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 mid-summer it was light till late and the Avon has floor to ceiling windows with a great view. The food was great as usual and a nice choice of wines for the drinks package.

We are not great ones for the entertainment as we prefer sitting outside with a brandy after dinner, but we make an exception for the magician. He was very good, though not quite the patter of the Japanese / East London man (Tenso I think) on last year. Read more