RivaDiva

I have to agree that all the fjords are beautiful. However, the most beautiful of all, in my opinion is not even in Norway. Montenegro is the most stunning of all.

You are not alone! I haven't received mine either!

Hi Comcox

For smart casual I tend to wear trousers. I have also worn black straight cut jeans with high heels and a pretty top. Decent jeans are often more expensive than cocktail dresses!

We all tend to worry about what to wear but everyone seems to blend in well and I have never seen anyone look out of place. Maybe that's because people do their homework first.

Oh Lynn your last post has made me laugh!

I think you may need to sunbathe on your balcony!

Hi Linda

I have cruised on the Balmoral three times now and always on deck 4 in one of the Superior outside cabins, midship. These are the 'stretched' ones.

They have a bigger window than the portholes and I think there is a little more floor space.

I have never had a problem hearing the people in neighbouring cabins, but to be honest we are really only in it to sleep. And normally crash out as soon as heads hit pillows!

The only drawback I find with the lower decks is that we have to wait till the other decks disembark. Hey ho thats the class system!

I love the Balmoral and feel instantly at home. So did someone else on my last cruise. She often wandered round the decks with her curlers in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

absolutely

I never bother with agents anymore. I saw it on the Fred site too

WOW!

I knew I couldn't book it because we will only be back from Italy a few days before. I couldn't believe the price of it though. I think we will go in March, although its not the Balmoral. Think its the Braemar, which I don't know.

Do please let me know how you get on, Maisymoo.

Feeling jealous!

I wish there was a 'Like' button I could press, as on Face Book! I agree with everything you said Mark T!

Take the anchor fare but don't moan if you don't get the cabin or meal sitting you want.

I have been looking at the Balmoral on 3rd October and it looks incredibly good value.

Yes....table tennis is down in the games room on Balmoral.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this but as you face the train go for the seats on the right. The views are by far the best.

Well said London Towner!

We rarely go on organised trips. We don't look down on those who do but after being on a ship with lots of people we prefer to just potter about on our own. If that makes us 'zombies' then so be it.

Its all very well suggesting people are penny pinching but perhaps after forking out for a cruise they actually can't afford to do these trips.

The only one we have ever done was when we stopped at Casablanca. Even the crew didn't want to go ashore. Now I think about it I felt more of a zombie then, wondering around with a group of people & queuing to get on and off the coach!

We stopped at Eidfjord, Bergen & Olden and walked into the towns. Some of them have little railways that take you on a sightseeing tour. You didn't mention Flam which is a shame because there is a wonderful mountain railway there. We are too mean to do excursions normally (apart from Casablanca!). They are very expensive. I like to just stroll around and get the feel of the places by doing it my way. But some people do cruises to view specific places so I suppose its 'horses for courses'! Points in favour of doing the excursions however.....the boat will wait if you are late. IT WILL NOT WAIT if you go off on your own and are late. Thats why we never stray too far!

Norway is very expensive but there is so much food on board that its almost a relief not to have to eat on shore! The most I have ever taken was a banana from the breakfast table. And then I felt bad.

I love the Balmoral. I love the size of it and the crew are just wonderful.

I hope you have a lovely time.

The shampoo and bubble baths are in bottles attached to the side of the bath. They are kept topped up.

I got some tablets from my Chinese Herbalist last year. They worked a treat and stopped not just the sickness but also the horrid balance and spaced out issues too. Maybe worth a try for other people too. Another plus is that they don't make you drowsy.

This year I went to a Chinese Herbalist. I find the nausea is horrid but the balance problems that come with it much worse. These tablets got me through the Bay of Biscay without issue and I was very grateful!

I hate taking anti histamines and find even the non drowsy ones send me to sleep!

My husband and I took five cases this year. Well he took one and four were mine! We were in an outside cabin on the Balmoral and stored the cases inside each other under the bed. No problem. In my view this is one of the bonuses of travelling from British ports.

Thanks, I didn't notice the date. Anyway maybe my tip may help someone.

JakeT needs something worthwhile to do.........

Hi Thebuss

I also suffer with motion sickness, to the extent that even the movement of a wonky table can trigger it! Mad, some people may say, to take a cruise. I feel that once over it then the pleasure of the cruise far outweighs the suffering! The balance and disorientation is horrid and in many ways worse than the nausea. Last year I consulted a Chinese herbalist. She prescribed hundreds of tiny tablets which I took twice a day until we hit calm seas. They certainly helped & if you are near to London I would be happy to give you her details. The advantage of these was that they didn't send me to sleep which normal motion sickness tablets do.

Thanks for explaining that. I am pleased that my husband and I always give tips to the people we want to have them rather paying through the cabin account.

Oh Fredfish....We couldn't fault the waiters in the Ballindalloch on Balmoral. They were very friendly but also professional, not always an easy combination. I suppose if you eat more in one place you do build up a rapport with the staff.

I didn't understand your comment about being all inclusive and tipping? Unless you opt out of the automatic tipping does it make any difference if you are all inclusive or not? Sorry, maybe I have just misunderstood you.

I love leaving from Southampton....as the luggage allowance is brilliant. But obviously at this time of year you have to fly.

I remember that when we were on the Balmoral in September/October people were asked to queue at a given time to speak to the MD.

That said, our friends booked very late for that cruise and were given the early sitting. I phoned Fred and managed to get them changed to ours for no extra charge.

Have a great time. Bad weather or not I am still envious!

Hi Don

I haven't got an answer for you but your post made me giggle! You had better watch that your 'CW' doesn't start referring to you as her DDH.!

Do you think if you phoned FO and explained your medical requirements for dining they may be sympathetic? Maybe worth a try. But if you are paying very reduced rates anyway wouldn't it be worth just biting the bullet and paying the extra if they can't accommodate your needs?

I await with great anticipation peoples comments. You have opened a simmering can of worms.

I would take your own hair dryer. The ones in the cabin are wired into the bathroom and they really aren't much good.