What do you want to know about Balmoral?

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, English Chick. Seems to be a lot of solo cruisers on board and believe they have single cabins but small doubles work well (one note for all: many of the standards are twin bedded cabins and only some are the adjustable variety, i.e. can be made into queen or separated).

 

At the safety drill today people had to call out cabin numbers (when cabin 4140 for instance its residents would shout out one or two depending on how many in it). There were lots of ones. Quite got the giggles over the fact that whenever there were two in a cabin it was ALWAYS the men who shouted the number, never the women. Maybe sounds lame but any entertainment that could be derived from the interminable 45 minute procedure was better than nothing!

 

CSB

 

 

I am joining Balmoral on 13 March, would love to see any pictures .... just to wet my appetite even more! Salon prices and singles/solo cruisers info would also me good to know

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, notcruisedbefore. Am going to round up answers to all your questions but thought I'd tackle the one about your daughter: sorry, she won't be allowed onboard. Nobody really allows in-port visits by passengers anymore....

 

And spa is full service, from blow outs for hair to acupuncture! I had a pedicure, very nice and lovely technician.

 

CSB

I posted this in another thread here but if you could answer then that would be great:

 

 

Firstly, I've been reading the other parts of this forum and mostly the views of Americans (not trying to offend anyone just pointing it out). There are various threads about tipping, auto-tipping, etc

 

So, what is the procedure on FO? I don't recall reading anything about auto-tipping but have taken note of the suggested amounts per person for certain crew members - what about the 'behind the scenes' crew? Are the tips collected and shared out? Or what?

 

Also, I've read about 'soda cards/stamps' - does FO operate this kind of thing too? - as a non-drinker I do tend to put away quite a quantity of Coke and lemonade.

 

Are there any rules about leaving a teenager on board ship during a port visit - there is one stop that my daughter (14) thinks she won't be interested in and would like to stay on board- I have no problem with this but wondered if FO might.

 

That'll do for now - I'm sure I'll think of some more:eek:

 

 

Thanks

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Fred. Olsen's never done this but is planning to hold one for this cruise's passengers this week -- in case anyone's checking in, it'll be Thursday, March 6, 3:30 p.m. in the Observatory Lounge! I'm in the process of ringing all those on this thread who gave cabin numbers (alas, you can't leave messages on the in-cabin phones).

 

For future cruises, I'd recommend starting a roll call thread and then feel free to contact us if you want to arrange a meeting. This is all new to Fred. Olsen but they seem to be willing to try!

 

CSB

 

 

 

We are a party of 4 who are on the Balmoral from 3-24th March.Do you plan to organize a Cruise Critic members meeting? We were on Azamara in November and found the meeting useful as it was attended by senior personel of the ship.

[editor@cruisecritic]

One of the big questions for Fred. Olsen -- which is marketing, as I said earlier, to N. Americans for the first time -- is whether they'll like the experience. Onboard, it's like traveling in Britain and they want to appeal to Americans but don't want to overly change the cruise experience to do so.

 

For instance, prices are in pounds. The casino is pocket-sized, tiny! There are no extravagent alternative restaurants (tho' plenty of places to dine, the menus are basically the same). The entertainment, with the exception of this week's big band import, which is American, won't change overmuch. The itineraries are more diverse than most standard American offerings. There are no rock climbing walls (but there's a gorgeous pool area, obviously newly done, and as already mentioned the spa is lovely).

 

Overall, the experience so far, and it's early days of course, reminds me more of NCL's late lamented Orient Lines.

 

So here's my question to North Americans: So far, based on what you've seen and read, would you consider a cruise on a ship whose onboard ambience (and passenger majority) reflects British tastes? If so why? If not, why not?

 

And I'll weigh in first: London is my favorite city in the world for a million reasons so I'm already pre-disposed. Plus, any bar that offers Boddington's on draught (along with Stella Artois and Bass) is okay with me, LOL.

 

Let's hear from you....

