We have designed this itinerary to take you on a discovery of some of the most hard-to-reach areas of Scotland to encounter remarkable wildlife and dramatic landforms.
Many scenic cruising highlights await, including the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave, the bonnet-shaped Bac Mòr, the remote archipelago of the Small Isles, and centuries-old sea stacks. Elsewhere, sailing the likes of Pentland Firth and by Sumburgh Head gives you the chance to spot bird and marine life from the comfort of Balmoral.
Kirkwall is your gateway to the nature reserve of Marwick Head, while the Isle of Skye boasts dramatic landscapes such as the iconic Old Man of Storr rock formation.
On cruises with a little bridge there is a BMB host on board but no team. Bridge is for days at sea only.
Departure - late afternoon
Arrival - early afternoon
Departure - late evening
Frederica was founded in 1650 by King Frederick III, and was built from scratch on a marshy piece of land. The town was specifically designed in a grid structure, and was encircled by defensive ramparts; although tall buildings and those with towers were built outside of the walls, to ensure no enemies had landmarks to aim for. Today, these landmarks are a fascinating tribute to the town, such as the Gunpowder Tower. Close by is the city of Odense, birthplace of world-famous Hans Christian Andersen.
Arrival - early morning
Departure - late night
Situated at the eastern end of the Kiel Canal, the busiest man-made waterway in the world, Kiel is a long-established maritime city with a busy seaport and a rich history of ship and submarine building. Almost completely destroyed in World War II, Kiel has been extensively rebuilt since the 1950’s and now features broad boulevards and wide squares; and holds the international regatta and festival, Kieler Woche, each year in summer.
Arrival - early morning
Departure - late night
Founded in the 13th century, the former fishing village of Warnemünde is located along the Baltic Sea, north of Berlin. With a wide promenade that runs parallel to the sea, it leads to the well-known lighthouse where a laser and light show is celebrated on each New Year’s Day. The Alter Strom canal is full of colourful boats and surrounded with lively restaurants, and close by is Alexandrinenstraße, a quaint street lined with small houses and tall trees.
Arrival - early morning
Departure - early evening
The largest town on the island of Rügen, Sassnitz is now a haven for yachts and pleasure boats. However, its history is linked to the Third Reich, where Adolf Hitler built a retreat named Prora, a beach resort for the German people. When the war began, resources were moved away from Prora and the now mainly abandoned, buildings were instead used as a Navy military hospital. Sassnitz is also home to HMS Otus, a British submarine rescued from a Portsmouth scrapyard.
Arrival - early morning
Departure - late afternoon
Connecting the North Sea at the mouth of the Elbe River to the Baltic Sea at Holtenau, the Kiel Canal is one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Slicing a man-made path through the German countryside, on average this 61-mile long marvel of engineering allows vessels to avoid 250 nautical miles of sea sailing. Sailing slowly along the canal presents an opportunity to take in lush green countryside and a collection of interesting villages and towns flanking the still waters.
Arrival - late evening
Departure - late afternoon
CSurrounded by water, and located on the River Elbe, Hamburg has a heritage stretching back over 700 years, where many of the historic buildings and monuments are typical of the Hanseatic culture, such as the steeple of St. Nikolai, which was almost destroyed in World War II. A significant maritime city, Hamburg is crisscrossed with hundreds of canals and 1, 000 bridges, including the 17th century Zollenbrücke Bridge and the famous Köhlbrandbrücke – high enough for ships to pass underneath.
Arrival - early morning
Departure - early evening
The Hanseatic city of Bremen is located on the Weser River, close to the Baltic Sea and has been a major commercial and shipping port for many centuries. The Schnoor Quarter in Bremen is considered one of the most beautiful streets in the world, due to its winding lanes and narrow alleys lined with medieval structures that have been restored by the townsfolk, who were encouraged to do with financial help from the Bremen state.
Arrival - early morning
What's included?
Chargeable extras
Cruise descriptions include optional, chargeable experiences that may be enjoyed independently and/or with optional Fred. Olsen Shore Tours. *Premium Traditional Afternoon Tea not included. Upgrade to All Inclusive Drinks Package is available as a chargeable optional extra and can be added to your booking up to six days prior to your cruise departing.
Great value offers
Great value offers on selected fares and cabin grades available on this cruise. Please contact our Reservations team for further details.
Please note, rooms 8057 and 8059 on Lido deck are equipped for use by disabled passengers.
*Rooms 8073, 8075, 8084 and 8086 on the Lido Deck are wheelchair accessible and have a fully restricted view.
*Please note, rooms 9048, 9056 and 9095 on Bridge Deck have been adapted for use by disabled passengers.
