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
Fabulous good and staff. Fabulous boat lots of lovely places to sit quietly. Value for money
Was all good
The ship itself was comfortable and our inside cabin on coral deck was a good size and not too noisy. The staff were amazing- helpful and extremely hardworking. Always a smile and a hello.
Just returned from a 10 day cruise of the Norwegian Fjords. This was our first time cruising. The staff and service was excellent and everything was well organised from the beginning to the end. We did experience a problem with an excursion but the staff were aware of the problem immediately and it was rectified before we left the ship. We would recommend Fred Olsen cruises. Well done to Fred and all his team, Thank you for a wonderfully menorable holiday.
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.