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Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews

4.5 / 5.0
240 reviews
Photo Credit: DSABZ
Photo Credit: lizzie0909
Photo Credit: lizzie0909
Photo Credit: lizzie0909
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Cruiser Rating
3.7
Average
240 reviews
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Featured Review
Entertainment dated
"Dover is only 30 mins from us and this is the second time we have done a French river cruise as it’s so picturesque, however when we booked the cruise although it said ‘evening sailing’ it didn’t say that the ship was relocation from Southampton so embarkation wasn’t until 6pm!Firstly there was no picture board for the ents department, so you couldn’t see what bands or cabarets acts were on board, likewise the show company - it’s nice to know who’s who etc but the only photo was that of the cruise director (I cannot bring myself to say entertainments manager!..."Read More

basherdrummer

6-10 Cruises

Age 60s

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1-10 of 240 Fred. Olsen Balmoral Cruise Reviews


A stormy voyage

Review for a Canary Islands Cruise on Balmoral

Fredworcester
10+ Cruises • Age 77s

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


Highlights of the Norwegian Fjords

Review for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: August 2023

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


Spitsbergen with The Midnight Sun

Review for a Arctic Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: July 2023

Cabin Type: Inside


Magical midnight sun

Review for a Arctic Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: July 2023


First timer

Review for a Europe - Western Mediterranean Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: July 2023

Cabin Type: Superior Suite

Traveled with disabled person


Another Fabulous Fred

Review for a Norwegian Fjords Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: June 2023


CUTBACKS IN FOOD and VIRUS OUTBREAK

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

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 ...
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Sail Date: June 2023

Traveled with disabled person


Fred Olsen aka Fred karon

Review for a Antarctica Cruise on Balmoral

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 ...
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Sail Date: January 2023


Heartbroken

Review for a South America Cruise on Balmoral

WanderingOrca
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

This was not what we expected at all, and to say a disappointment, doesn't even come close. I think we worked out that 9 trips were cancelled, and with the exception of a couple, the others we did do all had some issues/problems. I believe 8 of the ports we stopped at were on a Sunday - this meant that most things were closed. Many of the ports were commercial, so lots of loud container ...
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Sail Date: January 2023

Traveled with disabled person


You don't get what you pay for. Olsen...Never again.

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

Maid Marrion
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

We are seasoned cruisers and have been on 30 plus cruises over the past 15 -20 years, however this was our first experience of Fred Olsen. This is the only time I have felt the need, or rather obligation to go into print to warn others. We fancied a Christmas market cruise and had previously done the Rhine/Danube etc and loved it so fancied going further afield. Olsen cruises advertised this ...
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Sail Date: December 2022

Cabin Type: Superior Suite


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