Spain & the River Cities of France

12 nights from £1,549pp departing Friday 18th Sep 2026

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	18th18	SepSep	202626	Southampton, England, embark on the Balmoral		Late PM
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.
	19th19	SepSep	202626	At Sea
	20th20	SepSep	202626	At Sea
	21st21	SepSep	202626	Pauillac, France	Early AM	Early PM
Pauillac, France, is a scenic village in the Bordeaux wine region, renowned for its prestigious vineyards and charming riverfront. Located on the Gironde estuary, it is famed for its high-quality red wines, including those from renowned châteaux like Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. The village features historic buildings, vibrant markets, and stunning views of the estuary. Pauillac’s blend of rich winemaking heritage and picturesque landscapes makes it a delightful destination for wine enthusiasts and travellers seeking a taste of Bordeaux’s elegance.
	22nd22	SepSep	202626	Pauillac, France	Early AM	Early PM
Pauillac, France, is a scenic village in the Bordeaux wine region, renowned for its prestigious vineyards and charming riverfront. Located on the Gironde estuary, it is famed for its high-quality red wines, including those from renowned châteaux like Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild. The village features historic buildings, vibrant markets, and stunning views of the estuary. Pauillac’s blend of rich winemaking heritage and picturesque landscapes makes it a delightful destination for wine enthusiasts and travellers seeking a taste of Bordeaux’s elegance.
	23rd23	SepSep	202626	Getxo, Spain	Early AM	Late Night
	24th24	SepSep	202626	Santander, Spain	Early AM	Late PM
	25th25	SepSep	202626	At Sea
	26th26	SepSep	202626	Saint-Malo, France	Early AM	Late PM
Thrust out into the sea and bound to the mainland only by tenuous man-made causeways, romantic St-Malo has built a reputation as a breeding ground for phenomenal sailors. Many were fishermen, but others—most notably Jacques Cartier, who claimed Canada for Francis I in 1534—were New World explorers. Still others were corsairs, "sea dogs" paid by the French crown to harass the Limeys across the Channel: legendary ones like Robert Surcouf and Duguay-Trouin helped make St-Malo rich through their pillaging, in the process earning it the nickname "the pirates' city." The St-Malo you see today isn’t quite the one they called home because a weeklong fire in 1944, kindled by retreating Nazis, wiped out nearly all of the old buildings. Restoration work was more painstaking than brilliant, but the narrow streets and granite houses of the Vieille Ville were satisfactorily recreated, enabling St-Malo to regain its role as a busy fishing port, seaside resort, and tourist destination. The ramparts that help define this city figuratively and literally are authentic, and the flames also spared houses along Rue de Pelicot in the Vieille Ville. Battalions of tourists invade this quaint part of town in summer, so arrive off-season if you want to avoid crowds.
	27th27	SepSep	202626	At Sea	Early AM	Late PM
	27th27	SepSep	202626	Rouen, France	Late Night	Early AM
	28th28	SepSep	202626	Rouen, France	Late Night	Early AM
	29th29	SepSep	202626	At Sea	Early AM	Late Night
	30th30	SepSep	202626	Southampton, England, disembark the Balmoral	Early AM
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.

Balmoral

Launch Year

1987

Refit Year

2019

Tonnage

43,537

Capacity

1,325

Cabins

710

Accessible

Marquee Deck 11

Highland Deck 10

Bridge Deck 9

Lido Deck 8

Lounge Deck 7

Main Deck 6

Atlantic Deck 5

Coral Deck 4

Marina Deck 3

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Balcony Junior Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
BJ	Balcony Junior Suite	£3,589	£3,589

A welcoming, comfortable space in which to enjoy a relaxing, restful stay, Balmoral's Balcony Junior Suites have all the amenities that guests need during their time on board, plus a private balcony for soaking up sunshine and scenery outside.

Deck: Highland Deck 10, Bridge Deck 9 & Lido Deck 8
Size: 279 square feet (approx.)
Bedroom with twin or double bed
Sitting area
Bathroom with bath and/or shower
Private balcony
Large windows
Guests benefit from complimentary Suite Dreams package

Please note, cabins 8057 and 8059 on Lido deck are equipped for use by disabled passengers.

