Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews for Senior to Europe - British Isles & Western

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews
Northern lights
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Northern lights
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Narvik
Photo Credit: Paulmac190
Sunset
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1-10 of 24 Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews for Senior to Europe - British Isles & Western


A very disappointing cruise

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Balmoral

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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 ...
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Sail Date: November 2023

Cabin Type: Outside


A stormy voyage

Review for a Canary Islands Cruise on Balmoral

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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 ...
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Sail Date: October 2023


Boring old ship

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

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jeanniedance
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Very dated ship. Mainly elderly passengers. Nothing on during the day except bridge bingo and handicrafts. More like a floating care home. Tour operator extremely unhelpful.. Don't book flam railway through olsen it's a lot cheaper to do yourself and there were plenty of seats. Guest service manager very helpful as had to move cabins as extremely noisy. Noticed a lot of cutbacks. Eg no conditioner ...
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Sail Date: May 2019

Cabin Type: Superior Outside


Many missed ports

Review for a World Cruise Cruise on Balmoral

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The happy wanderers
10+ Cruises • Age 80s

We chose this cruise for the chance to see LA and San Francisco. what did we see . More sea than expected. All went well until we exited the Panama canal then an argument with a fishing net ( we lost) reduced our speed to 8 knots and our itinerary was lost as well , missed ports, reduced time in port and more tendering . LA no chance ,San Francisco 3 days down to 1and a half , We went to El ...
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Sail Date: January 2019

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


Very poor!

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

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fatsquirrel
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

We chose this cruise for its itinerary and the Orkneys and Shetland were great and well worth visiting. We took a shore excursion at Inverness which was informative and well organised by our guide. Check in at Newcastle was fast and efficient. We booked an inside superior cabin on Bridge deck and it was OK with a larger than average bathroom. However, there were none of the touches such as ...
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Sail Date: August 2018

Cabin Type: Superior Inside


Overpriced and oversold

Review for a Baltic Sea Cruise on Balmoral

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Jkerry
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

The prospect of seeing the Northern Lights was the main reason for choosing this cruise and, to be fair, we did see them. Unfortunately the experience was spoilt by poor itinerary planning (e.g. an afternoon call into Trondheim, where attractions are only open in the morning) and a general sense that Fred. is nowadays only out to extract as much money as possible from you. The tours were grossly ...
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Sail Date: March 2018

Cabin Type: Single Inside


Disappointed will not go on BALMORAL again

Review for a Europe - All Cruise on Balmoral

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dianebrad
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

On the first night a burst pipe on the tenth floor flooded our cabin on the ninth floor and the hallway carpets were soaked. Noisy machines to dry out carpets. Took 5 days. At breakfast we were served cold tea and breakfast. Dirty breakfast plates. Complained to manager. Not enough seats for entertainment in the Neptune Lounge. Probably due to wet carpets husbands pneumonia kicked in. 2 hour ...
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Sail Date: December 2017

Cabin Type: Superior Inside


A long, long Mardi Gras Cruise, we started slightly late, missed 4 ports of call

Review for a Transatlantic Cruise on Balmoral

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Pete 800
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

For the Mardi Gras Celebrations in New Orleans - which were tremendous. The voyage started 7-8 hours late, this did not really affect us. Many passengers travelled down by pre-arranged coach from Scotland, Wales & North of England and these passengers were held for 7 hours or so at Southampton departures terminal as the coaches would not/could not change their schedules. Very few disabled ...
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Sail Date: February 2017

Cabin Type: Superior Outside


Caribbean and Mardi Gras

Review for a Canada & New England Cruise on Balmoral

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The happy wanderers
10+ Cruises • Age 80s

We choose this cruise for the Mardi Gras, which was both the highpoint and low point. We made the mistake of booking via Fred for the masquerade ball, very expensive and very poor, probably the worst value for money I have ever spent. The following day, fat Tuesday was free and probably one of the best day we have had abroad. We did have poor weather and we missed 4 stops, there was also ...
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Sail Date: February 2017

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


Non Smokers beware !

Review for a Canary Islands Cruise on Balmoral

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Brading10
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

My wife and I sailed to the Canaries for some winter sun and we had superior suite 9047. Lovely cabin , perfect size and a lovely balcony on the starboard side. On the very first evening I sat out there whist my wife was getting ready , and I noticed a strange smell engulfing the balcony. I called my wife and we saw the passenger next to us smoking a pipe and the smoke was coming our way. Went ...
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Sail Date: January 2017

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


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