Cruise · 6 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Festive France & Belgium
A six-night cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral from Southampton, sailing the River Seine and visiting Rouen and Zeebrugge with Christmas markets nearby in France and Belgium.
- Duration
- 6 nights
- Departs
- 10 Dec 2026
- Sails from
- Southampton
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,149
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Sailing the River Seine on a small ship
Visit to Rouen and its Gothic cathedral
Easy shore tours to Paris from Rouen
Stop in Zeebrugge with access to Bruges
Christmas markets in France and Belgium
About the trip
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets sail from Southampton for a six-night cruise that blends riverside calm with festive cities. The highlight is a quiet passage up the River Seine, a route only accessible to smaller ships, offering an uncommon view of the Normandy countryside that few vessels can approach.
Stops include Rouen, where the Gothic cathedral draws attention not just for its spires but also for the play of light that once caught Monet’s eye. From here, it’s easy to join a tour to Paris without the bustle of arriving directly in the capital. Later, Balmoral calls at Zeebrugge, the gateway to Bruges and its Christmas markets. The seasonal stalls and medieval streets offer a contrast to the harbour’s reliable, if industrious, feel.
Returning to Southampton, this voyage combines a measured pace with a festive atmosphere, allowing time both to see a quieter side of France’s waterways and to amuse oneself with the comforts of smaller ship cruising at Christmas time.
- 1 Southampton
- 2 Rouen
- 3 Zeebrugge
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Southampton, England
Day 2
River Seine, France
Scenic cruising
Day 3
Rouen, France
Day 4
Zeebrugge, Belgium
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 Southampton
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Superior Ocean View
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 Festive France & Belgium?
- Festive France & Belgium is a 6 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Festive France & Belgium depart from?
- Festive France & Belgium departs from Southampton.
- Who operates Festive France & Belgium?
- Festive France & Belgium is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Festive France & Belgium cost?
- Prices for Festive France & Belgium start from £1,149, 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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