14 Night Cruise sailing from Southampton roundtrip aboard Balmoral.

Slightly larger - and with a wider choice of facilities - Fred. Olsen Cruise Line's Balmoral is still compact enough to offer the intimate, home-from-home atmosphere for which the company is so well known. Named after the Scottish home of the royal family, the ship's public rooms also have a Scottish theme, although the onboard atmosphere is distinctly British. Enjoy formal or informal dining, a drink in the pub-at-sea, main shows and dancing, or take in the views from one of the bars and lounges. Two pools, a gym with fantastic views and golf practice nets are available for the more energetic. Or relax in one of the Jacuzzis, indulge in luxurious spa treatments or enjoy a book from the library.

Highlights of this cruise:

Southampton
Southampton is a city and major port situated on the south coast of England. It is the closest city to the New Forest, situated approximately halfway between Portsmouth and Bournemouth. The city of Southampton is a modern and bustling place to visit, filled with huge shopping malls, modern buildings and an interesting past.

Southampton's busiest tourist attractions include the Civic Centre - home to the Guildhall, library and many significant events throughout the year; Ocean Village - a trendy marina development full of waterfront attractions, restaurants, bars, cinemas and shops; Southampton Common - an enormous area of green in the very heart of the city, with plenty for all the family such as the Hawthorns Urban Wildlife; and the Rose Bowl - a prominent local sporting venue.

St Petersburg
Situated in the west, on the Baltic Sea, St Petersburg is a city of magnificent palaces and elaborate churches in grandiose Baroque and neo-classical designs. Highlights include Trezzini's gold-spired landmark of St Peter and St Paul, the bright color, domes and gold of the Church on Spilled Blood and the carved and gilded extravaganza of St Isaac's Cathedral. On Nevsky prospekt, St Petersburg's main thoroughfare, the styles of three centuries, from classical to Baroque to Style Moderne, have created one of the most beautiful streets in the world.

Adding to the beauty of the buildings are the canals and rivers, which cross Nevsky prospect and have been compared to Venice. The winding waterways lead to the broad River Neva, at the heart of St Petersburg. Although the capital moved to Moscow after the revolution, St Petersburg is certainly Russia's first city in terms of beauty. It is also the center for classical culture - from opera to ballet to music - with historic venues, such as the Mariinsky Theater.

Stockholm
Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden is spread across 24,000 islets and is one of the most stunning locales of any capital city in the world. Over 30% of the city area is made up of waterways and another 30% is made up of parks and green spaces, giving Stockholm perhaps the freshest air of any European capital.

Stockholm has a stunning Old Town, which has been very well preserved over the centuries. This Old Town (or Gamla Stan) is the epicenter of the city, with countless hotels, bars, restaurants and shops.

Copenhagen
Modern Copenhagen is an attractive, well-kept city and the largest city in Scandinavia. It has a provincial, small-town atmosphere, gabled houses, narrow streets and a skyline that is dominated by delicate spires. Copenhagen is also the greenest capital in Europe with much of the city center reserved for pedestrians, strict anti-pollution laws, and bikes often outnumbering cars on the streets. There are many green spaces (including the world-famous Tivoli) and in the summer, cafes and restaurants occupy the pavements.

Copenhagen boasts theaters, museums and a lively, surprisingly cutting-edge nightlife scene. The best the country has to offer can be experienced in the capital city, where there are design studios, ultra-hip bars, and modern architecture amongst the 17th-century buildings. A road bridge to Sweden was completed in 2000, making Copenhagen a key focal point for Scandinavia, the Baltic and the rest of mainland Europe.