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Winter Warmth in the Canaries

L2403

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plaza de la glorieta square, la palma, canary islands, spain plaza de la glorieta square, la palma, canary islands, spain

01 Feb 2024

Southampton

13 nights

Balmoral

Your cruise at a glance

The Olsen Way Highlights

You can bask in the year-round warmth of Madeira and the Canaries on this enticing winter getaway. Hopping between five islands affords plenty of chances to explore the diverse landscapes. You can discover why La Palma is referred to as the ‘Pretty Island’ and listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and get closer to the volcanic vistas of Tenerife and Lanzarote at the Teide and Timanfaya national parks. Gran Canaria is a world of contrasts, the golden dunes of Maspalomas juxtaposing nicely with verdant pine forests, while Madeira is renowned for its fragrant botanical gardens. Visiting the latter with a local orchid enthusiast will make for a more insightful experience.

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Highlights

Caldera de Taburiente National Park, La Palma

Explore Volcanic Landscapes

This special winter cruise on Balmoral to the Canaries and Madeira will allow you time to explore the volcanic landscapes situated amongst these volcanic islands. Funchal is gateway to the Miradour Cabo Girao, where you will have the opportunity to cross the Sky Walk - a suspended glass platform over a 580m cliff edge, while in Santa Cruz de La Palma you are perfectly placed to view the Caldera de Taburiente, one of the biggest craters in the world from the Mirador de la Cumbrectita viewpoint. Dr. Jonathan Turner will be on board to speak about the geology of the Canary Islands, including how a unique ecosystem developed in one of the largest fissure eruption centres in human history in Timanfaya National Park.

Telopea flower in Palheiro Gardens in Madeira, Portugal

Canarian and Madeiran Way of Life

Throughout your cruise, you will be able to gain an insight into the Canarian way of life and have the chance to experience how people live here, from the production of food and how the volcanic land is used to help produce it, to the local communities and the rare whistling language that can be found in La Gomera. In Arrecife, learn the importance of the volcanic soil in producing delicious wines before sampling the local beverage, and when Balmoral is docked in Funchal, walk along the famous Levadas water channels or participate in an orchid workshop in the Palheiro Gardens. Further your knowledge with guest speaker, Tracy Foster who will be exploring the Levadas and the floral history of the island.

Royal Monastery of Jerónimos

Explorer History

This exciting cruise will give you the chance to learn further about the history of trading in the Canary Islands, its links to Fred Olsen in Tenerife, and the garden island of Madeira. During our call into Lisbon, you can visit the Navigator Memorial and uncover Portugal's Golden Age by seeing the Tomb of the Great Navigator Vasco da Gama at the Royal Monastery of Jerónimos. Guest speaker and cultural historian Yoko Kawaguchi will be on hand throughout your cruise to deliver engaging talks on Portugal's maritime explorations and the spices that lured them.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

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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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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.

Itinerary Insights

We have carefully curated a programme of events to give you a deeper understanding of each of the destinations you will be visiting

Scenic Discoveries

Our Scenic Discoveries are designed to allow you to enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of our ships

The Ship and the Sea

Maritime is in our DNA - our history in shipping goes back almost 200 years

The Sky at Sea

There’s very little in the natural world more beautiful than a clear night sky, sunrise or sunset seen at sea

Treats of the Region

We love to bring a taste of the region's food, drink, local tastes and culinary traditions to life on board

Our Signature Tours

At each port of call, we have carefully researched and hand-selected some wonderful tour options for you, designed to help you see the real destination and not just the tourist hotspots.

Below, you will find some examples of the kind of tours which could be available on your itinerary. Your Shore Tours will be available to book around 8-13 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.

Caldera de Taburiente

Caldera de Taburiente

Visit the Church of Our Lady of the Snows before continuing to Caldera de Taburiente National Park, one of the biggest craters in the world which is over five miles in diameter and lined with pine trees and bossed lava. 

££££

Santa Cruz de La Palma

Mount Teide Cable Car

Mount Teide Cable Car

Journey up Spain’s highest volcano, Mount Teide, via cable car to La Rambleta, 3,555 metres above sea level, affording fabulous views not only of the crater but of Tenerife and the other islands of the archipelago.

££££

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Mojo Sauce Workshop

Mojo Sauce Workshop

Enjoy a visit to a private farm owned by the Lugo Jorge family before a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to make your own Mojo sauce and the unique Mojo Picón that gives a delicious flavour to the island’s traditional potato dishes.

££££

Las Palmas

The Fire Mountains

The Fire Mountains

Discover the fiery mountains of Timanfaya and witness the rustic nature of this otherworldly volcanic landscape caused by the eruptions that affected the southern part of the island. 

££££

Arrecife

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.

Jonathan Clough
Astronomy

Jonathan Clough

As we explore the Canaries together, Astronomer Jonathan Clough will be joining us on board to talk about all things space as well as hosting fascinating stargazing sessions out on deck.

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Jonathan Turner
Geology

Dr Jonathan Turner

As we explore the Canaries together, Geologist and Earth Scientist, Dr. Jonathan Turner, will be joining us on board to delivery a serries of talks about the region’s geology.

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Tracy Foster
Horticulture

Tracy Foster

Horticulturalist and botanical guide Tracy Foster will be joining us to talk about the gardens you will see along your cruise, including the history of the Madeiran Gardens and why they’re one of Madeira’s best-known attractions.

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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.

Discover our Treats & Pastimes

Cabins, Prices & Offers

Cabin Options On Your Cruise

* Prices correct as of 23:00 01/12/2023, 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 23:00 01/12/2023, 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 £3,499 pp
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Suite

Marquee Suite (MS)

Situated on deck 10, Marquee Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £4,999 pp
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Suite

Owner's Suite (OW)

Exclusive Suite - please call for more details

Freedom Fare From £6,499 pp
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Suite

Premier Suite (PS)

Located on deck 10, Premier Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £5,199 pp
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Suite

Superior Suite (SS)

Located on decks 9 & 10, Superior Suites have a balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £3,799 pp
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Cruise Offers

FREE drinks or FREE on board spend   Freedom Fare

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.

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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