Sunday, March 31, 2024

Fred Olsen Balmoral Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

balmoral cruise ship

One of those lines that departs regularly from Britain to Norway is Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. Regular readers will know I speak about life in Norway to guests travelling with Fred Olsen. The Balmoral has a few of these and we loved the magnificent Marquee Observatory located on deck 11 at the very top which provides panoramic views. Many categories have a bathtub-shower combination, so ask about specific cabin design (if important to you) when booking a voyage.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines becomes first cruise line to depart from Newcastle in 2024 - Cruise and Ferry

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines becomes first cruise line to depart from Newcastle in 2024.

Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Former name: Crown Odyssey

Unfortunately the restaurant does not open until 10am (we arrived at 9.35) and there was only ONE toilet, which, while open, was totally insufficient for the SIX tour buses that lined up beside it. The stop has a nice walkway around the coastline which takes perhaps 10 minutes at a slow pace but that is about it. The return journey let us see some pretty countryside and we enjoyed the guide's commentary but the only other stop was at another toilet, for about 10 minutes, and then we headed back to the ship. Wonderful views and lots of paths to walk.Would have stayed and explored the paths much more if we hadn't had to be back to go on a tour. We went on a tour to Trollveggan and Trolligsten organised by our cruise ship.

Fred Olsen partners with Go Stargazing UK for 26 cruises in 2024

Each suite features all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, as well as a few additional benefits. While the main restaurants are always popular, during your cruise you may be tempted to try something different for an evening or two. When you’re in the mood for something extra special, each ship in our fleet features speciality dining (a small supplement applies). Our Colours & Tastes or Vasco menus offer delicious Asian fusion or Indian cuisines. All of our Suites and cabins have tea and coffee making facilities as standard, so you can enjoy a pick-me-up first thing, or a relaxing drink at the end of the day. For those times when you’d like a little something more, you can also order room service up until 11pm every day.

Discover Dream Destinations: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 2025 Voyages Revealed - Travel And Tour World

Discover Dream Destinations: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 2025 Voyages Revealed.

Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2024 09:30:49 GMT [source]

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines unveils Grand Voyage itinerary to Southwest Asia's idyllic islands

The spa is staffed by therapists recruited from international five-star resorts. Choose from a wide assortment of beauty and wellness treatments to rejuvenate body, mind, and spirit. When it joined the fleet it was "stretched", with a 99-foot section added midship. However, it retains the classic lines of what many traditionalists would deem a "proper" old-style cruise ship. This, combined with the onboard service and intimate atmosphere, is what draws loyal passengers back time after time -- many saying they would never travel on a big ship or with another cruise line.

"Although a beautiful and well-maintained vessel, Norwegian Crown's smaller size is less suitable for Star Cruises' ambitions in Asia," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL Corporation. "Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines specializes in operating smaller and mid-sized upscale vessels and this ship should fit perfectly in their fleet." Her last NCL cruise was on 28 October 2007. The shops on board Balmoral offer everything you may want or need during your time on board, whether you're treating yourself or a loved one to a holiday gift or simply needing some basic essentials. Visit the Boutique Shop for designer handbags, perfumes and much more at fantastic Duty Free prices, or select from our range of casual clothing and evening wear; and bring home something special from the Jewellery Shop. At the Port Shop, you'll find everything from sun cream, shampoo and toothpaste to books and tasty snacks too.

balmoral cruise ship

That’s something I did time and time again throughout the cruise. The promenade also offered great spots for scenic cruising and wildlife watching. The onboard ORCA team were camped out at the front of the promenade deck for much of the cruise, together with keen photographers. Hands down my favourite feature of the Balmoral is the outside deck space, in particular this tapered aft section of the ship. Evening fun is found in the Neptune Lounge, where passengers can listen to lectures, comedy routines, classical music concerts, and cabaret. The Observatory Bar is popular, converting to a late-night dance club.

