29 days aboard Balmoral-just returned

[cricket03]

I first want to say that Fred Olsen is not a company who is trying to "break into the American market" to compete with other cruise lines as an American ship. They offer a cruising experience that some American's may like and many probably will not like. On board, we personally talked with a high level person from the main Ipswich office who told us FO is not trying to become "American" in what they do on their ships but are wanting to make available to the American market an experience that has been uniquely British and will continue to be so. By sailing to the States now, it will be easier for American's to join them should they desire. They do not intend to place casinos on board their ships or become more "American" as other ships. That is not what they do or want to do. To that end, they are still learning how to make things easier for those Americans who opt to join their unique experience.

We enjoyed the leisurely pace this company sets for its cruises. We fit in nicely with the 60+ age group that usually travel with FO. This is not a ship for those who are thrill seekers, casino players, or those who want every minute of their day filled with "experience". It is a ship for those who enjoy lectures, concerts, outdoors around the pool, reading on deck, playing cards or games, and getting to know people of another country.

It is a more formal ship than others, IMHO because the British tend to be more formal than Americans. On the transatlantic journey aside from the formal nights where most British men were in Tuxedos, we had several informal nights where men had to at least wear a tie even if they didn't have a jacket. Smart Casual and Casual nights required men to have a shirt that had a collar as opposed to a T-shirt. If you want to dress otherwise you could go to the Palms Café but even there shorts at night were a no-no. Dress on the Caribbean journey from Miami did have more casual days but again, you saw many men dressing more with resort casual and some with ties or jackets. A man definitely needs formal wear (dark suit & tie okay) and at least a casual tie if not a sports jacket as well.

We embarked in Dover for 29 nights on the Balmoral. She is a beautiful ship. This was our first experience with Fred Olsen and we were surprisingly pleased. Yes, the ship had its problems being a new ship - but all new ships have quirks to iron out so we did not let anything ruin our holiday and enjoyed every minute of it.

We booked a guaranteed outside cabin on the lowest deck (3) and were upgraded to a superior outside cabin on Deck 8 (Lido). The room was adequately spacious and we even had a tub with our shower. Our only critique of the room was that the TV programming wasn't so hot. They had 12 movies - all very, very dated (Spartacus, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Pink Panther, etc.) and they only played 4 a day at 5 specific times. However, even that wasn't always correct. And while we do enjoy a good movie in our cabin while getting dressed for dinner, it wasn't the end of the world. I'm sure they'll eventually get this straightened out. At the beginning of our cruise, none of the tech stuff worked at all, so what we had by the time we reached Miami for the next journey, it was at least working, albeit not fully.

---Continued in "Part 2-29 days aboard Balmoral"

[cricket03]

Bingo was every day sometime between 4 & 5:30. It seemed to be the last scheduled event of the day before cocktail parties, dinner, shows, etc. They had Dolphin Racing with betting as well.

Specific Activities on Journey out of Dover:

was a Comedy Theme and two BBC comedians "lectured" as well as did some routines occasionally in the evening. The "lectures" were really talks about their experiences writing for BBC comedy, the people they worked with and all "stories" they told had punch lines and kept you laughing. Another lecturer was a Royal Navy Commander who lectured on Submarine History (my engineer husband really enjoyed these). We had a Taiwanese Classical Pianist who gave afternoon concerts on sea days and one evening for our show she teemed up with Don Reid, one of the comedians to do a tribute to Victor Borge. She was witty and played quite well.

Daytime activities other than lectures or concerts on sea days included a Crafts Class (my husband went to the first one where they made valentines for Valentines Day - first homemade Valentine I've ever had). You could also take a Watercolor Class. Bridge Classes in the morning and Bridge playing in the afternoon. Afternoon quizzes were British specific as was their daily crossword puzzles and quizzes available in the Library. Carpet bowling, carpet golf, dancing classes, spa talks.

