Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Embark on a remarkable journey around the British Isles aboard Balmoral, featuring dramatic cliffs and scenic islets. Sail close to Fingal’s Cave, unveiling its intriguing hexagonal basalt columns shaped by volcanic activity over millennia, and cruise past bonnet shaped Bac Mòr. Immerse yourself in true West Country life by visiting the Gardens of Heligan or the Eden Project, hearing tales of mermaids and giants, and enjoying Scillonian crab, Cornish cream teas and locally made cider. We’ve also timed your visit so you can experience the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival, celebrating local music and culture. There will be opportunities to uncover the captivating military history of Portsmouth, Dartmouth and St Mary’s, too.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Dramatic Cliffs & Scenic Isles
As you sail through Scotland's breathtaking coastal landscapes, remarkable sights will unfold before you. From the comfort of your ship, marvel at the iconic Old Man of Hoy's towering red sandstone sea stack, the distinctive bonnet-shaped Bac Mòr, also known as Dutchman's Cap, and the diverse scenery of the Small Isles – Rum, Eigg, Muck, and Canna – where rugged mountains meet serene beaches. Meanwhile, Fingal's Cave on Staffa Island showcases the wonder of nature with its intriguing hexagonal basalt columns, sculpted by volcanic activity. Continuing southward, Falmouth is ideally placed for tours to Lizard Point, mainland Britain's southernmost cliffs, crowned by a historic lighthouse.
The West Country Way Of Life
On this Balmoral cruise, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the local way of life. There’s an array of delectable treats to taste, from Devon cider to Cornish pasties and cream teas. The area is also well-known for its beautiful gardens, such as Heligan, Trebah and the Eden Project. We’ve planned your cruise to coincide with the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival, a spirited annual event celebrating maritime music and culture. Enjoy lively performances featuring sea shanties – traditional work songs sung by sailors to coordinate tasks aboard sailing vessels – along with concerts, sing-alongs, workshops, and other maritime-themed events at various venues across Falmouth, from pubs to outdoor stages and community spaces.
Seabirds & Marine Life
Lerwick serves as an ideal base for tours to Sumburgh Head, the southernmost point of Shetland. These cliffs are a haven for thousands of nesting seabirds, including guillemots, shags and fulmars, while the adjacent waters are home to harbour porpoises, seals, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and orcas. In addition, you’ll have the chance to observe marine life from the comfort of Balmoral while at sea. Head out on deck with nature specialists from wildlife charity ORCA, who will be on hand to assist you in spotting and identifying various species.
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.
Mark Norman
Folklorist and Author, Mark will be joining us throughout your cruise to provide an insight the West Country way of life.
OWE (Ocean Wildlife Encounters)
Ocean Wildlife Encounters (OWE) are a group of highly experienced wildlife speakers. Join them for an insightful talk or out on deck to search the seas for wildlife.
Professor Gary Sheffield
Military historian Professor Gary Sheffield will be joining us to deliver a series of talks on the military history of the destinations you will be visiting.
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 19:00 24/12/2024, 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 19:00 24/12/2024, 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 £3,699 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 £3,499 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 £2,799 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 £7,018.10 |
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360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Lido deck & Bridge deck Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £6,638.10 |
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360°
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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360°
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 £2,799 |
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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.