Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
This island-hopping cruise has been designed to take you on a journey through the Mediterranean's scenic bays, harbours, and islands. A number of highlights await, including the pristine beaches and azure waters of Ibiza, the French island of Corsica, with its rugged coastline and picturesque villages, and the famous Gibraltar Rock, providing panoramic vistas and a strategic maritime gateway. You can enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean way of life, which is celebrated for its vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, and relaxed pace. Indulge in Spanish dishes, taste Corsican wine and embrace Ibiza's bohemian spirit. The region is steeped in history, too, giving you opportunities to trace the footsteps of ancient civilisations, such as the Romans, Carthaginians and Knights Templar.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Scenic Bays, Harbours & Islands
Your cruise aboard Balmoral has been meticulously planned to showcase the beautiful bays, harbours, and islands of the Mediterranean. The azure blue seas and pristine beaches of Ibiza beckon, while Mahon's harbour is renowned for its natural splendour, and Costa Smeralda in Sardinia offers emerald green waters, luxury resorts, and unspoiled beaches. In Ajaccio, join us for a boat cruise along its bay and explore the 'Island Sanguinaires', aptly named for its red granite formations; or visit the island of Formentera, Ibiza's smaller sister island, renowned for its fine sandy beaches and crystal clear seas. You will also have the opportunity to explore the blend of ancient ruins and a modern port in Cartagena, as well as the iconic Rock of Gibraltar.
The Mediterranean way of life
Life in the Mediterranean embodies a wonderful mix of tradition, culture and natural landscapes. Originating from Menorca, mayonnaise adds a creamy touch to dishes, reflecting the island's culinary innovation, while Corsica's wine culture thrives amid breathtaking vistas of vineyards clinging to steep slopes, producing quality wines such as Nielluccio, Sciacarello and Vermentino, showcasing its maritime influences. Discover Ibiza's laidback bohemian vibe while admiring brilliantly coloured sunsets, and experience Gozo's slower pace of life, centered around family and community, and discover the region's rich agricultural heritage, cultivating a strong connection to the land and respect for traditional farming traditions.
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 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.
Cádiz Like a Local
££££
Cádiz
Flamenco Experience
Learn about the history of flamenco and visit an authentic tablao-tavern to learn how to master this passionate dance from a local expert.
££££
Cádiz
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.
Laura Fitzachary
Laura is a historian and will be joining us on board to deliver some insightful talks on the Medieval history of the Mediterranean.
Martin Lunn MBE
Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and lecturer in Astronomy, Martin Lunn MBE will be on hand out on deck to host stargazing sessions on clear sky evenings.
Mike Eyley
Mike was raised bilingual in Spain and has built a diverse career, excelling in the leisure industry, education, and acquiring extensive knowledge in Spanish history, culture, food, and wine. He will be joining us on board to deliver a series of engaging talks about the Spanish way of life.
OWE (Ocean Wildlife Encounters)
Ocean Wildlife Encounters (OWE) are a group of highly experienced wildlife speakers. Join them for an insightful talk or out on deck to search the seas for wildlife.
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.
Cabins, Prices & Offers
Cabin Options On Your Cruise
* Prices correct as of 14:00 27/07/2024, 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 14:00 27/07/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.
Cabin Grades
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £7,799 pp |
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360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £6,799 pp |
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360°
Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £2,799 pp |
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360°
Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,299 pp |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (M)
M Grade Single Interior cabins are perfect for a relaxing cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £4,399 pp |
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Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £14,818.10 |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £12,918.10 |
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360°
Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture window.
| Freedom Fare | From £4,499 |
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Interior Cabin (H)
Balmoral’s H Grade Interior cabins offer all the features you need on a cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £3,499 |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (M)
M Grade Single Interior cabins are perfect for a relaxing cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £4,399 |
|---|
360°
Cruise Offers
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.
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
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 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.