Into the Heart of Spain & Bordeaux

8 nights from £949pp departing Saturday 3rd Oct 2020

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	3rd03	OctOct	202020	Southampton, England, embark on the Braemar		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.
	4th04	OctOct	202020	At Sea
	5th05	OctOct	202020	Bordeaux, France	Late AM	Late AM
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.
	6th06	OctOct	202020	Bordeaux, France	Late AM	Late AM
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.
	7th07	OctOct	202020	Santander, Spain	Early AM	Late Night
	8th08	OctOct	202020	Aviles, Spain	Early AM	Late PM
	9th09	OctOct	202020	La Coruña, Spain	Early AM	Late PM
La Coruña, the largest city in Spain's Galicia region, is among the country's busiest ports. The remote Galicia area is tucked into the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, surprising visitors with its green and misty countryside that is so much unlike other parts of Spain. The name "Galicia" is Celtic in origin, for it was the Celts who occupied the region around the 6th-century BC and erected fortifications. La Coruña was already considered an important port under the Romans. They were followed by an invasion of Suevians, Visigoths and, much later in 730, the Moors. It was after Galicia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Asturias that the epic saga of the Pilgrimage to Santiago (St. James) began. From the 15th century, overseas trade developed rapidly; in 1720, La Coruña was granted the privilege of trading with America - a right previously only held by Cadiz and Seville. This was the great era when adventurous men voyaged to the colonies and returned with vast riches. Today, the city's significant expansion is evident in three distinct quarters: the town centre located along the isthmus; the business and commercial centre with wide avenues and shopping streets; and the "Ensanche" to the south, occupied by warehouses and factories. Many of the buildings in the old section feature the characteristic glazed façades that have earned La Coruña the name "City of Crystal." Plaza Maria Pita, the beautiful main square, is named after the local heroine who saved the town in 1589 when she seized the English standard from the beacon and gave the alarm, warning her fellow townsmen of the English attack.
	10th10	OctOct	202020	At Sea
	11th11	OctOct	202020	Southampton, England, disembark the Braemar	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.

Braemar

Launch Year

1993

Refit Year

2008

Tonnage

24,344

Capacity

929

Cabins

485

Accessible

Marquee Deck 8

Bridge Deck 7

Lido Deck 6

Lounge Deck 5

Main Deck 4

Atlantic Deck 3

Marina Deck 2

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

Balcony Cabin

Balcony Cabins have a cabin with balcony, bathroom with shower. All Balcony Cabins onboard Braemar have interactive television and a safe.

Balcony Suite

Balcony Suites all have a bedroom and sitting area, balcony, bathroom with bath and/or shower, and a fridge. All suites onboard Balmoral have interactive television.

Guests in Balcony Suites will benefit from Fred. Olsen's Suite Dreams package, which include a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, and flowers or plant waiting for you in your suite when your board. Afternoon canapés delivered daily as you prepare for dinner and complimentary fluffy bathrobe and slippers. The package also includes a daily newsletter with international and national news, delivered to your door, as well as complimentary shuttle vouchers to get you right to the heart of things if your port is outside town and there are even compact umbrellas if you should need them. Other vouchers include laundry, luxury towels and pressing of formal-wear.

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

Deluxe Balcony Cabins have a cabin with balcony, bathroom with shower (Deluxe Balcony Cabins may also have a bathtub and/or shower). All Balcony Cabins onboard Braemar have interactive television and a safe.

Outside Cabins

Outside Twin Cabins feature a bedroom with large picture window or portholes, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, safe and fridge. All cabins have interactive television. Some twin cabins have two movable beds that may convert into one double bed.

Single Balcony Suite

Single Balcony Suites all have a bedroom and sitting area, balcony, bathroom with bath and/or shower, and a fridge. All suites onboard Balmoral have interactive television.

Guests in Single Balcony Suites will benefit from Fred. Olsen's Suite Dreams package, which include a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, and flowers or plant waiting for you in your suite when your board. Afternoon canapés delivered daily as you prepare for dinner and complimentary fluffy bathrobe and slippers. The package also includes a daily newsletter with international and national news, delivered to your door, as well as complimentary shuttle vouchers to get you right to the heart of things if your port is outside town and there are even compact umbrellas if you should need them. Other vouchers include laundry, luxury towels and pressing of formal-wear.

Single Outside

Single Outside Cabins feature a bedroom with two portholes, bathroom with shower, hairdryer, safe and fridge. All cabins have interactive television.

Superior Balcony Cabin

Superior Balcony Cabins have a cabin with balcony, bathroom with shower. All Balcony Cabins onboard Braemar have interactive television and a safe. Guests also benefit from our Suite Dreams package, which includes a welcome bottle of sparkling wine, flowers in your Suite, luxury towels, complimentary water and much more to ensure your stay is even more comfortable, relaxing and memorable.

