Lois : 𝙽𝚘 𝙲𝚛𝚞𝚒𝚜𝚎 𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕

A 78-night South American exploration, offering the chance to sail the mountainous Chilean fjords and wonder at the Antarctic Peninsula’s rugged, icy coastline has been unveiled by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines today.

Balmoral’s epic, hand-crafted adventure will set sail from Southampton on 5th January 2023 to circumnavigate South America and – for the first time in the company’s history – cruise to Antarctica.

Fred. Olsen’s dedicated team of Journey Planners have curated a wide range of shore excursions for each port of call. This includes the chance to learn to dance in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of the Tango, or spend time with a Gaucho cowboy on ranches in Argentina and Uruguay.

There will also be opportunities to delve into the history of the Incas at Machu Picchu and experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands in extended overland tours from Peru and Ecuador respectively. 

To add to the experience, guests can enjoy up to £400 per person to spend on board, so they can make the most of Balmoral’s many bars and lounges, specialty dining restaurants and spa, or to use towards immersive shore excursions.

Martin Lister, Head of Destination Experience and Itinerary Planning at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“At Fred. Olsen, we are proud to sail our own course, and we have really enjoyed curating this extra special cruise. In just one sailing, guests can witness Antarctica’s rugged, icy coastline, admire the many thundering waterfalls in UNESCO-listed Iguazu National Park and cruise amongst the towering mountainous landscape of the Patagonian fjords in Chile.”

“This itinerary also offers some exceptional opportunities to spot native wildlife, with Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins to be found in the coves and on the beaches of the Falkland Islands and at Point Wild on Elephant Island. Guests will also have the chance to visit the Galapagos Islands and discover the vast range of wildlife found there, on an extended tour from Ecuador.”

“Balmoral’s smaller size also allows us to call into some fantastic ports, from Havana in Cuba and Hamilton in Bermuda, meaning explorations can start right at the end of the gangway.”

Balmoral’s 78-night L2301 ‘Exploration of South America and the Antarctic’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 5^th January 2023. Prices start from £8,999 per person.

Itinerary: Southampton, England – Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal – Horta, Azores, Portugal – Hamilton, Bermuda – Havana, Cuba – Colon, Panama – Panama Canal – Guayaquil, Ecuador – Callao, Peru (overnight stay) – Matarani, Peru – Arica, Chile – Valparaiso, Chile – Castro, Chile – Puerto Chacabuco, Chile – Cruising Chilean Fjords – Punta Arenas, Chile – Cruising Magdalena & Cockburn Channel – Cruising by Cape Horn – Ushuaia, Argentina – Cruising Drake Passage – Cruising Antarctica Peninsula (three days) – Port Stanley, Falkland Islands – Montevideo, Uruguay – Buenos Aires,  Argentina (overnight stay) – Itajai, Brazil – Ilhabela, Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (overnight stay) – Salvador, Brazil – Recife, Brazil – Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Southampton, England

For further information, visit fredolsencruises.com/cruise/exploration-of-south-america-and-the-antarctic-l2301. Book online, call our Reservations team on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Saturday, 9amto 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.

Balmoral’s L2301 ‘Exploration of South America and the Antarctic’ is currently on sale for an exclusive booking period for Ocean’s members.

The cruise will go on general sale at 9am on Friday, 16^th July 2021.