Cruise · 13 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal
A thirteen-night cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral from Rosyth, following a southwesterly route into France’s Gironde and Garonne rivers, with extended stops in Bordeaux and Lisbon and time in northern Portugal and Vigo.
- Duration
- 13 nights
- Departs
- 30 Jun 2028
- Sails from
- Rosyth
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,599
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Two days alongside in Bordeaux
Cruising the Gironde and Garonne rivers
Overnight stay in Lisbon
Call at Matosinhos near Porto
Visit to Vigo in Galicia
About the trip
This cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral begins in Rosyth, leaving Scotland behind to sail down the west coast and then upriver into the Gironde and Garonne rivers. An overnight stay in Bordeaux allows time to walk the quays and perhaps sample the local wines beyond what’s offered on board. The city’s 18th-century port buildings stand as a reminder of its trading past.
After Bordeaux, the ship heads south to Portugal, calling first at Matosinhos, near Porto, where the northern Atlantic coastline meets city life and fresh seafood. Following that is Lisbon, with a long stop to take in its monuments and faded grandeur, probably giving many a chance to grapple with the city’s famously steep streets. Further north again, Vigo in Galicia offers a chance for seafood that’s more robust, and the cruise rounds off back in France at Honfleur, known for its old harbour and timber-framed houses.
Between port calls, there are stretches of sailing down parts of the Douro and Gironde rivers: narrow waterways that bring the ship close enough to the banks to notice vineyards, chimneys and villages in passing. Balmoral is familiar with these waters, large enough for comfort yet small enough to turn in a fjord or river, and Rosyth bookends the trip with a straightforward start and finish.
- 1 Rosyth
- 2 Bordeaux
- 3 Matosinhos
- 4 Lisbon
- 5 Vigo
- 6 Honfleur
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Rosyth, Scotland
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Gironde & Garonne Rivers, France
Scenic cruising
Day 4
Bordeaux, France
Day 5
At sea
Day 6
Matosinhos, Portugal
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Rosyth
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal?
- Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal is a 13 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal depart from?
- Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal departs from Rosyth.
- Who operates Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal?
- Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal cost?
- Prices for Coastal Charms of France, Spain & Portugal start from £1,599, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to United Kingdom? Our United Kingdom guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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