04 Jan 2024
Southampton
14 nights
Balmoral
Your cruise at a glance
The Olsen Way Highlights
This island-hopping cruise is set to be a rejuvenating escape after the busy festive period. You can relax on Tenerife’s beaches or ascend Mount Teide by cable car before the chance to unwind among the golden dunes of Maspalomas in Gran Canaria. With its imposing volcanoes and verdant forests, La Palma’s landscapes make for rewarding exploration, as does the otherworldly scenery at Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park. Other highlights on your journey include chances to indulge yourself at the Olsen family owned Jardin Tecina Hotel in La Gomera and stroll Madeira’s botanical gardens, perhaps accompanied by a local orchid enthusiast for a more insightful experience.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Mighty Volcanic Landscapes
This Balmoral cruise to the Canaries has been designed so you can experience the region’s mighty volcanic landscapes. During your time ashore in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you'll have the chance to venture up Spain’s tallest volcano, Mount Teide, via cable car. In Arrecife, you are perfectly placed to discover the fiery mountains of Timanfaya National Park, created over 200 years ago when 100 volcanoes erupted resulting in a spectacular lunar-like landscape. Throughout your cruise, you’ll be joined by Dr. Steve Head who will holding insightful talks about the geology, flora and fauna of the Canary Islands.
Canarian Way of Life
The Canary Islands boast a rich and diverse mix of cultures which reflects their history and influences from Africa, Europe and Latin America. On this cruise, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the Canarian way of life across the islands. In Gran Canaria, you can join a shore tour to discover the history of the Aborigines at the archaeological site of El Cenobio de Valeron, or journey to a local family’s farm and learn how to make the traditional Canarian Mojo Picón sauce. In La Gomera, the ancient whistling language of Silbo is a delight to experience and upholds the island’s heritage from its ancestors – and is now taught in its schools to ensure the language isn’t lost.
A Rich Trading History
Throughout your cruise, you will have the opportunity to discover the history of the region’s trade routes. As we call into Funchal, you are perfectly placed to visit learn about the origins of Madeiran wine and why Winston Churchill described it as ‘drinking liquid history’. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, you can visit the Eco Banana Plantation and discover the island’s links to Fred. Olsen and Canary Wharf. Meanwhile in Lisbon, you can learn all about the Portuguese Age of Discovery and visit key sites such as the Belém Tower, Maritime Museum, and the Royal Monastery of Jerónimos, which houses the tomb of the great navigator, Vasco da Gama.
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
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.
Above the Clouds of La Palma
Head to Roque de Los Muchachos, the highest point of La Palma, before heading to the Roque de los Muchachos Visitor Centre, where you can learn why this island houses the most important telescopes in the world.
££££
Santa Cruz de La Palma
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
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.
Dr Peter Allan
With a PhD in Astrophysics, Dr. Peter Allan is an expert Astronomer and has used many of the world’s major telescopes on Earth and in space. As we explore the Canaries together, Peter will be joining us on board delivering insightful talks on astronomy and space science.
Dr Steve Head
Steve Head studied Zoology and Geology at Cambridge University. A Natural Historian and gardening enthusiast, Steve will be joining us on board to speak about the beautiful landscapes and gardens you will find on this cruise.
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 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
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | From £3,199 pp |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £3,499 pp |
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | From £2,999 pp |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £3,299 pp |
360°
Superior Ocean View (A)
Higher on the ship, these cabins offer views from large picture windows.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | From £1,999 pp |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £2,299 pp |
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Inside cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing cruise
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | From £1,249 pp |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £1,549 pp |
360°
Single Balcony Cabin (J)
On Lido Deck 8, Balmoral's J Grade Balcony cabins have a picture window
| Freedom Fare | From £4,499 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £6,048.10 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £6,648.10 |
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £5,668.10 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £6,268.10 |
360°
Superior Ocean View (A)
Higher on the ship, these cabins offer views from large picture windows.
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £3,768.10 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £4,368.10 |
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Inside cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing cruise
Solo traveller offer available
| Saver Fare | from £2,343.10 |
|---|---|
| Freedom Fare | From £2,943.10 |
360°
Single Balcony Cabin (J)
On Lido Deck 8, Balmoral's J Grade Balcony cabins have a picture window
| Freedom Fare | From £4,499 |
|---|
360°
Cruise Offers
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
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.