 

CSB

[editor@cruisecritic]

Apparently, for this voyage, it was quite a tiresome experience. The folks who came in on charters last night from the UK waited some 3.5 hours to be processed through immigration. Folks who came in on scheduled air (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and the like) didn't have such a bad experience.

 

So not good for charters. Barbados is frankly a better option and smoother process for Brits at this point but there's talk about working it out. Fred. Olsen's going to need to if it wants to fill ships from Miami, IMHO. Braemar is coming here (Miami-based) for a whole fall/winter season later this year and this situation needs to get sorted.

 

CSB

 

Hi Chris,

 

I am going on the 13 March Balmoral sailing, but went through Miami immigration on 27 December, no problems at all, so fingers crossed this time!!!:D

[editor@cruisecritic]

Have to say Linda, I can't imagine it was more beautiful then, then now. Just lovely....

 

The blog is available on both sites -- just go to this thread each time. We'll also be promoting it on Today on Cruise Critic (on the home page) on .com site every other day. More often on UK site...but it's available to all! Glad you're reading.

 

CSB

 

Having cruised on the Royal Odyssey in 1995, I'd love to see what it looks like now. Please post lots of photos.

 

How do we in the U.S. see the virtual cruise if it's on the UK site? Will there be a link on the U.S. home page too?

 

Thanks.

[shoshona2]

Hi Carolyn,

 

We sailed on the Balmoral three wonderful times when it was the Crown Odyssey and understand that NCL made some big modifications to the ship. We would love to see photos from your cruise!!!! We also sailed on the Star Odyssey which is now the Black Watch. In fact, it was sold to Fred Olson while we were aboard the ship in Asia. The Greek crew was in tears as they found out that the Royal Cruise Line was going out of business.

[70 +]

Hi Carolyn,

We sailed on the Balmoral When it was the Crown Odyssey for the first and only round the world cruise that Royal Cruise Line did in 1996. In fact, Royal Cruise Line closed their offices and went out of business on the day that we started the 118 day cruise. It was a wonderful cruise, even though we sailed half way around the world on only three engines until they had a new crankshaft machined for the fourth engine. Then near the end of the cruise they lost two engines. I hope that Fred Olson has replaced the engines.

 

Lyle

[seawise]

Hi Carolyn,

 

Thank you for your speedy response to my Immigration question, hopefully UK guests will be as impressed as you are with the ship.

 

Regards

 

Chris

[trishfish]

Hi Caroline,

 

Many thanks for your appraisal so far:cool:

 

Can you tell us if there is dual electrical voltage in the cabins.

 

:( I do hope that we do not have such a long wait at Immigration upon arrival - we will all be so tired after our 7 hour flight!!

 

For anyone who wants to meet up on the 13 March cruise, we are in cabin 5078 (we were hoping for an upgrade, no such luck - LOL)

 

Michael and Patricia Fisher

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Trish! There are a couple of outlets, one for US prongs, but the only ones (2) free, not being used I mean, are 220V. I brought a converter so I'm fine but if I need to use the US one, I have to unplug the television.

 

Wanted to address cabins. First, understand why you'd want an upgrade (and I think the balcony cabins, gorgeous rich color schemes, plenty of space and, er, balconies -- including bathrooms with tubs -- are beautiful), I'm quite snug in my deck five abode. In fact, a couple of us have already been on Queen Victoria, which is supposedly upscale, and these cabins trump its, easily. They are smaller in square footage but seem larger (and isn't perception everything, LOL). There's enough storage space for a world cruise, and then some. And I love the flat screen television.

 

Downsides, and in the 'be prepared' mode I offer these warnings:

 

*While most folks don't go on a cruise to watch tv, still, it's nice to have something to watch when you're tired and just feel like chillin'. Here, despite the great flat screens, you're so limited (couldn't even get info on the US elections last night). We have Euronews in various languages (not English ever so far), BBC World (good, fine) and a text channel. Oh, and a 'free' movie channel that has been stuck on a scene with Audrey Hepburn at a train for 12 hours now. I called last night at midnight to ask if they could fix it, still the same this morning.

