Grand Mediterranean Exploration – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – 30 Sep 2026 – Cruise Traveller

Grand Mediterranean Exploration – Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Cruise Line
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Ship
Balmoral
Package Departs
30 Sep 2026
Package Duration
71 Nights
Embark Ship
Southampton, England
Disembark Ship
Southampton, England
H - Interior F - Ocean View (Porthole) C - Superior Ocean View BA - Superior Balcony
GB £8,799
per person
GB £10,199
per person
GB £13,099
per person
GB £18,999
per person

Fleet Fiesta in Gran Canaria
On Monday, December 1st, 2026, the Fred. Olsen fleet, Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral, will reunite in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, for a day of unforgettable celebrations. Guests will have the unique opportunity to step aboard each ship, explore, meet the crew and connect with fellow guests. Both on board and ashore, a vibrant carnival atmosphere will bring the day to life with exciting activities, including prizes, treasure hunts, live music and an exhilarating tug of war. The celebrations will then culminate in a spectacular fleet sail-away party, as our ships bid farewell to Las Palmas and set sail into the sunset.
____________________

Grand Mediterranean Exploration cruise package includes:
– 71 night cruise aboard Balmoral by Fred. Olsen from Southampton return
– Breakfast, lunch, dinner, buffet afternoon tea and late-night buffet
– House beer, wine and draught soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard^
– Self-service tea and coffee available in selected venues, and in-cabin dining and snacks
– All evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, dancing and live music
– Enrichment lectures and talks including local experts on all cruises longer than 14 nights
– Use of on board leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and gym whilst cruising
– A wide choice of on board activities, talks and demonstrations throughout the day
– Luggage porterage between your cabin and the drop-off/pick-up point
– Formal welcome and/or Captain`s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet
– Shuttle buses when the port is more than one mile from the ship
– Guided walks in port (weather dependent)
– Fitness classes
– Gratuities
– Port taxes

^Inclusive drinks will be available in the main dining rooms, buffet and speciality restaurants during lunch and dinner only. This does not include The Poolside (on Bolette and Borealis), snack venues, afternoon tea or supper club.
_______________

Premium Drinks Package* is available from GBP32 per person per night and includes:
– Soft drinks and juices
– A choice of premium red, white, rosé and non-alcoholic wines by the glass
– Full cocktail and signature cocktail ranges
– Branded spirits, including rum, gin, vodka, whisky, brandy and Irish Cream
– Branded beers and ciders (bottles, cans and draught)
– 25% off all wines by the bottle
– 25% off fine whisky and cognac
– 10% off sparkling and dessert wines
____________________

Satisfaction Guarantee:
Everything Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines do is carefully considered to ensure their guests have the most wonderful cruise experience possible. They are so confident you will enjoy the way they cruise, that they make you a satisfaction guarantee. If after a couple of days on board you find that it is not right for you, they will fly you back to the UK at their expense from the next available port and your cruise fare will be refunded in full. Conditions apply~
__________________

Not included:
– Shore Tours

Special Conditions

*Conditions Apply: All prices shown here are per person share twin (unless stated as single) in GBP, based on best available cruise fare at time of publication (13Jan26). Some cabins may have obstructed views. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Travel agent service fees may apply. Special conditions apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Please note that the prices shown here are not shown in real time. While we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ from the prices in our booking system at time of reservation. Offer subject to availability at time of booking. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. ~Satisfaction Guarantee (formerly The Olsen Way Promise) excludes Party Nights and cruises for 4 or less nights. The promise only applies to Bookings made for departures more than 12 weeks ahead. Satisfaction Guarantee only applies to Passengers who have contracted with FOCL and excludes cruises on vessels operated by FOCL but booked through third Party operators. Should you wish to invoke the Satisfaction Guarantee, you will need to inform Guest Relations within 48 hours of the Vessel's departure from the original port of embarkation at the latest. FOCL will arrange and pay for a flight and/or transport back to the UK. FOCL will refund the cruise cost only but will not refund other costs. Please note: Some exclusions apply to our Premium Drinks Package, including 750ml glass bottles of mineral water; Red Bull; speciality coffee and drinks from our Bookmark Café and Oriental Tea Room; wine by the bottle; sparkling and dessert wine; speciality whisky, and cognac

Special Validity Dates

Special is valid from 11 Aug 2025 to 30 Apr 2026 or until sold out/withdrawn.

