The Balmoral provides a great way of adding a trip to the Isle of Man to any holiday in the lakes. It is just a pity that it doesn't visit more often especially as this time the Saturday trip had to be cancelled due to a severe weather warning.
The Balmoral can take up to 750 passengers but is still small enough to get through the sea lock which allowed it to dock inside the harbour. Built in 1949 and previously part of P&O Red Funnel and White Funnel fleets it was saved from a retirement as a floating restaurant and restored with new engines to once more provide excursions around the British coast.
The Ocean Youth Trust vessel Greater Manchester Challenge was also in the harbour on the Saturday. This is a sailing ship that gives sailing experience and adventure to young people between 18 and 24 years of age from a wide variety of backgrounds.
For booking information about Balmoral click here
For information about the Ocean Youth Trust click here