Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews
Northern lights
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Northern lights
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Narvik
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Sunset
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
See all photos
Cruiser Rating
3.7
Average
242 reviews
Ratings by category
Cabins
Dining
Entertainment
Featured Review
Ports Excellent but Some Disappointments on the Ship
"We ate lunch in the deck ten restaurants on a few sea days, which was again good and went to the self service at breakfast time and other lunch times as it was open a bit later than the other restaurants.It was really good with the room, hotel and staff being excellent, so I would definitely recommend that as somewhere to stay pre-cruise...."Read More
tring avatar

tring

10+ Cruises

Age 70s

Filters

1-10 of 242 Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews


Shaky start to otherwise excellent cruise

Review for a Arctic Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
Paulmac190
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Booked this cruise over a year ago to go in search of the northern lights. Relocation cruise prior to ours was cancelled due to an outbreak of gastrointestinal cases. This meant some hygiene restrictions were still in place for first few days. This did lead to some inconvenience and slow service. Some toilets were closed. After three days the restrictions were lifted and everything got back to ...
Read More

Sail Date: March 2024

Cabin Type: Superior Inside


A very disappointing cruise

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
andrewlgc
10+ Cruises • Age 80s

For our first cruise post covid we chose to return to our favourite ship, Balmoral, to celebrate our joint 80th birthdays. To say we were disappointed would be an understatement! The cabin was tired and the bathroom was really dated with a chipped sink and ancient shower controls. We found the air conditioning in the Ballindalloch to be so fiercely cold that we had to wear our going ashore clothes ...
Read More

Sail Date: November 2023

Cabin Type: Outside


A stormy voyage

Review for a Canary Islands Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
Fredworcester
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

I chose this cruise because it was offering the three Fred’s in Funchal. The meeting of all three of Fred Olsens ships. I obtaienes a late solo traveller saver plus and was allocated a twin cabin for sole use on deck eight. Comfortable and spacious, well serviced but with an obscured view. Meals were taken in the Spey on deck ten. Good choice at breakfast, buffet or serviced. Ditto for the four ...
Read More

Sail Date: October 2023


Highlights of the Norwegian Fjords

Review for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
DSABZ
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

For our first cruise, there were positive experiences, including the (expensive) onshore excursions to the stunning Norwegian scenery, the good choice of on board food and dining, the lovely flowers and gifts from Fred Olsen Cruises for our silver wedding anniversary, and the high standard of housekeeping in our room by our cabin stewardess. Unfortunately there were many negative experiences ...
Read More

Sail Date: August 2023

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


Spitsbergen with The Midnight Sun

Review for a Arctic Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
lizzie0909
2-5 Cruises • Age 20s

We only booked this cruise six weeks before sailing. This was our second cruise with Fred and it won’t be our last. Sailing from Rosyth was very easy, check in was quick, parking at the Dock makes it simple. Disembarking was just as easy. We chose an Inside Cabin for the simple reason that going to the Midnight Sun was going to be 24 hours of daylight and we both like darkness to sleep in. Our ...
Read More

Sail Date: July 2023

Cabin Type: Inside


Magical midnight sun

Review for a Arctic Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
mmaygilpin58
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

This was our first post-Covid holiday abroad and, after seeing chaos at airports over the last couple of years, we were delighted to find that we could sail from Rosyth, just over an hour's drive from home. The itinerary took us up the coast of Norway before heading well into the Arctic Circle, to Svalbard. This was only our second cruise and our first with Fred Olsen but we had heard good ...
Read More

Sail Date: July 2023


First timer

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
milleroz
First Time Cruiser • Age 40s

My first time on a cruise and from the moment I stepped on to the ship was very pleased with the service provided my all of the staff. Everyone of them from cabin stewardesses to entertainment staff are a credit to Fred Olsen with mention to my fantastic waiter – FORGE. Cruising is certainly the way ahead for holidays. Stopping at various locations in order to sample what they offer is a new ...
Read More

Sail Date: July 2023

Cabin Type: Superior Suite

Traveled with disabled person


CUTBACKS IN FOOD and VIRUS OUTBREAK

Review for a Europe - British Isles & Western Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
fantasticgran
10+ Cruises • Age 80s

This was our fifth cruise with Fred Olsen - our first since the pandemic. At the outset of the cruise were delayed by two hours while the ship underwent a "deep clean" as there had been a severe outbreak of Norovirus on the previous cruise. Needless to say by day three of the cruise my husband and many other passengers were confined to cabin as the virus had once again taken hold. By day ...
Read More

Sail Date: June 2023

Traveled with disabled person


Another Fabulous Fred

Review for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
Tim_R
2-5 Cruises • Age 60s

We love the Balmoral because of the traditional raked stern that allows you to sit out on the balconies, either for lunch on Deck 10, or for drinks in the evening on Deck 8. You can then watch the landscape drift past, for example in the fjords or the Kiel Canal on this cruise. This time we moved our Dining to the Avon restaurant on Deck 10 instead of being in the main Balindalloch. As it was ...
Read More

Sail Date: June 2023


Fred Olsen aka Fred karon

Review for a Antarctica Cruise on Balmoral

User Avatar
Compo1944
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

We chose this cruise for Havana, Antarctic and Iguazu falls. Havana was scheduled as an evening in port followed by a full day. It was cancelled at the last minute and a half day in Nassau substituted. Not a like for like change. The tendered port of Ushuaia was a shambles, overcrowded and long queues for tenders in torrential rain. Iguazu falls was cancelled at the airport in Rio due to technical ...
Read More

Sail Date: January 2023


Find a Balmoral Cruise

Any Month
Other Fred. Olsen Ship Cruise Reviews
Braemar Cruise Reviews
Braemar Cruise Reviews

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.