Four new cruises setting sail in 2025 have been unveiled by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines with destinations including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Norway.
Smaller ship Balmoral will see guests sail from Southampton on four itineraries designed to take them to the very best destinations at the very best times.
One of those is a 45-night Grand Voyage exploring the Caribbean and Central America offering the chance to explore tropical islands and rainforests, immerse in the local way of life with Colombian coffee, Jamaican jerk chicken and snorkelling in Tortola and spot endemic wildlife such as sloths, racoons and capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica.
For guests wanting to explore northern Norway, ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ on 18thJanuary will take guests on a 15-night journey to seek out the Aurora Borealis with the expertise of the Go Stargazing team and experience the maritime tradition of crossing the Arctic Circle.
Another of the cruises will bring some sunshine with ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’, departing on 2nd February, and offering the opportunity to explore volcanic landscapes, sample local produce such as pasteis de nata and stroll through the botanical gardens in Madeira.
The final cruise is ‘Springtime Norwegian Fjords’ and will see Balmoral sail down Sognefjord, one of Norway’s longest and deepest fjords. Guests will be able to enjoy outdoor activities such as kayaking or hiking through lush forests.
Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Product Development at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“These four new itineraries have been carefully hand-crafted by our team of Journey Planners. The springtime cruise in Norway has been timed to showcase the very best of the fjords and mountain scenery, while North Norway will give guests the ideal opportunity to witness the Northern Lights – with 2025 being one of the best years to observe the natural phenomenon.
“Guests will also be able to embrace the local way of life in each of the destinations they are visiting and seek out native wildlife.
“Whether guests are sailing for the first or tenth time, there really is a huge variety of cruises to suit everyone’s desires.”
Guests can also take advantage of an offer of up to £300 of credit to spend on board or free door-to-door transfers for up to 200 UK mainland miles on selected sailings for bookings made by 30th April inclusive.
The four cruises are:
Balmoral’s 15-night L2503A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 18thJanuary 2025. Prices start from £2,099 per person. Enjoy up to £300 in credit to spend on board or free door-to-door transfers of up to 150 UK mainland miles to the port.
- A chance to go in search of the magical Northern Lights in Norway
- Cross the Arctic Circle on board Balmoral
- Connect with nature and pristine Arctic landscapes
Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Narvik, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromso, Norway – Harstad, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Leknes, Norway – Molde, Norway – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit L2503A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’
Balmoral’s 13-night L2503B ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 2ndFebruary 2025. Prices start from £1,699 per person. Enjoy up to £260 in credit to spend on board.
- Explore the volcanic landscapes of the Canary Islands
- Stroll through Madeira’s luscious flora and fauna
- Sample local delicacies like pasteis de nata in Madeira
Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain – Las Palmas, Spain – Arrecife, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit L2503B ‘Winter Warmth in the Canary Islands’
Balmoral’s 45-night L2504A ‘Tropical Islands and Verdant Rainforests of the Caribbean and Central America’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 15thFebruary 2025. Prices start from £4,999 per person. Enjoy up to £300 in credit to spend on board and free door-to-door transfers of up to 200 UK mainland miles to the port.
- Explore tropical islands and lush rainforests
- Immerse yourself in the laidback Caribbean way of life
- Encounter rainforest wildlife and exotic birds
Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Cadiz, Spain – Arrecife, Spain – Las Palmas, Spain – Philipsburg, Netherlands Antilles – Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (overnight stay) – Cartagena de Indias, Colombia – Puerto Limon, Costa Rica – Cozumel, Mexico – Belize City, Belize – Roatan Island, Honduras – Port Royal, Jamaica – Hamilton, Bermuda – Ponta Delgada, Portugal – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit L2504A ‘Tropical Islands and Verdant Rainforests of the Caribbean and Central America’
Balmoral’s nine-night L2504B ‘Springtime Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 1stApril 2025. Prices start from £1,199 per person. Enjoy up to £180 in credit to spend on board.
- Explore the breathtaking fjord landscapes of Norway
- Immerse yourself in the outdoor concept of friluftsliv
- Unearth fascinating Norwegian Viking history
Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Vik, Norway – Cruising Sognefjord, Norway – Haugesund, Norway – Cruising Akrafjord and Langfoss Waterfall, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – Cruise Hardangerfjord, Norway – Cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergsfossen, Norway – Stavanger, Norway – Cruising Lysefjord, Norway – Southampton, UK
