Balmoral sailings from Rosyth soon underway

Other destinations from June through to August include the Baltic, Scottish Isles, Iceland and Portugal’s islands.

Busiest season on River Forth

Rob Mason, head of cruise at Capital Cruising said, ‘Our cruise season is well underway across Scotland…This year will be our busiest cruise season on the River Forth and we are seeing cruise holidays increase in popularity in Scotland each year…’ 

Clare Ward, director of product and customer service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines stated, ‘We are delighted to have returned to Rosyth for another busy cruising schedule for summer 2024…’ 

She said passengers can, ‘seek out native wildlife, witness spectacular natural phenomena and immerse in the local way of life.’

Ward added, ‘Opportunities in our hand-crafted itineraries include the opportunity to sail along the size-restricted Kiel Canal, witness thundering waterfalls and spurting geysers in Iceland and see beautiful hydrangeas when they’re in bloom in the Azores.’

Highlights:

Iceland

Highlights include Balmoral’s 11-night ‘The Life and Landscapes of Iceland’ itinerary departing from Rosyth on July 22 where passengers will have a chance to behold the Snæfellsjökull Glacier or encounter humpbacks on a whale-watching tour. 

The ship will cruise by Duncansby Sea Stacks and Pentland Firth, Scotland. The leg of the trip in the land of fire and ice includes Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar; Reykjavík; Grundarfjörður; cruising by Hrísey; cruising Eyjafjörður; Akureyri; Husavik. A stop at Tórshavn, Faroe Islands precedes the ship’s return to Rosyth. 

Prices start from £1,299 per person.

Norway

The ship’s ‘Summertime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights’ cruise leaves from Rosyth on August 2. It includes: Olden; cruising Nordfjord and Innvikfjord; cruising by Hornelen; Stavanger; cruising Lysefjord. During the voyage, passengers will sail under Pulpit Rock and past the Hornelen sea cliff. Prices start from £999 per person.

Portugal

Passengers will discover the natural wonders of the Azores, join ORCA to search for marine life from the vessel, see the Perseid Meteor Shower as well as hydrangeas in bloom during the 15-night ‘Portugal’s Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower’ voyage. 

Departing from Rosyth on August 7 and priced starting from £1,699 per person, the itinerary comprises Praia da Vitória, Horta, Ponta Delgada and Vila Franca Islet in the Azores. Balmoral will then sail the mouth of the River Tagus, pass the Belem Tower and the Discovery Monument, before cruising by the Cristo Rei and the Abril 25 Bridge. The ship will then sail to Lisbon and Leixões before returning to Rosyth. 

Mini cruise 

Balmoral’s ‘One-Night Mini-Cruise’ from Rosyth to Newcastle takes place on August 22. Prices start from £99 per person.