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Rainforests and Ruins of Central America

L2504A

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Baby sloth cuddles with mama sloth on a tree, Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica
15 Feb 2025
Southampton
45 nights
Balmoral

Your cruise at a glance

Hand-crafted highlights

This cruise aboard Balmoral has been designed to showcase the lush, green rainforests of Central America and the tropical islands of the Caribbean. Explore the Costa Rican rainforests of Veragua and Cahuita National Park, where you will have the chance to go in search of local wildlife, such as sloths, raccoons and capuchin monkeys; or venture into the Belize jungle in search of majestic manatees on a tour from Balmoral. Immerse yourself in the Caribbean way of life by eating jerk chicken and listening to reggae music in Jamaica, sample delicious Colombian coffee and empanadas in Cartagena de Indias, and go snorkelling in Tortola and Mexico. In Belize, you will have opportunities to unearth Mayan history at Altun Ha or explore crystal caves, while in Cartagena you can discover the colonial old town.

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Highlights

Wild racoon in the jungle, Cahuita National park, Costa Rica

Verdant Rainforests

Your cruise aboard Balmoral has been designed to give you the opportunity to explore tropical Caribbean islands and the lush rainforests of Central America. In Costa Rica, the Veragua Rainforest offers captivating views of Talamanca Range mountains from an aerial tram through the forest canopy, and is home to a large number of frog and butterfly species. In Cahuita National Park, you can spot colourful toucans, sloths, raccoons, howler and capuchin monkeys. The creeks and jungle in Belize offer a haven to the elusive manatee - or sea cow, as the shy and gentle creatures slowly meander through the shallow waters looking for food, which you can go in search of on a special tour from Balmoral. Sage Mountain in Tortola is filled with an abundance of trees and plants, including guavaberry and scattered white cedar, and mahogany trees.

Banana plantation, Costa Rica

Embracing Nature

In Central America, many local communities share a profound connection with nature, weaving sustainable practices and environmental care into their daily lives, using their deep knowledge of traditional practices. Here, families use agricultural processes like milpa to protect their ecosytems, and tend gardens that blend crops like maize, beans and cacao with native plants and trees, thus preserving the forests. In Jamaica, you can savour the distinct, rich flavours of Blue Mountain coffee at Craighton Estate Coffee Farm, where each cup is brewed to perfection. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how this world-renowned coffee is cultivated, an art passed down through generations. Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, nestled between lush rainforests and sweeping coastal plains, banana plantations flourish, and with fertile soils, plentiful rainfall, and warm, steady temperatures, this tropical paradise offers the perfect conditions for banana cultivation. Explore these plantations on tour from Balmoral, where you'll uncover the delicate balance between agricultural production and sustainable practices.

Altun ha, Belize

Central American legacies and influences

This cruise offers you the chance to discover more about native legacies and colonial influences in Central America. From Belize, join us on a visit to Altun Ha, also known as Rockstone Water, an important archaeological site in Mayan culture, or explore crystal caves used as ceremonial chambers by the ancient Mayans. Cartagena is bursting with Spanish colonial history, as is the Dominican Republic, where the first Spanish colony was founded in the New World by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage back to the island in 1493.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

Explore the 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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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 to 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.

Close up of an Emerald stone

Emerald Jewellery Workshop

Tour Cartagena’s San Felipe Fortress, visit the Emerald Museum, then create jewellery with Colombian emeralds at the Caribbean School of Jewellery before returning to the pier.

££££

Cartagena de Indias

Colourful Lucha Libre masks

Lucha Libre Meet & Greet

Experience the thrill of Mexico’s lucha libre, where colourful masked fighters battle as rudos and técnicos in exciting matches. Your guide will take you to a live show at Barriecito ring, where you can meet the luchadores and enjoy a special surprise.

££££

Cozumel

Black Howler Monkey sitting in a tree

Community Baboon Sanctuary

££££

Belize City

Dried coffee beans in a sack

Blue Mountain Coffee Experience with Lunch

Explore Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, known as "coffee heaven," and experience its stunning landscapes—waterfalls, streams, and vibrant wildflowers—on a rare, scenic journey through the island's rural beauty.

££££

Port Royal

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.

Go Stargazing Logo
Astronomy

Go Stargazing

Acting as tour guides of the heavens, the Go Stargazing astronomers will share their knowledge with group sessions learning interesting and amazing facts about our Universe. The friendly and approachable team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, and to help you spot planets and stars.

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Roger Lee - Guest Speaker
Photography

Roger Lee

Experienced photographer, Roger will be joining us throughout our sailing, ready to assist in capturing unforgettable moments of the destinations we will cruise by.

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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 plants and flowers of the Caribbean and Central America.

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 20:00 02/12/2024, 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 20:00 02/12/2024, 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

Little man Solo traveller offer available

Saver Fare From £10,899 pp
Freedom Fare From £11,499 pp
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Suite

Superior Suite (SS)

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

Little man Solo traveller offer available

Saver Fare From £11,399 pp
Freedom Fare From £11,999 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 £15,499 pp

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Last few cabins remaining!

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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 £16,499 pp
Call for details
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Suite

Owner's Suite (OW)

Exclusive Suite - please call for more details

Freedom Fare From £20,999 pp
Call for details
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Cruise Offers

Solo traveller offer available  

Save £300pp   Saver Fare

FREE On Board Spend up to £300pp AND Transfers*   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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