You can get many cruises that stay within the British Isle a popular stops are Cows & Ryde on the Isle of Weight. Many P&O cruise ships such as the Ventura and new ship the P&O Azura and pass Cows & Ryde. The Isle of Weight can be a fantastic addition to your cruise ports I will outline below.
The Isle of Weight a British Jewel
Famous for its fabulous weather, its rugged beauty, its regatta and its resort-spas, the Isle of Wight has welcomed British tourists from the mainland since Victorian times. The Isle of Wight is the largest island in the English Channel, separated from Great Britain by the narrow Solent Strait, located just south of the port of Southampton.
Prince Albert designed a summer Royal Residence, called Osborne House, for Queen Victoria in East Cowes on the north coast of the Isle of Wight in 1851. The Queen loved the Isle of Wight so much that she spent her final days at Osborne house, passing away there in 1901. Today Osborne House, together with its extensive grounds and private beach, is open for the public to enjoy.
Over the years, the island has become a major maritime industrial centre where ships are built, sails are made and innovative watercraft are designed. In fact, many tourists arrive on the island from Southampton on a hovercraft originally developed and marketed in Cowes. A popular attraction is the 67 mile Isle of Wight Coastal Path where hikers, runners and dog walkers can easily traverse the perimeter of the island. Approximately half of the island is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, serving as a preserve for the island’s delicate wildlife and its jagged, white sea cliffs. The eroding cliffs of the island often reveal hidden dinosaur fossils, making the island one of the best known places in the world for dinosaur research.
Sea Ports
The Isle of Wight is the home of the Royal Yacht Squadron, based in the sea port of Cowes. Every August, Cowes hosts the world’s oldest international regatta, followed by a series of powerboat races. Cowes is the official gateway for the Isle of Wight. Travelers to Southampton arrive on luxury cruise ships from all over the world. They are then transported to Cowes by a high speed catamaran known as the Red Jet, just in time to see the Royal Yacht Squadron begin its race around the island.
Founded in 1815, The Royal Yacht Squadron was started by 42 gentlemen with an interest in sea yachting. The annual Regatta, called Cowes Week, was run for the first time in 1833. The Squadron clubhouse is located in Cowes Castle. Member yachts are permitted to fly the White Ensign of the Royal Navy and their names bear the suffix RYS. Queen Elizabeth is the club’s patron and Prince Phillip is the club’s Admiral. The Cowes Regatta has grown into a four day event, ending in a fireworks display, positioning Cowes internationally as “The Yachting Capital of the World.”
