This was our first Fred Olsen cruise and we were looking forward to being on what was the third cruise on the new to Fred Olsen ship Borealis, previously Holland America Rotterdam, age around 25 years.
Originally scheduled to visit Scotland , itinerary was changed to the Scilly Isles and Portsmouth setting off from Liverpool. Embarkation was from the Liverpool ACC centre where Covid testing ...
The new embarkation system due to COVID worked well (as described on the Liverpool Cruise terminal Website) and we moved on to the ship in about an hour. Perhaps too quickly as I timed our wait after the covid test was performed until we were sent to the shuttle coaches and it was exactly 20 minutes, rather than the 30 minutes normally advised by the NHS to get an accurate result for the lateral ...
There were lots of good things about this cruise. Embarkation and disembarkation were wonderfully swift and painless. there was no pressured up-selling, such as we'd experienced on other, more high-profile cruise lines. The food was good, even for a vegetarian like me; the drink prices on the Balmoral are far cheaper than on other cruise lines; the coffee bar is superb, with prices much cheaper ...
Every thing was so easy. Arrived at Queen Elizabeth terminal and cases were collected from us and car taken to be parked. Walked straight into arrivals with no queue. Quick check in, told cabin was ready for us and lunch was been served in Grampian restaurant.
The food throughout the cruise was excellent. Portions are not huge in the restaurant but meal is 5 courses so you are never hungry. ...
Fred Olsen were recommended by family members. The fact that Balmoral sailed from Rosyth (near Edinburgh) was so handy for us and saved us a flight to Southampton.
Our cruise to Norway far exceeded our expectations and the glorious weather was a huge added bonus!
From the minute we arrived at the port terminal until the day of disembarkation, staff constantly went over and above to ensure ...
We chose to sail from Rosyth which was completely hassle free, on a glorious summer's day. We were happy with our outside cabin and didn't miss having a balcony. Room of a good standard. Always plenty of hot water for showers. All staff were very courteous and friendly. Food was good and I think we were very fortunate dining in the Spey restaurant as the picture windows gave us wonderful views as ...
We chose this cruise as there was a good chance of seeing wildlife. We were not disappointed. They had a naturalist onboard who spent many hours on deck looking for whales etc and then got everyone interested in looking also.
The ports of call were just right especially as we stayed overnight on the ship in Reykjavik.
The check in at Rosyth was so easy. Pulled up in our car and had the ...
Having just returned from our 5th Fred Olsen cruise, this time 11 nights from Rosyth to Iceland on the Balmoral, I can say without reservation the experience was excellent in all respects, having given some "room for improvement suggestions on our last cruise on the Black Watch", I feel it is appropriate to compliment Fred Olsen on the Balmoral, overall food was excellent, and well presented, the ...
Restaurant and staff in outside bar are offish and service for drinks slow
Restaurant staff. You catch their eye and they immediately walk away Yet rush you when eating to Move you on as quickly as they can
Food
School dinners from the 50’s only worse
We are in Orkney and Shetlands the ultimate fishing area in U K yet a huge bowl of crab sticks on buffet
Kipper for breakfast. ...
Delighted to say that on this cruise the regular afternoon teas were a huge improvement on last years which were a disaster. Someone must have read my last report.Still an unacceptable waiting time for orders taken in bar sometimes, but staff worked off their feet. All crew members had very pleasant attitude and were keen to engage with passengers if encouraged to do so. Atlanrtic deck cabin was ...