Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Join us on this sailing to Northern Norway, a gateway to witnessing the captivating Northern Lights. You’ll have the best chances of seeing Mother Nature’s light show during extended stays in Tromsø and Narvik and while cruising the Arctic waters. Experience the local culture through exhilarating husky sledding, snowshoe hiking and snowmobiling across a winter wonderland, and engage with the indigenous Sámi community to gain insights into their unique way of life, from reindeer herding to traditional tepee-style lavvu tents. Deepen your understanding of the Aurora Borealis by exploring the science behind this.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Go In Search of the Elusive Aurora Borealis
We have meticulously crafted this itinerary to afford you the best possible opportunity to seek out the elusive Northern Lights. Throughout the winter months in Northern Norway, the nights are long and dark and the colourful Aurora dances across the sky. With extended calls into both Tromsø and Narvik, you will have plenty of time to go in search of nature’s inimitable light show ashore, as well as seeking out the lights from the deck of Balmoral as we sail between our ports of call.
Experience the Arctic Way of Life
Throughout your cruise, there will be plenty of opportunities to experience the Arctic way of life. In Tromsø, also known as the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, you can embark on a cross-country dog sled with local huskies or enjoy an evening snowshoe hike while seeking out the elusive Northern Lights. Meanwhile, our call into Narvik will allow the opportunity to meet with the local Sámi community. Embodying a rich culture, the Sámi engage in traditional livelihoods such as reindeer herding, fishing and crafts, carefully preserving their language and heritage.
Delve into the Science Behind the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are a captivating phenomenon which take place around the polar regions of the Earth. Created by charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere, the vivid green and red hues are caused by oxygen while the blue and purple tones caused by nitrogen. Throughout your cruise on Balmoral, you will have plenty of opportunity to delve into the science behind the mysterious lights, as well as uncovering their 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.
Dr. Peter Walmsley
Peter, a passionate amateur travel photographer and winner in a category of the International Travel Photographer of the Year competition in 2021, will be accompanying us on this voyage. He will be on hand to help capture unforgettable moments of our cruise destinations, including the potential spectacle of the Northern Lights.
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.
Jeanette Yuile
Jeanette boasts over 40 years of Upstream Oil and Gas experience, and as a local Norwegian, she splits her time between Norway and the UK. During your cruise, Jeanette will be hosting a series of talks on Norway’s culture and way of life.
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 16:00 25/12/2024, 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 16:00 25/12/2024, 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 £3,299 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 £3,099 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £1,699 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,399 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,099 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 £6,258.10 |
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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 £5,878.10 |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £2,948.25 |
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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 £2,598.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,099 |
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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.