Cruise Itinerary

DateActivityArriveDepart
30 Sep 2026
Southampton, England
01 Oct 2026 At sea    
02 Oct 2026 At sea    
03 Oct 2026
Vigo, Spain
04 Oct 2026 At sea    
05 Oct 2026
Cadiz, Spain
06 Oct 2026
Malaga, Spain
07 Oct 2026
Cartagena, Spain
08 Oct 2026
Alicante, Spain
09 Oct 2026
Alicante, Spain
10 Oct 2026
Mahon, Menorca. SP
11 Oct 2026 At sea    
12 Oct 2026
Savona, Italy
13 Oct 2026
La Spezia, Italy
14 Oct 2026
Bastia, Corsica. FR
15 Oct 2026
Propriano, Corsica. FR
16 Oct 2026
Amalfi, Italy
Passing
16 Oct 2026
Salerno,Italy
17 Oct 2026 At sea    
18 Oct 2026
Maratea, Italy
Passing
18 Oct 2026
Stromboli, Italy
Cruising
18 Oct 2026
Messina Strait, Italy
Cruising
19 Oct 2026
Valletta, Malta
20 Oct 2026 At sea    
21 Oct 2026
Dubrovnik, Croatia
22 Oct 2026
Split, Croatia
23 Oct 2026
Koper, Slovenia
24 Oct 2026
Zadar, Croatia
25 Oct 2026
Bay of Kotor
Cruising
25 Oct 2026
Kotor, Montenegro
26 Oct 2026
Kotor, Montenegro
27 Oct 2026
Corfu, Greece
28 Oct 2026 At sea    
29 Oct 2026
Heraklion, Greece
30 Oct 2026
Heraklion, Greece
31 Oct 2026
Ermoupolis, Greece
01 Nov 2026
Temple Of Poseidon, Sounio, Greece
Passing
01 Nov 2026
Tourlitis Lighthouse, Andros, Greece
Passing
02 Nov 2026
Kavala, Greece
03 Nov 2026
Kavala, Greece
03 Nov 2026
Mt Athos, Greece
Passing
04 Nov 2026
Lesvos (Mitilini), Greece
05 Nov 2026
Samos, Greece
06 Nov 2026
Rhodes, Greece
07 Nov 2026 At sea    
08 Nov 2026
Limassol, Cyprus
09 Nov 2026
Limassol, Cyprus
10 Nov 2026 At sea    
11 Nov 2026 At sea    
12 Nov 2026
Alexandria, Egypt
13 Nov 2026 At sea    
14 Nov 2026
Marmaris, Turkey
15 Nov 2026 At sea    
16 Nov 2026
Istanbul, Turkey
17 Nov 2026
Istanbul, Turkey
18 Nov 2026 At sea    
19 Nov 2026
Athens (Piraeus) Greece
20 Nov 2026
Athens (Piraeus) Greece
21 Nov 2026
Kalamata, Greece
22 Nov 2026 At sea    
23 Nov 2026
Trapani, Sicily, Italy
24 Nov 2026 At sea    
25 Nov 2026 At sea    
26 Nov 2026
Tangier, Morocco
27 Nov 2026 At sea    
28 Nov 2026
Agadir, Morocco
29 Nov 2026 At sea    
30 Nov 2026
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
01 Dec 2026
Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Canary Islands
02 Dec 2026
Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
03 Dec 2026
Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
04 Dec 2026
Funchal (Madeira), Portugal
05 Dec 2026 At sea    
06 Dec 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
07 Dec 2026
Leixoes, Portugal
08 Dec 2026 At sea    
09 Dec 2026 At sea    
10 Dec 2026
Southampton, England

All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

Please select your preferred category and cabin configuration/price. Then scroll down and select Continue to provide your contact details and preference. Our cruise specialists will check availability and respond to you as soon as possible.

