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From£749pp

The South Coast of Britain in Five Nights

L2507

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Falmouth harbour, Cornwall Falmouth harbour, Cornwall
01 May 2025
Southampton
5 nights
Balmoral

Your cruise at a glance

Hand-crafted highlights

This short yet rewarding spring Bank Holiday cruise gives you the chance to uncover the beautiful and rugged coastlines of the British Isles. Before revelling in the beauty of a scenic cruise around the Channel Islands, Balmoral will head to the remote island of St. Mary’s in the Scilly Isles, home to picturesque countryside, charming towns, and historic fortifications. The Cornish coast follows with a call into Falmouth, only accessible to smaller ships, where you can immerse yourself in local traditions and culinary delights, like Cornish pasties, delicious cream teas, and fresh seafood. Both destinations on your cruise boast climates that are perfect for growing plants, and you will be well-placed to discover why at horticultural sites such as the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, and Tresco Abbey Gardens.

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Highlights

Aerial View Over the Scilly Isles Archipelago

Explore Southern England's islands & coastlines

Your cruise aboard Balmoral will afford you the opportunity to explore the rugged coastlines and picturesque islands in the south of England. The Isles of Scilly archipelago sit as sparkling jewels located just off the coast of Cornwall, with their own subtropical climate ideal for growing exotic plants and flowers and a sanctuary for a wide range of marine and birdlife. A unique fusion of French and British influences can be found on the Channel Islands of Sark, Alderney, and Brecqhou, whose breathtaking coastal landscapes can be seen from the decks of Balmoral as you cruise by.

Traditional Cornish scones with cream and jam

Immerse yourself in the Cornish way of life

The Cornish way of life is a celebration of tradition, community, and being connected to nature. Freshly caught seafood, including Scilly crab, island-raised beef and duck, traditional Cornish pasties, and delicious cream teas, are some of the key ingredients of the cuisine of this region and must surely be sampled. Gardening is a popular pastime due to the warmer climate in the south of England, where colourful booms adorn the landscapes, and verdant gardens like Tresco Abbey Gardens are home to an array of exotic flowers grown in vivid hues, while fishing continues to be a vital source of income, supporting families and maintaining maritime customs. 

Tresco Abbey Gardens

Delve into a climate made for horticulture

Characterised by mild temperatures, the climate in Cornwall is ideal for horticulture and nurturing beautifully lush gardens like Tresco Abbey Gardens on the Isles of Scilly, where a diverse collection of exotic plants and flowers thrive in the sheltered setting. The restored Victorian landscapes of the Lost Gardens of Heligan offer hidden treasures of intriguing woodland walks, rare plants, and wildlife, taking visitors on a journey through history. Meanwhile, from Falmouth, join us on a tour to discover the innovative Eden Project, which showcases diverse ecosystems within its iconic biomes, such as the world’s largest indoor rainforests and the calming Mediterranean Biome, which help preserve Cornwall's commitment to preserving the natural world.

Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

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Map Image

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
Fred. Olsen ship Balmoral sailing at dawn

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.

710 cabins
1,325 guests
551 crew
43,537 GT
16kts max speed
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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 to 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.

Tresco Abbey Gardens

Tresco Abbey Gardens

Explore the sub-tropical botanical paradise of Tresco Abbey Garden home to an impressive collection of 20,000 plant species, some heralding from as far as New Zealand. As you explore this ‘Perennial Kew’, keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels darting about in amongst the trees.

££££

St. Mary's

Grey seal on the rocks, St Mary's , UK

Wildlife Sea Safari Trip

Embark on a wildlife cruise around the Scilly Isles, exploring the rugged edges of the Eastern Isles, home to Atlantic grey seals and seabirds like gannets and puffins. Cruise past Annet and the Western Rocks, spotting shipwrecks and seals, and sail past Norrard Rocks and Men-A-Vaur, abundant with seabirds and seals.

££££

St. Mary's

The Eden Project

The Eden Project

Dubbed by many as the eighth wonder of the world, the internationally acclaimed Eden Project is the world’s largest global garden and since its opening in 2001 has continually lured visitors from around the globe. Nestled in a former china clay pit, the  biomes house a plethora of plants and trees, including the world’s largest indoor rainforest and rightly deserves the attention it receives year on year.

££££

Falmouth

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Departing Falmouth, journey to the Lost Gardens of Heligan near Mevagissey, where you'll explore restored Victorian gardens, an exotic jungle, and the iconic Giants Head. Wander bamboo tunnels, cross the Burmese Rope Bridge, and enjoy both wild woodlands and intricate Pleasure Grounds, with time for guided orientation and personal exploration.

££££

Falmouth

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.

Colin Jones - Guest Speaker
Climate for Horticulture

Colin Jones

Colin holds a diploma in horticulture and will be joining us during our sailing to deliver engaging talks about the gardens we will be visiting.

Mark Norman - Guest Speaker
Cornish Way of Life

Mark Norman

Folklorist and Author, Mark will be joining us throughout your cruise to provide an insight the Cornish Way of Life.

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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.

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Cabins, Prices & Offers

Cabin Options On Your Cruise

* Prices correct as of 16:00 03/12/2024, 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 16:00 03/12/2024, based on the lowest available Cruise Only fare, and on sole occupancy. Please call +441473746175 for live availability & prices.

Cabin Grades

Standard Pricing Solo Pricing
Suite

Balcony Junior Suite (BJ)

Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have a large cabin area and private balcony

Freedom Fare From £1,799 pp
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Suite

Superior Suite (SS)

Located on Bridge & Highland deck, Superior Suites have a balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £1,899 pp
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Suite

Marquee Suite (MS)

Situated on Highland deck, Marquee Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £2,299 pp

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Last few cabins remaining!

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Suite

Premier Suite (PS)

Located on Highland deck, Premier Suites have a private balcony and large cabin area

Freedom Fare From £2,599 pp

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Last few cabins remaining!

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Suite

Owner's Suite (OW)

Exclusive Suite - please call for more details

Freedom Fare From £3,199 pp
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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.

  • À la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner
  • Daily buffet dining options
  • Late night Supper Club
  • Afternoon tea
  • Self-service tea & coffee
  • In-cabin dining & snacks
  • Evening shows
  • Live music & dancing
  • Dance classes
  • Lectures & talks
  • Cookery demonstrations
  • Traditional deck games
  • Daily games & quizzes
  • 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.

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