SUITE DREAMS PACKAGE

With our compliments on selected Suite grades.

✔ A welcome bottle of sparkling wine

✔ Fruit basket (topped up on request throughout your cruise)

✔ Flowers or plant in your Suite

✔ Bathrobe and slippers

✔ Luxury towels

✔ Free pressing service for formal wear

✔ Binoculars in your Suite

✔ World atlas and country guide for your reference

✔ Afternoon canapé service

✔ Daily newsletter, featuring national and international news

✔ Pair of compact umbrellas for use ashore

✔ Laundry service discount vouchers

✔ Carafe of water, replenished daily

*Facilities (including cabin layout) vary by Suite type; please check when making your booking. Suite Dreams benefits are available on all cruises of three nights and above duration. Suite Dreams benefits apply to guests staying in all Suite grades.

Marquee Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
MS	Marquee Suite	£4,549	£4,549

At approximately 472 square feet in size, Balmoral's Marquee Suites provide guests with ample space in which to relax, and feature all of the amenities – as well as a few extra benefits – that are needed for a comfortable and enjoyable cruise experience.

Deck: Highland Deck 10 (forward)
Size: 472 square feet (approx.)
Bedroom with large double bed
Separate sitting area
Bathroom with bath and shower
Private balcony with sun loungers
Large floor-to-ceiling windows
Access to mini bar and fridge
Guests benefit from complimentary Suite Dreams package

SUITE DREAMS PACKAGE

With our compliments on selected Suite grades.

✔ A welcome bottle of sparkling wine

✔ Fruit basket (topped up on request throughout your cruise)

✔ Flowers or plant in your Suite

✔ Bathrobe and slippers

✔ Luxury towels

✔ Free pressing service for formal wear

✔ Binoculars in your Suite

✔ World atlas and country guide for your reference

✔ Afternoon canapé service

✔ Daily newsletter, featuring national and international news

✔ Pair of compact umbrellas for use ashore

✔ Laundry service discount vouchers

✔ Carafe of water, replenished daily

Premier Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
PS	Premier Suite	£5,149	£5,149

The spacious, elegantly-styled Premier Suites on Balmoral are approximately 601 square feet in size and situated high on the ship on Highland Deck 10. These suites feature all the amenities guests need, plus a few extra touches for an even more comfortable, restful and memorable stay.

Deck: Highland Deck 10
Size: 601 square feet (approx.)
Bedroom with twin or double bed
Separate sitting area
Bathroom with bath and shower
Private balcony with large table, chairs and sun loungers
Large floor-to-ceiling windows
Access to mini bar and fridge
Guests benefit from complimentary Suite Dreams package

SUITE DREAMS PACKAGE

With our compliments on selected Suite grades.

✔ A welcome bottle of sparkling wine

✔ Fruit basket (topped up on request throughout your cruise)

✔ Flowers or plant in your Suite

✔ Bathrobe and slippers

✔ Luxury towels

✔ Free pressing service for formal wear

✔ Binoculars in your Suite

✔ World atlas and country guide for your reference

✔ Afternoon canapé service

✔ Daily newsletter, featuring national and international news

✔ Pair of compact umbrellas for use ashore

✔ Laundry service discount vouchers

✔ Carafe of water, replenished daily

Superior Suite

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
SS	Superior Suite	£4,069	£4,069

Balmoral's Superior Suites, at approximately 341 square feet in size, provide guests with plenty of space in which to relax and enjoy their time on board. Each suite features all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, as well as a few additional benefits.

Deck: Highland Deck 10 & Bridge Deck 9 (midship)
Size: 341 square feet (approx.)
Bedroom with twin or double bed
Separate sitting area
Bathroom with bath and/or shower
Private balcony with sun loungers
Large floor-to-ceiling windows
Access to mini bar and fridge
Guests benefit from complimentary Suite Dreams package

SUITE DREAMS PACKAGE

With our compliments on selected Suite grades.