 

*Bring your own hairdryers. They have the awful mounted-in-bathroom variety, brand named First Class and I call it out of class. Went to captain's reception with slightly wet hair last night, simply didn't have a half hour to dry it.

 

*There's no loveseat or anything. That's not a dealbreaker for me (instead there's a small glass table and an easy chair); that's probably why the room feels larger than on Queen Vic. I don't miss the cumbersome love seat.

 

*Believe there are lots of cabins with connecting doors. Soundproofing seems adequate but might have quiet neighbors, who knows.

 

*Great duvets and such but I don't think Fred. Olsen replaced the mattresses when they took the ship over -- I'll check to be sure. But they're a bit soft. I'm still sleeping well....

 

*Bathrooms also roomier than Queen Vic. Long shower, though rather tepid shower head. Water's pretty hot. GREAT toiletries, shampoo, soap and gel all in one (why don't others think of that?). They've been a bit chintzy on towels (guess they figure I'm alone so don't need two of everything) but I'm sure that can be remedied easily, just haven't gotten around to it. Don't really know who my stewardess is, come to think of it.

 

*So far laundry service prompt and excellent. They offer pressing, dry cleaning and washing.

 

Don't know yet about laundry room, will check!

 

CSB

Hi Caroline,

 

Many thanks for your appraisal so far:cool:

 

Can you tell us if there is dual electrical voltage in the cabins.

 

:( I do hope that we do not have such a long wait at Immigration upon arrival - we will all be so tired after our 7 hour flight!!

 

For anyone who wants to meet up on the 13 March cruise, we are in cabin 5078 (we were hoping for an upgrade, no such luck - LOL)

 

Michael and Patricia Fisher

[editor@cruisecritic]

I think they fixed the engines, LOL. Great memory, thanks for sharing it.

 

CSB

 

 

 

Hi Carolyn,

We sailed on the Balmoral When it was the Crown Odyssey for the first and only round the world cruise that Royal Cruise Line did in 1996. In fact, Royal Cruise Line closed their offices and went out of business on the day that we started the 118 day cruise. It was a wonderful cruise, even though we sailed half way around the world on only three engines until they had a new crankshaft machined for the fourth engine. Then near the end of the cruise they lost two engines. I hope that Fred Olson has replaced the engines.

 

Lyle

[nicegal]

Apparently, for this voyage, it was quite a tiresome experience. The folks who came in on charters last night from the UK waited some 3.5 hours to be processed through immigration. Folks who came in on scheduled air (British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and the like) didn't have such a bad experience.

 

So not good for charters. Barbados is frankly a better option and smoother process for Brits at this point but there's talk about working it out. Fred. Olsen's going to need to if it wants to fill ships from Miami, IMHO. Braemar is coming here (Miami-based) for a whole fall/winter season later this year and this situation needs to get sorted.

 

CSB

 

I can second that! We flew to Barbados from Manchester in February with Thomson charter and apart from an extremely comfortable flight we were through the airport and on to the waiting coaches within minutes, and on board (Oceana) within 45. Our cases followed smartly. We didn't see immigration. Wonderful. :)

 

Also can tell you the weather in the Caribbean was great (Feb 1st to 15th), temperatures always good, up to 85 degrees, several islands blowy but a nice warm breeze. Would recommend you ladies wear shorts or trousers to go ashore - the wind can blow your skirt round your ears!

[trishfish]

Hi NiceGal,

 

Oh drat, I just bought some new summer floaty skirts for the daytime too!!!:D

 

Would recommend you ladies wear shorts or trousers to go ashore - the wind can blow your skirt round your ears!

[trishfish]

Hi Caroline

 

Once again, many thanks for the great info on the cabins, just the sort I needed as it is the little things that mean so much when you are on holiday, i.e skimpy towels when I am used to bath sheets, not enough electric plugs, lumpy pillows etc.

 

The other thing that annoys me is that foreign hotels must think that English speaking people only want to watch the news which is usually BBC News 24 (Far East or Middle East version) or CNN, neither of which I want to watch on holiday!!!:rolleyes:

[WackyHeathen]

Hey Carolyn,

 

Thanks for fielding our queries. I have two that I was hoping you could answer.

