Balmoral
Elegant and classic in its design, Balmoral offers comfortable and welcoming cruises. With a variety of different itineraries on offer, from Northern Europe to the Arctic, you’ll be able to find a sailing that’s perfect for you. Named after the world-famous Scotland home of the Royal Family, the stately theme continues throughout thanks to the stylish décor. Top highlights onboard include unforgettable live entertainment within the spacious Neptune Lounge, delicious specialty dining within the popular Ballindoch restaurant and the sumptuous Atlantis Spa.
Top Balmoral Deals
The ship in numbers
- Launched 1988
- Tonnage 45537
- Wheelchair accessible cabins 9
- Decks 9
- Lifts 4
- Pools 2
- Restaurants 5
- Formal nights Yes
- Maximum capacity 1350
- Crew 551
- Refurbished 2020
What's onboard
Dining
Whether you’re looking for a light snack throughout the day or a delicious evening meal, every dining area will do more than enough to accommodate your needs. With something for all tastes, Balmoral’s dining options are guaranteed to impress.
Balmoral has four complimentary restaurants onboard, including:
- The Ballindalloch Restaurant - the main restaurant onboard, you can enjoy a delicious five course a la carte meal in stylish surroundings
- Spey & Avon Restaurants - situated within an elegant setting, you can dewlight in steak, seafood and other decadent dishes here
- The Thistle Restaurant - open for breakfast, lunch and dinner this is a fantastic buffet option
Alongside complimentary restaurants, Balmoral also offers speciality dining options, available at an additional cost, such as:
- Colours & Tastes - indulge in delicious Asian fusion cuisine crafted by talented chefs
- Traditional Premium Afternoon Tea - a complimentary traditional afternoon tea is served daily, but if it’s a special occasion or you simply want to celebrate your cruise in style, you can opt for the premium afternoon tea with a premium tea selection and the musical accompaniment of an onboard pianist
Entertainment
Entertainment onboard Balmoral ranges from side-splitting comedy nights, to live music, themed nights and more. Particular highlights onboard include the entertainment offered within the stylish Neptune Bar. During the day, you can learn all about the Signature Experiences offered with the guidance of the Culture and Nature Guides, before the venue is transformed after dark to offer dazzling live entertainment, including cabaret!
Onboard there is also a Card Room, perfect for those looking to enjoy a game of bridge or two with their fellow passengers, alongside a library filled with a variety of books and publications, that’s located within the Bookmark Café.
Things to do
Spa and fitness
A cruise with Balmoral makes it easy to rest and let your worries and stresses evaporate. The Atlantis Spa has all of the treatments you need to leave you feeling refreshed, including massages, manicures and hair styling. Next door to the spa is the fitness centre which has all the facilities you would expect from a gym back home, plus several fitness classes on offer including Pilates and aerobics for all fitness levels, perfect for those who like to exercise in a more social environment.
Recreation
As you'd expect, all recreation is aimed towards relaxation, with shuffleboard, different lounges and bars giving you plenty of choice whilst you let the day melt away into the sunset. The Marquee Bar and The Observatory are particular highlights, offering a wide selection of refreshments and incredible sea views.
There are two large, heated pools onboard which are both surrounded by plenty of sun loungers. The bubbling Jacuzzis will provide you with a welcome relief after an undoubtedly busy day on shore. Once the sun has set, why not take a leisurely moonlit stroll on the Promenade, a large open air deck space providing stunning views over the ocean. Before you leave, don’t forget to indulge in some retail therapy at the Balmoral Boutique and take home with you memorable souvenirs, cosmetics, fragrances, fine jewellery and fashion accessories.
Balmoral Image gallery
Iglu Cruise customer reviews for Balmoral
I can't speak highly enough of the ship, itinerary and the service received from Balmoral from the moment of embarkation. This was my 35th cruise holiday after many years cruising with my children and now grandchildren. This time we went as a couple for a well earned break. The small size of the ship enabled us to sail on the rivers Seine and Bordeaux so we were able to experience a part river/part sea cruise. The ship was friendly, very well kept, our interior cabin was spacious and comfortable and the bathroom superb. The food was the best I have ever had. The free flowing wine with lunch and dinner very welcome and our bar bill at the end of the holiday was minimal. The entertainment was excellent with a wonderful show cast who could all sing in tune. We also spent a lot of time listening to the pianist in the Observatory and house band in the Lido lounge. I have also never seen so many people dancing to music on a cruise and we even had 2 silent discos. We are in our late 60s/early 70 and there were many older guests but also quite a few younger. Everyone was friendly and there was a very generous amount of well appointed public areas for all to enjoy despite the relatively small size of the ship with only 1000 passengers. I would not hesitate to recommend and can't wait to go on this ship again.
Very friendly small ship one feels relaxed at once . Staff attentive , cabins with excellent showers And comfortable beds all well cleaned . Great shows with wonderful technical effects Plenty of lounge areas to sit well decorated . Good choice of food on menus and Buffet Well organised shore excursions and interesting itineraries .
We absolutely loved this cruise . No flying and easy parking and boarding meant there was no stress . The outside cabin was great . The whole ship was decorated to a high standard . The food was excellent ! The service and all the staff were always smiling and very helpful . We did our own excursion but booked the kayaking which was great ! There was a great comedian on John Evan’s who was brilliant . All in all this 5 days Norway cruise was brilliant . Nothing to complain about
Very enjoyable short trip
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins
What are the main types of cabins on Balmoral?
You can choose from standard Inside, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms, alongside a selection of spacious, premium Suites.
Families and Kids
Is Balmoral family-friendly?
Families are welcome, but there are no dedicated kids' clubs or major youth facilities onboard.
Does Balmoral have waterslides?
No, this ship does not have waterslides.
Food and drink
What are the main dining options on Balmoral?
Enjoy complimentary, multi-course meals in the elegant Main Dining Room, or visit the casual buffet for relaxed, flexible dining.
What speciality dining is there on Balmoral?
The ship offers premium dining venues like steakhouses, Italian trattorias, or Asian-fusion restaurants. Cover charges usually apply.
Itineraries
Which ports does Balmoral usually sail out of?
The ship typically sails from UK ports such as Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, or Newcastle.
Ship Features
What are the top highlights onboard Balmoral?
Its smaller size, allowing it to navigate narrow waterways and fjords easily.