Waste of Good Money

I had the Cruise booked for me by my Daughter, direct with Fred Olson. I had never been on a cruise before, except across the Mersey and to the Isle of Man once, many years ago.

Arrived at Southampton to be kept waiting whilst 'Green and Yellow Boarding cards were embarked first, I had a white one.

One on board everything was fine, until I went to Dinner in the Ballindoch Restaurant, table 111 on second sitting.

The soup was cold with a layer of grease on top, the main course was also cold (turkey with veg) although it was not supposed to be a salad.

I walked out in disgust, I was on a table set for 8 only 3 of us were sat at the table. I later found out that the other 5 people (all single travellers had eaten in the Palm Cafe, after being warned).

The cabin I was allocated 9034 was termed a 'Superior Inside Single' As someone whom has worked with the Hotel Industry, in Kenya, Greece, Austria and Portugal as a 'House Manager' there is NO WAY this cabin was 'Superior', it was very roomy and had 2 wardrobes, the Bathroom had a shower over the bath, I could forgive the chipped mirrors on the vanity unit doors.

BUT there was no reading lamp over the bed, No Radio (BBC World Service) There was BBC World News T.V., Sky News and ITV Choices. But no Radio only 3 channels of low end supermarket pipped musac.

To turn OFF the bedside light was a challenge, that I lost, I had to unscrew the two bulbs to get some darkness in the cabin

There was only 1 thin pillow, when I asked for a second, the reply was 'You are a single - no, so why need 2 pillows.

The second day I went to the singles coffee morning it was there that I was informed of the Palm Cafe, where I had taken breakfast that morning.

The Palm Cafe is the jewel on this ship without any doubt, by Third day I had to queue to get a seat in the Palm Cafe, it was so popular, even my two table companions from my first night ended up eating in the Palm Cafe. Not only was the food excellent and there was always a make up your own salad every lunch time and evening, the Chef would cook omelets, on demand for breakfast lunch and even dinner, each Sunday there was a carvery. This Palm Cafe became my home on the Balmoral, so much so that the waiters all knew me and the headman reserved a table for a party of us at each meal time.

RUBBISH !!!
As I put in the main review, No overhead reading light, No radio, no clear sign on how to turn the bedside light off.
I have photographs of the cabin, but it appears no where on this site to upload them to.