Specific Activities on Journey out of Miami:

Theme was Big Band Music with the Tommy Dorsey 7. Live Radio Broadcasts, Musical artists in shows and lectures throughout the day. Crafts Class, carpet bowling, carpet golf, dancing classes, spa talks, Internet lectures, Table Tennis, Quizzes, Deck Quoits

Entertainment:

The Rosario String Trio played in the Atrium several times a day. On each journey they played during an evening show. They were the best regular String Trio we've ever heard on a ship--quite versatile from classical to pop. Pat Shannon was in the Morning Light Pub and did a fine job. Terri Quaye in the Observatory Lounge was quite good on the piano. Steel Drummer Hubert Greaves played in various venues but mostly outdoors. Masquerade with its lead singer Chline did a good job but we didn't hear them too often. The Balmoral Orchestra was okay but we've heard better ship regulars. The Singers and Dancers of the Balmoral Show Company were really good. The dancing was the best I've ever seen on a ship (crisp, clean and smooth movements) and the choreography was outstanding. The lead singers were good too.

Port Talks, Excursions:

Especially good. They featured facts, history, culture, need to know information and how to get around on your own. Talks lasted 30-40 minutes on all this before shore excursion information. My impression from the talks and personal conversations with excursion personnel is that they were there to help you decide what to do - not push their excursions. They didn't have that many excursions in comparison to other ships. Their philosophy is more - if you don't feel comfortable doing something on your own, we have this available -- rather than the company pushing only their excursions to make more money.

Food:

Main Dining Room all times: Was consistently good. Even enjoyed the tender reindeer steaks. A few times the Vegetarian offerings appealed to me more than the heavy meat dishes and they were very good.

Palms Café at lunch. Good salads - especially the Greek & Seafood ones. The various sausages (European ones - not American frankfurters!) and fish were excellent. The hamburger meat usually dry so we didn't do them after a couple of times.

Avon & Spey: Breakfast & Lunch were open seating times and hard to get into because many wanted to eat there for the view. Most people assigned these restaurants for fixed evening seating were on decks 9, 10 & balcony cabins on deck 8. They can't seat everyone in the dining room and I guess it was reasonable to place people on the upper decks with the upper level dining restaurants. It was never explicit anywhere that this was a class distinction but it seems a little like Cunard's seatings.

 

Will post more later if I think of something else or ask questions. Info about spa and prices and drinks has been addressed in another thread.

[MrsTW]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Balmoral and the British style of cruising :)

As a refurbished ship with a new stretched part did she appear "new" throughout? I'm not sure how much Fred. Olsen has invested in replacing things.....your views would be appreciated! Thank you!

[cricket03]

Glad to hear that you enjoyed Balmoral and the British style of cruising :)

As a refurbished ship with a new stretched part did she appear "new" throughout? I'm not sure how much Fred. Olsen has invested in replacing things.....your views would be appreciated! Thank you!

 

Since I wasn't on the ship before, it appeared that the "newness" in the older parts were the carpeting, painting/papering of walls. No new tiles in bathrooms or reconfigeration of cabins. The furniture in the cabins didn't look overly worn but style-wise they look dated and aren't new. The TV is new as it is a good sized flat screen. The windows in the cabins weren't replaced as they look weathered. Bed linens were new but I'm not sure the mattress was although both of ours were very comfortable. The towels were new and extremely soft the first week but as they were replaced, they were rougher - same with the pool towels. Plumbing was not replaced but was adequate as we had plenty of water pressure anytime we wanted it. I think others may have experienced some problems here but they were fixed within a reasonable time.

 

On the whole it looks like a new ship but the small details in the older part as I've just mentioned don't appear brand new.

[MrsTW]

Thanks for that! :)

 

I suppose replacing everything is impossible! They've probably aimed to improve public areas etc first. New linens and towels are always nice! Good to hear TVs are modern! My cabin is in the new section so hopefully windows and furniture will be brand new! ;)

 

Will you cruise with Fred. Olsen again?

[Guest SarahMichael]

Great information....... thanks. I'm still very dubious about the trip......I think i may have got carried away with the "cruises are fab" reviews & I'm not sure if it will be our type of holiday. But I'll let you know!

[cricket03]

MrsTW: Yes, we'd definitely cruise Fred Olsen again.

 

I believe the furniture in the newly added section is new - it looked it when I stepped into a vacant one.

