Fred Olsen Cruise Lines · Ship guide
Balmoral Southampton: terminal, sailings and parking
Balmoral usually sails from the City Cruise Terminal. Here are its upcoming Southampton dates, departure times where published, and the best parking for that terminal.
Quick answer
- Terminal
- City Cruise Terminal (Berth 101)
- Entrance
- Dock Gate 8
- Next sailing
- Thu 10 Dec 2026
- Sailings in the next year
- 22
- Parking from
- £97.95 for 7 nights
Terminals can change between sailings. Always check your cruise documents. First time? Read what happens at the terminal.
Best parking for this ship
ABP's own car parks are right next to City Terminal for Celebrity, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and some Fred Olsen sailings. The terminal is also about a 15-minute walk from Southampton Central station.
The official option for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is ABParking (£129 for 7 nights in January 2027).
Compare City Terminal parkingAbout Balmoral
Ship facts
- Entered service
- 1988 (refitted 2024)
- Guests
- 1,275 (standard occupancy)
- Crew
- 590
- Size
- 43,537 gross tons
- Length
- 219 m
- Passenger decks
- 9
- Pools
- 2
What it has
- Fred. Olsen's smallest ship, able to sail the River Seine to Rouen and the Kiel Canal.
- Built in 1988 as Crown Odyssey; lengthened by 30 metres before joining Fred. Olsen in 2008.
- Single cabins in several grades, from interior to balcony suites, for solo travellers.
- Two pools and four jacuzzis; the buffet reopened as Thistle Restaurant after a 2024 dry dock.
- Children aged 12 months to 17 are welcome, but there is no kids' club.
Places to eat
- Ballindalloch Restaurant
- Spey Restaurant
- Avon Restaurant
- Thistle Restaurant
- Colours & Tastes
Ship facts from Wikipedia, fredolsencruises.com, media.fredolsencruises.com, fredolsencruises.com, checked early October 2026. Cruise lines change venues and facilities, so check Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' website before you sail.
Upcoming Balmoral sailings from Southampton
Terminals and departure times come from the port's provisional schedule (published up to Fri 29 Jan 2027); later dates show the usual terminal. Length is worked out from the ship's next Southampton call. 7 of these sailings are on busy days, with 3 or more cruise ships in port. The next is Wed 16 Dec 2026, with 3 ships in. Allow 1–2 hours to board on those days. What to expect on the day
| Date | Terminal | Departs | Next Southampton call | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 10 Dec 2026 | City Cruise Terminal · Berth 101 | — | Wed 16 Dec 2026 | 6 nights |
| Wed 16 Dec 2026Busy day: 3 ships in | City Cruise Terminal · Berth 101 | — | Tue 22 Dec 2026 | 6 nights |
| Tue 22 Dec 2026 | City Cruise Terminal · Berth 101 | — | Wed 6 Jan 2027 | 15 nights |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | City Cruise Terminal · Berth 101 | PM | Wed 20 Jan 2027 | 14 nights |
| Wed 20 Jan 2027 | City Cruise Terminal · Berth 101 | PM | Tue 2 Feb 2027 | 13 nights |
| Tue 2 Feb 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Tue 16 Feb 2027 | 14 nights |
| Tue 16 Feb 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Sun 28 Feb 2027 | 12 nights |
| Sun 28 Feb 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Sun 14 Mar 2027 | 14 nights |
| Sun 14 Mar 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Thu 25 Mar 2027 | 11 nights |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Fri 2 Apr 2027 | 8 nights |
| Fri 2 Apr 2027Busy day: 5 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Tue 20 Apr 2027 | 18 nights |
| Tue 20 Apr 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Sun 11 Jul 2027 | Long voyage |
| Sun 11 Jul 2027Busy day: 4 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Mon 19 Jul 2027 | 8 nights |
| Mon 19 Jul 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Wed 28 Jul 2027 | 9 nights |
| Wed 28 Jul 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Sun 8 Aug 2027 | 11 nights |
| Sun 8 Aug 2027Busy day: 4 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Wed 18 Aug 2027 | 10 nights |
| Wed 18 Aug 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Sat 28 Aug 2027 | 10 nights |
| Sat 28 Aug 2027Busy day: 5 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Thu 2 Sep 2027 | 5 nights |
| Thu 2 Sep 2027Busy day: 3 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Sun 12 Sep 2027 | 10 nights |
| Sun 12 Sep 2027Busy day: 5 ships in | Usually City Terminal | — | Tue 21 Sep 2027 | 9 nights |
| Tue 21 Sep 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | Thu 30 Sep 2027 | 9 nights |
| Thu 30 Sep 2027 | Usually City Terminal | — | — | — |
Balmoral: ship and parking questions
Which terminal does Balmoral use in Southampton?
Balmoral usually sails from the City Cruise Terminal (Berth 101, Western Docks, Dock Gate 8).
What is Balmoral like?
Fred. Olsen's smallest ship, able to sail the River Seine to Rouen and the Kiel Canal. Built in 1988 as Crown Odyssey; lengthened by 30 metres before joining Fred. Olsen in 2008. Single cabins in several grades, from interior to balcony suites, for solo travellers. Two pools and four jacuzzis; the buffet reopened as Thistle Restaurant after a 2024 dry dock.
How many passengers does Balmoral carry?
Balmoral carries about 1,275 guests (standard occupancy) and about 590 crew.
How big is Balmoral and when was it built?
Balmoral is 43,537 gross tons and 219 metres long; it entered service in 1988 and was refitted in 2024.
What restaurants are on Balmoral?
Places to eat include Ballindalloch Restaurant, Spey Restaurant, Avon Restaurant, Thistle Restaurant and Colours & Tastes. Some may cost extra.
How many pools does Balmoral have?
Balmoral has 2 pools.
What time does Balmoral leave Southampton?
On Wed 6 Jan 2027, Balmoral is scheduled to depart at PM, according to the port's provisional schedule. Your boarding time is on your cruise documents.
Where can I park for a Balmoral cruise?
ABP's own car parks are right next to City Terminal for Celebrity, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and some Fred Olsen sailings. The terminal is also about a 15-minute walk from Southampton Central station. The official option for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is ABParking (£129 for 7 nights in January 2027). Compare City Terminal parking →