✔ A welcome bottle of sparkling wine

✔ Fruit basket (topped up on request throughout your cruise)

✔ Flowers or plant in your Suite

✔ Bathrobe and slippers

✔ Luxury towels

✔ Free pressing service for formal wear

✔ Binoculars in your Suite

✔ World atlas and country guide for your reference

✔ Afternoon canapé service

✔ Daily newsletter, featuring national and international news

✔ Pair of compact umbrellas for use ashore

✔ Laundry service discount vouchers

✔ Carafe of water, replenished daily

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Card Room

Featuring plenty of card tables and comfortable chairs, the Card Room on board Balmoral provides guests with a quiet, relaxing space to enjoy a competitive hand or two, or simply a bit of fun. Bridge is always a popular pursuit on board, so you're sure to find players up for a challenge. On some cruises, Bridge tuition is on offer to help you develop your skills.

Library

Located in the Bookmark Café on Lounge Deck, Balmoral's well-appointed library provides a wide variety of books and publications, including some large print books, to delve into, accompanied by speciality coffees, teas and tempting chocolates served at this quiet, comfortable space.

Morning Light Pub

Decorated to resemble a British pub or inn, the Morning Light Pub has a welcoming atmosphere and charming traditional style. Open throughout the day and the evening, it’s the ideal place to relax and socialise with friends both old and new.

You could enjoy a quick pint or a glass of wine at lunch before spending the afternoon ashore; stop by for a pre-dinner drink; or settle into a comfortable seat and relax long into the night while enjoying performances from live bands and comedians.

Marquee Bar

With it's large windows, spectacular glass roof and beautiful décor and furnishings, the resplendent Marquee Bar provides guests with the perfect place to take a break from sunbathing on Marquee Deck.

Grab a quick bite to eat, or perhaps a refreshing glass of your favourite drink. Along with a great selection of beers, wines and expertly-created exotic cocktails, the Marquee Bar also offers you a chance to enjoy tempting tipples from our premium gin menu.

Neptune Lounge

When the lights go down on board Balmoral, we’ll treat you to a selection of live shows ranging from music and cabaret to quick-fire stand-up comedy. Just relax, sit back and enjoy the fabulous performances with your favourite tipple or cocktail in our grand Neptune Bar & Lounge. After the main show, there's usually a chance to catch a set from our Ship's Orchestra and show-off your dance moves. With our talented Dance Hosts on hand, no-one goes too long without a dance partner.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Your Holiday Is Safe With Us

Our Fusion packages are all ABTA & ATOL protected ensuring that your booking is safe with us

Offer

Book by

Fusion Special

Book by

Holiday Summary

	12 nights aboard the Balmoral
	Evening entertainment
	Tea & coffee facilities in cabin
	Welcome and farewell cocktail parties
	Drinks packages available
	Complimentary tea & coffee during the day and early evening.
	Daily on-board activities
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*

Interior staterooms from		£1,549pp
M	Single Interior Room	£2,149pp
N	Single Interior Room
I	Interior Room	£1,549pp
H	Interior Room	£1,669pp
G	Superior Interior	£1,789pp

Oceanview staterooms from		£1,909pp
CO	Sup Ocean Fully Obst	£2,149pp
J	Single Balcony Cabin	£4,859pp
K	Single Ocean View	£2,579pp
L	Single Ocean View
F	Ocean View Room	£1,909pp
E	Ocean View Room	£2,029pp
D	Ocean View Room	£2,149pp
C	Superior Ocean View	£2,389pp
B	Superior Ocean View	£2,509pp
BD	Superior Ocean View
A	Superior Ocean View	£2,629pp

Balcony staterooms from		£3,349pp
JB	Single Balcony Suite	£5,199pp
BC	Balcony Room
BA	Balcony Cabin	£3,349pp

Suite staterooms from		£3,589pp
BJ	Balcony Junior Suite	£3,589pp
BJD	Balcony Junior Suite
SS	Superior Suite	£4,069pp
MS	Marquee Suite	£4,549pp
PS	Premier Suite	£5,149pp
OW	Owner's Suite	£6,109pp