Discovering Dublin: A Solo Start to My Azamara Cruise Adventure
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
In July 2024, I set out on another bucket-list adventure. This time to Ireland. Since I love cruising, I chose Azamara for its smaller ship (fewer than 700 passengers), more relaxed pace, and older, like-minded crowd. It turned out to be one of my favorite trips yet.
The cruise itself lasted 12 days, but I added a two-day pre-cruise stay in Dublin and spent another week afterward exploring Oslo, Flam, and Bergen in Norway. Overall, these made for 22 wonderful days of travel - something I never take for granted.
This post kicks off a short series where I’ll share the highlights from each stop, starting with Dublin, a city that stole my heart from the moment I arrived.
If you’re a solo woman traveler, especially in your 50s, 60s, or beyond, don’t hesitate. Dublin is welcoming, walkable, and full of soul. You’ll be just fine here. In fact, you’ll probably fall in love with it, too.
Discovering Dublin: The Start of My Azamara Cruise Adventure
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Dublin, it’s that the city knows how to charm you effortlessly. My adventure aboard Azamara’s Onward began in this vibrant, historic city, and wow, what a way to kick off a cruise. Dublin immediately drew me in with its perfect mix of rich history, lively streets, and warm hospitality. It was the first stop on my cruise to Ireland and Norway, and it set the bar high for what was to come. I will tell you all about the other ports and attractions visited in the next few blog posts.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral: A Moment of Awe
Let me begin with St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This place is breathtaking. The Gothic architecture alone makes it worth a visit, but what truly impressed me was the sense of history. As you walk through, you can’t help but feel the weight of centuries of faith and tradition. The intricate stained glass and soaring ceilings create an atmosphere of peace and wonder. It’s one of those places where you find yourself lingering, simply soaking it all in. If you’re ever in Dublin, don’t miss this gem—it’s the heart and soul of the city.
The Irish Emigration Museum: A Highlight That Hit Home
I can’t say enough about the Irish Emigration Museum. It was hands down one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever had. This museum tells the story of Irish emigrants who left their homeland and the incredible impact they made around the world. It’s interactive, emotional, and incredibly well done. My great-grandfather was from Dublin and emigrated to the U.S. There is a digital wall of emigrants where you type in the name of the person, and it pops up their name if they emigrated. It was wonderful and emotional to see his name right there on that wall! I left with a deep appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Irish people, as well as my ancestors. It was the highlight of my time in Dublin; don’t miss it!
Malahide Castle and Gardens: Stepping Into a Fairytale
Next up: Malahide Castle. Picture this—a castle surrounded by lush gardens, with centuries of history tucked into every corner; they even had horse-drawn carriages! It felt like I’d stepped into a storybook. Touring the beautifully preserved rooms, I couldn’t help but imagine the lives of the people who called it home. It’s just a short trip from the city, and it’s absolutely worth it.
Here I learned the origins of the term "lose face." Back in the 12th century, women wore wax on their faces as makeup. They would sit in front of the fireplace to chat, and because of the heat, their faces would start to melt. The ladies-in-waiting would tell the mistress they were losing face and move a screen between the fireplace and the mistress to shield their faces from the heat. Fascinating. I also learned that the reason beds had canopies was to protect people from the straw that would fall from the ceiling (straw was a building material for ceilings back then).
Bonus: the gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll or just soaking in the beauty of the Irish countryside.
Temple District: Food, Beer, and Good Vibes
And then there’s the Temple District, where Dublin comes alive. I spent hours wandering its cobblestone streets, stopping at cozy pubs and cafés along the way. The live music pouring out of the pubs gave the whole area this electric energy. I grabbed dinner at a spot called Goran’s, where I had some of the best food of the trip, paired with a perfect pint of Guinness. If you’re into people-watching and great vibes, this is the place to be.
Bonus Stops: A Taste of Dublin’s Charm
One of the best ways to explore a city and understand its layout is to take the hop-on-hop-off bus (most big cities have one). Not only is it a great way to learn about the city, but it also helps you plan where you’d like to spend more time and gives you a good sense of the distances between attractions so you can decide whether to walk or use transportation.
Once I knew what I wanted to see more of, I visited the Ha’ Penny Bridge and soaked in the history of Trinity University. Dublin kept surprising me. I also visited the Oscar Wilde House and learned more about Ireland’s rich literary heritage. One night, I attended a traditional Irish dinner and show and let me tell you—there’s nothing quite like experiencing Irish culture through its music, dance, food—and drink!
A Teaser for What’s Ahead
After two full days in Dublin, I boarded Azamara’s Onward and watched the River Liffey fade into the horizon. Next up on the itinerary: Bantry Harbor, Foynes, Galway, Donegal (Killybegs), Belfast, Londonderry, Ullapool (Scotland, UK), Kristiansand, Norway, and Oslo, Norway.
Each port offered its own unique charm, and I can’t wait to share all the details in the next couple of blog posts. I’ll do a separate one for my adventures in Norway! But for now, let’s just say Ireland didn’t disappoint.
Why Azamara Made This Trip Extra Special
One of the things I loved about cruising with Azamara was the thoughtful pacing. The ship sailed at night and docked early in the morning, giving me the entire day to explore each destination. Ten ports in two countries could’ve felt rushed, but instead, it felt like I had all the time in the world.
So that’s Dublin—the perfect start to an unforgettable trip. From history to culture to some seriously good food, it was everything I hoped for and more. Stay tuned for my next post, where I’ll take you through the next stops in Ireland. Trust me, the adventure is just getting started.
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