Your cruise at a glance
Hand-crafted highlights
Our Journey Planners have designed this cruise to Northern Norway to offer you the chance to spot the Aurora Borealis, a natural spectacle that sees the skies adorned in colourful ribbons of light. You can experience the Arctic lifestyle during your time ashore, partaking in activities like husky sledding, snowshoe hiking and snowmobiling; and marvel at Lofoten’s wintery mountain landscapes. Or, for the ultimate cultural experience, spend time with a local Sámi community, who’ll share captivating stories about their traditions and way of life. Explore the scientific aspects of the Northern Lights, uncovering the secrets of this natural phenomenon.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Seek out the Northern Lights
We have meticulously planned this cruise to allow you the best possible chance of witnessing the magnificent Northern Lights at the very best possible time to see them. Arctic Norway’s winter nights are long and dark, creating the perfect environment for the vibrant hues of the Aurora Borealis to dance across the sky. You will have plenty of opportunities both on board and ashore to go in search of Mother Nature’s spectacular light show, with experienced local guides leading the way ashore to take you to the best spots to witness the Aurora.
Immerse Yourself in Arctic Life
Throughout this cruise, you will be perfectly placed to experience the rich Arctic culture, with calls into destinations planned to allow you to experience the local way of life. You can meet with the local Sámi community, hearing tales of their traditions and their deep connection with nature as you gather round a fire in a warm lavvu, a traditional Sámi tent. This cruise will also offer you the perfect opportunity to experience the traditional form of reindeer herding, and perhaps even have the chance to feed them too.
Learn About the Science Behind the Northern Lights
The vibrant green, blue, purple and red tones of the Northern Lights dance across the dark night sky of the Earth’s polar regions and have captivated and mystified humans for centuries. The bright colours of the Aurora Borealis are caused when highly charged solar particles are emitted from the Sun’s surface and travel through space towards the Earth. Upon colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, these particles travel to the magnetic poles and burst into a colourful display, sometimes appearing to ‘dance’ across the night sky. This movement is caused by fluctuations in the solar winds and the Earth’s atmosphere, causing the particles to create shifting patterns of light.
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.
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
Go Stargazing is formed of a group of astronomers, all of whom are keen to encourage public interest in astronomy to as wide an audience as possible. Join Catherine Adams on your cruise for stargazing sessions conducted on the top deck in the evenings.
Jeanette Yuile
Jeanette boasts over 40 years of Upstream Oil and Gas experience, and as a local Norwegian, she splits her time between Norway and the UK. During your cruise, Jeanette will be hosting a series of talks on Norway’s culture and way of life.
Wil Cheung - Go Stargazing
Go Stargazing is formed of a group of astronomers, all of whom are keen to encourage public interest in astronomy to as wide an audience as possible. Join photographer and astronomer, Wil, who will lead stargazing sessions out on deck and will be ready to assist in capturing unforgettable moments of the destinations we will cruise by, including the possibility of capturing the mesmerising Northern Lights.
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 05:00 18/05/2024, 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 05:00 18/05/2024, 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 £3,599 pp |
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Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £3,399 pp |
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Ocean View (F)
Two portholes in Balmoral's F Grade Ocean View cabins offer ocean views
| Freedom Fare | From £1,899 pp |
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Interior Cabin (I)
I Grade Inside cabins on Balmoral offer everything you need on a cruise.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,599 pp |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| Freedom Fare | From £2,699 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 £6,838.10 |
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Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £6,458.10 |
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Superior Ocean Fully Obstructed View (CO)
CO Grade Superior Ocean View cabins have a fully obstructed picture window.
| Freedom Fare | From £3,298.50 |
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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 £2,973.25 |
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Single Interior Cabin (N)
N Grade Single Interior cabins are located on decks 3 & 6
| Freedom Fare | From £2,699 |
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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.