Balmoral Review

4.5 / 5.0
242 reviews

Perfect and Very Interesting

Review for the Baltic Sea Cruise on Balmoral
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carolynkernow
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Sep 2015
Cabin: Premier Suite
Kiel Canal
leaving Helsinki
Leaving  Helsinki
huge ship parked nearby, far too big for us!

we left Southampton on September 1st and sailed through the Kiel canal which was lovely only smaller ships are able to do this. First port was Tallin which was very picturesque and we had an excellent tour with a guide of the old town. The following day St Petersberg which although very very crowded was fantastic we did an all day tour of the Peterhof and the Hermitage and were exhausted by the end but this is warned about in the tour guide brochure. our Russian guide Yuri was first class. The following day we toured the river and St Peter and Paul Fortress also very interesting but again so crowded which did take away some of the enjoyment. We then went to Helsinki which is utterly gorgeous and we wished for more time here. A days sailing and then into a little German town called Warnemunde, this place can only be reached by smaller cruise ships and is utterly gorgeous, good on Fred Olsen for seeking out places like this, a small fishing town with pavement cafes boutiques and even a little tourist train that cost only 4 euros to ride with a commentary about the town. Final stop was Copenhagen which we also loved. the guides on the tours booked with Fred Olsen were all very good and quality of the tours high.

We were very lucky to receive an upgraded cabin and were delighted with it a suite in fact with double length balcony (9055). The food was as good as always and the service impeccable. We had to ask to change our dining table half way through as the table companions happened to be not very nice making personal remarks etc., this can happen and may encourage us to ask for a table for two in Future, but I have to say that after Five cruises this is the first and only time something like this has happened. The staff were only too helpful in facilitating a change of table. The buffet was as always excellent and the Chinese and curry nights something to be savoured! The cabin was kept spotless at all times.

I do have to say that the Balmoral show crew didn't seem quite as good as in The past but the stand alone entertainers were first class, I have to mention in particular Lisa Harman who sang nightly in the pub and occasionally in the larger shows, she is outstanding and as the cruise went on she got a bigger and bigger following. hang on to her Fred Olsen.

Cabin Review

Premier Suite

Cabin PS

Really lovely two separate rooms ideal if one wanted to nap and the other watch a movie. The balcony is double size only this one and 9057 is like this. Spotlessly clean, canapés delivered every day around 5.30. Dressing gowns and slippers provided.

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