Category Twin Per Person     Single Per Person
H - Interior
   
F - Ocean View (Porthole)
   
C - Superior Ocean View
   
BA - Superior Balcony
   
BJ - Balcony Junior Suite
   
SS - Superior Suite
   
MS - Marquee Suite
   
PS - Premier Suite
   

Please select your preferred category and cabin configuration/price. Then scroll down and select Continue to provide your contact details and preference. Our cruise specialists will check availability and respond to you as soon as possible.

Explore iconic ports like Istanbul, Piraeus for Athens and Valletta

Enjoy scenic cruising of the Bay of Kotor and Amalfi Coast

Embrace the rich flavours of Greek cuisine

 

Named after the Scottish home of the Royal Family, Balmoral is a classically styled ship exuding a welcoming, friendly atmosphere and a warming, home-from-home feel. Capable of carrying up to 1,350 guests in pure comfort, Balmoral is the newest and largest ship in the Fred. Olsen fleet but never feels overcrowded, ensuring those on board always enjoy ample space and receive Fred.’s renowned personal, attentive service.

But despite being the largest in the Fred. Olsen fleet, Balmoral is still small enough to take you through the scenic and winding Fjords of Norway, as well as being able to sail down size restricted European waterways such as the Kiel Canal, ensuring guests on board will benefit from Fred. Olsen’s smaller ship experience.

A range of dining options are available on Balmoral, with mouth-watering menus to suit all tastes on offer in the elegant restaurants; and the fantastic selection of bars and lounges are perfect for enjoying a pre-dinner drink, sumptuous afternoon tea and superb entertainment. The Marquee Bar has its very own evening Gin Menu, including a variety of premium gins; while the Observatory Lounge offers spectacular panoramic views from the bow of the ship and a glass dance floor designed for late-night entertainment. The broad spiral staircase at the heart of the ship is one of Balmoral’s key features, as is the stunning walkway towards the beautiful Ballindalloch Restaurant, where you can admire photographs and paintings from Fred.’s private collection.

There’s also a comfy pub with occasional live music or comedy, cabaret and shows in the Neptune Lounge, and the serene Atlantis Spa, where guests can treat themselves to a range of treatments from manicures to massages – the perfect holiday indulgence. Balmoral also features two swimming pools and bubbling Jacuzzis, ideal for keeping fit and for relaxing in the sunshine.

Ship Profile & Stats

  • Length: 218.18 metres
  • Tonnage: 43,537 Tonnes
  • Refurbished: 2008
  • Passenger Capacity (dbl): 1350
  • Crew Nationality: International
  • Officer Nationality: International
  • Dining Staff Nationality: International
  • Ship Registration: Bahamas

Ship Amenities

  • 24 Hour Cabin Service
  • Individually controlled air conditioning
  • Telephone
  • Dual Voltage Power Supply – 220 volts – European 2 pin plug required
  • Multi-channel TV & FOi interactive TV
  • In cabin safe or safety deposit box
  • Hair Dryer
  • Tea & Coffee making facilities

Ship Facilities

  • Library
  • Card Room
  • Jacuzzi
  • Neptune Lounge
  • Boutiques
  • Photo Gallery
  • Self Service Laundry
  • Casino
  • Lido Lounge
  • Morning Light Pub
  • Medical Centre
  • Avon Restaurant
  • Ballindalloch Restaurant
  • Palms Cafe
  • Spey Restaurant
  • Swimming Pool
  • Art Gallery
  • Arts & Crafts Room
  • Atlantis Spa
  • Fitness Centre
  • Future Cruise Sales
  • Shore Tours Office
  • Marquee Bar
  • Observatory Lounge
  • Bookmark Cafe
  • Flower Shop
  • Oriental Room

