. Walk through crumbling towers, secret stairways and open courtyards where kings and knights once chilled (and sometimes killed each other). Afterwards, enjoy free time in the village to browse, sip or snack before heading back through the rolling Dorset hills to port.

  • Stonehenge at dusk with massive upright stones topped by lintels, glowing in golden light as the sun sets behind a partly cloudy sky.

    Stonehenge

    A direct hit of prehistoric awe. Two hours from port, you’ll arrive at the visitor center then head to the stones themselves along an encircling path. The site’s sheer scale, precise alignment and ancient engineering remain as staggering today as they were to the builders. Audio guides and exhibits fill in the blanks while your eyes do the rest.

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Explore itineraries for cruises to Portland

British Isles and European cruises to the Portland dock you right at the heart of a place that’s small but outrageous. The port is minutes from coastal trails, cafés and quirky pubs, and an easy springboard to icons like Stonehenge and Salisbury. Shuttle services and tours leave directly from the pier, so you can roll off the ship and be staring at medieval ruins or swan colonies before your coffee even cools.

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10-Day European Capitals

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12-Day Oktoberfest European Capitals

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27-Day Northern Europe & Canary Islands Grand Adventure

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Discover Portland, UK, on your next cruise

This is your chance to step onto an island that once fueled Royal Navy operations and now acts as your launchpad to castles, chalk giants, cathedrals and the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Jurassic Coast. Princess Cruises adds the easy part—smooth itineraries, luxurious ships and shore excursions curated so you can spend more time enjoying ancient mysteries and less time figuring out logistics.

Cruises to Portland, England
Portland Bill Lighthouse in Dorset, a tall white tower with a red central band, standing on rocky cliffs against a bright blue sky.

The distinctive red-and-white striped Portland Bill Lighthouse stands sentinel on Dorset's dramatic rocky coastline, its Victorian keeper's cottages clustered at its base.

Vertical view of Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire, showing its tall Gothic spire and ornate façade framed by green lawns and trees under a bright blue sky.

Salisbury Cathedral's soaring Gothic spire rises majestically above manicured lawns, its intricate stonework epitomizing medieval English ecclesiastical architecture.

Ships sailing to Portland, UK

Our ships bring you to Portland Isle in serious style. Each one is a floating home base of comfort and indulgence, perfect for refueling between your military museums and swan encounters.

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Sky Princess

Sky Princess®

Sky Princess® layers luxury onto every deck, with balcony cabins designed for sea-view mornings, a vast spa and specialty restaurants to recover from your cathedral climbs.

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Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess®

Majestic Princess® blends cutting-edge design with classic cruise indulgences. Think grand atriums, multiple pools and a theater that rivals anything in London’s West End—all just a night’s sail away from the Jurassic Coast’s legendary stones.

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Cruises to Portland, Dorset, UK FAQs

 

                    *The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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