Balmoral
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Balmoral Reviews

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4.3
star star star star half star
Based on 157 reviews
Cabin
4
Service
5
Excursions
4
Dining
4
Activities
4
Value for money
4
Entertainment
4
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The cruise was to Oslo, Amsterdam and Antwerp. The ship docked near the centre of all ports. The staff onboard made the difference as they did everything possible to make the cruise enjoyable. Unlike other cruise lines the photographers were very discreet. The ship does not have as many facilities as bigger ships but there was enough to keep everyone happy. The food was great.

user
user
1 cruise
6 Nov 2014
star star star star star

Follow up to review 29th may - recently returned from 7 day trip to France - same great quality and service, very impressed.

user
user
1 cruise
28 Oct 2014
star star star star no star

A very nice cruise experience. Good food, good entertainment, good service. Very clean throughout the ship. Fred Olsen must have the monopoly on staff, everyone was at our service from the captain down. Nothing was to hard to do. Friendliest bunch of people on the planet. There were tears from people leaving the ship as the staff had became their friends. The people traveling as single passengers were well looked after as the staff made sure they were included in everything. Just a few minor hiccups, but nothing to get het up about. Passengers are well taken care of.

user
user
1 cruise
26 Oct 2014
star star star star no star

Enjoyed an excellent 32-night cruise to Canada and the USA. The Balmoral sailed from Southampton on 1st September and had a 5 day calm crossing to St. John's in Newfoundland. We then visited, in fairly quick succession, the Canadian ports of Gaspe, Baie-Comeau, Quebec City, Sanguenay and Halifax before moving to the USA with calls in Boston and New York city. On the return passage we visited Sydney in Canada. These ports did not disappoint. I was especially delighted to visit Quebec City for the first time. I had been to New York on several occasions but still found many new places to visit and others to re-visit. I have cruised several times on this ship and I was not disappointed. Although an older vessel it is well maintained and comfortable. The food was very good indeed and the service efficient and friendly. I had a large single cabin with a full picture window. There was more than adequate storage space and the air-conditioning was most efficient. The onboard entertainment varied in quality but this is very much a personal choice. One of the strongest points of Fred. Olsen's cruise ships is the quality of the crew. They were, as ever, efficient and friendly. We were blessed with calm seas on both Atlantic crossings and, for most of the time, with the weather. A most enjoyable cruise.

user
user
1 cruise
11 Oct 2014
star star star no star no star

Excellent food and service. Waiters (mostly pleasant) were very considerate and supportive of people with health issues. Cabin - 4166 - was spacious with great shower but noisy when docking early AM. Ship was a bit dated with drab colour schemes and gloomy lighting. Observatory lounge was a lot brighter. Entertainment was average apart from the British Legion Brass Band which were very popular. Interesting ports of call. Did 3 of the ship's excursions in St Petersburg, not over-priced and no need for visa. Fantastic value for money, particularly as we had the drinks package. Generally a very friendly atmosphere with lots of Fred Olsen regulars....many with limited mobility. May use this company again - when I'm 70+!

user
user
1 cruise
4 Sep 2014
star star star star no star

Just had 2 weeks on Balmoral for Baltic Cruise, ending 1st Sept 2014. One word, great. A good ship and an enjoyable cruise, meeting some lovely people. The food was of a very good standard, with plenty of choices for each meal. Breakfast & lunch, could be from the buffet or the menu; dinner was from the menu. Meanwhile, there was always the choice of opting to dine in the Palms Cafe. Three nights were 'formal dress', with one British (fancy) dress evening: all could be avoided at the Palms Cafe. If you had unlimited eating capacity, afternoon teas and 23:00 suppers could be taken here, also. We had booked a superior suite and it was well worth the cost, as far as we were concerned. Very spacious, with good lounge seating and an ample balcony. For my husband, there was Bridge (with good attendance) during 'at sea' days. A very happy holiday!

user
user
1 cruise
2 Sep 2014
star star star star no star

Good cruise, we are vegitarien and the Exec Chef catered for us each night. Thank you Chef! The entertainment team did not connect well with the audiance, it was more of a sit and watch show. Very little audience particpation, so the crew and guest shows were more fun. Good guest acts . Generally enjoyed the trip and will go again.

user
user
1 cruise
24 Aug 2014
star star star star star

Really enjoyed it, food was fantastic and plenty. The crew were excellent and good shows, can't fault it really. Minor gripe is the parking instructions from Fred Olsen and ABP differ in several places, and need some more detail to make it obvious where and what to do. One says put a postcode in for berth 101 but that ends in the middle of a street. Not too tricky though but annoying enough especially stuck in heavy traffic.

user
user
1 cruise
20 Aug 2014
star star star star no star

First cruise, thought it was great. Ship easy to navigate and crew friendly. Entertainment great and food fantastic. Tours a little on the expensive side so chose carefully. Exceeded all expectations and really glad we choose this one as our first experience. Would definitely book again.

user
user
1 cruise
16 Aug 2014
star star star star no star

For us from the north west Southampton is a bit of a put off for any cruise particularly when it going north, but that apart this cruise was one to do at least once. The two Wow factors are first the "scenery" of Norway from the ship and shore that is stunning, and the high prices in the shops that are fortunately is not a not problem to cruise tourists. The other surprise to me was that the average day temperature was 16c in the arctic when it was cloudy and well above that in the sunshine. Warm enough to swim in the ships heated pools "swimming in the arctic". My impression of northern Norway is it is a very nice place, well off, safe, and very scenic. The ship, Balmoral, is medium sized with the advantage of two main entertainment show areas that give you options in what to watch in the evening. The show company worked hard and there individual were used as solo act. This was just ok, but to me it seemed just away of Fred Olsen saving from hiring named entertainers although there were four named entertainer. one comedy. one singer, two instrumentalists that were not to every bodies taste but passed on a pleasant evening, There was always something to keep you entertained sea days and in dock. The room service and other service was very good. Both waiter severed and buffet food was very good with something for all tastes. Special diet available on asking. It was not necessary to take tours from the ship if youre prepared to walk at least to the local tourist office at the ports. There seem to be an aboundance of red busses, mini tour trains, and public service even in the smaller town, but you need to ask a direct question on ship about this. My 5 rating is a point down due to the entertainment, Fred should not have to rely on the excellent show company alone.

user
user
1 cruise
12 Aug 2014