Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Enhance the enchantment of the festive season on this cruise to Northern Norway, timed for Christmas and the chance to witness the natural wonder of the Northern Lights. Look out for the colourful light display both at sea and ashore, especially during extended stays in Narvik, Alta and Tromsø. Immerse yourself in the Arctic lifestyle through snowshoe hiking and thrilling snowmobile and husky sledding rides across winter landscapes. You can also connect with a local Sámi community, listening to captivating stories in a cosy tepee-style lavvu tent. Uncover enchanting secrets of the Aurora Borealis, unravelling the cosmic wizardry that conjures up the vibrant displays in the night sky.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Seek out Mother Nature’s Inimitable Light Show
This festive cruise aboard Balmoral has been designed to allow you to seek out the elusive Northern Lights at Christmas. The long, dark nights in Northern Norway during winter provide the perfect setting for the Northern Lights to make an appearance, and with extended stays in Alta, Tromsø and Narvik, there will be plenty of opportunities to seek out this natural phenomenon ashore, with local experts on hand to take you to the best spots with the highest chance of witnessing the magnificent Aurora Borealis.
Discover the Arctic Way of Life
As we explore Arctic Norway together, you will have ample opportunity to experience the Arctic way of life. You can enjoy a thrilling snowmobile across the vast, snowy countryside as you seek out the Northern Lights, or perhaps embark on an invigorating snowshoe hike across the snow-covered countryside. There will also be plenty of opportunities to meet with the local Sámi people to discover their rich cultural heritage, and witness how their traditions are still practised in their daily lives.
Learn About the Science Behind the Northern Lights
The extraordinary Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon caused when highly charged solar particles interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. The vivid colours of the lights are caused by a reaction between the gases in our atmosphere and particles which have been ejected from the sun, with oxygen causing the red and green hues and nitrogen causing the blue and purple tones. Scientists have advised that the best time to go in search of the lights will be in 2025 thanks to increased solar activity.
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.
Anthony Babb
Anthony served in the Royal Navy for 23 years and now splits his time between the UK and Norway with his Norwegian wife. Anthony will be joining us on board to deliver insightful talks on Norway’s local culture.
Go Stargazing
Acting as tour guides of the heavens, the Go Stargazing astronomers will share their knowledge with group sessions learning interesting and amazing facts about our Universe. The friendly and approachable team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and to help you spot planets and stars.
John Birch
An award-winning wildlife photographer and writer, John Birch will be joining us on this sailing, ready to assist in capturing unforgettable moments of the destinations we will cruise by, including the possibility of capturing the mesmerising Northern Lights.
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 £5,999 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Lido deck & Bridge deck Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £5,599 pp |
|---|
360°
Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £3,099 pp |
|---|
360°
Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,599 pp |
|---|
360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,599 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £11,398.10 |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Lido deck & Bridge deck Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £10,638.10 |
|---|
360°
Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture window.
| Freedom Fare | From £5,398.50 |
|---|
Interior Cabin (H)
Balmoral’s H Grade Interior cabins offer all the features you need on a cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £4,898.25 |
|---|
360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,599 |
|---|
360°
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.