Fred Olsen Balmoral: Full Cruise Ship Tour
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- This is the Balmoral from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines: www.lifeinnorway.net/fred-ols...
I recently joined a 15-day trip on the Balmoral from Edinburgh to the Arctic islands of Svalbard. I’ve already made a video all about the cruise itself ( • Svalbard Cruise: UK to... ) so this one is all about the ship.
The Balmoral is scheduled for a lot of cruises to Norway over the coming years so if you’re considering a trip on the Balmoral, this is the video for you.
Having previously been on the other two ships currently in the Fred Olsen fleet--the Borealis and the Bolette--both on other cruises to Norway, I was keen to ‘complete the set’ with the Balmoral and discover how the oldest ship in the fleet would compare.
So, what would it be like cruising on a 35 year old vessel? Come on board and I’ll show you around.
Ship tour - Fred Olsen Borealis:
• Fred Olsen Borealis: F...
Ship tour - Fred Olsen Bolette:
• Fred Olsen Bolette: Fu...
Cruise to Svalbard with Fred Olsen:
• Svalbard Cruise: UK to...
Follow us on our adventures around Norway:
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Just got off the balmoral this morning back from the five day cruise, Im only 17, but i thouroughly enjoyed it, especially the shuffleboard and the food, was good.
That's great to hear! I'll be back on the Balmoral later this year and I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for watching 🙌
Happy to see that Captain Hudson was on the cruise! 🐱
The Captain liked the small ship as he could get around and see all his crewmates easily and quickly 👍🏽
Hello Captain Hudson
I’m going on my first cruise next year on the Balmoral this is a great video thankyou ! I can’t wait now ! 😀
You're welcome! Have a great time, and thanks for watching :)
We've just booked this ship for next year. A very informative video, thank you.
I’m glad you found it useful. Have a great trip! 🚢
Great video, very comprehensive. We had our first experience of Fred Olsen this month on Bolette to Shetland, Orkney Islands and Faroe Islands. The ship was showing signs of age and our inside cabin 3406 was in desperate need of refurbishment particularly the bathroom however that ceased to be significant because we had an incredible time and loved the whole FO experience. We're looking to go on another cruise around Scotland from Edinburgh next year and your video has helped us manage our expectations.
The Balmoral will feel older but if you already know you'll enjoy the FO experience then I think you'll enjoy it regardless :) Thanks for watching and have a great trip!
Very good and informative video
Thanks! And thanks for watching. Enjoy your trip 🚢
well done
great video.
Thanks! 🙌
Captain Hudson having a sneaky appearance 🤣🤣
Oh yes the pesky tyke gets everywhere!
Excellent 👌🏻
Thanks!
Looks like a great ship
It certainly has its fans and has A LOT of repeat guests. But it’s fair to say it’s not for everyone.
Great commentary just like try before you buy thank you.
Thank you! And thanks for watching 🙌
I’m off to Svalbard next month on board the Balmoral. Looks wonderful. Much prefer older ships. Thank you for this.
I'll see you on board, come and say hello!
Oh will do! Just realised you’re our speaker on board 😃
Very nice narration you’re very easy to listen to. Have booked Balmoral out of Newcastle in March for Northern Lights and I’m really looking forward to being on a more intimate ship ( quite a contrast from my last cruise out of Barbados on the massive PO Arvia).
I have just come off Arvia funnily enough - and I will be back on Balmoral speaking again on some northern lights trips in March - so possibly see you there!
@@lifeinnorway1 oh double coincidence. My March trip sails on the 19th
@@gerardmackay8909 Ah! I'm doing the two immediately before that :)
We've cruised on the Borealis and have taken a wander around the Balmoral. It is noticeably smaller in the public areas. "Cosy" would be the word.
Very true. I do prefer the other ships but I love the outdoor space on the Balmoral. Thanks for watching 🙌
It’s nice to se that they’ve updated the ship - I’ll be going on there in 2 week’s time
Me too. See you there!
@@lifeinnorway1 Is it the 2 might Southampton to Newcastle trip?
