Floating retirement home to see the northern lights

Item: Balmoral
Rating: 3
Author: nadinepole007

Balmoral Cruise Review to United Kingdom

nadinepole007

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 106

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Scottish Isles

Sail date: December 14, 2016

Ship: Balmoral

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 8038

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

We went on this cruise 5th March 2016(not coming up on list to choose from) purely for the destination. It is an excellent cruise line for the walking dead/barley living but I would urge anyone who wants more to do than read and nap during the day to avoid at all cost. The bars all close pretty early and do not stay open even if there are customers there. The staff really are very nice and go above and beyond to please and do remember your name.. One woman more my age (40's) we met broke out in tears after boarding and told us she asked herself what have we done, meaning by coming onto this very old dated ship full of elderly people. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being old as I hope to be one day and then maybe I would enjoy Fred Olsen more however, in my opinion they should operate more like Saga (who use FredOlsen by the way) and only sell to 50 or even 60+ rather than conning younger people on board to be bored out their brains on sea days.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Good in waiter service restaurants but beware of the buffet. Too many elderly people picking food up with theirs hands instead of using the utensils provided. This probably explains why Fred Olsen have a high rate of Norovirus on their ships.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Only cater for very old people, there is no place for younger travellers on these ships. When I say younger I mean anyone under 60 or elderly but young at heart

Entertainment

3 out of 5

OK not the best.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

1 out of 5

Old and it smelled funny, not a lot to do while at sea at all for anyone under 60 years of age.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Not the best, the scatter fusions smelled of sweaty bed head, the floor was covered in dust which became apparent when I took my shoes off when I had black tights on and the soles of my feet/tights where completely grey with dust. The location of the cabin was good.

Ship tip

Stay away

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Southampton (London), England

3 out of 5

4 Comments

lynrog 5 years ago

I'm 67. I do my online research thoroughly. I spend no time winging if my research was poor & my experience was not what I expected. Perhaps you could benefit from more life experience & with a more positive attitude.

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cruisellama 5 years ago

Nice

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cunardking 7 years ago

Do a bit more research before booking next time. You can't blame them for your lack of research. Some of us younger cruisers quite like reading and drinking tea all day - sounds great to me. Ps. I'm 32

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jdg195 7 years ago

get a life you whinging bitch,instead of moaning like an 80 year old.

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