Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is resuming a cruise from Scotland for the first time since 2019, as its smaller ship, the Balmoral, sets sail to explore the Norwegian fjords. On Friday, July 8, the Balmoral will depart from Rosyth (Edinburgh), Scotland, for the eight-night cruise 'Hidden Gems of the Norwegian Fjords'. This itinerary, tailored to the ship's smaller size, will allow guests to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Nordfjord, Sognefjord, Fjaerlandsfjord, and Eresfjord. The ship will also visit Molde, Skjolden, and Olden.
Balmoral, named after Queen Elizabeth II's Scottish estate, welcomed its first guests on board in May 2022. It joined Fred. Olsen's newer ships Bolette and Borealis, which resumed cruising in 2021, with Borealis being the first UK cruise ship to return to international waters.
The Balmoral's maiden voyage was the 16-night "Canary Islands with Funchal Flower Parade" cruise. Since then, it has sailed to Norway, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Latvia, departing from Newcastle.
For the rest of the summer, the Balmoral will sail from Rosyth, near Edinburgh, before embarking on a series of sailings from Southampton, Dover and Portsmouth from September.
Peter Deer, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Welcoming guests from Scotland aboard the Balmoral, sailing from Rosyth, is a significant milestone for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. This inaugural sailing from Rosyth will be very special, as Scotland is the Balmoral’s spiritual home, and we always receive a warm welcome when sailing from there.”.
Some of Balmoral's upcoming highlights include:
- Cities and Islands of Sweden, Estonia and Latvia departing from Rosyth on July 16, 2022
- Discovering Castles, Palaces and Cultural Sites of Northern Europe departing from Rosyth on August 19, 2022
- French rivers with Bordeaux leaving Rosyth on August 29
