On 2026 sailings selected house beer (by the glass), selected red, white and rosé wine (by the glass), and draught soft drinks, included with lunch and dinner. Available with waiter service only in selected venues, including the main, buffet and speciality restaurants. Non-alcoholic options are also available
Tips
Tips are now included in the Freedom Fare for 2026 sailings and beyond.
Entertainment
Choose from a variety of things to entertain yourself including restaurants, bars, theatre, pools and much more.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks from the buffet and main dining restaurants are all included. Meals from the specialty dining restaurants are additional.
Accommodation
Your cabin is included in the price of the cruise.
Port Fees & Taxes
No surprises. All port fees and taxes are included in the price.
Extras
Wi-fi
If you would like to use the internet onboard you can add a package from £8.50 - £12 per day depending on the length of the cruise. This can be added to your package after booking.
Speciality Dining
Specialty restaurants allow travellers to enhance their dining experience during the cruise. This is a great way to add variety to your holiday or celebrate a special occasion. You can pay for meals in the special dining restaurants onboard.
Excursions
If you would like to do any excursions/tours while docked these will be an additional charge. Excursions/tours can’t currently be booked with us online but please contact us after you have made the booking if you would like to add these to your package. Alternatively these can be bought while on the ship but may be more expensive than pre-booking.
Parking
Car parking at the port or airport for the duration of your trip is not included within the price of the cruise. Port/airport parking can’t currently be booked with us online but please contact us after you have made the booking if you would like to add this to your package. An approximate cost for parking is between £12 - £20 per car per day. Alternatively we can arrange transfers from your home to the departure airport/port.
Insurance
Have the peace of mind that you're covered. Contact us after you have made the booking if you would like us to add this to your package.
Transfers (home to port)
Transfers from your home to the port or airport aren't included but we can help organise coach transfers, taxis etc to make your life easier. Please contact us after you have made the booking if you would like to add these to your package.
Visa
Visas are not provided by us or the cruise operator. Visas and other travel documents have to be obtained by the individual passengers prior to sailing.
Ship Facilities
Balmoral - By Fred. Olsen
Good for couplesOver 50sInformalSmall Ship
Year: 07/06/1988
·
Refurbished: 01/11/2020
·
9 Decks
·
Max capacity: 1350 people
To book an accessible cabin, please give us a call
020 3991 1166
Iglu Cruise customer reviews for Balmoral
4.4
Based on 226 reviews
Cabin
4
Service
5
Excursions
4
Dining
4
Activities
4
Value for money
4
Entertainment
4
best small cruise ship i have cruised on
user
10+ cruises
15 Jan 2026
We really enjoyed our recent cruise to Norway on Balmoral. However, some public areas on board were too cold to sit in. The bar staff in the observatory were reduced to wearing coats and gloves on some days. The rear part of the Thistle restaurant and the Lido Bar were also very cold for much of the trip, with staff needing to wear coats there too. Because of this, passengers were all crammed together in the remaining public areas on board, meaning it became difficult to find somewhere to sit on the coldest days. Apart from this, the food and service were really good. The excursions we went on were very well organised and we enjoyed most of the entertainment. The pantomime was the highlight, funniest thing ever.
couple
2-5 cruises
7 Jan 2026
The young man you did the Scottish show was excellent. Enjoyed every minute. Including the brilliant tap dancing my another member of the entertainment team.
couple
2-5 cruises
19 Dec 2025
Amazing itinerary together with excellent weather
Nice ship with decent entertainment
Very good with solo travellers
All offers and prices are subject to change and availability at time of enquiry. Prices are based on two passengers sharing unless otherwise stated and are subject to the Tour Operator's terms and conditions. Cabin and Flight supplements may apply. Other supplements may apply in addition to the price shown above. Flight details, timings and routing may be subject to alteration. Other tour operator charges may also apply. Any Onboard Spending money or drinks package value shown will be per cabin, again based on two sharing.
Talk to a Cruise Expert
Our cruise experts will help you pick the perfect cruise line, ship and destination.
We can tailor any package to suit your holiday needs: Add or extend hotel stays, arrange flights and find the best cabin location for you.
The UK’s largest cruise port and where many will begin their cruise holiday, Southampton has no shortage of maritime and historical attractions. Discover local landmarks on a walking tour including 30 ancient monuments, learn about the tragic story of the Titanic and escape to the great outdoors at the New Forest National Park. With numerous options for seafood dining and even a free art gallery, Southampton is an undoubtedly great destination for a pre or post-cruise stay.