[bcscot]

Thank you cricket03. That was interesting. I note that you have sailed on Celebrity quite often so you must have reasonably high standards.

 

I look forward to trying a Fred Olsen cruise in the future.

 

Graham.

[Chippy71]

The wife and I had a cabin in the new section,level 4,and found it a very nice cabin, the service was very good and the staff very helpful.We also met some of the Fred Olsen people and had a talk with some of the people on this cruise invited along to the meeting as well.I must say that Fred Olsen Cruises helped us to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary while on board with some nice touches like,a flower arrangement waiting in our cabin,champagne delivered to our cabin,a free portrate photograph and frame and a cake at evening dinner on the anniversary day with about six/seven waiters,one playing a guitar, all singing Happy Anniversary to us as they walked down the restuarant. This was also done for birthdays.The drinks were not over priced and there was always waiters around to serve you with them.There was often a smell of paint and varnish as the crew were trying to get the ship up to scatch and I know that they also had some pipe leaks which they had to see to while people used the area where they were working.We enjoyed our first ever cruise and would certainly cruise with Fred Olsen again. Roy.

[MrsTW]

Chippy71...glad to hear your first cruise was an enjoyable one! Congratulations on your Golden Wedding! :) Thanks for the info on new cabins. Mine is on deck 5!

[Averill42]

Bingo was every day sometime between 4 & 5:30. It seemed to be the last scheduled event of the day before cocktail parties, dinner, shows, etc. They had Dolphin Racing with betting as well.

 

Specific Activities on Journey out of Dover:

was a Comedy Theme and two BBC comedians "lectured" as well as did some routines occasionally in the evening. The "lectures" were really talks about their experiences writing for BBC comedy, the people they worked with and all "stories" they told had punch lines and kept you laughing. Another lecturer was a Royal Navy Commander who lectured on Submarine History (my engineer husband really enjoyed these). We had a Taiwanese Classical Pianist who gave afternoon concerts on sea days and one evening for our show she teemed up with Don Reid, one of the comedians to do a tribute to Victor Borge. She was witty and played quite well.

 

Daytime activities other than lectures or concerts on sea days included a Crafts Class (my husband went to the first one where they made valentines for Valentines Day - first homemade Valentine I've ever had). You could also take a Watercolor Class. Bridge Classes in the morning and Bridge playing in the afternoon. Afternoon quizzes were British specific as was their daily crossword puzzles and quizzes available in the Library. Carpet bowling, carpet golf, dancing classes, spa talks.

 

Specific Activities on Journey out of Miami:

Theme was Big Band Music with the Tommy Dorsey 7. Live Radio Broadcasts, Musical artists in shows and lectures throughout the day. Crafts Class, carpet bowling, carpet golf, dancing classes, spa talks, Internet lectures, Table Tennis, Quizzes, Deck Quoits

 

Entertainment:

The Rosario String Trio played in the Atrium several times a day. On each journey they played during an evening show. They were the best regular String Trio we've ever heard on a ship--quite versatile from classical to pop. Pat Shannon was in the Morning Light Pub and did a fine job. Terri Quaye in the Observatory Lounge was quite good on the piano. Steel Drummer Hubert Greaves played in various venues but mostly outdoors. Masquerade with its lead singer Chline did a good job but we didn't hear them too often. The Balmoral Orchestra was okay but we've heard better ship regulars. The Singers and Dancers of the Balmoral Show Company were really good. The dancing was the best I've ever seen on a ship (crisp, clean and smooth movements) and the choreography was outstanding. The lead singers were good too.

 

Port Talks, Excursions:

Especially good. They featured facts, history, culture, need to know information and how to get around on your own. Talks lasted 30-40 minutes on all this before shore excursion information. My impression from the talks and personal conversations with excursion personnel is that they were there to help you decide what to do - not push their excursions. They didn't have that many excursions in comparison to other ships. Their philosophy is more - if you don't feel comfortable doing something on your own, we have this available -- rather than the company pushing only their excursions to make more money.

