Apr
2018
Fred Olsen Balmoral Amsterdam & Antwerp Mini Cruise – 20th April 2018
Sail on Fred Olsen's Balmoral on a five-night cruise to Belgium and The Netherlands in mid-April 2018.
This is an interesting itinerary as, while it only offers two ports of call, it combines other great features of cruise holidays - a relaxing day at sea and an overnight port call.
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
About this cruise
Spending the night in Antwerp affords you time to explore this city in more depth (or stock up on more chocolate), and a day in Amsterdam means you can tick off the tourist attractions there too.
The five-night mini cruise departs on Friday 20th April 2018, returning back to Southampton early on Wednesday 25th April. If you are looking for an excuse for a long weekend break, this could well be it.
You will board Balmoral in Southampton and have an afternoon and evening to explore your new home away from home. The ship may well be the largest in the Fred Olsen fleet, but it exudes a warmth and friendliness in a way that only smaller ships can.
The following afternoon will see Balmoral arrive in Antwerp. Head out on deck to watch the manoeuvre in the River Scheldt to berth alongside the pier. From here, take an optional sightseeing excursion or head out on your own. It is a relatively short walk into the city centre. The ship remains in port overnight, so you might want to opt for a long dinner at one of the city's top restaurants, or you might choose to have an after-dinner stroll instead.
Balmoral will depart Antwerp the following afternoon and sail overnight to Amsterdam, arriving early in the morning. Here you will have a full day to explore, again on an optional organised shore excursion or on your own. Public transport is easy to use in The Netherlands, and the Dutch favour bicycles over other forms of transport. Whether you hop on a tram or jump on a bike, there is plenty to keep you busy in Amsterdam.
So after all that excitement, so much deserved relaxation ensues. A lazy day at sea concludes your time aboard, and on this final day, it is up to you what you get up to. Hit the spa, take a dip in the pool, join in the quizzes, enjoy afternoon tea, or grab a deck chair and watch the world pass on by.
The following morning sees Balmoral dock back in Southampton where you will disembark.
Tried and tested
Balmoral is a lovely ship. I spent a week on her in an ocean view cabin on a cruise that visited both Antwerp and Amsterdam, and I loved the atmosphere onboard. The food is great, too!
The Route
The itinerary for this mini cruise is:
| Day | Date | Port | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 20th April 2018 | Southampton | Late afternoon |
| 2 | Saturday 21st April 2018 | Antwerp | Early afternoon and overnight |
| 3 | Sunday 22nd April 2018 | Antwerp | Until early afternoon |
| 4 | Monday 23rd April 2018 | Amsterdam | Early morning to late night |
| 5 | Tuesday 24th April 2018 | Day at sea | All day |
| 6 | Wednesday 25th April 2018 | Southampton | Early morning |
Why choose this taster cruise?
- 5 nights on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' largest small ship, Balmoral
- Voyage L1807 departs on Friday 20th April 2018
- Overnight in Antwerp and visit Amsterdam too
So you know, the map above shows point-to-point lines which may cross land. Don't worry, your cruise ship will not sprout legs and run across dry land. Instead it's water all the way! Mapping is approximate, and the scheduled times are estimates. Your trip is subject to change as, occasionally, operators have to alter itineraries due to bad weather or unforeseen events.
The Price
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
More choices
Not quite right? Here are some other suggestions that may suit better.