 

*How would a cruise with the grandkiddies go? Would there be enough to do to keep the tots occupied? Cabins accommodating for four? With the longer itineraries, and classic style of cruising, I would assume that you'd have to be very selective.

 

*One of my favourite things to do onboard is to read and snack -- in the wee hours of the morning. Is there a food option for my late-night hunger? Crisps? Fruit and milk?

 

Cheers,

 

Wacky

[CrewzCrazee]

Hi Carolyn! I was just wondering about the excursions they'll be offering from the Balmoral once you start hitting some of the ports on your Caribbean itininerary. Does it seem like the roster of available activities will be the "same old, same old" for these Caribbean islands? Or is Fred. Olsen putting a more British spin on them and tailoring them for a European passenger base? Can we expect anything at all different from sailing the Caribbean on Fred. Olsen or will our experience in port be the same as it would on any U.S. line?

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[travelgirl82]

Hope you're having a great time!

I'm sure it says somewhere on here but what is the general reaction from UK passengers (I am guessing they majority onboard too?)? Have most of them cruised with FO before and how does it compare to others?

Also what is the shopping like onboard? Is it reasonably priced?

Thanks! Have fun!

[Kate Monster]

Hi Carolyn!

 

Can you tell me what the options are for vegetarians on this cruise? Do all the restaurants offer some sort of veggie fare or are we stuck with one option in the main dining room only? Also, how are the desserts?

 

What's the age range on this cruise? Does it differ from non-Caribbean Fred. Olsen cruises you've been on?

 

Thanks for all the great info!

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi. Our itinerary due to general windy-ness, has changed and after Grand Turk today we're bypassing Samanna (Dominican Republic) because it's an exposed tender port. We'll be at sea all day (oh, boy, am I excited about confronting the same sea day long lines at lunch from yesterday, more later). Then on Friday we're cruising into St. Barth's for a half day (morning) instead of an afternoon/evening call, then upping anchor there and going to St. Maarten for the rest of the day. Saturday, the itinerary resumes as planned (we're in Antigua).

 

Grand Turk is a low point in my Caribbean experience. It's on the cruise map so to speak because Carnival Corporation built a huge, impersonal, suburban-like cruise facility here (lots of the same shops you'll see everywhere, duty free, Little Switzerland, overpriced t-shirts). The island itself, part of the Turks and Caicos chain and under British rule, is fairly desolate (in contrast with Provodenciales, which has lots of very upscale resorts and very few cruise ships). Weird day, bizarre taxi driver took a bunch of us and then forgot to drop me off at this little restaurant on the beach, took me to the main town (don't bother), then yelled at me for forgetting to remind her to drop me off. Excuse me? I said very politely, "well you live here".

 

Took forever cause she dropped everybody else off, then picked up a van full of people then finally took her good old time taking me back to where I"d originally wanted to go. If she'd been nice about it (and hadn't slammed the car door on my arm) I wouldn't have minded.

 

Then my beach shack like restaurant with great conch and wireless access for laptop toters, was, um, out of business. So I'm wandering around aimlessly, find another place, quite charming, except the lone waitress, seriously refused to give me a menu much less bring me some food and drink. Fortunately the owner stopped by, noticed I was typing away (it also had wireless) and wanted me to BUY something which I was happy to do but had found impossible, LOL.

 

Ugh. My second visit and frankly I'll survive without a return.

 

Has anyone else been here?

 

CSB

[mann overboard]

Hi Carolyn - We like ballroom dancing and chose FO because we were told they have plenty of opportunities. Have you seen any and is it to live music? Travelling on 24th March from Miami.

[editor@cruisecritic]

If you have picked one of the big band cruises -- I think at least through the next two departures the U.S. -oriented Buddy Morrow & the Dorsey 7 are onboard -- it's heaven. Good dance floor in the Neptune Lounge, the main show lounge. Even nicer are the more unexpected places. I had dinner tonight at the Palms Cafe, which is the buffet venue (rivals Crystal and Regent Seven Seas for elegance!) and in the midst of it the ship's 'Baloral Orchestra' struck up in the aft pool area, adjacent, and not only was it amazing dinnertime entertainment, people were two-stepping and beyond outside, under the stars, in a most romantic setting. I was...amazed in the best possible way.

