Balmoral Review

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews

Last minute Australian Coastal

Review for Australia & New Zealand Cruise on Balmoral
User Avatar
Ches
First Time Cruiser • Age 20s

Rating by category

Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Mar 2010

Sometimes you can get lucky and score a nice cabin on an Australian Coastal leg of a "foreign" ship. This is what happened to me this summer. Balmoral was quite heavily advertised for several legs of the second part of her round-the-world voyage on the cruise agents websites. I booked a sole use Superior Outside Cabin on Deck 8 (Lido) on a gaurantee. From the look of the deck plan many of these cabins had obstructed views - hence the trepidation. To my surprise my cabin was very nice, spacious and the view was only vaguley obscured by the pontoon used for tendering. Nice.

Embarkation was a breeze and aside from the pesky ships photographers getting in the way I found my way to my cabin in no time. I believe 600 people joined the ship that day but the place was quite calm and collected. Alas my cabin door swipe key didn't work. I asked for help from some bloke standing at an office next to my cabin. He tried the key, said it didn't work, (ya don't say ?) and told me to go to Reception. I trooped down two decks to Reception and they issued me with a new key. In the end I trooped up and down no less than 5 times before my gyppie hip and gammy knees started screaming at me. I was very hot and very bothered and very annoyed at this stage. Finally that same crew member reappeared, turned out he was the Assistant Cruise Director and he couldn't believe my story (ya don't say ?). I thrust the key card at him and told him that I would sit on the stairs until something was done about it. He didn't seem very impressed. Finally someone in cover-alls arrived with implements for repairs. Turns out the lock on the door needed to be re-programmed. The Reception staff should have perhaps twigged ?

Anyway, finally in after 55 minutes, luggage arrived, unpacked and relaxed.

Cabin Review

Cabin o/s

My cabin was neat and compact with a very large window that was only partially obscured by the pontoon that is used for tendering at some ports. The pontoon was below the window level. Some cabins on my deck were completely obscured with life boats. Ample closet space for 2. A small desk. One arm chair, one silly glass topped table. Tea and Coffee making facilities are a plus. The bathroom again was compact but with a bath with a shower over it. Test water temps...the water got quite scalding. Air-con worked well and there seemed to be no ship vibration. Cruise Directors office next door created a bit of noise at about 10pm each night but I would be very happy to have that cabin again.

1 Helpful Vote
previous reviewnext review

Find a Balmoral Cruise

Any Month

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.