Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Venture into the Arctic during the Northern Lights season, with chances to witness Mother Nature’s captivating light display ashore in Alta or Tromsø, and marvelling at the Seven Sisters mountain range and Torghatten as you sail serenely past. Discover the local way of life by visiting a Sámi community, where tales of intriguing customs such as reindeer herding and joiking – a form of Sámi song, unfold around a fire in a cosy tepee-style lavvu tent. Elsewhere, you can meet the friendly inhabitants of a husky yard and gain an insight into the tradition of sledding. Beyond the opportunity to spot the Aurora Borealis, uncovering the science behind this extraordinary wonder will enrich your journey.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Head Off in Search of the Elusive Aurora Borealis
This cruise has been designed to afford you the opportunity to go in search of the Northern Lights at the best possible time to see them. Winter in Arctic Norway sees long, dark nights, providing the perfect chance to witness Mother Nature’s remarkable light show. We will be travelling deep into the Arctic Circle, with calls into destinations such as Alta and Tromsø acting as gateways for exploration ashore as you seek out the elusive Aurora Borealis. The wide, open decks of Balmoral also provide the perfect viewing platform for the lights when at sea, with (hopefully) clear skies offering a good chance of witnessing the Aurora in all their glory.
Immerse Yourself in the Arctic Way of Life
Throughout this cruise, you will have ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the Arctic way of life. Meet with the indigenous Sámi people to discover their rich culture, steeped in centuries of tradition, gathering round a fire in a traditional Sámi tent known as a lavvu to hear stories of their age-old traditions and experience what life is like for them in the harsh Arctic climate. The chance to embark on thrilling Arctic adventures also awaits, with the opportunity to dog sled across the vast snowy landscape or embark on an exhilarating snowshoe hike across the Arctic countryside.
Learn About the Science Behind the Aurora Borealis
The remarkable Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon caused by a reaction between the Earth’s atmosphere and highly charged solar particles which are ejected from the surface of the sun. These particles are carried towards our planet on solar winds, colliding with the Earth and travelling to the magnetic poles, where the vivid colours of the lights can then be seen. Scientists believe that the best time to go in search of the lights is during 2024 and 2025, thanks to increased solar activity. Throughout the cruise, there will be plenty of opportunities to discover the science behind the lights, including their formation and historical significance.
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.
David Nikel
Having lived in Norway since 2011, David has grown his website into one of the biggest English language resources for those visiting or moving to Norway. He will be on hand throughout the cruise delivering a series of talks on all things Norwegian.
Go Stargazing
Go Stargazing is formed of a group of astronomers, all of whom are keen to encourage public interest in astronomy to as wide an audience as possible. Join Dave Eagle and Mark Hardaker on your cruise for stargazing sessions conducted on the top deck in the evenings.
Richard Lovelock
Photographer, Richard Lovelock will be joining us throughout our sailing, ready to assist in capturing unforgettable moments of the destinations we will cruise by.
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 £3,999 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 £3,799 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £2,199 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,799 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £3,199 pp |
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Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £7,598.10 |
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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 £7,218.10 |
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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 £3,598.50 |
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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 £3,323.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £3,199 |
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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.