10 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.

Dublin
Dublin is the capital and largest city in Ireland, near the midpoint of Ireland's east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin Region. Founded as a centre of Viking settlement, the city has been Ireland's capital since mediæval times.

Dublin is a vibrant city known for its nightlife and tourist attractions. It is the third most visited capital city in Europe (after Paris and London) with over four million visitors a year.

Kirkwall
Kirkwall is the largest town and capital of the Orkney Islands, an archipelago of islands some 10 miles off the north coast of Scotland. Founded around 1035 by Earl Rognvald Brusason, the City and Royal Burgh of Kirkwall is the capital and administrative centre of Orkney. The name comes from the Old Norse, 'Kirkjuvagar' meaning 'church-bay' and refers to a much older church than the present day Cathedral.

The original town is one of the best preserved examples of an ancient Norse town. At the heart of the town stands St Magnus Cathedral, its tower and spire widely visible across both land and sea. It was founded in memory of Saint Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney 1108-1117 by Earl (later saint) Rögnvald Kali. Next to the Cathedral are the ruins of the former Bishop's Palace and Earl's Palace. The town has two museums: Tankerness House Museum, which is contained within one of Scotland's best-preserved sixteenth century town-houses, contains items of local historical interest. The prehistoric, Pictish and Viking collections are of international importance. The other museum is the small 'Wireless Museum', dealing with the history of radio and recorded sound.

Kirkwall is one of the most attractive and well-preserved small towns in Scotland. Apart from the main historical buildings, mentioned above, there are many 17th-18th century houses and other structures in the local vernacular style. The 'Kirk' of Kirkwall was not the Cathedral (which was originally at Birsay), but the 11th century church of St. Olaf of Norway. One late medieval doorway survives from this church. An aumbry from the original church survives within the late 19th Century structure of the present-day St. Olaf's Church (Anglican) in the town's Dundas Crescent. Kirkwall also once had a medieval castle (destroyed in the 17th century).

Belfast
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom and the second largest city in the island of Ireland after Dublin, the capital of Eire (Republic Of Ireland). Situated at the mouth of the River Lagan on Belfast Lough, Belfast is surrounded by low hills.

After years of violence and political unrest ,in recent years the center has been polished up, and it is a pleasure to wander its pedestrianized lanes, to shop in its upscale arcades, to linger in its historic pubs and to dine in its excellent restaurants.

The city is easily divided into walkable quarters: the City Center spreads out from around the impressive, domed City Hall building and bustling Donegall Square. This is the best place for shopping, particularly along Donegall Place, which extends north from the square, onto Royal Avenue. Bedford Street, which travels south from the Donegall Square, becomes Dublin Road, which, in turn, leads south to the University Quarter, the leafy area around Queen's University. This is where you'll find the Botanic Gardens, art galleries and museums, as well as a buzzing nightlife scene. Heading north from Donegall Place, it's a short distance to the Cathedral Quarter, which surrounds Donegall Street, and holds, as the name implies, the city's most important cathedrals, as well as many vast Victorian warehouses. Finally there's the Golden Mile -- the area around Great Victoria Street beyond Bradbury Place. It's considered the city's best address for restaurants and pubs.

The sectarian areas, with the famous I.R.A. and Protestant murals, are just to the west of the city center. The most famous of these are on the Shankill and Falls roads. It's perfectly safe to drive the roads and take photos yourself, or you could take one of the Black Cab tours if you want a guide to explain what it all means.