12 nightsFrom Southampton7 ports of call
Spain & the River Cities of France
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines · Balmoral
Overview
A 12-night voyage aboard Balmoral, departing Southampton on 18 Sept 2026 and returning to the same port, calling at 7 destinations along the way.
SouthamptonBordeauxBilbaoSantander, SpainSt Malo, FranceRouen, FranceSouthampton
Cabin prices
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Itinerary
12 nights · 13 ports of call- 1
Day 1 ·Southampton, UKEmbark
18 Sept 2026Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building. - 2
Day 2 ·At Sea
19 Sept 2026 - 3
Day 3 ·At Sea
20 Sept 2026 - 4
Day 4 ·Bordeaux
21 Sept 2026Widely regarded as the world’s wine capital, the graceful French city of Bordeaux offers far more than just vineyards and claret. Having shaken off its rather sleepy image over the last few years, Bordeaux is now amongst France's most exciting and dynamic cities. While a sizeable number of the city's visitors are still enticed by the chance to taste what makes this wine-rich region so special, Bordeaux has many other surprising secrets.
Stretched along the banks of the Garonne River, this City of Art and History is home to 362 historic monuments, with some buildings dating back to Roman times. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007, Bordeaux’s historic centre is home to the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th century mansions and popular art museums, such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, and many other impressive treasures to discover. This urban and architectural ensemble includes public gardens that line the curving river quays, and the imposing Place de la Bourse, which overlooks the reflecting pool, Show lessMiroir d’Eau. The Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe, is a fine space to while away some hours.
Alternatively, other distractions include barista-run coffee shops, delicious food trucks, and exceptional restaurants and, of course, more fine wine than can ever be possibly drunk. - 5
Day 5 ·Bordeaux
22 Sept 2026Widely regarded as the world’s wine capital, the graceful French city of Bordeaux offers far more than just vineyards and claret. Having shaken off its rather sleepy image over the last few years, Bordeaux is now amongst France's most exciting and dynamic cities. While a sizeable number of the city's visitors are still enticed by the chance to taste what makes this wine-rich region so special, Bordeaux has many other surprising secrets.
Stretched along the banks of the Garonne River, this City of Art and History is home to 362 historic monuments, with some buildings dating back to Roman times. Awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007, Bordeaux’s historic centre is home to the Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th century mansions and popular art museums, such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, and many other impressive treasures to discover. This urban and architectural ensemble includes public gardens that line the curving river quays, and the imposing Place de la Bourse, which overlooks the reflecting pool, Show lessMiroir d’Eau. The Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe, is a fine space to while away some hours.
Alternatively, other distractions include barista-run coffee shops, delicious food trucks, and exceptional restaurants and, of course, more fine wine than can ever be possibly drunk. - 6
Day 6 ·Getxo (Bilbao), Spain
23 Sept 2026It provides visitors with an opportunity to enjoy its spectacular cliffs, nature areas and friendly beaches. Getxo contrasts traditional and modern sights and activities to offer visitors a wealth of opportunities to enjoy its attractions. For many visitors Bilbao's primary interest will be the world-famous Guggenheim Museum (whose stimulating art collection is rivalled by the building’s eye-catching design!) and Fine Arts Museum. - 7
Day 7 ·Santander, Spain
24 Sept 2026Located between Gijon and Bilbao on Spain’s north coast, Santander is an elegant city with impressive buildings set against a natural backdrop of sea and mountains. The belle-époque elegance of Estadio El Sardinero underlines the engaging qualities of Cantabria’s capital.
The Palacio de la Magdalena, once the royal summer residence, sits on the rocky peninsula, while the city centre is home to the octagonal cupola and Gothic cloisters of the Catedral de Santander. Inside is the tomb of Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo, a work by the sculptor Victorio Macho, and under the main chapel lies the crypt of El Cristo, a vaulted chamber with artefacts from the Roman era. - 8
Day 8 ·At Sea
25 Sept 2026 - 9
Day 9 ·St. Malo, France
26 Sept 2026Originally a fortified island, the walled city of St Malo at the mouth of the River Rance on France’s Brittany coast, is now connected to the mainland by a 'Sillon' causeway. Visiting this atmospheric port, once a stronghold for privateers (pirates approved by the king), is like stepping back in time.
The walls of St Malo, largely destroyed in World War II, have been painstakingly reconstructed. A magnificent grey granite citadel protects the old city, the cobbled streets of which are packed with interesting shops, restaurants, bars and cafés. The main gate is Porte St-Vincent, home to the castle and town museum, and an eclectic mix of exhibits including maps and local artefacts. Saint-Malo Cathedral, built in Romanesque and Gothic styles, makes an impressive centrepiece.
From the beach outside the citadel it’s possible to walk at low tide to the small island of Grand-Bé, to see the tomb of the 19th century politician and writer, Chateaubriand. To the south is where the original inhabitants lived. They were converted to Christianity by St Malou, after whom they named the impregnable island when they moved there in the 12th century. - 10
Day 10 ·Rouen,France
27 Sept 2026The spire of the vast Gothic cathedral soars over a superbly restored medieval and Renaissance old town - Ruskin's 'labyrinth of delight'.
The city is rich in monuments and museums, with narrow pedestrianised streets lined by tall, half-timbered houses, and of course, the statue marking the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. - 11
Day 11 ·Rouen,France
28 Sept 2026The spire of the vast Gothic cathedral soars over a superbly restored medieval and Renaissance old town - Ruskin's 'labyrinth of delight'.
The city is rich in monuments and museums, with narrow pedestrianised streets lined by tall, half-timbered houses, and of course, the statue marking the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. - 12
Day 12 ·Rouen,France
29 Sept 2026The spire of the vast Gothic cathedral soars over a superbly restored medieval and Renaissance old town - Ruskin's 'labyrinth of delight'.
The city is rich in monuments and museums, with narrow pedestrianised streets lined by tall, half-timbered houses, and of course, the statue marking the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. - 13
Day 13 ·Southampton, UKDisembark
30 Sept 2026Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.
Your ship: Balmoral
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