Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
The benefits of Balmoral’s smaller size come to the fore on this cruise, as you dock in Bordeaux and sail along the River Seine to Rouen, both of which aren’t possible on larger vessels. You will have the chance to view impressive architecture throughout, from Spain’s contemporary Guggenheim Museum to France’s beautiful medieval buildings. Traditional food and drink can be enjoyed in their place of origin, including tasty pintxos in Bilbao and creamy Camembert and Calvados in Honfleur. Visiting a local vineyard in Bordeaux, where the owners will guide you through a winemaking and tasting session, makes for a rewarding experience, too. Meanwhile, join us on deck to savour picturesque countryside views as Balmoral sails along the River Seine.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Explore iconic French & Spanish River Cities
On this Balmoral cruise, you will have a number of opportunities to explore some of France and Spain's most iconic riverside cities, including Rouen and Honfleur, nestled on the banks of the picturesque River Seine. Located at the confluence of the Gironde and Garonne rivers, Bordeaux offers an air of elegance with its neoclassical architecture, world-renowned vineyards, and flourishing food culture, while the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is a masterpiece of modern architecture and Basque culture and showcases contemporary art against the backdrop of industrial history.
Discover the French and Basque way of life
There will be plenty of opportunities for you to fully experience the local way of life as we explore these French and Spanish riverside cities. In Bordeaux, visit world-class vineyards that produce some of the most prestigious Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sémillon wines, or indulge in speciality cheeses like creamy Brie, Camembert, or a tangy Roquefort spread on thickly sliced warm bread. Meanwhile, in the Basque Country, daily life is based around pintxos bars offering an array of flavoursome small bites, like Gilda (pepper, an anchovy fillet, and olive on a skewer, served on crispy bread) or Boquerones (fresh or marinated anchovies wrapped around green olives), accompanied by a warming Rioja wine or a refreshing Basque cider. You might want to try learning some of the Euskara language, a native dialect of the Basque Country, regarded as the oldest language still in use in Europe.
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
To make your journey even more special, we include so much as standard on board our cruises.
Dining & Lounges
- À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Daily casual 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
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.
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 12 weeks prior to departure via your My Cruises account.
Rioja Winery & Tasting Session
Explore Spain's famous La Rioja region and visit two wineries where you can meet the owners, enjoy a guided tour and partake in a unique wine tasting session.
££££
Getxo (Bilbao)
Visit Château Boutinet
Discover the enchanting Château Boutinet, a family-owned 18th-century wine estate in the heart of Villegouge. Meet the owners and explore the lush vineyards, before culminating your tour in the tasting room, where you’ll indulge in delicious French aperitifs.
££££
Bordeaux
Saint-Émilion Village & Vineyard By Little Train
Begin exploring Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of Merlot grape cultivation. Enjoy a vineyard tour via traditional open-air train and a guided walking tour of the village's upper part, ending with free time to explore.
££££
Bordeaux
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 FAQs
The handy checklist below has been created to assist in making sure you remember all the important things to pack for your cruise.
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 be advised at the time of booking. Your cruise booking information will also detail any requirements applicable to your holiday.
On certain sailings we offer two types of cruise fares; Freedom and Saver Fares.
Our single guests feel right at home on board our ships; Fred. Olsen have the reputation of sailing the friendliest fleet afloat.
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.