In Search of the Northern Lights from Newcastle, 3 March 2026 (10 nights)

They treat you like family

Staff all very personable and couldn't have been more friendly and caring. We enjoyed most of the entertainment but some of it wasn't to our taste. The comedian was brilliant. The food was very good with plenty of choice but not excellent. However, the kitchen staff are to be commended for their work. The activities were very good and there was something for everyone. The beauty salon facials were excellent . We booked onto the cheese and wine experience and it was outstanding. We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather and so we e enjoyed the swimming pool and the jacuzzi. The cocktails were great and very reasonably priced . Housekeeping do a brilliant job.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our first ever cruise - it has totally exceeded expectations in every way. From arrival at port the boarding process was so simple with no queues or waiting around. Once on board our luggage was already at our cabin and there was ample storage space for all the luggage we had brought onboard. The cabin was clean and plenty of room for the two of us- we slept better on this cruise than we do at home! The food throughout was excellent - good selection with very little repetition. Our waiters couldn’t do enough for us - nothing was too much trouble. The activities on board kept us busy at all times on sea days - we especially loved learning to dance - Steve and Lesley were excellent teachers. The entertainment was good standard and the hosts put so much work into all the quizzes and other activities. Shore excursions were varied and very well run. The overall experience has been wonderful and we have already booked another Balmoral cruise for next year. We prefer the smaller adults only offering that Fred Olsen offers.

Smaller cruise liner with great personality. Because the ships are smaller they can get in to different destinations. Entertainment was brilliant.