River Cities of France & Portugal from Newcastle, 2 April 2026 (14 nights)

The ship was very traditional in nature but a little aged. The staff were friendly and helpful. The food was of a good standard but not outstanding with the exception of that in the Colours & Tastes restaurant which was at additional cost. The window cabin we had on deck 6 was well fitted with storage but was a little cramped and the bathroom is well past its sell by date. The majority of the people on the ship were of a certain age which was no problem. The entertainment was fairly good and of a reasonable variety. It was unfortunate that stormy weather prevented the trip to Lerwick and an outbreak of Gastroenteritis severely restricted the dining options although the ship's crew handled it to the best of their ability. Would I travel again with Fred Olsen? Well they have offered a 15% discount on any future cruise booked within the next 6 months which, unless you are a Fred fan, is probably not enough of an enticement for me to accept. My wife was unable at any point during the cruise to book a gym class without going to the spa personally and waiting in line for the limited availability. Booking over the phone was not accepted which was very disappointing for her. However, we've put the disappointments down to life's experiences and will move on.

Smaller ship,cosy,lovely decor, friendly staff

Just love the Fred Olsen culture! Great ship, amazing staff and attractive itineraries. Just been to Canaries on Balmoral. Expert navigation by Captain Stoica to avoid storms and the resulting unexpected changes to the itinerary due to weather actually enhanced our experience, giving us overnight in port in both Madeira and Lisbon for a truly memorable experience. The staff are the company's biggest asset, always friendly, engaging and approachable. Sailing from the UK means no flying and travelling is very much a part of the holiday experience rather than something to be endured to get to your holiday. The quality of service on Fred Olsen ships and at head office is always first class and any niggles are always resolved promptly and without fuss. I left an item in the cabin on disembarkation in Southampton and, having luckily realised very quickly, was able to collect it from the cruise terminal later the same day before the ship sailed!

best small cruise ship i have cruised on