This was worth paying for as we would not have been able to drive the mountain road with its famous hairpin bends by ourselves. Our knowledgeable guide and our friendly driver were both excellent and the views, despite a little mist and rain, were well worth it. The 2-night stay in Port NOLA allowed Fred Olsen's cruise tourists to enjoy the festivities at this extravagant festival. Passengers were also provided with the opportunity to attend the "Orpheuscapade Black Tie Ball" in New Orleans - something rarely experienced by tourists. This formal event was held in the city's Convention Centre, featuring live music, dancing and the chance to get up close to the gigantic carnival floats, as a local celebrity leads the parade directly through downtown.

Please note some classes have a limited capacity and can only be booked once on board with the Reception in The Atlantis Spa. Please note that some of the K grades have 2 beds, but are sold as a Single Ocean View cabin. Guests can request to sit and dine with friends or family who are on a separate booking. While we cannot guarantee this request, we will do our utmost to meet your requirements. Balmoral's crest proudly replicates the British royal family's Scottish residence Balmoral Castle, with a nod to Fred. Olsen's historic links with Scotland and where the family still have an estate today.

Pricing included accommodation, all onboard meals, and entertainment, plus port taxes. Holi is an annual festival celebrated on the last full-moon day of the luni-solar calendar month marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Holi's date varies with the lunar cycle but typically falls in March (sometimes in late February). Food Detective™ | 45 mins | £98This is a blood test that measures IgG antibodies which may be linked to inflammatory conditions in the body, manifesting in a range of health issues. You don’t have to send off a sample and wait weeks to receive results, simply visit the Atlantis Spa for a Food Detective™ check instead.

balmoral cruise ship

This is the loyalty programme for all the Fred Olsen Ships which is always good to see. You automatically start accumulating points from the first night you cruise. We know it’s not for everyone but do we enjoy this side of cruising. We were told that at noon each day the Captain addresses the ship, this is something that we thought was a nice touch. Another venue that we were told was popular is the Morning Light Pub, and we do love a pub! Right at the top of the ship you will find the pool area on deck 11 which looked a fabulous place to hang out too.

Olsen isn't an adult-only line, but it’s not known for its children's programmes, and wouldn't be a natural choice for families, particularly those wanting water parks and a jam-packed schedule with small sailors in mind. However, children aged six months and over are welcome on ships and at certain times of years, such as school holidays, you can expect to see families -- often three generations -- onboard and a kids' club is laid on. Olsen Cruise Lines (FOCL) standard Terms and Conditions, which are available here on our website and on request. Fares are per person, based on standard occupancy of the lead-in cabin of named category, subject to availability.

At both breakfast and lunch there’s a small buffet available as well as an a la carte menu, which I think is a good, flexible way to operate a restaurant when a lot of people are going to head off on port excursions, for example. I’m taking this ship again for a northern lights cruise next year and I already know I’ll be spending a lot of time up here. The back of the promenade opens up into this larger outdoor deck with a swimming pool and hot tubs, both popular even on chilly mornings. Before the cruise, my biggest concerns with the Balmoral compared to the other Fred Olsen ships were its age and its size.

You'll also discover breathtaking scenery and wildlife, and can enjoy seeing the world from the unique perspective of your smaller-sized cruise ship. The list of other stretched (elongated) cruise ships includes the fleet mates Balmoral, Boudicca, and Braemar, also the MSC Cruises ships Armonia, Lirica, Opera, the Phoenix Reisen's Albatros and the Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of The Seas. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a Norwegian-owned and UK-based cruise shipping company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (Fred Olsen & Co/shipowner, headquartered in Oslo, Norway).

