Your Exploration of the Mediterranean cruise is getting closer, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board for this incredible sailing.

Between now and setting sail, we’ll send a series of emails to help you prepare, with simple, practical guidance allowing you to arrive at Southampton ready for an unforgettable adventure.

Before you travel

Our online Help Centre

Our new online Help Centre is now live, created to make planning your cruise easier than ever.

Visit the Help Centre by clicking here.

We’ve created a section on our Help Centre dedicated to your cruise, find it by clicking here.

Travel insurance

Please ensure you have suitable travel insurance in place.

Entry requirements and travel documents

UK passport holders:

EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES)
As your cruise starts and ends in the UK, there’s nothing extra you need to do.
When going ashore in European ports, you can explore as usual, no additional registration or checks are required.

Passports
Please ensure your passport is valid for the destinations we’ll be visiting. You can do this on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website by clicking here.

We suggest your passport has a minimum of six months validity left upon returning to the UK at the end of the cruise.  When travelling to Europe, UK passports must be less than 10 years old from the date of issue. If your passport was renewed prior to October 2018, it could have a date of issue which is more than 10 years ago.

Travel guidance

Visit our Travel Aware page by clicking here, for all you need to know before travelling.

Dual citizens
If you’re a dual British citizen, you must present a valid British passport (or Certificate of Entitlement) when entering the UK. Find out more by clicking here.

Medication
If you need a larger supply of your usual medication, please speak with your GP well in advance of your cruise to ensure everything can be arranged.

Some medications contain controlled drugs and may be subject to specific rules in certain countries. You may need to carry proof the medication has been prescribed to you, such as a copy of your prescription or a letter from your Doctor. To find out more click here.

Egypt Visa

For UK passport holders, we’ll arrange your day visa. While on board Balmoral, we’ll collect passports for processing and return them before you go ashore.

Non‑UK passport holders
You’ll likely need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK. Please check the latest requirements by clicking here.

We also highly recommend reviewing entry requirements for all ports of call using your government’s official travel advice. This includes but is not limited to:

• Your passport validity requirements
• Any visas required
• Vaccinations which may be needed
• Any rules on medications you may need to bring

All guests

Unfortunately, we’re unable to accept responsibility for any disruption caused by missing or incorrect destination entry requirements.

Life on board

Formal and themed nights
You can view your formal and themed evenings by clicking here.

Colours & Tastes, our speciality restaurant
Discover what our speciality restaurant, Colours & Tastes, has to offer during your cruise by clicking here. You can easily make your reservation through your online My Cruise account.

Fly‑cruise changeover ports

During your voyage, guests will join and leave Balmoral as part of our fly‑cruise programme at the following ports:

We’ve listened carefully to feedback from guests on the last years voyage and made some thoughtful changes to help ensure a smoother experience. These include:

• Earlier arrival times for joining guests
• Fewer announcements on changeover days
• Use of lounges for guests disembarking
• Full dining service maintained throughout
• Pre-booked tours information in your cabin on arrival

Our aim is to make these days feel as relaxed and seamless as possible for everyone on board.

What happens next?

We’ll be back in touch soon with more information, including:

• A weather and packing guide
• The entertainment you can look forward to on board
• Final reminders and updates before you travel

To help you plan with confidence:

• Your cruise ticket will be sent three weeks before check‑in
• If you booked directly with us, we’ll email this to you (or post if we don’t have your email)
• If you booked with a travel agent, they’ll send this to you
• Your luggage labels will arrive by post around two weeks before sailing