Tttttone Posted October 21, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Going on Fred Olsen Balmoral just wanted to know what the ship is like Food , entertainment , rooms, Thanks Tony & Sandra Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsman Posted October 21, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Lovely ship, not too big or too small. Comfortable cabins, very good food and entertainment. As on all Fred. Olsen ships the staff are charming, friendly and helpful. I have sailed several time on this ship and would strongly recommend:D it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tttttone Posted October 21, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Lovely ship, not too big or too small. Comfortable cabins, very good food and entertainment. As on all Fred. Olsen ships the staff are charming, friendly and helpful. I have sailed several time on this ship and would strongly recommend:D it. Thanks so much getting excited now[emoji2] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
callyuk Posted October 21, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 21, 2017 I agree with everything Parsman has said. The Balmoral is our favourite Fred ship, we think it is just the right size; with a choice of things to do, small enough for staff to remember you plus a nice atmosphere and layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tttttone Posted October 21, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Thanks for that We love cruising [emoji924] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocap Posted November 20, 2017 #6 Share Posted November 20, 2017 The food on Balmoral this September was by far the best of all the ships/lines we've sailed on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tttttone Posted November 21, 2017 Author #7 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Hi Jocap Thanks for that Great news can’t wait to get onboard Tony & Sandra Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jessybell Posted November 21, 2017 #8 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Think of your favourite country hotel and that’s Fred...no glitz just very comfortable and friendly with great food and crew. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scriv Posted November 25, 2017 #9 Share Posted November 25, 2017 We went on Balmoral this year with very high expectations of very friendly staff and a friendly atmosphere across the ship from all that we had read, but sadly it did not happen for us. Maybe it was because it was a mini cruise? Who knows? But it was the first time I had ever come across so many surly waiters ( one even mimicking a guest as she had left the restaurant) and staff in uniform avoiding eye contact as they walked amongs the guests on the ship. I wasn't the only one and one lady had noticed 'something different' in the attitude in the cruise before ours, so maybe something had happened. Hope you have the experience that all the others talk of :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malch_uk Posted November 25, 2017 #10 Share Posted November 25, 2017 We were onboard in September (Fjords from Newcastle) and everything was fine. Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tttttone Posted November 26, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted November 26, 2017 We went on Balmoral this year with very high expectations of very friendly staff and a friendly atmosphere across the ship from all that we had read, but sadly it did not happen for us.Maybe it was because it was a mini cruise? Who knows? But it was the first time I had ever come across so many surly waiters ( one even mimicking a guest as she had left the restaurant) and staff in uniform avoiding eye contact as they walked amongs the guests on the ship. I wasn't the only one and one lady had noticed 'something different' in the attitude in the cruise before ours, so maybe something had happened. Hope you have the experience that all the others talk of :) Oh Dear Hope our cruise is fine This is the only post that said it’s bad Feeling a bit down now Tony & Sandra Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heywood Posted November 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted November 26, 2017 I do hope you enjoy your time on Balmoral. We had a lovely time in October on the Baltic cruise. The staff, domestic and entertainments, were friendly and attentive. This is our 4th cruise with Fred and we have no complaints about any of them. We always have an inside cabin and have had a couple which were looking a bit shabby but this year’s was fine. The show company this year were very good but they left as we did. We have always found them very friendly as they are usually involved in quizzes etc during the day and around the ship. We don’t participate much in those activities but enjoy watching them. I enjoy most of the lectures and my husband likes the gym and bridge particularly. Lastly, the food was good. I think sometimes the portions were smaller at dinner this year but that was no problem. I like Fred because of the set times for food rather than a constant source :) We used the restaurant for self service breakfast and lunch and late sitting dinner suits us very much. As I wrote earlier, I do hope all goes well for you. I don’t like recommend cruising to friends because we all expect and like different experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discount lovers Posted November 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted November 