Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
This cruise aboard Balmoral has been designed to showcase Spain and North Africa's cultural charms and ornate landmarks. Morocco is full of sights, scents, and sounds, particularly amid the bustling souks, and you are perfectly placed to enjoy diverse activities like Berber-style cooking classes, experience the local tea culture, or go hiking in the Atlas Mountains, allowing you the chance to thoroughly immerse yourself in local culture. In Spain, you will be able to sample regional delicacies like tapas, experience the raw passion of flamenco dancing from a local bailaora, and discover fascinating Roman architecture, while Gibraltar offers classic British foods and iconic landmarks to explore, including the famous Rock and its mischievous Barbary apes.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Discover ornate landmarks
Your Balmoral cruise to Spain and North Africa will take you to iconic cities that are home to some of Europe's most striking landmarks. From Cádiz, you can explore the 18th century Cathedral with its blend of Baroque and Neo-classical architecture, or journey to Seville to discover the Plaza de España, whose mosaics of tiles located at the foot of the building reflect the 52 Spanish provinces. The Grand Souk in Tangier, sitting at the entrance to the renowned Medina with its vibrant market of colour, charm, street musicians, scenic handicrafts, and spices, begs for exploration, while the beautiful Ketchaoua Mosque, dating back to Ottoman times, holds significant cultural and religious importance.
A taste of Spanish & North African cultures
During your cruise to Spain and North Africa, you'll have plenty of opportunities to fully immerse yourself in the way of life in the magnificent destinations you will visit. Cadiz is deeply rooted in Andalusian culture and is at the heart of the passionate Flamenco dance, where its rhythm and sultry movements will fill your soul as you watch a performance and learn some steps with a local bailaora. You will be perfectly placed to explore Gibraltar, a slice of Britain bathed in the sunshine of Southern Europe, where red pillar boxes and traditional pubs are nestled within the shadows of the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. Tangier beckons with the bustling souks and labyrinthine alleys of the Medina, holding a magical world of sights, scents, and sounds, along with tastes of aromatic Tajines and warm Kalinte, while the daily tea culture of Algiers, encouraging family and friends to take time out to socialise with each other, is a unique and welcome experience.
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 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.
Cádiz Like a Local
Stroll through the hidden corners of Cádiz with a local guide to see the Old Market, before trying some tapas. Continue to the heart of the Barrio of La Viña, to try chicharrones. Finally, arrive at La Caleta, with its vivid turquoise water dotted with fishing boats.
££££
Cádiz
Flamenco Experience
Learn about the history of flamenco and visit an authentic tablao-tavern to learn how to master this passionate dance from a local expert.
££££
Cádiz
Splendours of Seville
Explore the wonders of Seville on this Andalusian capital tour. Journey through picturesque landscapes, passing sherry vineyards and agricultural fields. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic city tour, including Plaza de America and Plaza España. After free time for lunch or a drink, embark on a walking tour, discovering Santa Cruz neighborhood and the Gothic-style Seville Cathedral.
££££
Cádiz
The Rock Tour
See Gibraltar’s apes that roam freely and step inside St. Michael’s Cave for a 3D light show, before visiting Trinity Lighthouse.
££££
Gibraltar
Gibraltar Macaque Experience
Spend time with a habituated troop of free-living monkeys. You will learn about the Barbary Macaques social behaviours and observe them in their natural habitat.
££££
Gibraltar
Roman Cartagena with a Local Expert
Travel back in time and discover the splendour of Roman Cartagena, joined by a specialist guide with great archaeological knowledge.
££££
Cartagena
Explore the UNESCO Casbah
Explore the city with a guide detailing Algeria's history, from the King’s Palace through narrow streets to a Casbah House for mint tea and biscuits. Descend to Martyrs’ Square, viewing three mosques, including the historic Ketchaoua Mosque.
££££
Algiers
Moroccan Tea & Bread Experience
Experience the centuries-old Moroccan tradition of baking fresh bread with locals and learn the secret behind crafting the perfect peppermint tea.
££££
Tangier
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.
Carla Ionescu
Historian Carla Ionescu will be on hand throughout your cruise to deliver a series of talks on the Roman influence in the destinations we will be visting, and Phoenicians and Moors in Andulasia.
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 Dani Robertson on your cruise for stargazing sessions conducted on the top deck in the evenings.
Karin Bucannan
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 21:00 02/05/2024, 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 21:00 02/05/2024, 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 £3,599 pp |
|---|
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Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £3,399 pp |
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360°
Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £1,899 pp |
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360°
Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,599 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| 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 £6,838.10 |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £6,458.10 |
|---|
360°
Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £3,323.25 |
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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 £2,973.25 |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| Freedom Fare | From £2,799 |
|---|
360°
Cruise Offers
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 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.