The European destination most cruise-lovers overlook - but shouldn't

This weekend I will be celebrating St Patrick's Day with my two Irish parents, who grew up on opposite sides of the Shannon River. Off the beaten track, this region is appearing on more itineraries, as people seek alternatives to overcrowded destinations.

As a lush island with unspoiled landscapes, Ireland is spectacular to sail around. Most major lines have British Isles cruises that include stops in Irish ports.

However, very few of those passengers will be Irish. Traumatised by childhoods spent in the rain, they prefer to travel to hot locations to work on their sunburn.

Viking recently announced a 15-day cruise from London to Belfast, new for 2027. The ship is scheduled to call at Foynes, in County Limerick, where the river meets the ocean in the Shannon Estuary. At another stop in Killybegs, County Donegal, passengers embark on a scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way, lined with beaches, rugged cliffs and megalithic tombs. In Cobh, the gateway to Cork, a free excursion explores the pretty town of Kinsale.

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Norwegian Cruise Line, Azamara and Oceania Cruises also have itineraries featuring smaller ports in Limerick, Cork, Galway, Kerry and Waterford.

Canal and river cruising are another untapped way to discover the countryside. Ireland's inland waterways are one of the best and least cruised in Europe. Le Boat offers self-driving holidays for people who like to control the pace, while European Waterways provides a crew and a curated program of activities.

In January, European Waterways acquired the Shannon Princess, Ireland's most luxurious hotel barge. Previously operated by a husband-and-wife duo, this five-cabin barge has a panoramic saloon and a sundeck with a spa to view the rolling green scenery. Guests can choose from fishing, walking tours, whiskey tastings at historic distilleries, onboard cooking classes and live traditional music.

Lovely for tourists but it would still take some convincing to get my parents on a cruise around their homeland. Dad has not travelled by sea since he emigrated to Australia on the Fairstar in the 1970s.

I may be able to entice Mum, who spends every summer visiting her siblings. Most car hire companies do not rent to drivers aged over 75, so cruising could become an attractive option.

With a bit of Irish luck, we might see some sunshine, but I'm not fooling anyone by calling it a tropical Ireland cruise.

More companies are joining forces to create itineraries that connect an ocean cruise and an escorted land tour, so you can enjoy both types of experiences in one seamless trip. The latest is Wendy Wu Tours, which sells combinations such as the 26-day 'India by Land, South-east Asia by Sea', with the 12-day cruising component provided by Celebrity Cruises. Wendy Wu's pricing covers return flights from Australia, transfers, an outside cabin on the cruise with all dining, drinks and onboard entertainment, plus the land tour with four-star hotels, meals, guided sightseeing and entrance fees.