26, 2017 We enjoyed our August cruise to Norway on BALMORAL with great service, food and a good itinerary. The ship suffers from and will continue to suffer from insufficient lifts. It is popular and often sails full or nearly full. The lifts that they have are thus too slow and too small for the typical clientele of Fred Olsen cruises, many of whom don't walk very well. It only takes 2/3 restricted mobility passengers with a helper to clog up the lifts at the restaurant end at peak times and many older passengers need the lifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scriv Posted November 27, 2017 #14 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Oh DearHope our cruise is fine This is the only post that said it’s bad Feeling a bit down now Tony & Sandra Sent from my iPhone using Forums Aw, please don't let my comment worry you Tony and Sandra... I am sure yours will be absolutely fine. As you say, mine is the only comment that says anything negative, so you will probably see no problem. We did have a very nice short cruise overall despite the disappointment in this respect. There were some lovely highlights on Balmoral like the layout of the deck area and the top deck with the Marquee Bar and the Observatory and the bar staff up there. And the Afternoon Tea in the Observatory :) The ship was very clean and comfortable -our cabin although a bit tired, was exceptionally clean and well maintained. The food overall was very good and the waiter on our particular table was lovely. Entertainment was excellent.. Given the right itinerary and price, I would be happy to consider Fred Olsen and Balmoral again especially for the port Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Coulter Posted November 28, 2017 #15 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Going on Fred Olsen Balmoral just wanted to know what the ship is like Food , entertainment , rooms, Thanks Tony & Sandra Sent from my iPad using Forums Dear Tony & Sandra There is a review of Balmoral on Cruise Critic: https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=433 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malch_uk Posted November 28, 2017 #16 Share Posted November 28, 2017 There are a number of reviews accessible from that link and like any review site, they are mixed. However, don't let the bad ones put you off. A cruise is what you make it. We sailed on Balmoral from Newcastle to the Fjords in September and it was great. Sent from my Hudl 2 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfillin Posted December 7, 2017 #17 Share Posted December 7, 2017 going to South America on the Balmoral in January. Can't find a roll call. Anyone know if there is one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figtoaster Posted December 7, 2017 #18 Share Posted December 7, 2017 going to South America on the Balmoral in January. Can't find a roll call. Anyone know if there is one? Hi, I think I’ll be on the same cruise ( Rio). I haven’t found a roll call for it either. Not sure what the protocol is, who starts the threads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann141 Posted December 8, 2017 #19 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Hi, I think I’ll be on the same cruise ( Rio). I haven’t found a roll call for it either. Not sure what the protocol is, who starts the threads? Anyone who wants to!! I find that often people are pleased when someone else starts a thread (which means they don t have to!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfillin Posted December 8, 2017 #20 Share Posted December 8, 2017 We were booked on the cancelled Oriana We had a thread and over 40 on a facebook group which was good to keep in touch with everyone. Will try to look how to start a roll call but it doesn't seem anyone is interested!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ann141 Posted December 8, 2017 #21 Share Posted December 8, 2017 We were booked on the cancelled Oriana We had a thread and over 40 on a facebook group which was good to keep in touch with everyone. Will try to look how to start a roll call but it doesn't seem anyone is interested!. I have started the roll call for our first Fred Olsen cruise in January but I don t think it is as popular with people who regularly cruise with Fred as it is with P and O cruisers though it does vary a lot between cruise to cruise.If you start the roll call you might be pleasantly surprised to see how many respond! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfillin Posted December 9, 2017 #22 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Will try to find and join Val Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vfillin Posted December 9, 2017 #23 Share Posted December 9, 2017 No wonder no one joins. Impossible to find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotec Posted December 19, 2017 #24 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Avon or Spey restaurant - anyone dined there and comments please? Our cabin is on same deck (Highland). Christmas Markets 2018. Thanks for comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotec Posted December 19, 2017 #25 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Avon or Spey restaurant - anyone dined there and comments please? Our cabin is on same deck (Highland). Both are considerably smaller than the main dining room. Booked on Christmas Markets 2018. Our first time on Fred. Thanks for comments Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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