Superior Single Balcony Cabin

Superior Single Balcony Cabins have a cabin with balcony, bathroom with shower. All Balcony Cabins onboard Braemar have interactive television and a safe.

Superior Suite

Superior Suites all have a bedroom and sitting area, balcony, bathroom with bath and/or shower, and a fridge. All suites onboard Braemar have interactive television.

Guests in Superior Suites will benefit from Fred. Olsen's Suite Dreams package, which include a bottle of sparkling wine, a fruit basket, and flowers or plant waiting for you in your suite when your board. Afternoon canapés delivered daily as you prepare for dinner and complimentary fluffy bathrobe and slippers. The package also includes a daily newsletter with international and national news, delivered to your door, as well as complimentary shuttle vouchers to get you right to the heart of things if your port is outside town and there are even compact umbrellas if you should need them. Other vouchers include laundry, luxury towels and pressing of formal-wear.

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

Grampian

This delightful restaurant, allows the light to flow through the large round windows on either side of Braemar.

The Grampian Restaurant offers more formal dining in an intimate setting to enhance your cruise holiday experience

The Palms Café

The slightly less formal Palms Café is an excellent place to dine with a relaxed buffet style of service.

The Palms Cafe offers the perfect alternative for those times when you wish for a meal which is a little less formal, or for those guests who prefer not to stick to the set dinner times. Of course you will still be offered a fine choice of dishes, prepared to the same high standard you expect with Fred. Olsen.

Thistle Restaurant

The Thistle Restaurant on board Braemar is surrounded by ocean views and offers a la carte dining.

Evenings assume an air of dignity, from the lavish affair that is the Gala Dinner to less formal evenings where menus are varied and mouth-watering. As the main restaurant on board, it is tastefully decorated in a medley of creamy-beige and mochas.

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

Braemer Room

The Braemar Room retains an atmosphere of refined elegance. Ideal for meeting fellow passengers, catching up on that best-seller or listening to the resident string trio. The Braemar Room is also adjacent to the Library, Card Room, Morning Light Pub and Boutique, so is an integral area of the cruise ship.

Coral Club

This sophisticated lounge, seating 170 guests, is the venue for intimate evening shows, great music for dancing to resident live bands, as well as occasional late night cabarets.

It offers alternative shows to those in the Neptune Lounge, which are also given in two performances. Afternoon tea is often served in the Coral Club, which is also the location for the ever-popular on board Bingo.

Neptune Lounge

Shows, reviews and evenings of cabaret are what the Neptune Lounge has to offer. Neptune Lounge has ample room for passengers whichever dinner seating you are on, so you can find a seat to enjoy the glitz and glamour of the evening shows.

Morning Light Pub

The Morning Light Pub is decorated in a traditional style, depicting the century and a half of Fred. Olsen history. Daytime or evening you can be entertained by occasional live music or stand-up comedians.

Observatory Lounge

The large picture windows in the Observatory Lounge offer fantastic views which are enhanced with plenty of binoculars spaced around the lounge. A grand piano provides the perfect background music as you enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail on your cruise holiday.

Library

The well stocked library is a popular area of the ship. With an array of novels, historical, geographical, autobiographical and many other books, the library onboard your cruise ship is a true haven of peace and tranquillity.

Card Room

Find card tables and competition in the card room. Bridge is always a popular pursuit onboard, so you’re sure to find players for a hand or two and more – whether casual or competitive is up to you.

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

	8 nights aboard the Braemar
	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		£949pp
M	Single InteriorCabin	£1,739pp
N	Single InteriorCabin	£1,649pp
I	Interior Cabin	£949pp
H	Interior Cabin	£1,039pp
G	Interior Cabin	£1,069pp

Oceanview staterooms from		£1,129pp
K	Single Ocean View	£2,319pp
L	Single Ocean View	£2,059pp
F	Ocean View Cabin	£1,129pp
E	Ocean View Cabin	£1,209pp
D	Ocean View Cabin	£1,249pp
C	Superior Ocean View	£1,379pp
CD	Superior Ocean View
B	Superior Ocean View	£1,439pp
A	Superior Ocean View	£1,499pp
LA	Large Sup Ocean View	£1,559pp

Balcony staterooms from		£1,539pp
JB	Single Balcony Suite
J	Superior Sgl Balcony	£2,629pp
BC	Balcony Cabin	£1,539pp
BA	Superior Balcony	£1,939pp
DC	Deluxe Balcony Cabin	£2,019pp

Suite staterooms from		£2,249pp
BS	Balcony Suite	£2,249pp
SS	Superior Suite	£2,489pp
OW	Owner's Suite