Relax on a cruise
much more to experience, from the Ernest Hemingway Museum to a tour in a classic American car.
Fred. Olsen passengers have voted Havana one of their top 20 ports. Whether you walk the streets with their pastel-painted buildings or take an optional tour, perhaps to the scenery and wild coastline away from the city, it’s all so memorable.
The historic days when the likes of Hemingway, Graham Greene and other authors, all pale linen suits and Panama hats, sailed these parts, feel even closer on Balmoral.
The ship, carrying only 1,300 guests, is modern yet has a Scottish country house feel. The main restaurant is Ballindalloch while the formal restaurants are Avon and Spey. Another stand-out stop is the Atlantic isle of Bermuda, with its old-school British feel and policemen in shorts. The capital Hamilton has pretty streets and a charming seafront.
Heading home across the Atlantic, Balmoral calls at Funchal on Madeira and Ponta Delgada in the Azores, a final blast of sub-tropical warmth before you immerse yourself totally in the Christmas spirit.
Yet first you have the Caribbean to explore as Balmoral visits a number of beautiful destinations that could be holidays in their own right.
There’s wonderful Barbados – don’t miss the tour to Harrison’s Cave, so big that you drive through an extravagant display of rock formations – and splendid Grenada, where you can take in cricket, gardens and even snorkelling.
St Lucia is perhaps the most striking island with the twin peaks of the Pitons, then there’s Antigua, Grand Turk, capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and Nassau in the Bahamas.
After a busy day sightseeing or sunbathing, relax on board with a five-course dinner and a show.
Balmoral has two heated outdoor pools, a gym, spa and sundecks room so grab yourself a place and escape the chill this November.
Depart Southampton on November 3 on the 34-night Caribbean With Cuba cruise, costing from £1,999pp (two sharing), to include meals
and entertainment.
0800 0355 124/fredolsencruises.
com