French Rivers & Bordeaux

10 nights from £599pp departing Tuesday 25th Oct 2022

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	25th25	OctOct	202222	Dover, England, embark on the Balmoral		Late PM
Known as the gateway of England, Dover welcomes millions of visitors from all over the globe each year in its role as the ferry capital of the world and the second busiest cruise port in the UK. The White Cliffs Country has a rich heritage. Within the walls of the town’s iconic castle, over 2,000 years of history waits to be explored, whilst the town’s museum is home to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing vessel. The town’s cliffs that are a welcome sight for today's cross-channel travellers also served as the control centre for the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.
	26th26	OctOct	202222	At Sea
	27th27	OctOct	202222	At Sea	Late PM	Late Night
	27th27	OctOct	202222	Bordeaux, France	Late Night	Late Night
Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned.
	28th28	OctOct	202222	Bordeaux, France	Late Night	Late Night
Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you'll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region's largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux"—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d'Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it's pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned.
	29th29	OctOct	202222	Getxo, Spain	Early PM	Late Night
	30th30	OctOct	202222	At Sea
	31st31	OctOct	202222	Brest, France	Early AM	Late PM
	1st01	NovNov	202222	At Sea	Early PM	Late Night
	1st01	NovNov	202222	Rouen, France	Late Night	Late Night
	2nd02	NovNov	202222	Rouen, France	Late Night	Late Night
	3rd03	NovNov	202222	Honfleur, France	Early AM	Late PM
Honfleur, the most picturesque of the Côte Fleurie's seaside towns, is a time-burnished place with a surplus of half-timber houses and cobbled streets that are lined with a stunning selection of stylish boutiques. Much of its Renaissance architecture remains intact—especially around the 17th-century Vieux Bassin harbor, where the water is fronted on one side by two-story stone houses with low, sloping roofs and on the other by tall slate-topped houses with wooden facades. Maritime expeditions (including some of the first voyages to Canada) departed from here; later, Impressionists were inspired to capture it on canvas. But the town as a whole has become increasingly crowded since the Pont de Normandie opened in 1995. Providing a direct link with Upper Normandy, the world's sixth-largest cable-stayed bridge is supported by two concrete pylons taller than the Eiffel Tower and designed to resist winds of 257 kph (160 mph).
	4th04	NovNov	202222	Dover, England, disembark the Balmoral	Early AM
Known as the gateway of England, Dover welcomes millions of visitors from all over the globe each year in its role as the ferry capital of the world and the second busiest cruise port in the UK. The White Cliffs Country has a rich heritage. Within the walls of the town’s iconic castle, over 2,000 years of history waits to be explored, whilst the town’s museum is home to the Dover Bronze Age Boat, the world’s oldest known seagoing vessel. The town’s cliffs that are a welcome sight for today's cross-channel travellers also served as the control centre for the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940.

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.

Observatory Lounge

Located on Marquee Deck at the very top of Balmoral, the Observatory Lounge boasts the most spectacular panoramic views and is a wonderful place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink. Sit by the bar, or perhaps take a seat in one of the new, comfortable chairs by the lounge's large windows and lose yourself in the stunning sights while listening to the twinkling sounds of a grand piano.

The Observatory Lounge is also the venue for our premium Traditional Afternoon Tea service, which offers guests a selection of delicious sandwiches, cakes, pastries and scones accompanied by premium teas and unforgettable views.

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 new décor and furnishings, fitted as part of Balmoral's extensive refurbishment in late 2017, 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

Benefiting from refreshed carpets, curtains, décor and new, more comfortable seating, thanks to a thorough refurbishment in late 2017, the Neptune Lounge offers guests a chance to enjoy a feast of music, dance, comedy and costume in ample space, comfort and style.

As the main entertainment venue on board Balmoral, the Neptune Lounge hosts the live after dinner shows every evening. Take a seat alongside your friends, loved ones and fellow guests and experience all the 'glitz and glam' as our friendly waiters bring you drinks straight from the bar.

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

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Holiday Summary

	10 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		£599pp
M	Single Interior Room	£1,679pp
N	Single Interior Room	£1,549pp
IS	Interior Room	£599pp
I	Interior Room	£899pp
H	Interior Room	£979pp
G	Superior Interior	£1,049pp
SI	Single Interior Room	£999pp

Oceanview staterooms from		£699pp
J	Superior Single	£2,399pp
K	Single Ocean View	£2,149pp
L	Single Ocean View
OS	Ocean View Room	£699pp
F	Ocean View Room	£1,149pp
E	Ocean View Room	£1,199pp
D	Ocean View Room	£1,239pp
SOS	Superior Ocean View	£799pp
C	Superior Ocean View
B	Superior Ocean View	£1,399pp
BD	Superior Ocean View
A	Superior Ocean View	£1,499pp
SO	Single Ocean View	£1,199pp

Balcony staterooms
JB	Single Balcony Suite
BC	Balcony Room
BA	Superior Balcony

Suite staterooms from		£1,799pp
BJ	Balcony Junior Suite	£2,049pp
BJD	Balcony Junior Suite
SS	Superior Suite	£2,249pp
MS	Marquee Suite
PS	Premier Suite	£2,799pp
OW	Owner's Suite
LSS	Superior Suite	£1,799pp