Discover more on our smallest ship

Tucked along winding rivers, hidden among islands or reached through narrow waterways are some of the world's most intriguing destinations. Though inaccessible to some larger vessels, our smallest ship, Balmoral, can get you there.

Arriving in Bordeaux aboard Balmoral offers a different experience altogether. While larger cruise ships often dock further from the city, her smaller size allows you to sail inland and dock in the heart of Bordeaux itself. 

The journey along the Gironde estuary and Garonne River is part of the pleasure, taking you through one of France’s most celebrated wine-producing regions before the city’s elegant waterfront comes into view. 

Once alongside, you’re well placed to begin exploring, whether that means wandering elegant squares, sampling regional flavours or joining a tour into the surrounding wine country. Better still, one of our spring departures has been timed to coincide with the seasonal opening of the region’s vineyards, offering another way to connect with the destination at just the right time.

Ask someone to picture Bermuda and chances are they’ll imagine pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters. Alongside these familiar sights, Balmoral offers the opportunity to uncover a quieter side of island life. 

Thanks to her smaller size, you can visit the historic town of St George’s, a UNESCO-listed settlement filled with colourful architecture, narrow lanes and centuries of maritime heritage. 

Balmoral is also small enough to dock alongside in Hamilton, placing you within easy reach of Bermuda’s cultural and commercial heart. With larger ships usually docking at Royal Naval Dockyard, this central arrival gives you more time to browse the shops, explore the waterfront or settle into a café and watch daily life unfold.

We weave scenic waterways into our Norwegian Fjords journeys, and Balmoral’s smaller size allows us to include rewarding diversions into some of the region’s narrower passages. 

At the entrance to Lysefjord, a bridge restricts access for taller ships. Sailing beneath it takes you into a landscape of steep, grey mountains, with the famous Preikestolen, or Pulpit Rock, rising high above the water. 

Then there’s dramatic Fjærlandsfjord, an arm of Sognefjord framed by steep mountains and small waterside villages. In Åkrafjord, a scenic diversion brings you within view of Langfoss, its waters tumbling down the mountainside into the fjord below. These are moments to enjoy from on board, with time to take in the scenery as it unfolds around you. 

In the Mediterranean, Balmoral brings a few unexpected gems within reach. In Propriano, she can dock close to the town, offering an easy introduction to a quieter side of Corsica, with waterfront cafés and beaches nearby. 

Milazzo offers another way to discover Sicily’s northern coast, with rugged coastal scenery and opportunities to explore further afield on a tour. 

In Croatia, the approach to Šibenik is part of the experience, sailing through narrow St Anthony’s Channel before arriving in this historic coastal city. Ashore, its harbourfront is ideal for a relaxed wander, while stone lanes and squares lead to the impressive UNESCO-listed Cathedral of St James.