Cruise · 7 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Springtime Charms of France
A seven-night cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral visiting Bordeaux’s vineyards, Guernsey’s cobbled lanes and Normandy’s waterside town Honfleur, combining river sailing with Channel island stops from Portsmouth.
- Duration
- 7 nights
- Departs
- 27 Apr 2028
- Sails from
- Portsmouth
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £799
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Seven nights sailing the River Gironde into Bordeaux
Two days alongside in Bordeaux’s vineyard region
Wandering St. Peter Port’s winding streets in Guernsey
Sampling Normandy cider and calvados in Honfleur
Day sailing from Portsmouth before entering French waters
About the trip
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets out from Portsmouth for a leisurely week that begins with a day at sea before turning into the River Gironde and sailing up to Bordeaux. The timing coincides with spring, when the vineyards start showing fresh shoots, making this a quiet moment in the region’s long wine calendar.
After two days alongside Bordeaux, there’s a taste of island life in Guernsey, where the narrow lanes of St. Peter Port provide a welcome change of pace. From there, Balmoral crosses to Honfleur on the Normandy coast, where cider and calvados are served in cafés overlooking the harbour—an authentic nook often overlooked on busier Norman routes.
The cruise circles back to Portsmouth after seven nights. Balmoral’s size means it can navigate the Gironde’s tidal waters with ease, and while not a boutique ship, it offers space to wander under open skies. It’s an unhurried introduction to some of the more relaxed corners of northern France and the Channel Islands.
- 1 Portsmouth
- 2 Bordeaux
- 3 St. Peter Port
- 4 Honfleur
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Portsmouth, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Bordeaux, France
Day 4
St. Peter Port, Guernsey
Day 5
Honfleur, France
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 Springtime Charms of France?
- Springtime Charms of France is a 7 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Springtime Charms of France depart from?
- Springtime Charms of France departs from Portsmouth.
- Who operates Springtime Charms of France?
- Springtime Charms of France is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Springtime Charms of France cost?
- Prices for Springtime Charms of France start from £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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