Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Join us for this springtime escape, where vibrant gardens come to life. You’ll have chances to visit the enchanting Monet’s Garden, and the Netherlands’ Keukenhof Gardens – awash with colourful tulips at this time of year. Relishing treats like Belgian beer and Dutch stroopwafels, and embracing the Netherlands’ cycling culture by exploring on two wheels, are great ways to immerse yourself in the local lifestyles. We’ve also timed your visit to Rotterdam to coincide with King’s Day, a lively national holiday featuring street markets, music, and festivities to honour the reigning monarch. You can uncover symbols of wealth and opulence, too, from artistic masterpieces to the exquisite allure of Belgian chocolate.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Explore Blooming Springtime Gardens
We have perfectly timed this Balmoral cruise to allow you to explore vibrant springtime gardens when the flowers are in full bloom. From Rotterdam, explore Keukenhof, often referred to as ‘the Garden of Europe’ and one of the largest flower gardens in the world, painstakingly designed to showcase millions of flowering spring bulbs in a vibrant and colourful display. In Zeebrugge, you are perfectly placed to explore Meise Botanic Gardens, one of the largest botanical gardens in the world, home to an extensive collection of plants, while Honfleur is your gateway to Monet’s Garden, carefully curated by the famous Impressionist painter to serve as both a source of inspiration and as a personal sanctuary too. Tulips bloom in a dazzling array of colours, with daffodils, irises and blossom trees also bursting into life, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
Immerse Yourself in Local Life
The Flemish way of life is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, where cultural heritage, culinary delights and a zest for life come together to create a unique experience. It boasts a rich artistic heritage, with Bruges serving as a centre for medieval and Renaissance art and culture. Flemish cuisine is celebrated for its hearty and flavoursome dishes which incorporate locally sourced ingredients. Exploring on two wheels is also deeply ingrained in both the Flemish and Dutch cultures, with both countries boasting an extensive cycling network which criss-crosses the picturesque landscapes. Throughout this cruise, you will have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in local life, from sampling stroopwafels in Rotterdam to trying exquisite Belgian chocolates in Bruges.
Discover a Rich Flemish Culture
During our call into Zeebrugge, discover the history of Belgian chocolate, famous for its royal associations, exceptional quality and artisanal craftsmanship. Belgian chocolatiers are celebrated for their dedication to using only the finest ingredients and traditional production methods to produce delectable chocolate treats. One of the hallmarks of Belgian chocolate is the smooth and creamy consistency, achieved through a meticulous process and by using only the highest quality cocoa beans. Throughout the cruise, you will also find art galleries showcasing renowned pieces by famous artists such as Monet and Van Gogh, embodying a rich cultural heritage and artistic expression.
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.
Tracy Foster
Horticulturalist and botanical guide Tracy Foster will be on board delivering an engaging talk on the remarkable story of the tulip.
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 04:00 24/11/2024, 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 04:00 24/11/2024, 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 £2,199 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 £2,099 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £1,149 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £999 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,599 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 £4,178.10 |
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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 £3,988.10 |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £2,010.75 |
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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 £1,835.75 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on Marina & Main deck.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,599 |
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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.