 

Food:

Main Dining Room all times: Was consistently good. Even enjoyed the tender reindeer steaks. A few times the Vegetarian offerings appealed to me more than the heavy meat dishes and they were very good.

Palms Café at lunch. Good salads - especially the Greek & Seafood ones. The various sausages (European ones - not American frankfurters!) and fish were excellent. The hamburger meat usually dry so we didn't do them after a couple of times.

Avon & Spey: Breakfast & Lunch were open seating times and hard to get into because many wanted to eat there for the view. Most people assigned these restaurants for fixed evening seating were on decks 9, 10 & balcony cabins on deck 8. They can't seat everyone in the dining room and I guess it was reasonable to place people on the upper decks with the upper level dining restaurants. It was never explicit anywhere that this was a class distinction but it seems a little like Cunard's seatings.

 

Will post more later if I think of something else or ask questions. Info about spa and prices and drinks has been addressed in another thread.

 

Hi,

Glad you enjoyed your stay on the Balmoral, would like to know if they do Theme Nights on board & also if you flew to miami was it on monarch any ideas on prices of the duty free on flight. We are flying out on 14th april doing the translantic cruise for 18dys. Many thanks.

Kind regards

Jacqui :)

[cricket03]

Averill42,

Theme nights on board were a British Night and a Tropical Night. But if you don't dress for them, it's okay -- go to the music party before dinner and you'll receive a British flag for that night and a Lei for Tropical night.

 

Since we are from the US, Fred Olsen won't schedule flights for us. We flew BA to Heathrow on our own and USAir from Miami back to Pennsylvania. Sorry, I know nothing about the duty free purchases on board. Maybe if you ask this question on a separate thread on this board you'll get an answer.

[Joan of Oz]

Thank you Cricketo3 for your very comprehensive information on your Balmoral cruising experience. You have covered most of the questions that we would ask re the ship etc., Well Done!

[Guest Anorak33]

Did they have Dolphin Racing, like we have had on Braemar?

 

Thanks for the review, we just booked for April 3rd Caribbean on Balmoral and wondered if it was straightened out yet.

 

Was there a Western themed night?

[Enchantica]

Hi,

Glad you enjoyed your stay on the Balmoral, would like to know if they do Theme Nights on board & also if you flew to miami was it on monarch any ideas on prices of the duty free on flight. We are flying out on 14th april doing the translantic cruise for 18dys. Many thanks.

Kind regards

Jacqui :)

 

Hi Jacqui

 

we got back from our cruise on Balmoral in the wee small hours of this morning - after a flight delay and overnight stay in hotels for all Stansted passengers in Miami. Sorry, I can't tell you the prices of duty free on the flight. The duty free trolley wasnt brought out on the inbound flight - and I can't remember if it was on the outbound. I think that you just have to ask cabin crew if you're wanting Duty Free.

 

When we got our tickets, less than 2 weeks before we were due to leave, there were several "theme nights" mentioned but the ones we had onboard were British Night (red white and blue) and Tropical Night. Not everyone joined in (possibly because of the lack of notice about what the theme was) and there wasn't a problem with this.

 

I'm still digesting my Fred Olsen experience before taking time to write a review. On the whole we weren't terribly impressed.

 

The ship had a few problems while we were aboard, including an aux. engine failure which resulted in a 12 hour delay leaving Roatan Island so our call at Key West was cancelled. Our flight was also delayed on our way home, however, Olsen dealt with those problems in a very satisfactory manner. I will say that I wont be going with them again and I would also agree with the comments of others about immigration at Miami. if I never go through that airport again it'll be too soon!

 

Netty

[Guest Anorak33]

I am overwhelmed with the replies I received to my question 2 posts above this one - and the answer is YES there is dolphin racing on Balmoral - which due to the bad planning of the now ex- Cruise Director Rikki Shaw - clashed timewise with the Trivia Quizes.

Flipper has passed on and there is a new dolphin, Shamrock Seamus from Shannon.

Anthony Borrodaile is now the CD, we had him before , he is OK-ish.

Balmoral is a recreation in spirit of Braemar, different ship, bit more going on but everything much the same - and we like that!

Why is it so freakin' quiet on this forum?