Cruise · 24 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic
Twenty-four nights aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, sailing from Portsmouth to ten Mediterranean and Adriatic countries including Valletta, Kotor and Albania’s Sarandë, with plenty of time to take in ports less frequented by cruise ships.
- Duration
- 24 nights
- Departs
- 3 Apr 2028
- Sails from
- Portsmouth
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £2,799
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Two days alongside in GibraltarWith views of the Rock
Cruising Valletta’s Grand Harbour in Malta
Stops at lesser-visited Adriatic portsIncluding Koper and Sarandë
Passage through the Bay of KotorWith fjord-like scenery
Cruising the Strait of Messina near volcanic Vulcano Island
About the trip
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets off from Portsmouth on a leisurely 24-night cruise that crosses ten countries around the Mediterranean and Adriatic. After three days at sea, there’s a couple of days alongside Gibraltar, where the Rock towers over the harbour, before heading into the labyrinthine waterways of Valletta’s Grand Harbour. Malta’s capital offers narrow streets edged by baroque buildings, a holdover from the Knights of St John.
The ship then curves around the Adriatic, stopping at places like Koper in Slovenia, the Dalmatian town of Šibenik and Kotor, a Montenegrin port backed by steep hills. Unlike busier ports nearby, Šibenik is known for its Renaissance cathedral, while Kotor’s bay presents a fjord-like silhouette, the ship turning easily despite its size. Further east, the itinerary includes Sarandë on Albania’s Ionian coast, a destination often overlooked by visitors.
Later stops include Igoumenitsa, a gateway to Meteora’s monasteries, and Trapani on Sicily’s west coast. Passing Vulcano Island reminds that the Aeolian archipelago is still geologically active, with steam rising from its sulphur vents. The cruise ends back at Portsmouth, having traced a wide circuit of cultures and coastlines rarely combined in a single voyage.
- 1 Portsmouth
- 2 Gibraltar
- 3 Valletta
- 4 Koper
- 5 Šibenik
- 6 Kotor
- 7 Sarandë
- 8 Igoumenitsa
- 9 Trapani
- 10 Mahon
- 11 Matosinhos
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Portsmouth, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Gibraltar, Gibraltar
Day 4
At sea
Day 5
Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
Scenic cruising
Day 6
Valletta, Malta
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 Portsmouth
- 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 Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic?
- Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic is a 24 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic depart from?
- Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic departs from Portsmouth.
- Who operates Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic?
- Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic cost?
- Prices for Hidden Gems of the Mediterranean & Adriatic start from £2,799, 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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