02 Aug 2024
Rosyth
5 nights
Balmoral
The cruise at a glance
The Olsen Way Highlights
Our team has planned this Scottish Bank Holiday weekend cruise to visit Norway when the landscapes are greener and the days are longer. In just five nights, you will see many remarkable natural landscapes. There’s even a chance to visit the Briksdal Glacier with a local expert, making for a more insightful experience. From Stavanger, you can visit the Swords in the Rock monument, which commemorates the battle during which Harald Hårfagre became the first King of Norway. Enjoy the benefits of a smaller ship as Balmoral makes diversions to sail areas out of reach to larger vessels, including past the Hornelen sea cliff and along Lysefjord, passing under the famous Pulpit Rock.
Explore the ItineraryHighlights
Fjord Cruising
One of the benefits of sailing on Balmoral, our smaller-sized cruise ship, is that you’re able to sail along and into some of Norway’s most picturesque fjords. Join us on deck as we sail along Nordfjord to the magnificent Jostedalsbreen, Europe’s largest inland glacier, where the surrounding landscapes are more rugged and untamed and isolated villages are delicately placed within the valleys and mountains. Lysefjord will lead you to Preikestolen – Pulpit Rock, a vast flat mountain plateau; and Kjeragbolten, where a giant rock is wedged between a crevice on Mount Kjerag.
Hike to Briksdal Glacier
The changing shape of Briksdal Glacier can be seen on an immersive tour from Olden, where guests will be accompanied by a local Geologist. They will offer an insight as to how the glacier has changed over the years due to climate change, as it has receded 1,200 metres in the last 120 years – making it a shadow of how it used to be, although the startling blue of the ice can still be clearly seen. On this particular tour, guests will hike to your experts’ favourite viewing point, offering views from across a glacial lake.
The Unification of Norway
The Battle of Hafrsfjord remains prominent in the history of Norway, for being seen as the war that unified Norway as a country under a single monarchy for the first time, when the victorious Viking chief, Harald Fairhair, proclaimed himself the first king of the Norwegians. The Haraldshaugen national monument was erected in Haugesund in 1872 to commemorate the Battle of Hafrsfjord; and then in 1983, in memory of the battle, The Swords in Rock monument was built in Hafrsfjord, just south of Stavanger
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
* Prices correct as of 15:00 22/09/2023, 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 15:00 22/09/2023, 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
| Freedom Fare | From £1,899 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £1,799 pp |
|---|
360°
Superior Ocean View (A)
Higher on the ship, these cabins offer views from large picture windows.
| Freedom Fare | From £1,399 pp |
|---|
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Inside cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £999 pp |
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360°
Single Balcony Cabin (J)
On Lido Deck 8, Balmoral's J Grade Balcony cabins have a picture window
| Freedom Fare | From £2,399 pp |
|---|
360°
Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)
Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony
| Freedom Fare | From £3,608.10 |
|---|
360°
Balcony Cabin (BA)
Located on Deck 8 & 9, Balcony Cabins have a private balcony and spacious cabin area
| Freedom Fare | From £3,418.10 |
|---|
360°
Superior Ocean View (A)
Higher on the ship, these cabins offer views from large picture windows.
| Freedom Fare | From £2,658.10 |
|---|
360°
Superior Interior Cabin (G)
G Grade Superior Inside cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing cruise
| Freedom Fare | From £1,898.10 |
|---|
360°
Single Balcony Cabin (J)
On Lido Deck 8, Balmoral's J Grade Balcony cabins have a picture window
| Freedom Fare | From £2,399 |
|---|
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
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.