Balmoral Reviews

Excellent food , staff and entertainment .

Brilliant from start to finish, never been boarded so quick and shown to our cabin. At the end of the cruise the disembarkation was just as slick. Food very good in all restaurants served with a smile. Entertainment again very good the ships singers and dancers were very professional where they get their energy from I don’t know, in 5 nights we had 2 guest artists who were very good. We will be looking at Fred Olsen in the future for cruises.

Almost everything about my cruise with my lovely Dad went very smoothly from arrival at check in to disembarkation. The only downside was a very choppy North Sea on the way home, and I was quite ill all day. The ship was immaculately clean and well cared for. Instructions were clear and precise. The staff were so friendly and couldn't do enough to make our cruise special.The food was delicious and well presented. The entertainment was varied and excellent. All in all we had a great time and look forward to making more memories in the future.

Excellent from the car parking prior to embarkation to getting in the car following disembarking the ship.

Cruise overall was excellent, food superb, restaurant staff excellent, but bar staff were somewhat lacking having to wait quite a while for a drink in all the bars and in the Neptune theatre in particular where you were lucky to get a drink once an hour. The ship is a bit dated but the staff on board more than made up for that, and the ship was very easy to move around. Entertainment was very good and the crew cabaret was brilliant. Would definitely cruise with Fred Olsen again, in saying that this was my first cruise with them and I found them good. Booking through Iglu cruising was also very easy and precise. Overall a very good experience was had by both my partner and myself.

It was great, the organisation, the respect for guests, the food and the hygiene was particularly thorough. The shore excursions were to our liking and explained as they were. The weather was great except for the last day. We really enjoyed the cruise.

went on a 3 day cruise to France from Southampton and the feel of the ship was lovely very laid back and relaxing and not formal like a lot of other ships and was easy to find yourself around the ship. ..the majority of the staff were as usual amazing and some of them really go out of there way to look after you and ensure you have a great holiday , but unfortunately there were a few of the staff with bad attitudes and they let down all the other amazing staff on board and some of the management were not as helpful and friendly as on other ships ...The buffet didn't have the biggest selection of the bigger ships obviously but was perfect for quick dining and food was lovely ...daytimes there was not much going on as both days were spent on shore really in France but evenings much more going on with the quizzes , singers, shows etc etc ...Loved the bars and they have something for everyone with relaxing lounges to bars with lovely views over the pools etc ... would I cruise again on Fred Olsean ...Definitely would I cruise again on the Balmoral...Definitely would i recomend Fred Olsen ...Definately Thanks Fred see you soon Mr Paul

WE have just returned from a cruise on Balmoral which was 8 nights to Rouen Amsterdam and Antwerp. We had never cruised with Fred Olsen before and were very impressed. The waiters in the dining rooms were very attentive, plates were cleared really quickly in the Palm Court buffet and nothing was too much trouble for the staff. The entertainment was the best we had seen on any cruise line. we were expecting it would be geared to an older audience, but found it to be modern with a rock music show, AC DC Queen etc. It was first class. We had booked the cheapest grade of outside cabin and it was huge with loads of wardrobe space. We will use Fred Olsen again.

I recently went on Balmoral to the canary islands and thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Previously I had cruised only with P & O and also enjoyed these but I have to say that I think Fred Olsen is better than P & O. The food was excellent (we dined in the main restaurant the first evening but the rest of the cruise used Palms Buffet) Could not fault the food, plenty of choice and beautifully hot. The entertainment was first class and the staff so friendly and couldn't do enough to please us. Everything spotless and my cabin perfect with a picture window on deck 6 (6004). Nice and handy for all facilities and entertainment on the 6th and 7th decks. All the shore tours were very well organized and our cases were outside our cabin before we got there. My friend unfortunately fell and hurt her leg on the 12th day and had to see the ship's doctor and required 23 stitches. The doctor and nurses were first class and really thorough. I would have no hesitation on booking another Fred Olsen cruise in the near future.

I have just returned from a 3 night minicruise to Honfleur, sailing down the Seine to Rouen and Giverny on Fred Olson's Balmoral. We had an outside cabin with a large window and we couldn't fault a thing. As this was my first cruise, the Balmoral was an ideal sized ship, being not too big. The food was excellent, the service was good, everyone was friendly and helpful and there was a good choice of activities and entertainment. I would thoroughly recommend.