Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
In just ten nights, you’ll have the opportunity to capture the elusive Northern Lights. The best chance of seeing this colourful natural phenomenon will present itself during an extended stay in Alta and while cruising the waters of Northern Norway. Connecting with the local culture by meeting the Sámi people and learning about how they’ve adapted to life in the Arctic wilderness makes for an insightful experience. You can also visit a husky yard to meet the friendly inhabitants and experience one of the world’s most beautiful train journeys on the Ofoten Railway from Narvik to Bjørnefjell and back. Balmoral’s smaller size makes it possible to take a scenic shortcut through the Tjeldsundet Strait.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
See the elusive Northern Lights
Join us on an extraordinary Northern Lights cruise aboard Balmoral where you will have the opportunity to witness the splendour of the Aurora Borealis in Northern Norway. You are perfectly placed on board your cruise ship for unobstructed views of this ethereal phenomenon, where there is very little light pollution. Alta and Tromsø are located above the Arctic Circle, offering snow-covered landscapes to explore before returning to Balmoral and warming up with a hot chocolate outside on deck as the Arctic skies darken and the expectation for clear skies builds. The small town of Narvik is renowned as one of the best places in Norway to see the Aurora Borealis due to its fjord location, surrounded by snow-covered mountains and dense forests.
Experience Friluftsliv
The Norwegian concept of friluftsliv, which translates to "open-air living," embraces a profound connection with nature and being outdoors without disturbing or harming it, while also contributing to a sense of personal wellbeing. Friluftsliv holds special significance in Northern Norway since it offers a variety of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In Tromso, spend time with friendly huskies and learn about the dogs daily lives and how they were prepared for the renowned world's longest and toughest dog-sledding race, the Finnmarksløpet, or discover how the Sámi people pursue a traditional lifestyle by reindeer herding and fishing, carefully protecting their language and heritage, and hear stories of their nomadic lives.
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.
Visit the Huskies
Enjoy a special meeting with around 40 happy huskies and learn about Finnmarksløpet, Europe’s longest dog sled race, at an anstonishing 745 miles long.
££££
Alta
Northern Lights Camp - An Evening at Pæskatun
Experience the mesmerizing Northern Lights at Pæskatun, under a star-filled sky. Enjoy an informative presentation, view stunning photos and films, relax in warm slate cottages with hot drinks and cakes, gather around a campfire in a traditional Sámi lavvu, and explore the history of local slate mining through a workshop.
££££
Alta
Aurora Photo Safari
As you seek out the elusive Northern Lights, your experienced local guides will explain the history and science behind the Aurora, helping you to capture photographs of them should they make an appearance.
££££
Alta
Tromsø City & Cable Car
Begin with a tour of the city centre and visit the Arctic Cathedral before heading to the Fjellheisen cable car. Enjoy a ride to the Storsteinen viewpoint, 1,377ft above sea level, and take in the spectacular views of Tromsø and the surrounding landscape.
££££
Tromsø
Sami Reindeer Experience
Experience the enduring heritage of the Sami and their reindeer just 30 minutes from Tromsø. Meet the reindeer, feed them by hand, and savor a traditional bidos lunch in a gamme. In the lavvu, enjoy stories, joik performances, and insights into Sami culture.
££££
Tromsø
Arctic Train - Ofoten Railway
Experience one of the world’s most beautiful journeys along the Ofoten Railway. Carved out of the mountainside, the line leaves Narvik, reaches the southern shores of Rombaksfjord, and runs alongside vertical cliffs with magnificent views.
££££
Narvik
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
As we explore Arctic Norway 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.
Orca
Founded in 2001, ORCA is a group of Ocean Conservationists. Join them out on deck to search the seas for marine life.
Paula Kristiansen
Paula married a Norwegian man from Narvik and resided in Norway since 2000, where she became a professional guide for twelve years. Join her during your cruise as she provides an insight into the Arctic way of life.
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 10:00 25/04/2024, 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 10:00 25/04/2024, 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 £2,999 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £2,899 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 £1,599 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 £1,399 pp |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| Freedom Fare | From £2,399 pp |
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360°
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £5,698.10 |
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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 £5,508.10 |
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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 £2,698.50 |
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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 £2,623.25 |
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360°
Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| Freedom Fare | From £2,399 |
|---|
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.