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At a glance
Visiting:
Spain
Portugal
Length:
Cruise
Make your own way
Request Brochure - Festive Spain & Portugal
To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA
Festive Spain & Portugal
For a memorable start to your Christmas, escape to Spain and Portugal and discover the festive delights of destinations bursting with yuletide spirit. At each you’ll see Christmas lights and decorations, and get to explore traditional festive markets; mid-December evenings in Funchal, with its family feel and evening festivities, make for a magical experience, while the Spanish and Portuguese cities will be alive with friendly locals counting down to and getting ready for the big day.
What’s more, your overnight stay in Funchal allows ample time to seek-out Madeira’s ‘Garden Island’ sights too; perhaps wander through forested landscapes via the levada trails, explore botanical gardens, or see the Atlantic Ocean vistas from Cabo Girao. A day in Lisbon is a chance to delve into the Portuguese capital’s maritime heritage and local culture too and, in Spain, there are picturesque coasts, historic quarters and ancient monuments and landmarks aplenty to uncover in Vigo, Cádiz and La Coruña.
Holiday Highlights
Admire the festive light displays of Vigo
Browse Funchal’s Christmas market
Dock within one mile of each city centre
What's Included
Comfortable, stylish cabins and suites equipped with a Smart TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, a fridge and individually controlled air conditioning
A tempting choice of cuisine every day throughout your cruise – with five-course à la carte dinners, casual breakfast and lunch buffets, late-night snacks and much more
Unlimited, self-service tea and coffee available 24hrs at selected venues, complimentary afternoon tea* with sandwiches and cakes, and in-room sandwiches and snacks
A full programme of evening entertainment, including cabaret shows, comedy, dancing and live music
Full use of on board leisure facilities, including swimming pools, Jacuzzis and gym
A wide choice of engaging on board activities and lectures throughout the day
All UK port taxes (where collectable in advance)
Luggage porterage between your cabin and the drop-off/pick-up point
Formal welcome and/or Captain’s Drinks Party and Gala Buffet
Itinerary
1
Saturday 10 December 2022 Departs Portsmouth
Depart: Late PM
2
Sunday 11 December 2022 Cruising
3
Monday 12 December 2022 Cruising
4
Tuesday 13 December 2022 Lisbon
Arrive: Early AM
Depart: Late PM
5
Wednesday 14 December 2022 Cádiz
Arrive: Early PM
Depart: Late PM
6
Thursday 15 December 2022 Cruising
7
Friday 16 December 2022 Funchal
Arrive: Early AM
Depart: Early PM
8
Saturday 17 December 2022 Funchal
Arrive: Early AM
Depart: Early PM
9
Sunday 18 December 2022 Cruising
10
Monday 19 December 2022 Vigo
Arrive: Early PM
Depart: Late Night
11
Tuesday 20 December 2022 La Coruña
Arrive: Early AM
Depart: Late PM
12
Wednesday 21 December 2022 Cruising
13
Thursday 22 December 2022 Arrive back at Portsmouth
Arrive: Early AM
Balmoral
With departures from Dover, Southampton, Newcastle and Rosyth, Balmoral cruises offer the chance to explore some of the world's most spectacular destinations. What's more, despite being one of the largest Fred Olsen ships, Balmoral is small enough to take advantage of the tighter waterways along each route, so guests do not miss out on remarkable sights along the way, such as the Norwegian fjords or Germany's Kiel Canal.
As well as incredible scenery, Balmoral cruises provide the very best in amenities and dining experiences, as well as stylish and comfortable accommodation. With fewer than 1,400 guests, there is ample room for every passenger to enjoy the spacious venues and public areas, while still having plenty of chances to enjoy the company of others. Whether you're travelling around the culture-filled Americas or the Scottish Lochs, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience on board Balmoral.
Chargeable Extras
Cruise descriptions include optional, chargeable experiences that may be enjoyed independently and/or with optional Fred. Olsen Shore Tours.Â
*Premium Traditional Afternoon Tea not included.
Upgrade to All Inclusive Drinks Package is available as a chargeable optional extra and can be added to your booking up to six days prior to your cruise departing.
Travelling to Europe
Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. Note that these new rules do NOT apply when travelling within the United Kingdom or to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland. You do require government issued ID when travelling by air though.
Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.
Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").
These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland where you can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.
Visa - If you’re a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. Different rules will apply to Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania; if you visit these countries, visits to other EU countries will not count towards the 90-day total. Travel to Ireland will not change and stays there will not count towards the 90-day total.
European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in 2023, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.
Border Control -Â At border control, you may need to show proof of your return journey - your travel documentation issued by us will be sufficient for this. You will also need to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens if manual checks are required.
Healthcare Cover - You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad which covers pre-existing conditions. You should understand the terms and conditions of your travel insurance and be happy with its cover for healthcare and travel disruption. Newmarket sell a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Ask our travel consultants for more information.
You should also apply for a UK Global Heath Insurance Card (GHIC) which lets you get urgent state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Note GHIC is only valid in EU countries and not in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.