After a three year absence the classic coastal cruise vessel MV Balmoral is back in passenger service and will be visiting the Island at the end of June with day trippers from Whitehaven and Garlieston, as well as offering afternoon excursions from Douglas - and a full day Tynwald Day excursion to Whitehaven. This has been made possible because Balmoral supporters have raised over ?300,000 and have been awarded a ?344,000 Coastal Communities Fund Grant.

MV Balmoral will be offering afternoon cruises from Douglas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 26, 27, 28 June leaving at 1pm -

• Friday and Saturday cruises will be to the Calf of Man returning to Douglas via Port St Mary at approx. 5.30pm.

• The Sunday cruise will proceed via Calf of Man as far as Peel, returning via Port St Mary to Douglas at approx. 6.00pm. Balmoral will make a brief stop at Peel at 3.00pm so passengers can make a single journey in either direction if they do not wish to make the round trip. Bus Vannin will run a special bus (normal fare applies) from Douglas Sea Terminal to Peel Harbour at 2.00pm, returning to Douglas after Balmoral’s arrival in Peel. Passengers using the bus to Peel are advised to purchase ship tickets in advance otherwise space on board cannot be guaranteed.

Passengers for afternoon cruises from Douglas are asked to be in the Sea Terminal at least 15 minutes before departure time.

On Tynwald Day (Monday July 6) Balmoral will sail from Douglas to Whitehaven at 9.30 am - back around 7.30 pm and allowing about 3 hours ashore in Whitehaven. Oragniser are hoping that The Beacon, Rum Story and Haig Pit will open specially for this visit (they are normally closed on Mondays) and that Workington Transport Heritage will provide transport up to Haig Pit for Balmoral’s passengers. For those wishing to stay on Balmoral there is a short afternoon cruise to St Bees Head and along the Cumbrian Coast.
Passengers on this cruise need to be in the Sea Terminal at least 30 mins before sailing time for Passenger Registration.

MV Balmoral has open deck and lounge accommodation, a self service restaurant, licensed bar and a Souvenir Shop. Boarding can be via steep gangways - according to tidal conditions - and those who might require assistance are asked to contact the White Funnel office on 0117 325 6200 before purchasing tickets.

Spokesperson for MV Balmoral Paul Doubler said, “It has been something of a miracle to return Balmoral to cruising this summer, but we are not “home and dry” yet. We need great public support to make a very costly to run ship viable”.