Balmoral

The cruise line will offer a number of sailings from the north of the UK with a number of itineraries from Newcastle and Rosyth in Edinburgh next year.  

Following on from a successful debut season from Rosyth this year, the Balmoral will be embarking on eight cruises from the Scottish port between June and August. 

The ‘Balmoral from the North’ programme will see 20 of what Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s (FOCL) have deemed their best cruise itineraries offered from the northern ports. Cruise destinations will include Germany, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Iceland, Portugal, Spain and France. 

Highlight sailings from Rosyth will include a seven-night ‘Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, a 14-night ‘Baltic Capitals’ holiday and a nine-night ‘European Rivers and Canals’ itinerary.   

Clare Ward, director of product and customer service for FOCL, said “We look forward to another successful cruise season from the scenic Port of Rosyth in 2019, when we will once again be welcoming Scottish guests aboard Balmoral, both old and new.”

Alongside the departures from Rosyth, the Balmoral will also depart from the Port of Tyne in Newcastle between April and October 2019 as a part of a split cruise season. 

The ex-Newcastle cruise season will begin with an eight-night ‘German Waterways’ trip in April and end with a 12-night Baltic cruise in October. 

More highlight itineraries

‘Exploring the Natural Wonders of Iceland’ 11-night cruise from Rosyth (30th June): Spot everything from puffins to humpback whales, geothermal lagoons and stunning nature reserves on the cruise from Rosyth to Iceland. 

Nine-night ‘Cruising European Rivers and Canals’ cruise from Newcastle (7th August): This trip sees the Balmoral sail inland to visit cities in the Netherlands, Belgium and France. Marvel at unique architecture, dive into interesting history and enjoy two trips along the River Seine during the nine-night cruise. 

About the Balmoral 

The Balmoral is a part of FOCL’s fleet of four small ocean ships (featuring Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch). 

The Balmoral’s Rosyth debut season this year saw a record nine sailings, an increase on the eight departures that Black Watch took from the port in 2017. 

The Balmoral has six restaurants and five bars, as well as two swimming pools, a spa, a gym and four Jacuzzis. 

Despite being the largest of the four ocean ships, the Balmoral is still small enough to navigate size-restricted waterways. 

For more information on FOCL, which has won Best Cruise Line for Groups for the last seven years at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards, including group offers visit www.fredolsencruises.com.