Things to do in Southampton:
SeaCity Museum
Dedicated to the tragedy of the Titanic, SeaCity Museum excellently portrays the aftermath through interactive exhibits. Featuring a 1:25 scale model of the ship, visitors learn about life onboard as well as the disaster that deeply affected Southampton in 1912.
Solent Sky Museum
Home to over 20 aircraft that were integral to the war effort, Solent Sky Museum is dedicated to the history of the RAF. Southampton itself played a large role in producing Supermarine Spitfires, which you’ll learn all about here.
The New Forest
If you’re looking to escape the busy port city, the New Forest National Park is just a short distance away with native New Forest ponies and lush heathland. Visitors can also catch events, activities and workshops throughout the year.
Tudor House and Garden
As Southampton’s most important historic building, this restored home holds over 800 years of history after having numerous owners. Now a museum, it showcases many artefacts once belonging to past residents of Southampton, as well as a Tudor House Café.
Southampton City Art Gallery
Since opening in 1939, this free art gallery has showcased exhibitions of sculptures, photography and traditional paintings. Thanks to an ever-changing programme of activities, you’ll find something here that the whole family will enjoy.
At Sea
DAY 2
26 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
While sailing between destinations, you’ll have time to take a moment and enjoy everything your cruise ship has to offer; with stunning food prepared with the freshest ingredients, fantastic entertainment opportunities, and plenty of places to lounge around, an enjoyable day at sea awaits!
Antwerp
DAY 3
27 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
From stunning architecture and intriguing museums to charming cafes and bustling bars, Antwerp is one Belgian city worth exploring when you arrive along the Scheldt. Home to rich cultural experiences and a vibrant atmosphere, this city is buzzing with things to see and do; there will be something every type of traveller can enjoy in Antwerp. If you’re someone who wants to stroll the cobblestone streets soaking in the sights, stopping to sample some local sweet treats or sip on a regional beer brewed mere minutes away, Antwerp is the perfect place to do just that with an incredible historic city centre. And, those looking for a more concentrated cultural experience will find a variety of world-class museums and art galleries to explore, whether you’re looking for galleries overflowing with contemporary art, exhibits on Antwerp’s modern history, an exploration of the history of printing, or even a war museum that’s set within a former bunker! If, though, you’re someone who would rather avoid the crowds, you’ll never be too far away from a park in Antwerp; this city is home to an abundance of green spaces, with some of the most impressive surrounding remarkable palaces and castles. That’s far from everything Antwerp has to offer though, and the options are near-endless when it comes to the shore experiences available here. From intimate brewery tours and indulgent shopping sprees to finding hidden fortifications and tucking into freshly-baked pastries, there’s something for everyone in this vibrant city.
Things to do in Antwerp:
Kasteel Schoonselhof
An impressive 16th century pleasure palace that was born of an agricultural settlement from centuries before, Kasteel Schoonselhof is a fantastic example of neoclassical architecture, boasting extensive grounds worth spending some time exploring. While much of what we see today is the result of 19th-century renovations, tangible traces of the original buildings remain – hinting at the remarkable history found here. Located on the edge of Antwerp, with grounds home to an important cemetery, this castle pulls you from the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city and invites you to appreciate the unique serenity that comes with such elegant gardens.
Middelheimmuseum
Middelheimmuseum is a must-visit destination in Antwerp, especially if the sun is shining, and somewhere where you’ll always find something new to discover. A charming (and largely open-air) modern art museum boasting a collection of around 400 works of art, Middelheimmuseum invites you to explore the vibrant park surrounding Kasteel Middelheim – an area which is littered with impressive statues and sculptures from talented artists like Auguste Rodin, Rik Wouters, Henry Moore, and more. In the park, you’ll also find Braem Pavilion and Collection Pavilion, two areas where you’ll find the more fragile and delicate artworks on display.
Chocolate Nation
The world’s largest Belgian chocolate museum, Chocolate Nation is a fascinating destination to visit when in Antwerp – even if you don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Home to a number of interesting exhibits on the history of chocolate-making, what it’s like being a chocolatier, and how Belgian chocolate stands out from the rest of the world’s chocolate, this museum is so much more than hands-on workshops and taste-testing – although, those are definitely worth the trip, too!
