All at Sea
This was my first experience of 'proper' cruising: previously I've cruised on very small ships with 120 passengers or less, and when this opportunity arose to sample cruising on a larger scale with a group of other travel agents I thought it was time to check it out.
The Balmoral is the largest of Fred Olsen's fleet of four and their flagship, but has only 710 cabins. In today's world of mega cruisers this too is classed as a small ship so it was the next stage in my discovery of the pleasures of cruise.
The journey to Southampton was difficult as it involved an overnight coach journey, not something I'd recommend to others: an overnight stay in London en route would be much better; but Fred Olson now have departures from many UK regional ports so it may not be a necessity.
On joining the ship I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the cabin allocated: larger than many hotel rooms and with a balcony and sun bed. This is a mid-range cabin and there are lower grade cabins without balconies, with fixed windows or none at all, which are still quite generously sized and well-appointed and at a lower cost. There are also higher grade cabins with even more space inside and out and more amenities, and these are naturally at a higher cost. Unless you intend to spend all your waking hours in the public areas, don't need an open window when you sleep, or are really strapped for cash, its well worth paying the extra for a balcony cabin.
The public areas inside the ship are extensive and comfortable, with something for everyone: a large cabaret lounge with professional entertainment every night after dinner, a homely pub with more low-key entertainers, such as a string trio playing chamber music, the observatory lounge with a small dance floor, the Lido lounge dance floor and gaming tables, a library, games room, boutiques with surprisingly moderate prices and loads of quiet seating areas to meet and chat with new-found friends. I was particularly impressed by the fabulous art displayed throughout the ship and which, it turns out, is the Olsen Family’s private art collection.
There are three formal restaurants and passengers are allocated a table number and dining time: 6.30 or 8.30, for the duration of their journey. Dining is quite formal and on the evening of the Captain's dinner is black tie and evening dress: the only alternative is the more casual dining option of the Palms Café.
On the outside decks there are two swimming pools, Jacuzzis, lots of sun beds and games areas which were well-used even on this trip to cooler Northern climes and I'm sure would be fabulous on the sunnier sailings.
As my experience was a short one there was only one shore excursion in Holland to a windmill museum and Dutch life working village, which I found to be well organised, with buses picking up at the ship, and with knowledgeable local guides. Advice was also given about local transport and nearby attractions for those who did not want to go on the organised tours.
The ship was going onward to Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Tallinn but my group left the ship for an overnight stay in Copenhagen before returning home: an interesting city, particularly around the harbour, and it would be a great place to spend a long weekend.
Pros: Only pack and unpack once. Great itineraries. Excellent food. Moderate bar prices. Friendly and efficient crew. Spacious and comfortable cabins. Very good range of facilities.
Cons: Average age of clientele is high. The formality of dining and the lack of variety in dining companions or timing would not suit some.
Fred Olsen cruises go to many parts of the world: the Caribbean, trans-Atlantic and Round the World, the Canaries, Scandinavia and the Baltic: their Norwegian cruises are spectacular as the ships are small enough to get right up into the fjords: and I’d be happy to recommend any of their great itineraries.