Coastal view of Kirkwall on the Orkney Isles, with green fields, scattered houses and the spire of St. Magnus Cathedral visible across the water.

Kirkwall, Scotland

Cruises to Kirkwall, Orkney Isles, Scotland

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Things to do in Kirkwall

Kirkwall may be small, but its history runs deep. Viking legacies, medieval cathedrals and cozy distilleries sit side by side in this Orkney capital, giving visitors a glimpse of Scotland’s rugged spirit.

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  • Red sandstone St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, with a tall spire, rose window and surrounding graveyard under a partly cloudy sky.

    Step inside St. Magnus Cathedral, where Viking stonework and stained glass glow in the northern light.

  • Stone ruins of the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall, Orkney, with crumbling walls, arched windows and turrets under a bright blue sky.

    See the arched window frame stories of Orkney’s ruling earls.

  • Tankerness House Museum in Kirkwall, a historic stone building with gabled roofs set against open grassy fields and a partly cloudy sky.

    Discover Orkney’s heritage inside Tankerness House, one of Scotland’s best-preserved townhouses.

  • Sip locally crafted gin at Orkney Distillery at just a short walk from the pier.

    Orkney Distillery produces Kirkjuvagr gin, infused with botanicals rooted in the islands’ Norse traditions.

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Shore excursions to explore in Kirkwall

Step off your ship and into landscapes carved by wind, sea and time. Orkney excursions reveal prehistoric stone circles and dramatic cliffs that make this string of over 70 islands a world of its own.

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  • Narrow stone-paved alley in Kirkwall, Orkney, bordered by rustic stone walls and pastel buildings with a lone person walking in the distance.

    Local Connections: Gin Tasting & Kirkwall Walking Tour

    Begin with a guided tour and tasting at Orkney Distillery, then stroll through Kirkwall’s cobbled streets. Highlights include St. Magnus Cathedral, Bishop’s Palace and Earl’s Palace, plus time to explore Tankerness House Museum. It’s the perfect blend of flavor, history and local storytelling.

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  • Towering sea stack surrounded by blue waters at Yesnaby Cliffs, with rocky shoreline and grassy cliffs in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

    Ultimate Orkney

    Don’t miss a thing on this “Ultimate Orkney” trip, where you will see the Italian Chapel, the cliffs of Yesnabey, the Neolithic stone circles and more. Tour Highland Park Distillery, explore Neolithic stone circles and walk through Skara Brae, a Stone Age village uncovered by a storm. At Skaill House, Orkney’s grandest mansion, history feels close enough to touch.

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  • Neolithic stone houses of Skara Brae in Orkney, with intact stone walls and hearths overlooking a sandy beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

    Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae & Skaill House

    Step back 5,000 years at the Heart of Neolithic Orkney. See the towering stones of Stenness and Brodgar, then wander Skara Brae, where stone houses still hold echoes of prehistoric life. You’ll feel transported through time when you end with a tour of Skaill House, a 17th-century mansion overlooking the sea.

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  • Standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar in Orkney, arranged in a wide circle across grassy moorland with hills and water in the distance.

    Ancient Standing Stones

    In just a few hours, experience Orkney’s most dramatic scenery. Walk the wind-battered cliffs of Yesnaby, then visit the Ring of Brodgar and see the Standing Stones of Stenness, some of the oldest in Britain. Each site whispers of ancient rituals and sky-watchers from millennia ago.

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  • Rusted hull of a sunken warship in Scapa Flow, Orkney, partially submerged in calm blue waters with grassy shores and a wind turbine in the distance.

    West Mainland Sightseeing

    Drive Orkney’s wide coastal roads past seabird colonies and open skies. Stop for photos across Eynhallow Sound, stroll Stromness’s stone-paved streets and see the Neolithic monuments that dot the Heart of Orkney. Along the way, you’ll glimpse Scapa Flow, where naval history shaped the 20th century.

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  • St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, built of red sandstone, with tall spire and stained-glass rose window, framed by historic gravestones in the churchyard.

    St. Magnus Cathedral & Earl’s Palace Walk

    On a guided walk, see St. Magnus Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque and Gothic stonework. Nearby, the ruins of Earl’s Palace and Bishop’s Palace reveal Renaissance ambition and medieval power. End with Tankerness House Museum, where Orkney’s story comes alive through artifacts and gardens.

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Discover all shore excursions

Experience the Kirkwall port on your next cruise

Your Princess ship docks a short walk from Kirkwall’s center, making it one of the most accessible ports in Scotland. From here, you can wander into town, join a guided tour of the Neolithic sites or head into Orkney’s windswept countryside. You can easily see Kirkwall during British Isles cruises or European ones when you sail with Princess.

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12-Day British Isles with France & Belfast

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14-Day Icelandic Fjords & British Isles

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26-Day Fire, Ice & British Isles Grand Adventure

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Discover Kirkwall on your next cruise

Cruises to Kirkwall are like none other. The port greets you with the charm of a walkable island town. From the pier, cobbled lanes lead past cozy shops, bakeries and pubs where locals gather. It’s a rare port where you feel part of the community for a day as you get lost in its history.

Cruises to Kirkwall
Close-up of St Magnus Cathedral’s arched doorway in Kirkwall, featuring red sandstone carvings, a wooden door and intricate black wrought iron designs.

Step through the ornate doorway of St Magnus Cathedral, where medieval stonework and iron detail tell centuries of history.

Stone ruins of the Earl’s Palace in Kirkwall, showing weathered walls, arched windows and St Magnus Cathedral’s spire in the background.

Stone ruins of the Earl's Palace in Kirkwall frame a view of St Magnus Cathedral's spire rising against the Orkney sky.

Ships sailing to Kirkwall

Several Royal-class and Sky-class ships call at Kirkwall, offering luxury and comfort while you explore Orkney.

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Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess®

Royal-class elegance with global flair. Enjoy dining at Harmony, relax in The Sanctuary, or catch a movie under the stars.

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Sky Princess

Sky Princess®

Modern luxury with the largest balconies at sea. Dine at Crown Grill℠, explore the Piazza, and enjoy sweeping views from Sky Suites.

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Regal Princess

Regal Princess®

Known for the SeaWalk® glass walkway and over 1,400 balconies, Regal Princess® pairs innovative features with lively entertainment and refined dining.

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Cruises to Kirkwall FAQs

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

Let Princess get you there with travel, airfare & hotels

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    Airplane to Ship Transfer

    Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

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  • Cruise Plus hotel packages

    Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

    Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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