Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
This short yet rewarding spring Bank Holiday cruise gives you the chance to uncover the beautiful and rugged coastlines of the British Isles. Before revelling in the beauty of a scenic cruise around the Channel Islands, Balmoral will head to the remote island of St. Mary’s in the Scilly Isles, home to picturesque countryside, charming towns, and historic fortifications. The Cornish coast follows with a call into Falmouth, only accessible to smaller ships, where you can immerse yourself in local traditions and culinary delights, like Cornish pasties, delicious cream teas, and fresh seafood. Both destinations on your cruise boast climates that are perfect for growing plants, and you will be well-placed to discover why at horticultural sites such as the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Tresco Abbey Gardens.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Explore Southern England's islands & coastlines
Your cruise aboard Balmoral will afford you the opportunity to explore the rugged coastlines and picturesque islands in the south of England. The Isles of Scilly archipelago sit as sparkling jewels located just off the coast of Cornwall, with their own subtropical climate ideal for growing exotic plants and flowers and a sanctuary for a wide range of marine and birdlife. A unique fusion of French and British influences can be found on the Channel Islands of Sark, Alderney, and Brecqhou, whose breathtaking coastal landscapes can be seen from the decks of Balmoral as you cruise by.
Immerse yourself in the Cornish way of life
The Cornish way of life is a celebration of tradition, community, and being connected to nature. Freshly caught seafood, including Scilly crab, island-raised beef and duck, traditional Cornish pasties, and delicious cream teas, are some of the key ingredients of the cuisine of this region and must surely be sampled. Gardening is a popular pastime due to the warmer climate in the south of England, where colourful booms adorn the landscapes, and verdant gardens like Tresco Abbey Gardens are home to an array of exotic flowers grown in vivid hues, while fishing continues to be a vital source of income, supporting families and maintaining maritime customs.
Delve into a climate made for horticulture
Characterised by mild temperatures, the climate in Cornwall is ideal for horticulture and nurturing beautifully lush gardens like Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly, where a diverse collection of exotic plants and flowers thrive in the sheltered setting. The restored Victorian landscapes of the Lost Gardens of Heligan offer hidden treasures of intriguing woodland walks, rare plants, and wildlife, taking visitors on a journey through history. Meanwhile, from Falmouth, join us on a tour to discover the innovative Eden Project, which showcases diverse ecosystems within its iconic biomes, such as the world’s largest indoor rainforests and the calming Mediterranean Biome, which help preserve Cornwall's commitment to preserving the natural world.
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.
Sample Shore Tours
At each port of call on your cruise, we carefully research and hand pick Shore Tour options for you, designed for you to see as many of the world's best destinations as possible.
Below, you will find some sample Shore Tours which will give you an example of what to expect on your cruise. Your Shore Tours will be available to book approximately 8-13 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.
Tresco Abbey Gardens
Explore the sub-tropical botanical paradise of Tresco Abbey Garden home to an impressive collection of 20,000 plant species, some heralding from as far as New Zealand. As you explore this ‘Perennial Kew’, keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels darting about in amongst the trees.
££££
St. Mary's
Wildlife Sea Safari Trip
Embark on a wildlife cruise around the Scilly Isles, exploring the rugged edges of the Eastern Isles, home to Atlantic grey seals and seabirds like gannets and puffins. Cruise past Annet and the Western Rocks, spotting shipwrecks and seals, and sail past Norrard Rocks and Men-A-Vaur, abundant with seabirds and seals.
££££
St. Mary's
The Eden Project
Dubbed by many as the eighth wonder of the world, the internationally acclaimed Eden Project is the world’s largest global garden and since its opening in 2001 has continually lured visitors from around the globe. Nestled in a former china clay pit, the biomes house a plethora of plants and trees, including the world’s largest indoor rainforest and rightly deserves the attention it receives year on year.
££££
Falmouth
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Departing Falmouth, journey to the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey, where you'll explore restored Victorian gardens, an exotic jungle, and the iconic Giants Head. Wander bamboo tunnels, cross the Burmese Rope Bridge, and enjoy both wild woodlands and intricate Pleasure Grounds, with time for guided orientation and personal exploration.
Lost to the world for 70 years, Heligan was ‘rediscovered’ in 1990 and thus began a ground-breaking restoration project with the gardens now claimed to be the largest garden restoration in Europe. Renowned as a garden for all seasons, winding paths beckon through bamboo tunnels, under majestic tree ferns, and through ancient woodlands. Adventurous souls will relish the opportunity to cross the Burmese Rope Bridge, one of the longest in Britain, whilst wildlife lovers will delight in the farm and its animals. The Pleasure Grounds offer an unusual array of features and intricate gardens in contrast to the wild woodlands with their intriguing iconic sculptures which subtly emerge from the natural landscape.
Enjoy an orientation walk with your guide followed by some free time to explore further at leisure.
££££
Falmouth
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.
Colin Jones
Colin holds a diploma in horticulture and will be joining us during our sailing to deliver engaging talks about the gardens we will be visiting.
Mark Norman
Folklorist and Author, Mark will be joining us throughout your cruise to provide an insight the Cornish 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 01:00 18/11/2024, 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 01:00 18/11/2024, 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 £1,799 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 £1,699 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £899 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £749 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,299 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 £3,418.10 |
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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 £3,228.10 |
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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 £1,498.50 |
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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 £1,398.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,299 |
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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.