First time on Balmoral (28th May 8 nights)

[July morning]

We booked our cruise last weekend and feeling happy to be able to go.  The reason for choosing this cruise was it stays in UK  so we were able to get insurance that didn't mean getting a mortgage 😉

[Eglesbrech]

Balmoral is a nice little ship. Everything you need but no long walks from place to place.

Its a little more old fashioned than the newer Fred ships but it has personality. The comfortable outdoor seating areas under pergolas are a great place to sit and enjoy a good book and a glass of something.

 

The extra pay restaurants are both very good (and cheaper if pre booked).

 

Im glad you got something sorted. Have a great cruise.

 

[July morning]

Thanks,

We've been with FO before Braemar was our first and loved it😀 

We were booked on Balmoral before but it was cancelled due to you know what so it will be a "new" ship for us

We like Colours and Taste (?) The Asian speciality restaurant well worth the extra 

We're really looking forward to the cruise feel we badly need a break

[terry2]

Although I was normally booked  for dinner in the ballindalloch  restaurant, I always used to have lunch in the spey and avon restaurants on deck 10, which also has an outdoor dining area (if it is warm enough).

 

 Enjoy 

[1160451]

Balmoral. Our favourite Fred Ship. Was booked on it to see the Northern Lights but had to cancel.

Danced many a night away in the Lido Lounge. Always a great group in there.

[July morning]

That's me all sorted for the cruise have booked parking with CPS (used before) also two excursions and Premier Inn for the night before. I know we could drive down on the day takes about three hours but better safe than sorry 😂 just start the holiday earlier!

We are soooo looking forward to this holiday with what's happening to my husband shall be nice to just relax and hopefully have some fun 🙂

[July morning]

A question about the cabins, what plug sockets are there on Balmoral?

[Eglesbrech]

46 minutes ago, July morning said:

A question about the cabins, what plug sockets are there on Balmoral?

https://www.fredolsencruises.com/faqs/on-board/what-type-of-plug-electricity-sockets-are-used-in-the-rooms
 

Official Fred information above.
 

The plug sockets are few and far between so you may want to pack both an adapter and a buzz bar. We also had our own USB sockets as well (some of the refurbished rooms may have these but ours on deck 5 did not).

[July morning]

Thanks for the reply, I was expecting to take an a adapter just wondered if there was a 3pin UK socket 🙂 

I seen the link for FO answer they don't give much away 😂

Thank you again

[July morning]

Almost time, I have been gathering everything together ready to pack cases tomorrow. Driving to Newcastle on Monday to make it nice and easy 🙂

[Krtek]

Returning to Balmoral for the umpteenth time on Tuesday

 

just a lovely friendly place and just right for us

 

and the cabins have 3 pin sockets 

 

Driving up to the Premier Inn from Manchester tomorrow

 

Dave & Annie

 

[July morning]

I'm not going to do a detailed review but thought I'd give an overall impression of the cruise.

 

Embarkation: Like the other FO ships we've been on was a breeze no need to take your own photo etc they used our passport. On board an hour early no waiting. It was a cold day so decided to wait at the terminal but were boarded almost immediately 

Disembarkation: It always suits us to DIY we were off the ship in our car ready to drive home at 7.15am which meant we were home before 11am we did have a stop for 20 minutes.

 

We booked this cruise quite late and there was only interior and outside (porthole windows) available.  We choose (or I did) an interior cabin and were happy with the cabin twin with two chairs kept spotless. Cabin steward was pleasant and helpful deserved her extra tip.

 

When we booked there was only second dinning available with wait-list for first.  We were given second but when we got on board we were able to change this to first without any problem.  We shared a table with another couple and had a nice time. The food was good did not disappoint always the correct temperature.  For breakfast and lunch we used the Palms buffet and the fact that you get shown to a table when you arrive takes away a lot of the hassel with buffet as you didn't have to find a table.  We pre booked Colours & Taste and that was excellent.

I'll add more later hope your not bored!

[July morning]

Final top up!

The entertainment:   We found the Show company were very good only 8 people but no screecher's 😂Not as elaborate as some on other cruise lines but very enjoyable to watch and listen to can't have been bad we never nodded off!

 

We went to a couple of daytime lectures and the speaker we saw, was knowledgeable. There was a variety of day time lectures, craft classes (Popular) and Bridge lessons and of course quizzes.

There was a comedienne can't remember his name but we had a laugh with him, also a singer Colin Cree he sang a variety of song types we went to both shows.

 

After the entertainment in the Neptune theatre we usually went to the evening quiz then the late night "band" they were OK after that it was disco or silent disco which we tried!! It was a bit of fun before going to bed.

 

Can't think of anything else but feel free to ask. 

We are now looking at another FO cruise for later in the year 🙂