Cosmic Rays Posted January 28, 2008 #1 Share Posted January 28, 2008 The first inaugural cruise departing on the 30th January has been CANCELLED!!! The ship is not ready to sail............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cococabana Posted January 29, 2008 #2 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Phew thank goodness we didn't book it - we were close to doing that! This ship stretching seems pretty dodgy to me - but I love Fred Olsen - hope they get things going soon for everyone who is planning to sail with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan of Oz Posted January 29, 2008 #3 Share Posted January 29, 2008 This news was disturbing as we are booked on Balmoral leaving Rome (Civitavecchia) on 1 May - hopefully the renovations will be complete by then. Would appreciate any further information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted January 30, 2008 #4 Share Posted January 30, 2008 The Fred Olsen web site tells us that the Balmoral inaugural cruise has been cancelled because of technical difficulties and money has/will be returned. The next one is still going ahead at the moment. I am going to check alternatives just in case! Wonder how much notice the passengers were given? Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPradaPiratesPlease Posted January 31, 2008 #5 Share Posted January 31, 2008 http://www.modernagent.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=35386 Here is a little more information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miketap Posted February 4, 2008 #6 Share Posted February 4, 2008 Looks like the 13 February departure has been switched from Dover to Southampton - Fred Olsen sailed the ship to Southampton overnight and she is due to remain there until the scheduled departure. Not only is the berth much more sheltered than at Dover (where winter winds have recently shut the port for several hours on a couple of occasions recently), but there are more shipyard assets available as they work to fix the problem of getting the new and the old parts of the ship to 'talk to each other' electrically speaking. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 4, 2008 #7 Share Posted February 4, 2008 It could be that the repair facilities are more available at Southampton. I must go and see if I can see her. When I was on the Queen Victoria in December, we saw a ship being refitted in Hamburg. Since there was only one, I assume it was Balmoral. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 4, 2008 #8 Share Posted February 4, 2008 I have just looked at the Southampton shipping movements and it shows Balmoral in Berth 101 and says that she departs on 12th February presumably to reach Dover to pick up passengers on the 13th. She is in the berth that the Queen Victoria used the first time so should be visible from the shopping centre at West Quay. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket03 Posted February 4, 2008 #9 Share Posted February 4, 2008 My TA called FO today and they confirmed that the Balmoral will leave from Dover as scheduled on 2/13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 7, 2008 #10 Share Posted February 7, 2008 i saw Balmoral to-day in Berth 101 in Southampton - same berth the Queen Victoria went from on her maiden voyage. She is rather like a small block of flats - in other words more modern looking than his other ships. However, unlike some modern ships, she does not dominate the city skyline. There was smoke coming from the funnel so the engines must work. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SarahMichael Posted February 10, 2008 #11 Share Posted February 10, 2008 Anyone got a photo???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsTW Posted February 10, 2008 #12 Share Posted February 10, 2008 This might be of interest..... a picture of Balmoral as she nears Southampton plus a couple of her being stretched. http://www.ais-live.co.uk/News/shippingnews.html just scroll down a bit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merecat Posted February 11, 2008 #13 Share Posted February 11, 2008 She is also still in Southampton ,which I would think is rather worrying for those booked on her for Wednesday.:confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cricket03 Posted February 11, 2008 #14 Share Posted February 11, 2008 We are leaving now to fly to London and spend the night in Dover before sailing on the 13th. Fred Olsen confirmed to us (48 hours before sailing) that Balmoral will sail from Dover. Don't believe they'd change their plans inside of 48 hours unless something is really wrong and they just can't sail her at all. Looking forward to a great month on board. Ta Ta all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 11, 2008 #15 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Balmoral is on the list to leave Southampton for Dover at 15.00 hours to-morrow. If I get my car back in time, I may go and watch her sail. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merecat Posted February 11, 2008 #16 Share Posted February 11, 2008 Yes she is bunkering and as you say due to leave at 3pm.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southampton Cruiser Posted February 12, 2008 #17 Share Posted February 12, 2008 5pm now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SarahMichael Posted February 12, 2008 #18 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Did she sail at 3pm?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 12, 2008 #19 Share Posted February 12, 2008 Balmoral did not sail at 3pm. I waited until four, walked along the shore in the sun and ate an ice cream! I have just looked at the shipping movements and the time has been changed to 7.30pm and it says that she is underway (just) and arriving in Dover at 7am to-morrow. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miketap Posted February 13, 2008 #20 Share Posted February 13, 2008 Left Dover about 2.5 hrs late (19.30 instead of 17.00). Hope everything goes well from now on. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snow Princess Posted February 14, 2008 #21 Share Posted February 14, 2008 We are anxious to hear that Balmoral is on her way and that she will arrive in Miami on March 3rd. Please let us know how she went off. We expect 5-6 inches of snow with temps -10 degrees. She is the only thing keeping us warm.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merecat Posted February 14, 2008 #22 Share Posted February 14, 2008 She left Dover 2hrs. late but is keeping good speed and at the moment doing 18knts. ,I have looked at the AIS this morning and she is well on her way.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMSOMICH Posted February 14, 2008 #23 Share Posted February 14, 2008 Thank you for the information telling us that Balmoral is underway. Now I may start to pack ready to board in Teneriffe on Monday. Maureen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chippy71 Posted February 22, 2008 #24 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Anyone wishing to keep check on Balmorals progress needs only to go onto "Fred Olsen Cruise Lines" Click on "Balmoral" in list on the left and then click on "Ship Locator" on the right,now you can see just how far she has got. I hope this helps you all. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merecat Posted February 23, 2008 #25 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I wouldnt take a lot of notice of the positioning writen underneath the map, she has so far been to Lisbon, Valetta and shortly Port Said ,they seem to be doing her world cruise a year early.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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