Balmoral Cruise Reviews

Item: Balmoral
Author: Cruiseline.com

4.5

(20 Reviews)

Photo Gallery Photo

View all 124 Photos

Balmoral ship stats

Price:

$$$$
Size:

M
Total Passengers:

1,350
Total Crew:

510
Passenger to Crew Ratio:

2.65
Built:

May 1988
Number of Decks:

9
Cabin Categories:

21
Gross Tonnage:

43,537
Length:

715
Beam:

92

Balmoral overview

The Balmoral is the grandest vessel in the Fred Olsen Cruise line but still offers guests an intimate home-away-from-home atmosphere. Enjoy Scottish themed public rooms such as the Ballindalloch restaurant with its traditional dining and mouth watering cuisine. Guests can also dine casually at the Palms Cafe or enjoy a festive beverage at the Morning Light Pub. Work on your tan poolside while reading a good novel that you found at the onboard library, relax in the Jacuzzi or splurge on a luxurious spa treatment. At night catch the main show and dancing in the Neptune and Lido Lounges. Along with comfortable and inviting accommodations and friendly staff the Balmoral is the perfect way to explore the world.

Balmoral ratings:

Cabin / Stateroom 4.5
Children's Programs 1.0
Destinations and Excursions 5.0
Embarkation and Disembarkation 5.0
Entertainment 3.8
Food and Dining 4.7
Onboard Activities 3.5
Service and Staff 4.8
Ship Quality 4.5

Balmoral cabins

21 cabin categories.

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

Suite

View All Balmoral Cabins

Balmoral dining

Spey Restaurant

Avon Restaurant

Ballindollach Restaurant

Palms Cafe

View All Balmoral Dining Options

Balmoral onboard activities

Card Rooms

Morning Light Pub

Observatory Lounge

Pool

View All Balmoral Onboard Activities

Balmoral deck plans

View All Balmoral Deck Plans

Find a cruise on Balmoral

20 Balmoral Reviews

Write a Review

3.5

Not a great cruise by JFeat

Sail date: Dec 22, 2019 / Traveled as: Couple
Ship: Balmoral / Destination: Canaries

This ship seems to have a bit of a cult following, popular with the older generation. Deserted after the last show finishes

Read full review

1 Comment

3.5

Simple, small & subtle by neiltravels2

Sail date: Dec 20, 2019 / Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Ship: Balmoral

This was a Fred Olsen taster cruise for me, plus a few people onboard were using it as an office Christmas party/outing or seasonal treat. FOCL do tend to attract the older British cruiser and so the ship is tailored towards that clientel but you can still have a relaxed cruise if of a younger outlook. I think it was an adult only cruise as don't recall seeing any kids onboard plus very little for them to do even if they were. Extra charge food plus the drinks are very reasonably priced onboard so you'd have to carefully weigh up the merits of a drinks package. Gratuities are lower too.

Read full review

5 Comments

4.0

Fantastic Fred Olsen by Anngillon

Sail date: Oct 06, 2019 / Traveled as: Singles/Friends
Ship: Balmoral / Destination: Baltic

As a solo traveller I felt very comfortable aboard the Balmoral. Would go with Fred Olsen again.

Read full review

2 Comments

View All 20 Balmoral Reviews

Balmoral photos

Upload Photo

View all 124 Balmoral photos

10 Balmoral tips

tedhebden1

Aug 30, 2017

Go for it.

Thumbs up 1

Read full review

Endymion69

Dec 22, 2017

Check the daily bulletin issued early evening as the following day's restaurant opening times may have changed.

Thumbs up 1

Read full review

nadinepole007

Jan 02, 2017

Stay away

Thumbs up 0

Read full review

View All Balmoral 10 Tips

Find a cruise on Balmoral

^*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency, and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which we list for our users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.