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This week, passengers on an experienced cruise ship will depart from Southampton to Newcastle at a lower price than a train or plane ticket.
Fred Olsen Cruises has been selling cabins aboard Balmoral on a “repositioning” voyage from the Solent to the Tyne for just £99 per person. Passengers are promised “two nights of Fred Olsen’s small ship cruising” along with “delicious food, entertainment and service”.
The ship sets sail from Southampton at 7pm on Wednesday, February 28th and docks in Newcastle at 6am on Friday, March 1st – with passengers paying less than £3 per hour.
You can save £4 when purchasing a super off-peak single ticket for a CrossCountry train.
The Balmoral is embarking on a journey between two cruise trips to witness the Aurora Borealis and the Norwegian coastline. The first cruise ended in Southampton on Wednesday morning, while the next one starts from Newcastle on Friday evening. Additionally, this trip allows for affordable intercity travel.
Unfortunately, all of the more affordable cabins have been taken. However, there is still one “superior ocean view” cabin left for £149. This price is £12 lower than what Loganair is currently offering for their 70-minute flight from Southampton to Newcastle on Wednesday or Friday. For those who plan ahead, some flights on this route can be purchased for as low as £88 through the Scottish airline.
“I am planning to travel from Southampton to Newcastle to visit a friend for a few days and I would like to bring a small carry-on bag.”
According to him, the cost of a return flight from Southampton was approximately £360. However, he changed his plans and stated: “I have completely changed direction now.” He had reserved a cabin on Balmoral for £99 and utilized Avios points for a flight from Newcastle to London Heathrow.
Sailing route: A two-day journey from Southampton to Newcastle.
Instead of the train or plane, those on a cruise can anticipate enjoying two pools and unlimited meals at six different restaurants. The cost of the cruise covers meals and access to facilities, while drinks at the seven bars and lounges are an additional expense. However, unlike the newly launched Icon of the Seas, the Balmoral does not offer amenities such as six water slides and a rock-climbing wall, making it not the world’s largest cruise ship.
According to Fred Olsen, Balmoral’s compact size is a valuable advantage for crafting unique itineraries that venture into lesser-known ports and waterways.
During the dark hours, the trip will head eastward through the English Channel and then turn north at Dover, going into the North Sea. The most visually stunning part of the journey will occur on Friday, with a potential view of Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth for passengers.
Balmoral was constructed in the year 1988, which makes her one of the longest-running cruise ships in operation. Her most notable trip was in 2012, when she was leased for a “Titanic Memorial Cruise”. The intention was to trace the intended path of the Titanic, departing from Southampton and passing through Cherbourg and Cobh before reaching New York – in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the White Star liner, resulting in the loss of 1,514 lives.
Source: independent.co.uk
