26 Sep 2023
Southampton
34 nights
Balmoral
The cruise at a glance
The Olsen Way Highlights
Exploring New York City by day and by night, taking in sites such as Broadway and Times Square, is sure to be a highlight of your journey. You will reap the benefits of smaller ship cruising as Balmoral navigates the size-restricted Hudson River and narrow Cape Cod Canal, both of which will be flanked by autumnal foliage. Balmoral will also cruise the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal en route to Baltimore, your gateway to discovering Washington, D. C. Before reaching the USA, you will have plenty of chances to appreciate the natural beauty of Canada during the colourful season of ‘fall’.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Iconic Cityscapes
This cruise offers guests the chance to see some of the most iconic cities on the East Coast of the USA. As Balmoral cruises along the Hudson River, you’ll hear commentary from our knowledgeable on board team; and you’ll also be joined by Ed Glinert who will talk about 101 skyscrapers in New York that you shouldn’t miss. In Washington, take the opportunity to admire the country’s capital city, and of course the White House. A Harbour Cruise of Boston is the ideal way to see this great city, as your boat will pass the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned US Naval Warship; and it’s also home to the Old South Meeting House, where the infamous Boston Tea Party began in 1773.
A diverse heritage and way of life
Canada has a huge culturally diverse heritage, with Scottish and Irish settling in Newfoundland, and French influences in the Quebec region. You’ll be joined on this cruise by Susan Atkinson, who lives in Newfoundland and will share her experiences of how local culture is influenced by the Irish. Over the last two centuries, a distinctive subculture was formed and many Irish traditions are still upheld today including the foot-tapping fiddle music, particularly by Kelly Russell, who is recognized for his commitment to preserving it in the region. New York is a melting pot of cultures, and Harlem played an important role in jazz history in the 1920’s, giving the city its musical edge. Join experienced guides and discover more about these fun nights in New York’s history.
Historic rule and independence
In Canada, the historical influence of the British is evident in the architecture in St. John’s, even though half of the city was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1892. Many stone buildings survived, but residential homes were made of wood, so were quickly lost. However, the city was very quickly rebuilt and the architecture from this time is quite distinctive and recognisable. You’ll be joined on this cruise by Sir Andrew Burns – a British diplomat resident for over 10 years, who will talk about the British influence in Canada, up until 1949, when Newfoundland became a Canadian province. You’ll also hear from Paul Madden, a former British embassy employee in Washington, as he talks about the revolutionary and civil wars, and the city’s role in US history.
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.
Our Signature Experiences
To make your experience even more special, our Journey Planners have designed a unique programme of Signature Experiences which will allow you to discover real insights about the culture and nature of the places we are visiting, so you can arrive in each destination fully prepared to get the most out of your visit.
We have carefully curated a programme of events to give you a deeper understanding of each of the destinations you will be visiting
Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of our ships
Maritime is in our DNA - our history in shipping goes back almost 200 years
There’s very little in the natural world more beautiful than a clear night sky, sunrise or sunset seen at sea
We love to bring a taste of the region's food, drink, local tastes and culinary traditions to life on board
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
Please call our Reservations Team for latest pricing and availability.
What's Included
SO MUCH ALREADY INCLUDED
As well as our Signature Experiences, there is 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
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.
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 FAQ's
What do I pack for a cruise?
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
Are there any visa requirements I need to be aware of?
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.
What's the difference between Freedom and Saver fares?
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
I'm travelling alone, how will I get to meet people?
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
How do I get off the ship if we're at anchor?
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.