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS)
A remarkable museum in a striking modern structure, Museum aan de Stroom (which translates as Museum on the River) is a fascinating place that explores Antwerp’s connection to the wider world through exhibits on history, art, culture, international shipping trade, and more. Home to eight exhibition spaces and a collection of over 600,000 objects of interest, you’ll also enjoy incredible panoramic views of the surrounding area from the top of this 60-metre tall building – should you venture up onto the roof terrace, anyway.
At Sea
DAY 4
28 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
While sailing between destinations, you’ll have time to take a moment and enjoy everything your cruise ship has to offer; with stunning food prepared with the freshest ingredients, fantastic entertainment opportunities, and plenty of places to lounge around, an enjoyable day at sea awaits!
Seine River - Cruising
DAY 5
29 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
Our experts are preparing detailed information about this location. Please check back shortly to discover more.
Rouen - Overnight onboard
DAY 5-6
29 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
Considered a cultural capital of France’s Normandy Region, Rouen is a remarkable historical city sitting on the banks of the River Seine which has been significant – in one way or another – since the Middle Ages. Seat of the Exchequer of Normandy and a capital of the Anglo-Norman and Angevin dynasties throughout the 11th to the 15th centuries, home to the site where Jeanne d’Arc was tried and burned alive, severely damaged during Operation Overlord in 1944, and now contributing to France’s impressive HAROPA Port – of which Le Havre and Paris also contribute – the cultural, historical, and economic importance of Rouen and cannot be overstated. With an overnight stay aboard your cruise ship in Rouen, you’ll have even more time to enjoy this remarkable city – and, of course, more time to travel inland to Paris and indulge in everything the French capital has to offer.
Honfleur - Overnight onboard
DAY 7-8
31 Mar 2027
Time at Port: TBD
On the south side of the mouth of the river Seine from Le Havre, Honfleur is a historic Normandy town boasting picturesque 18th-century houses, Mediaeval architecture and an idyllic harbour.
Things to do in Honfleur - Overnight onboard:
Église Sainte Catherine
Built in the 15th century, this large wooden church is a popular tourist attraction in Honfleur. Unique in its appearance, it makes for a great photo opportunity.
Le Jardin des Personnalités
Spanning 10 hectares, this scenic park is home to a variety of plant life, statues and more.
Honfleur Port
Picturesque and bustling, the Port of Honfleur is surrounded by colourful buildings, restaurants and more making it a good place to explore whilst stopping off in the city.
Southampton
DAY 9
02 Apr 2027
Time at Port: TBD
The UK’s largest cruise port and where many will begin their cruise holiday, Southampton has no shortage of maritime and historical attractions. Discover local landmarks on a walking tour including 30 ancient monuments, learn about the tragic story of the Titanic and escape to the great outdoors at the New Forest National Park. With numerous options for seafood dining and even a free art gallery, Southampton is an undoubtedly great destination for a pre or post-cruise stay.
Things to do in Southampton:
SeaCity Museum
Dedicated to the tragedy of the Titanic, SeaCity Museum excellently portrays the aftermath through interactive exhibits. Featuring a 1:25 scale model of the ship, visitors learn about life onboard as well as the disaster that deeply affected Southampton in 1912.
Solent Sky Museum
Home to over 20 aircraft that were integral to the war effort, Solent Sky Museum is dedicated to the history of the RAF. Southampton itself played a large role in producing Supermarine Spitfires, which you’ll learn all about here.
The New Forest
If you’re looking to escape the busy port city, the New Forest National Park is just a short distance away with native New Forest ponies and lush heathland. Visitors can also catch events, activities and workshops throughout the year.
Tudor House and Garden
As Southampton’s most important historic building, this restored home holds over 800 years of history after having numerous owners. Now a museum, it showcases many artefacts once belonging to past residents of Southampton, as well as a Tudor House Café.
Southampton City Art Gallery
Since opening in 1939, this free art gallery has showcased exhibitions of sculptures, photography and traditional paintings. Thanks to an ever-changing programme of activities, you’ll find something here that the whole family will enjoy.
AI review summary
Entertainment
A significant number of customers remarked that the entertainment provided was varied, excellent, and enjoyable.
Service
Many customers appreciated the excellent service provided by the ship, praising its friendliness and cleanliness.
Crew
Customers expressed appreciation for the friendly and helpful crew, which was mentioned multiple times in the reviews.
Trip
Customers appreciated the good selection of shore trips and the variety of ports available, although some were a little expensive.
Cabin
A significant number of customers remarked that the cabin was spacious, clean, warm, and well-appointed.