Thursday June 14th will see the classic motor vessel Balmoral back on the Island at the start of her 26th season of visits to our shores.  She will be here on 9 days between mid June and mid September and will be offering 4 excursions from Douglas and one from Peel during this period - the best IOM programme for several years.

While she's here Balmoral will be providing opportunities for residents and holiday-makers to make afternoon trips from Douglas on 4 days:

Round the Island on Saturdays June 16th (dep 13.30) and September 15th (dep 12 noon) – the trip takes about 5 and a half hours

Cruise to the Calf of Man on Sunday 17th June (dep 13.45) passing the new Mona's Queen III anchor memorial on Kallow Point as she calls at Port St Mary to pick up passengers for Garlieston who have come down from Douglas on the Steam Railway. Back in Douglas around 18.00

Cruise to Ramsey Bay (non-landing) on Thursday 30th August – depart approx 14.00 and back at 17.00

In response to popular request, and after a lapse of several years, we are pleased once again to offer a full day excursion from Peel to Portaferry – this will be on Monday 10th September leaving Peel at 10.00 and after allowing around 3 hours ashore, Balmoral should be back at 19.00. Advance booking for this trip is strongly recommended and passengers are asked to be on Peel Breakwater by 09.30 so that Passenger Registration formalities can be completed before the ship sails.

Tickets can be bought on-line at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk, by phone on 0845 130 4647, or in person at Richmond Travel, Duke Street in Douglas. If space is still available you can also book on board on the day.

Round the Island Cruises cost £23, the Calf of Man Cruise is £19 and the Ramsey Bay one is £17. The full day cruise to Portaferry is £35. Senior Citizens receive a £2 discount and Children travel at half fare. There are discounts for group bookings made by phone on 08456 130 4647.

This summer the 63 year old Balmoral is scheduled to bring hundreds of passengers here from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland on 8 separate days – providing the only classic day excursion opportunity for people to visit the Island from Whitehaven, Garlieston and Portaferry. Do encourage your friends and relatives to come and visit you and see the Island - without needing to invite them to stay overnight!

There are opportunities for them to come to the Island for the day from

Whitehaven on June 15th and 16th and on August 30th

Garlieston on June 14th and 17th and on Sept 12th

Portaferry (to Peel) on September 9th

Details of timings and prices are available at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by phoning 0845 130 4647.

Balmoral, which is owned by a charity, has completed her winter re-fit and dry-docking, thanks to the generous support of benefactors large and small, and she is now on the Clyde undertaking final preparations for another summer giving pleasure to thousands of passengers. She has a licensed bar, self service cafeteria, souvenir shop and open decks with plenty of seating from which to view the Manx coastline.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.