Balmoral Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic

balmoral cruise ship

And there’s even a bath, something which is increasingly rare on a cruise ship, especially in a standard cabin. Our cabin 8036 was in the front-middle section on the port side of deck 8. It was setup with twin beds, and has a restricted view over one of the lifeboats that was fixed above the promenade deck. While the view is restricted, it still lets in plenty of light and provides views during scenic cruising. This design provides lots of different spaces over decks 7 to 11 to enjoy wonderful views throughout the cruise.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils 2025 voyages on Balmoral ship

balmoral cruise ship

The spacious and tastefully decorated Owners Suites on Balmoral are approximately 1181 square feet in size and are situated on Highland Deck 10. These suites feature all the amenities guests may need, with plenty of room, and a full length balcony, plus a few extra touches for a comfortable and memorable stay. The spacious and tastefully decorated Owner's Suites on Balmoral are approximately 1181 square feet in size and are situated on Highland Deck 10.

A Words of Norway Publication

I didn’t visit the spa but I took a very quick look through the door! As always, there were special offers advertised in the daily programs on port days. The buffet also has a self-service tea and coffee station, which is open 24/7.

balmoral cruise ship

Current itinerary of Fred Olsen Balmoral

Taking exploration to the next level are our on board RIBs, these exciting crafts offer our guests the chance to be immersed in destinations in a way few others get to enjoy. The Olsen Art Studio on board Balmoral embodies the Olsen family's love of art, providing a spacious area filled with arts and crafts items for a range of tasks. With its large windows, spectacular glass roof and beautiful décor and furnishings, the Marquee Bar provides guests with the perfect place to relax or meet up with new found friends. With a selection of beers, wines and expertly-created cocktails available, it's the perfect venue for a pre or post-dinner drink, or for joining your fellow guests after enjoying a day ashore.

MS Balmoral attracts a loyal base of mature customers (almost all British), who prefer to travel only with the Fred Olsen company. The ship has some single-occupancy cabins and offers regular meetings for solo travelers. Throughout the voyage, guests will find ballroom dance classes and a program of exercise, plus the first jazz dance classes at sea. Situated higher on the ship, on Lido Deck 8, and featuring a balcony, Balmoral's J Grade Single Balcony cabins offer guests wonderful views, as well as ample space and all the amenities needed to rest, relax and enjoy their stay. The spacious, elegantly-styled Premier Suites on Balmoral are approximately 601 square feet in size and situated high on the ship on Highland Deck 10. These suites feature all the amenities guests need, plus a few extra touches for an even more comfortable, restful and memorable stay.

Fred Olsen Cruise Line

Large picture windows are perfect for offering scenic cruising points or ocean views, so indulge in the ultimate relaxation for the mind, body and soul in our tranquil setting as our Spa team on board Balmoral pamper you. With a wide range of luxurious treatments on offer, including massages, manicures, pedicures, relaxation treatments and hairdressing; you'll leave feeling completely energised and revitalised, or feeling fabulous with a new cut or style. Featuring all the amenities and comforts guests need, and positioned close to stairs and lifts providing easy access to the ship's other decks and public areas, I Grade Interior cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing stay on board. Featuring all the amenities and comforts guests need, and positioned close to stairs and lifts providing easy access to the ship's other decks and public areas, H Grade Interior cabins on Balmoral are perfect for a relaxing stay on board. For a light, airy feel, and to provide guests with fantastic ocean views, Balmoral's C Grade Superior Ocean View cabins feature a picture window, in addition to all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay on board.

Watch the moment well-loved cruise ship Fred Olsen Balmoral leaves the River Tyne - Chronicle Live

Watch the moment well-loved cruise ship Fred Olsen Balmoral leaves the River Tyne.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 19:48:00 GMT [source]

To one side of the Lido bar is Colours & Tastes, the other speciality restaurant on Balmoral. The brightly coloured decor perfectly sets the scene for the brightly coloured menu in this Asian fusion restaurant. The Lido Lounge is the Balmoral’s secondary performance space and this is used to host everything from dance lessons to evening concerts and even trivia contests.

Southampton to Newcastle: cheaper on cruise ship than by rail or air - The Independent

Southampton to Newcastle: cheaper on cruise ship than by rail or air.

Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The exact number, including any theme nights, will be advised on your cruise ticket. The table below provides a rough guide to the number of formal nights you can expect to enjoy on your cruise. MS Balmoral (1988-built as "Crown Odyssey", joined the fleet in 2008, last refurbished in 2019 December) is currently the oldest among the Fred Olsen cruise ships - with current fleetmates Bolette and Borealis. Deck 10 is mostly premium and balcony cabins, but the front of the deck is home to the fitness centre and spa. This is on the small side but it wasn’t a problem to get on a piece of equipment even early in the morning. Something which is easy to miss is the ice cream bar at the back of the buffet.

At the front of the ship, the Neptune Lounge hosts the daytime talks and the evening shows as you would expect, but it’s also the venue for dance classes and evening dance sessions between the shows. Recent refurbishments include a Mediterranean rest, which is a new dining area at the back of the Palms Restaurant. The Grill (Steak and seafood) which is another completely newly purpose built restaurant but as a speciality restaurant does come with an extra charge. We cruise with our Dad’s sometimes and John uses a mobility scooter so it was interesting to see the accessible cabins and suites.

A small niggle is the lack of toiletries -- just a dispenser of combined hair and shower gel. Even the enhanced products in the suites don't include conditioner. Depending on the length of your cruise there will be one or more "formal" evenings on sailings of more than six nights -- usually one on a week-long cruise and two or three during a two-week itinerary. Most men opt to wear either a dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie, whilst ladies dress to impress in cocktail dresses, full-length ball gowns or evening suits. For passengers that prefer not to dress up on formal nights, Balmoral offers the Palms Cafe buffet restaurant where the dress code is "smart casual" every night. Balmoral has a strong and loyal base of regular middle-aged to retired passengers; some of whom travel only with Fred.

You would certainly get good value out of a balcony on a scenic cruising packed itinerary. With two people sharing this cabin there is plenty of storage space, enough hangers for our shirts although I did bring a couple extra just in case, and lots of drawer and cupboard space. Up on deck 11, there was even more outdoor space, including a vast terrace towards the back which had room for deck games and plenty of space to enjoy the scenery.

Parts of the ship are showing their age and the physical design is a bit dated, but there is plenty to like about this ship too. I’ve already shown the large outdoor deck here complete with swimming pool and hot tubs, but there’s also the Observatory. Our cabin was just a minute or two’s walk from this lounge so we often caught the house band Funky Blue in here during the evenings.

We appreciate this might not suit many folk, especially if you have family / young children / teenagers to entertain but we thoroughly enjoyed it. Olsen is designed to make passengers feel relaxed and comfortable. During the day, the accent is firmly on casual wear, such as T-shirts or polo shirts teamed with shorts, light-weight trousers or skirts, plus a sweater or fleece depending on the temperature. The ship generally attracts a mature crowd who enjoy a mix of peace and quiet (ship announcements are kept to a minimum), lectures and a full programme of daily entertainment and excursions.

Featuring plenty of card tables and comfortable chairs, the Card Room on board Balmoral provides guests with a quiet, relaxing space to enjoy a competitive hand or two, or simply a bit of fun. Bridge is always a popular pursuit on board, so you're sure to find players up for a challenge. On some cruises, Bridge tuition is on offer to help you develop your skills. The Bookmark Café serves a selection of delicious speciality coffees and quality tea blends. Enjoy a quiet moment with a book or share the experience with good conversation, accompanied by our heavenly fresh chocolates and baked treats. From pralines to Champagne truffles, these mouth-wateringly good treats are too good to miss.

Our deck plans are not compatible with mobile devices at the moment. Please clear the filters and try with different or fewer options. Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship was passed for 2+ years (March 2020 through May 2022), restarting on May 2nd (16-night roundtrip from Newcastle England to the Canaries and Madeira). Balmoral has eleven decks, nine of which are designated passenger decks, numbered 3 to 11.

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