The Central Band of the Royal British Legion is set to return to the seas on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral on a 14-night ‘Baltic City Breaks’ cruise, L1412, departing fromSouthampton on 18th August 2014. Fittingly, the Band will perform a series of concerts throughout the cruise, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 70th anniversary of the Second World War. The onboard programme will be entitled ‘Big Band Sounds with Pop Classics’ and will be directed by well-known Bandleader Captain David Cole MVO, the company said in a statement.
"Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to welcome The Central Band of the Royal British Legionback after its huge success with guests on the ‘Summer Fjords’ cruise in Summer 2010. The Band will perform exhilarating music from stage and screen, including favourites from ‘James Bond’, ‘Star Wars’, ‘Superman’, ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ and ‘Bridge On the River Kwai’, as well as the swinging sounds of Glenn Miller, Harry James, Duke Ellington and renowned ‘King of Swing’ Benny Goodman," the company said.
A bonus for guests on this ‘Baltic City Breaks’ cruise is that, in this increasingly cost-conscious climate, what better – and cheaper – way to visit the famously-expensive highlights of the Baltic than by cruise ship, where you do not have to worry about flights, hotel accommodation, food and drink, as a no-fly, ex-UK Fred. Olsen cruise takes care of all of this?
Whilst enjoying the musical delights on Balmoral, guests on this ‘Baltic City Breaks’ cruise will first visit Tallinn, Estonia, where the comforts of the modern world are met with rich culture and historic settings. This intriguing place to explore boasts houses dating back to the 11th Century, the beautifully ornate Alexander Nevskij Cathedral and the Pirita Harbour, where you can catch the best view of the bay. St. Petersburg, Russia, is the next stop, where guests will be able to enjoy all that this great city has to offer with the first of three overnight stays. The opulent HermitageMuseum has to be seen to be believed, and houses an impressive set of priceless works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo and Rubens. The gardens of the Peterhof are stunning, particularly when the fountains are in full flow, and no visit to St. Petersburg is complete without a trip to either the ballet or the opera.
Balmoral then visits Helsinki, Finland, which is known for being ‘pocket-sized’, with everything within easy reach. This is the second of the overnight stops and it is highly recommended that guests visit Fazer Café to indulge in the unique cakes and pastries, whilst admiring the art deco interior. The final port and overnight stay is in the royal city of Copenhagen, Denmark, where guests will find numerous castles, palaces and statues, before Balmoral makes her return voyage toSouthampton.
Prices for this cruise – which has limited availability – start from £1,299 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin, and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There is no extra charge to watch the ‘Central Band of the Royal British Legion’.
