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

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


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


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

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

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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


What was wrong

Review for a Europe - All Cruise on Balmoral

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pillock
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

rewards for oceans members appalling compared to previously: no fred olsen pens [surely this is a free advert when cruisers leave them around or lend them , miserable selection snacks as only reward for diamond oceans members [one between two!!]. guest entertainers very poor. tap dancers may be talented but who want to have to endure two shows of them. comedian OK but other musicians no one wants ...
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Sail Date: December 2019


Must Do Better

Review for a Europe - All Cruise on Balmoral

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Mark Richards
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Very first cruise so chose a very short 2 night trip Southampton – Honfleur just to get a taste. We were told in advance that boarding would be from 13.00 (or 13.30) and we would board at 16.30 (different times for different cabins/decks so not all together in one big mad rush) and must be at the dock in time but not earlier. We arrived at 15.30 (just in case of traffic, parking etc) and sat & ...
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Sail Date: December 2019

Cabin Type: Outside


Beware this cabin!

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

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feljen
6-10 Cruises • Age 70s

There were lots of good things about this cruise. Embarkation and disembarkation were wonderfully swift and painless. there was no pressured up-selling, such as we'd experienced on other, more high-profile cruise lines. The food was good, even for a vegetarian like me; the drink prices on the Balmoral are far cheaper than on other cruise lines; the coffee bar is superb, with prices much cheaper ...
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Sail Date: November 2019

Cabin Type: Outside


Cities in Spain

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

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dianebrad
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

Chose cruise to visit cities not yet visited in Spain. Because three destinations were cancelled we still have not seen some of them. We were told of bad weather but did not experience much. Seemed premature to cancel two stops. Otherwise cruise was just as good as previously especially the food! Entertainment with a singer and comedian very good but ships company only average I would say. The ...
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Sail Date: November 2019

Cabin Type: Inside


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


Round trip UK - West Coast US. A long trip with some great people

Review for a World Cruise Cruise on Balmoral

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AdeAfloat
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

We usually travel with P&O during the January - March period to escape the British winter but they had nothing new this year so we thought a return to Fred Olsen with a different itinerary would be different. We travelled on Balmoral 10 years ago and she has been sympathetically updated since and is very well maintained. The problem we had last time still exists unfortunately - she is just not ...
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Sail Date: January 2019

Cabin Type: Superior Suite



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