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Free Drinks Package

European River Cities with Dutch Tulips

L2506

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Windmills and Tulips in Amsterdam, Netherlands Windmills and Tulips in Amsterdam, Netherlands
24 Apr 2025
Southampton
7 nights
Balmoral

Your cruise at a glance

Hand-crafted highlights

This cruise has been specially timed to visit the Netherlands during the colourful tulip season. From Rotterdam, you can see these iconic flowers in bloom at Keukenhof Gardens or at a tulip farm accompanied by a local tulip grower who can share an insight into how they’re grown. Only smaller ships like Balmoral are able to dock in Antwerp, where you will be within walking distance of the city centre, offering you the chance to explore its famous diamond district and sample treats synonymous with Belgium, such as velvety, rich chocolate and flavoursome beer; glide along the canals of Rotterdam and Hamburg; or explore the cities' charming streets by bicycle. Home to one of the world’s most influential music scenes, Hamburg is where the Beatles began their career, which you can discover more about with a local Beatles enthusiast.

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Highlights

Planten un Blomen park, Hamburg

Uncover horticultural highlights

Your Balmoral cruise offers you the chance to discover a diverse range of horticultural delights in each of the cities you are visiting, each uniquely different. In Hamburg, you are perfectly placed to wander through the tree-lined paths of Planten un Blomen park with its tranquil ponds and vibrant flower displays, while the renowned Keukenhof Gardens can be explored on a tour from Rotterdam. As you will be visiting in tulip season, you will be dazzled by the simply stunning array of over seven million tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils in the most beautiful spring garden in the world. Meanwhile, Antwerp's Plantentuin is a small, green oasis situated in the middle of the city, whose botanical garden is home to an eclectic collection of plants from around the world.

Canal boat on the Alster river in Hamburg in springtime

Discover life in the Lowlands

Life in the Lowlands offers a delightful fusion of different cultures, traditions, and cuisines. As you glide serenely along the historic canals of Rotterdam and Hamburg, revel in the scenic views on your alternative way to explore these fine cities, or join the locals and cycle through charming streets before stopping for well-earned refreshments. Hamburg has a long history of brewing that dates back over a thousand years, when local monasteries were the exclusive purveyors of beer, but is now enjoyed in lively pubs across the region with a range of classic lagers and unique craft beers. No visit to the Lowlands would be complete without indulging in the rich, velvety taste of Belgian chocolate in Antwerp, famous for its enticing tiny chocolatiers lining the quaint streets and the world's largest Belgian chocolate museum.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

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Map Image

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
Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral sailing at dawn

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.

710 cabins
1,325 guests
551 crew
43,537 GT
16kts max speed
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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.

Miniature Railway

Hamburg Miniature Train Wonderland

Explore Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg, the world's largest model railway exhibition, featuring intricately detailed landscapes and dynamic scenes. Marvel at miniature cities, realistic trains, and stunning dioramas depicting global destinations. With captivating lighting and moving elements, this attraction offers a mesmerizing and immersive experience for all ages.

££££

Hamburg

views of beautiful Hamburg across the water

Cycle Hamburg

Explore Hamburg's highlights by bike, visiting the Landing Bridges, Alster Lake, Jungfernstieg, the Neo-Renaissance Town Hall, and St. Michael's Church. Continue along the River Elbe to see the historic Speicherstadt warehouse district and modern HafenCity, home to the Elbphilharmonic Concert Hall.

££££

Hamburg

Tulip Farm & Keukenhof

Tulip Farm & Keukenhof Festival

Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of colour at the famous Dutch Tulip Farm, De Tulperig, and enjoy a visit to Keukenhof, the largest flower garden in the world.

££££

Rotterdam

Chocolates being prepared

Brussels & Belgian Chocolates

Experience Brussels' rich history and vibrant culture, with a blend of iconic landmarks, charming old town streets, and a hands-on chocolate workshop.

££££

Antwerp

Golden Streets Walking Tour & Visit to Artisan Jeweller

££££

Antwerp

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.

Patricia Fox - Guest Speaker
Tulips

Patricia Fox

Patricia is an award-winning garden designer, lecturer, writer, and coach with nearly two decades of experience in the landscape industry, who will be on board to deliver an engaging talk on the tulips in Keukenhof.

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.

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Cabins, Prices & Offers

Cabin Options On Your Cruise

* Prices correct as of 18:00 15/10/2024, 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 18:00 15/10/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.

Cabin Grades

Standard Pricing Solo Pricing
Suite

Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)

Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony

Freedom Fare From £2,299 pp
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Suite

Superior Suite (SS)

Located on Bridge & Highland deck, Superior Suites have a balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £2,599 pp

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Suite

Marquee Suite (MS)

Situated on Highland deck, Marquee Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £2,999 pp

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Suite

Premier Suite (PS)

Located on Highland deck, Premier Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £3,199 pp

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Suite

Owner's Suite (OW)

Exclusive Suite - please call for more details

Freedom Fare From £3,899 pp
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Cruise Offers

FREE Drinks Package Upgrade   Freedom Fare

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.

  • À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Daily buffet dining options
  • Late night Supper Club
  • Afternoon tea
  • Self-service tea & coffee
  • In-cabin dining & snacks
  • Evening shows
  • Live music & dancing
  • Dance classes
  • Lectures & talks
  • Cookery demonstrations
  • Traditional deck games
  • Daily games & quizzes
  • 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.

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