British Airways Standard Flights - Everything You Need to Know

Page last updated 26th August 2026.

This page is for guests who are flying with British Airways to and from Balmoral (a return flight)

For Guests flying with BA one way, or booked on a BA flight one way and easyJet another, we've sent an email with the detail you need.

Guests who book on or after the 26th August, will be in touch by email as quickly as possible.

As summer slips by, your Mediterranean adventure on Balmoral is fast approaching, and we're looking forward to welcoming you on board.

We’re committed to making your journey as smooth as possible. Whether you’re flying from Manchester or London Gatwick, you’re booked on one of our Standard flights with British Airways. This handy guide will help you arrive relaxed, prepared and ready to embark on an unforgettable cruise.

British Airways Booking Reference Number

We'll send your flight booking reference to you via email, no later than 7 days before the flight.
For your return flight - The Guest Services team on Balmoral will provide your return flight references for British Airways.

Once you have it you'll need to check-in on the British Airways website or app which you can find by clicking here.
Airport check-in is available if you wish too.
Check-in opens 24 hours before your departure flights.
When checking in via the British Airways website or app, you can pre-select your seat (extra charge may apply).

🔎On Our Online Help Centre

Your on our online Help Centre, designed to make planning your cruise simple and straightforward.

You can visit the Help Centre homepage here.

You’re dedicated fly cruise section can be found here.

🛂Things to Know Before You Travel

Our Travel Aware page includes essential travel advice, destination entry requirement information, and useful tips to know before you travel. View the page here.

🌍A Handy Packing Guide

Packing for your holiday should feel easy and we're here to help.

A handy packing and weather guide is available here.
A list on restricted and permitted items, can be found below:

For British Aways restricted and permitted items click here.

For our restricted and permitted items click here.

🎒 What to Pack in Your Hand Luggage

We recommend packing the following items in your hand luggage:

Any medication you’ll need during the first two days of your journey.
A change of clothing for your first evening.
And if you're keen to hit the pool or relax on a sunbed straight away, remember to pack your swimwear.
Your passport, cruise ticket (a digital copy is fine) and the physical payment card you'd like to link to your onboard account (American Express is not accepted).
Your British Airway boarding pass (a digital copy is fine).

Important to know - You will be required to show your cruise ticket to immigration officials at the port. if you're using a digital version, please download it to your mobile device before leaving home as Wi-Fi and phone signal may be limited at the port.

🧳Luggage Allowance

Hold Luggage - 1 case per person with a maximum weight of 23KG

Hand Luggage - 1 personal item with (max dimensions of 40x30x15cm).
Plus 1 bag (max dimensions 56x45x25cm). Total combined weight of your hand luggage items may not exceed 23KG.

Twilight bag drop

If you’re staying at or near Gatwick the evening before your flight, you may wish to use British Airways’ twilight bag drop. Click here for more details.

🛫 Before You Arrive at London Gatwick

You will need your British Airways boarding pass, (physical or digital copy is fine).

Attach your Fred. Olsen luggage labels securely to your cases.

🛫At the UK Airport

Terminal and Bag Drop:

London Gatwick: South Terminal.

Bag-drop opens 2 hours before your flight and closes 60 minutes before departure.

No Matter Where You're Flying From:

Please arrive in plenty of time and have your passport(s) and British Airways boarding pass to hand.
Head to the British Airways check-in and bag drop point.

If you've booked airport assistance, speak to the airport teams, who will be able to point you to the relevant area in the terminal.

Once you've dropped your bags, proceed through security & relax.
Please keep an eye on the departure screens for gate announcements.
When boarding is announced, head to your gate.

British Aways cabin crew will offer food and drinks for purchase during the flight.

🛬On Arrival at Your Destination Airport

Collect your luggage from the carousel and head through customs.

Once through, look for our team in branded uniform holding Fred. Olsen signs in the arrivals hall.
They’ll guide you to your coach transfer.

Your luggage will be loaded onto the coach or a separate truck and delivered directly to your cabin.

Coaches will be parked near the terminal.

Coaches will depart as they fill (there may be a short wait)

🚌Coach Transfer to Balmoral

You’ll be welcomed on board by a local representative.
You’ll find a small bottle of water and a welcome letter on your seat.
See below for your transfer time.
Coaches may not have a toilets, so we recommend using airport facilities beforehand.

⚓Arriving at the Port

Our friendly crew and port agents will be there to welcome you and direct to check-in.

Present your passport and cruise ticket to local Immigration.

Pass through security screening.

At check-in you’ll need:

- Your passport

- Your cruise ticket (printed or digital)

- A payment card for your on-board account.

You'll receive your cruise card – your key to everything on board.

- Then it's time to board Balmoral.

🚢Stepping Onboard

Our Security Team will scan your cruise card as you board.

Our friendly crew will be waiting to welcome you on board.
When you arrive in your cabin, please watch the safety video on your cabin TV. From here check-in at your located muster station. Click here for more information.
It’s time to explore and settle into your home away from home.

Special Notes for EES and Port Immigration

Wherever your flying home from, please click here for important EES and port immigration information.

🚢Disembarkation Information

To help your journey home run smoothly:

Your British Airways booking reference for your return flight will be emailed to you during your cruise.
We recommend Check-in on the British Airways website or app, however, airport check-in is available if you wish too.
Check-in opens 24 hours before your flight departure.

Our friendly Guest Services team will be on hand if you require any assistance.

Full disembarkation details will be delivered to your cabin at least 24 hours before departure.
We ask you to vacate your cabin by 08:00am on the last day of your cruise.

📝 Before We Go...

Here's a quick reminder of what to expect:

Your cruise tickets will be sent by email 3 weeks before departure. If you booked with a travel agent, they'll email the tickets to you.
Your luggage labels will arrive by post approximately two weeks before departure.

Your outbound British Airways booking reference be emailed to you no later than 7 days before departure.
Your inbound British Airways booking reference for your return flight will be sent to you by email no later than 7 days prior to your flight home.

For the latest information, please visit our dedicated Fly Cruise page by clicking here.

We look forward to welcoming you on Balmoral.