08 Aug 2023
Rosyth
8 nights
Balmoral
The cruise at a glance
The Olsen Way Highlights
The destinations selected for your itinerary offer a range of activities that bring Norwegian nature to the fore. There’s the chance to visit the mighty Briksdal Glacier in Olden, while hiking atop Bergen’s Mount Fløyen with a local is recommended for an authentic experience. You will also visit Skjolden, nestled deep within the Lustrafjord; Åndalsnes, gateway to the Rauma Railway; and Eidfjord, where you can kayak the Hardangerfjord. Balmoral will deviate away from the direct routes to take you on a scenic route along Lysefjord – out of reach to larger ships; past Hornelen, Europe’s highest sea cliff; and to admire views of the Fureberg and Langfoss waterfalls.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Mountainous landscapes
The beauty of our homeland can be seen on this cruise, with scenic cruising of some of Norway’s most spectacular fjords. Lustrafjord is home to both Preikestolen – Pulpit Rock, the huge 600 metre high flat mountain plateau; and Kjeragbolten – where a large boulder is wedged in a crevice in the mountain. The magnificent fjord and its lush landscapes are best seen from an exhilarating RIB tour which will take you up close to waterfalls and idyllic villages on the fjord’s edge.
The formation of the fjords
You’ll be joined on this cruise by geologist Jon Gluyas, who has spent a considerable part of his career studying the geology of Norway, and how fjord islands are formed as part of his PhD research, so is perfectly placed to present his research for you on how Norwegian fjords were created.
Waterfalls and glaciers
Balmoral will take you away from the more direct sailing routes on this cruise, so you can enjoy scenic discoveries of the country’s abundance of waterfalls. Sail past the dramatic sea cliff of Hornelen into Lysefjord, and admire Furebergsfossen Waterfall as your Captain deftly manouvers your cruise ship 360 degrees to allow you to see as it thunders down the hillside under the road.
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
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
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
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 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.