Balmoral Review

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews

Smaller, more friendly ship, local port, once again, great cruise Fred

Review for the British Isles & Western Europe Cruise on Balmoral
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Ian. ATKINSON 9119
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
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Dining
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Entertainment
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Additional details

Sail Date: Apr 2018
Cabin: Outside

This is our second cruise with Fred Olsen Cruises, we have been on five different cruise lines, and would say they are all pretty good. We like Fred because it probably has the the most friendly crew, smaller ship catering mainly for a British passenger, entertainment was excellent in the Neptune show theatre, a little disappointed with the bar entertainment, although they were generally alright, we felt they could be more entertaining and involve the audience more. Bars were very pleasant, we also loved the fact that there are quiet areas on the ship, unlike some of the other lines where music would be playing everywhere. Crew is particularly friendly and efficient and help to make Fred cruise so good. We had to ask for a change of cabin because our first cabin on deck four was very noisy, no problem, within a couple of hours they moved us to deck five, great, they even sent a member of the crew to help. Food in general is very good, if not excellent most of the time, waiters very pleasant and efficient , you can enjoy a bit of banter with them.

We did have on this occasion a couple of dishes that were not up to Fred’s standard, mash potato was lumpy and a braised lamb and also a braised beef dish a little tough, maybe just need more time in the oven. Don’t get me wrong the food is generally of a very good standard, just wanted to mention the fact. Cabin was of a decent size, particularly enjoy have tea and coffee making facilities in the cabin. Big plus for us was the ship was leaving from our local port, so we can be in our cabin within an hour of leaving home, no flights to bother with. We will definitely be cruising with Fred again. Passenger age group would be fifty plus, although there was some younger people on board, not many children. Because of the smaller ship you can enjoy some ports of call unlike the larger ships.

Cabin Review

Outside

Cabin C

Cabin of a decent size, tea and coffee facility

3 Helpful Votes
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