Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Join us for this festive getaway, designed by our Journey Planners to visit Germany during the Christmas Markets season. An extended stay in Hamburg invites you to immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of wooden huts adorned with twinkling lights, offering a delightful array of food, confectionery and handicrafts. Wander through this cosy festive haven, discovering unique gifts and savouring traditional treats like lebkuchen and stollen, paired with a cup of warming Glühwein. Delve into the rich history of these markets, a cherished and time-honoured German tradition, making it an unforgettable experience that blends cultural discovery with the joyous spirit of the festive season.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Explore Hamburg’s Christmas Markets
Each December, the famous Hamburg Christmas Markets set up in the heart of the historic German city. As you wander through the quaint streets adorned with twinkling lights, the scent of cinnamon and mulled wine hangs in the air, making a trip to the festive markets an unforgettable experience. The iconic Rathausmarkt transforms into a winter wonderland, with traditional wooden stalls offering handcrafted gifts, seasonal treats, such as Lebkuchen, Kartoffelpuffer and Stollen, and local beverages such as Glühwein, attracting both locals and visitors from far and wide. Other notable markets include the Historic Christmas Market in front of St Petri Church and the Fleetinsel Christmas Market, located on an island in Hamburg’s picturesque Alsterfleet canal.
Discover the History of Christmas Markets
The Hamburg Christmas Market, known as the Hamburger Weihnactsmarkt, boasts a rich history which dates back to the Middle Ages. Although the precise origins are unclear, historical records suggest that Christmas Markets have been held in the German city since the early 17th century, serving as a place for locals to gather, purchase goods and celebrate the festive season. One of the earliest records of a Christmas Market in Hamburg dates back to 1647, when the market mainly sold food and crafts, offering essentials for the festive period. Over time, the market has expanded in scope and popularity, incorporating traditional elements such as wooden stalls, sparking lights and seasonal decorations.
Life On Board
Introducing Balmoral
Beautiful Balmoral is small enough to navigate some of Europe’s most picturesque waterways so guests can enjoy hours of scenic cruising. Balmoral retains a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open deck space.
Balmoral
Beautiful Balmoral is small enough to navigate Europe’s most picturesque waterways so guests can enjoy hours of scenic cruising. Balmoral offers a warm, civilised atmosphere and features comfortable accommodation, stylish restaurants and plenty of open-deck space.
Your Guest Speakers
We’ve arranged for some wonderful guest speakers to join us for this cruise. They will be delivering a programme of insightful talks and activities to deepen your cultural, artistic and historical understanding of the destinations we will be exploring, well as helping you to enjoy the natural beauty of the places we visit.
Laura MacFarlane
Former teacher and frequent traveller, Laura will be delivering engaging talks throughout your cruise on the history of Christmas Markets.
Treats & Pastimes
In addition to our Signature Experiences, we have a selection of lovely Treats & Pastimes for you to enjoy when on board. Just check your Daily Times each day for full details.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
* Prices correct as of 11:00 20/12/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on two people sharing a twin cabin. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
* Prices correct as of 11:00 20/12/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
Cabin Grades
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £1,399 pp |
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Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Lido deck & Bridge deck Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £1,299 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £799 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £699 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,099 pp |
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Superior Suite (SS)
Located on Bridge & Highland deck, Superior Suites have a balcony and large cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £2,623.25 |
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Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Lido deck & Bridge deck Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £2,468.10 |
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Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture window.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,348.50 |
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Interior Cabin (H)
Balmoral’s H Grade Interior cabins offer all the features you need on a cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £1,310.75 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,099 |
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What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
As well as our Signature Experiences, there are a host of other treats to enjoy on board our ships.
Dining & Lounges
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily buffet dining options
- Late night Supper Club
- Afternoon tea
- Self-service tea & coffee
- In-cabin dining & snacks
Treats & Pastimes
- Evening shows
- Live music & dancing
- Dance classes
- Lectures & talks
- Cookery demonstrations
- Traditional deck games
- Daily games & quizzes
Relaxation & Fitness
- Swimming Pools
- Jacuzzis
- Fitness Centre
- Fitness Classes
Enhance your cruise
Each of our cruises has been carefully designed for you to get the very best out of your time on board; and now you can enhance your cruise to make it even more special.
Need Some Help?
Take a look at our FAQs
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
Visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you check with a professionally qualified source and comply with such requirements. UK passport holders will need visas for certain Fred. Olsen cruise holidays and will be advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
Disembarking when your ship's at anchor is a very different experience to when it's docked portside. Getting ashore in this instance often involves the use of the ship's tender, which is accessed via the steps of a secure gangway.