Balmoral Review

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews

Fantastic first cruise to Norway and crossing the Arctic Circle

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on Balmoral
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schoolmaam
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
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Fitness & Recreation
Service
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Additional details

Sail Date: Jul 2014

We booked this cruise as a last minute holiday and therefore got a very good deal. (Less than half the original cost) We had never cruised before and therefore we felt that getting a last minute deal was a good way to try it out. We were not disappointed.

Firstly check in was so quick and easy at Southampton. We only had a short wait in the departure longe before we boarded our ship and went to our cabin. We had a superior outside cabin but were warned that it had a fully restricted view. We were pleasantly surprised as although our view was restricted due to our cabin being opposite a lifeboat - we were still able to have some view due to the large picture window and our cabin was light and a good size with both a bath and shower. It was all beautifully clean and kept that way by our cabin stewardess Aurora. We didn't spend a lot of time in our cabin as there was so much to see and go on board.

Meals were fantastic. As we booked late we could not change our sitting time but we were first sitting and this suited us as we don't like to eat late. Meals in the Ballandaloch restaurant were amazing - easily would match and in many cases excel any of the best restaurants we have dined in on land. Our waiters were very attentive and friendly and service was extremely efficient. We ate breakfast and lunch in the Palms cafe where the choice was beyond our expectations and we could have as much or as little as we wanted. Again the service was second to none. The mostly Filipino crew couldnt have done more for us and were extremely polite and nothing was too much trouble. As we booked late we were unable to purchase a drinks package but this was not a problem as drinks were in line with pub prices and a bottle of house wine was similar to what you would pay in your local indian restaurant or similar. We are moderate drinkers only so we may not have saved with a drinks package.

Cabin Review

We were warned that our cabin had a fully restricted view. We were pleasantly surprised as although our view was restricted due to our cabin being opposite a lifeboat - we were still able to have some view due to the large picture window. Plenty of storage and a good size with both a bath and shower. It was all beautifully clean and had very efficient air conditioning. Complimentary tea and coffee provided and was refilled during the day. We were undisturbed and the room was fairly central to everything.

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