As a family-run cruise line, Fred. Olsen really take your experience personally. While the cruise industry has gone for bigger ships, brimming with more and more people, they have always believed that smaller is better. They treat passengers as guests, they dock at smaller ports in more interesting places and they avoid overcrowding both aboard and ashore. At capacity, their smaller ships will only ever sail with between 900 and 1,400 guests.

They have a small team of specialist itinerary planners. They take great pride in handcrafting each journey, to ensure they show you hidden gems as well as highlights on each of their sailings. It is a passion that has won them the Cruise Critic award for Best Itineraries for five consecutive years.

With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, you can cruise from seven regional UK ports to hundreds of destinations worldwide in the classic style and comfort aboard their smaller-sized ships.

Effective for all cruises departing from 1st January 2026, all of the following will be included in Fred Olsen’s Freedom Fares:

New additional inclusions from 1st Jan 2026: – House beer, wine and draught soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard^ – Shuttle buses when the port is more than one mile from the ship – Guided walks in port (weather dependent) – Fitness classes – Gratuities ^Inclusive drinks will be available in the main dining rooms, buffet and speciality restaurants during lunch and dinner only. This does not include The Poolside (on Bolette and Borealis), snack venues, afternoon tea or supper club.

Currently Included: – Breakfast, lunch, dinner, buffet afternoon tea and late-night buffet – Self-service tea and coffee available in selected venues, and in-cabin dining and snacks – All evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, dancing and live music – Enrichment lectures and talks including local experts on all cruises longer than 14 nights – Use of on board leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and gym whilst cruising – A wide choice of on board activities, talks and demonstrations throughout the day – Luggage porterage between your cabin and the drop-off/pick-up point – Formal welcome and/or Captain`s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet – Port taxes

For all departures from 1st January 2026, Borealis will be exclusively an adults only ship.

Satisfaction Guarantee: Everything Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines do is carefully considered to ensure their guests have the most wonderful cruise experience possible. They are so confident you will enjoy the way they cruise, that they make you a satisfaction guarantee. If after a couple of days on board you find that it is not right for you, they will fly you back to the UK at their expense from the next available port and your cruise fare will be refunded in full. Conditions apply*

(*Satisfaction Guarantee (formerly The Olsen Way Promise) excludes Party Nights and cruises for 4 or less nights.  The promise only applies to Bookings made for departures more than 12 weeks ahead. Satisfaction Guarantee only applies to Passengers who have contracted with FOCL and excludes cruises on vessels operated by FOCL but booked through third Party operators. Should you wish to invoke the Satisfaction Guarantee, you will need to inform Guest Relations within 48 hours of the Vessel’s departure from the original port of embarkation at the latest. FOCL will arrange and pay for a flight and/or transport back to the UK.  FOCL will refund the cruise cost only but will not refund other costs.)

Select the Cabin to view detail.

* Unless otherwise noted all pricing is on a per person twin share basis. All prices based on cash payment - credit card fees may apply. Cruise deposit, amendment and cancellation conditions apply. Special conditions may apply - please ask for full details at time of enquiry. All passports, vaccinations and visas are the responsibility of the travelling guest to secure prior to departure from Australia. Any pricing not in Australian Dollars will be converted on the day of payment into the relevant currency based on our daily rate of exchange. Please note that many of the prices shown on this website are not shown in real time. Whilst we endeavour to keep our pricing as up-to-date as possible, the advertised prices shown here may differ slightly from the live prices in our booking system. All pricing and offers are subject to availability at time of booking. Whilst all information is correct at the time of publication, offers are subject to change. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty. Please submit any data errors/omissions you may notice on this site.

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