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Fred Olsen offers an all-inclusive cruise package upgrade (additional fixed price PP per day) and UK fly-cruise deals to the Canary Islands (year-round discounted airfare from Southampton, England). An interesting fact about MS Balmoral is that in 2012 "Miles Morgan Travel" chartered the cruise ship to follow the RMS Titanic original route honoring the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking. Balmoral stated her "Titanic Cruise" on April 8 departing Southampton with last stop - the site of the wreck of the famous (infamous) ocean liner. Launched as "Crown Odyssey" in 1988, MS Balmoral was constructed originally for the Royal Cruise Line and operated by NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines and Orient Lines before being bought (2007) by Fred Olsen. After a major drydock refit (during which a 30 m / 99 ft long midship section was added to the vessel's center) in January 2008 mv Balmoral joined Boudicca, Braemar and Black Watch as the fleet's largest ship. The Fred Olsen ship Balmoral has a total of 64 Studios (single-occupancy cabins for solo travellers).
Highland Deck 10
Balmoral’s Ballindalloch restaurant offers a fantastic selection of expertly prepared delicious dishes to enjoy. Our delicious five-course á la carte menu changes each evening and is served to you by our attentive and friendly waiting teams. Choose from mouthwatering steaks, perfectly cooked seafood and freshly made soups; all accompanied by bread baked on board each day. Take the chane to sample our Treats of the Region dishes, created in line with the destinations you are visiting on your Fred. We were shown around the ship by Rachael and Zhenya who were perfect hosts, very knowledgeable and a credit to the company.
Fellow Passengers
One word of warning, this was a midnight sun cruise to Svalbard during which the sun did not set at all for several days, so be prepared if you’re sailing on the Balmoral or any ship during the Northern European summer. Of course, there are many options to see Norway on a cruise ship. Many people think of a Hurtigruten coastal voyage, but that's not the only option. Shipboard ambience is friendly, relaxed, and unabashedly British. Olsen Cruise Lines expands, the line takes pride in maintaining the consistency their passengers prefer and expect, both on board—in the self-described “British country house” atmosphere—and ashore. Activities and entertainment are traditional cruise-ship fare with a laid-back tempo, albeit on a much smaller scale compared to a typical American megaship.
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The Oriental Room has been designed using exotic décor, elegant furnishings and with a menu of quality teas and herbal infusions, to provide an authentic taste of the Far East. Enjoy a selection of oolong, black, green and white teas from China, Japan and Taiwan, as well as a few favourite blends from back home, such as Earl Grey and English Chamomile. If you prefer something cold and refreshing, the choice of tea cocktails and delicious bottled beer, including Tiger and Tsingtao, are sure to tempt too. We also offer a non-alcoholic cocktail menu, based on Sri Lankan and Chinese teas.
Photos of Fred Olsen Balmoral
Your restaurant seating card will be in your room when you board, which confirms your table number and dining time. This will be your allocated table for the duration of your cruise. We could often be found here next to the wacky carpet and artwork perusing the drinks menu and ordering a couple of tasty mocktails from the Observatory bar. The Observatory was also another venue on the ship that featured regular live music. Although relatively small, there is usually no problem to get a seat as the buffet hosts do seat you when you arrive, although if you travelling alone or as a couple, you might be asked to share.
Key cruising tips
Leaving roundtrip from the UK (Southampton), the Balmoral's voyage was adults-only and visited 18 ports. The highlight were the 3 full days plus 2 overnights in New Orleans (Louisiana USA) for the fun and festivities at the annual Mardi Gras Carnival. This unique themed voyage (46-night itinerary, booking code L1703, theme "Central America and the Mardi Gras") left Southampton on February 4, 2017.
Cabins on the Balmoral
Deck 6 is the main deck and it’s here you’ll find the atrium with the guest services and excursion deck. The bottom of the atrium doubles as the Oriental Tea Room, and there was often seating available here. You will of course pay considerably more for such a suite, but if you have the money then why not.
SPECIALITY DINING *
We so wanted to stay on this ship and cruise to Honfleur but alas our visit was over. We really enjoyed our day, the ship has a real classic British feel to it, and we particularly loved all the options of open space and unobstructed sea views. The standard of dining we experienced was excellent and we particularly loved that Fred Olsen offers traditional cruising without the gimmicks. Our Atlantis Spa provides soothing surroundings for our guests relaxation and enjoyment.
Our speciality dining venues are open from 6pm on the days advertised in The Daily Times. A buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner will also be served in the Palms Café (Balmoral) The View and The Poolside (Bolette and Borealis). The number of formal nights you can expect on a cruise depends on the duration of your cruise.
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Farther down the corridor past the photo gallery and small flower shop is the Balmoral’s main restaurant, the Ballindalloch. Now, let’s take a look around the rest of the ship, which differs in layout considerably from the other Fred Olsen ships. Thanks to the future cruise team I was also able to take a look at one of the Balmoral’s Premier Suites, number 1003. If you enjoyed the video, read on for more details a lot more photographs from inside and outside the ship. It's certainly not for everyone, but a ship is a wonderful way to experience the very best of Norwegian nature. Normally the prices for treatments at sea can be extortionate, however, we were pleasantly surprised as the prices here were competitive with a foot and ankle massage starting at £25.
On December 9, 2014, the ship underwent a 10-day drydock refurbishment for engineering works, interior and exterior painting works. The Library area was redesigned, a new patisserie (Cafe Venus) was added on Lounge Deck (deck 7). Next table shows Fred Olsen's 78-night "Exploration of South America and the Antarctic Cruise" (booking code L2301) on MS Balmoral.
Desserts were always available, including a vegan option and usually a sugar free option too. As this is located next to the buffet and just one deck above the main restaurant, it is a good place for a pre-dinner drink, during which times a live pianist performs here. The Ballindalloch is open for breakfast and lunch with open seating as well as the fixed seating dinners, which are offered over two sittings.
Continental breakfast can be ordered in advance for delivery at your preferred time; while snacks are available from 10am onwards. Should you prefer not to head to the restaurants, short lunch and dinner menus are also available. Freshly cooked breads and soups are on offer, along with succulent steaks, pasta dishes and melt-in-the-mouth desserts. There'll also be treats of the region dishes available for you to try, which are influenced by the destinations you're visiting.
The decor of a traditional-style English pub reflects more than a century of Fred. A second bar and lounge venue overlooking the aft pool deck offers live music with views. In a K Grade Ocean View cabin on Balmoral, guests will benefit from ample space in which to relax, all the amenities they need during their stay, plus plenty of natural light and scenic views provided by the cabin's picture window. In a E Grade Ocean View cabin on Balmoral, guests will benefit from ample space in which to relax, all the amenities they need during their stay, plus plenty of natural light and scenic views provided by the cabin's picture window. In a D Grade Ocean View cabin on Balmoral, guests will benefit from ample space in which to relax, all the amenities they need during their stay, plus plenty of natural light and scenic views provided by the cabin's picture window. Balmoral's Superior Suites, at approximately 341 square feet in size, provide guests with plenty of space in which to relax and enjoy their time on board.