 

And I typically avoid buffet venues at all costs! How lucky was I tonight? Not only an elegant setting, a delicious meal (it was a themed Caribbean feast) but also supper club like entertainment. I felt like I was at the 1940s Stork Club, sort of (with the addition of salt water breezes wafting through the air).

 

CSB

 

PS I'd be careful though to express, before booking, preference for big band style entertainment. It's not always a given....

 

 

Hi Carolyn - We like ballroom dancing and chose FO because we were told they have plenty of opportunities. Have you seen any and is it to live music? Travelling on 24th March from Miami.

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Wacky, great questions all.

 

Though I have spotted some kids (and as one gains in age and, er, in stature, how does one define a 'kid'?), mostly of the teenage sort, I really don't think this is the ship for a multi-generational grandma/mom/daughter kind of experience. From the sour turned-down mouthes of the two teens I saw, well, I think they'd be better off at school, taking exams.

 

This is really a ship for grownups who are ON VACATION from kids, whether they be their own or their grandtots.

 

Re food. The restaurants are open for specific hours and if you miss it you are limited to the most limited cabin service menu I've ever seen. Cold sandwiches and such. On the other hand, if you're hungry you won't care. But this is not a ship that glorifies the course-by-course in-cabin feast. Not necessarily a bad thing. You won't go hungry (Walkers shortbread cookie packies are included with the in-cabin tea/coffee service and they go a long way). But do be prepared. And there is a midnight buffet. It's not lavish but it is most certainly adequate....

 

CSB

 

Hey Carolyn,

 

Thanks for fielding our queries. I have two that I was hoping you could answer.

 

*How would a cruise with the grandkiddies go? Would there be enough to do to keep the tots occupied? Cabins accommodating for four? With the longer itineraries, and classic style of cruising, I would assume that you'd have to be very selective.

 

*One of my favourite things to do onboard is to read and snack -- in the wee hours of the morning. Is there a food option for my late-night hunger? Crisps? Fruit and milk?

 

Cheers,

 

Wacky

[trishfish]

:( Hi Carolyn

I was excited when I saw that our Sea Princess cruise was due to arrive at Grand Turk on our cruise last October as I had seen Richard Branson (Virgin Holidays etc.) promote these Islands, Turks and Caicos for many years.

Well, what a disappointment, we took a 10-minute taxi ride to the 'town' and all that we found were scruffy buildings and an air of despair! In the island’s defence, they had many historic buildings practically on the beach, which they could have developed into high rise hotels, perhaps no one has the will to do this because of the attitude of the locals.

As you say, Carnival own the complex next to the shipping berths, so they must take a lot of money from the cruisers who have nowhere else to go!! Besides our ship, there was also a Carnival ship in dock.

The amazing sight though was that the dock is almost on the beach!

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hi, Trish, thanks for your note. I was worried I was too harsh after I wrote that. But I really don't get the appeal...and if the locals were at least nice and not rather passive aggressive it would have been a better visit altogether....

 

CSB

 

:( Hi Carolyn

I was excited when I saw that our Sea Princess cruise was due to arrive at Grand Turk on our cruise last October as I had seen Richard Branson (Virgin Holidays etc.) promote these Islands, Turks and Caicos for many years.

 

Well, what a disappointment, we took a 10-minute taxi ride to the 'town' and all that we found were scruffy buildings and an air of despair! In the island’s defence, they had many historic buildings practically on the beach, which they could have developed into high rise hotels, perhaps no one has the will to do this because of the attitude of the locals.

 

As you say, Carnival own the complex next to the shipping berths, so they must take a lot of money from the cruisers who have nowhere else to go!! Besides our ship, there was also a Carnival ship in dock.

 

The amazing sight though was that the dock is almost on the beach!