@@carolinehodgkiss2274 Ah, no, it's the one immediately following that from Newcastle :)
@@lifeinnorway1 Ah ok, enjoy
Considering I sailed on the former Royal Viking Star aka Star Odyssey of NCL to the North Cape on one of her last cruises. We were shadowed by the Norwegian Crown the whole way!
She’s a bit longer now! Thanks for watching 🙌
Captain Hudson!
He’s a sneaky one!
I have been on both the Bolette and Borealis and have had a looked around the Balmoral. For me it's perhaps a little bit tooo small, but it's a great option for others.
I think much depends on the destination. I love the outdoor space on the Balmoral, so if you can take advantage of that, the ship would feel more spacious. Thanks for watching :)
@@lifeinnorway1 Absolutely. Pros and cons for both
Great video, planning a solo trip - were there many solo travellers?
Yes quite a few, especially older. There’s a solo traveller meetup on the first day.
I travelled solo on the Balmoral last December for 8 nights. I was on a dining table of other solo travellers of various ages and backgrounds. We all got on really well. Lots of get together meetings for solos to meet and chat if you want. Lots of activities to join in on the ship. Great shows. The dance hosts were brilliant. The entertainment team were very approachable and friendly. The food was plentiful and fabulous. I had a great time and look forward to returning to the Balmoral in December 2024. I'm off on the Bolette in a few weeks around Scotland.
these are the best ships hassle free and chilled out, a would like to book the cruise from newcastle to canaries but my wife has a lung condition, theres never any mention about people who have a disability, like insurance, do you require any oxygen during your stay, would you require a small mobility scooter for use when the ship docks or wheel chair on board, will you need help during boarding or accessing the ship will you require an air purifier in your cabin, its always the important facts that is missing, we all know how ships work decor the bigger ships just have more of the same as the smaller ships no difference but the 40k tonnage ships are better, less chew
fresh sea air is good for those who have a lung condition
Well I don’t mention those things because that’s not my experience. I’m not sure why you’d expect someone making CZcams videos to know such detailed information about a very specific case. Perhaps these questions are best directed at the actual cruise line? You can Google “Fred Olsen cruise lines” and find a phone number for their Ipswich head office. Thanks for watching 🙌
should have done a tour of the cabins an all decks.
Thanks for the valuable feedback, I really appreciate your time and your kind, polite suggestion. Unfortunately, I am not able to access cabins that have guests in them! Thanks for watching 🙌
There were positive experiences during our Fred Olsen Balmorral Fjords holiday, including the onshore excursions to the stunning Norwegian scenery, the good choice of on board food and dining, and the high standard of housekeeping in our room by our cabin stewardess. Unfortunately there were many negative experiences for us including; waiting 2 hours for our luggage to be delivered to our room, waiting up to 25 minutes for a drink in various bar areas around the ship, the overall amateur standard of entertainment (namely the live music and shows), dull on-board activities and talks, a charge for drinks room service (we took our own drinks to our room), and a feeling that despite paying a premium for our cruise package (deck 10 suite with balcony), we did not have a premium holiday experience.
Sorry to hear you didn’t have a great experience! I definitely think Fred Olsen generally and the Balmoral in particular isn’t for everyone, although they do get a huge amount of repeat business.
Fred Olsen looks like a bunch of grave dodgers, the ship looks old and outdated, rooms old and dreary. I will give it a miss
Fair enough 😀❤️ Thanks for watching 🙌
It definitely isn’t dreary and it’s a lovely relaxing vibe but lots going on too . Yours suddenly a coffin dodger
Thank you a very good review .We have never been in a ship with so few passengers. We are looking forward to our wee cruise to canaries 🥹
I’m sure you’ll have a great time. There is a lot of outdoor space, so ideal for a Canaries cruise :)
I travelled solo on P&O Iona about 18 months ago. A beautiful ship with over 5000 souls on board. The intimate atmosphere on a Fred Olsen ship is completely different. You really feel one of the family rather than just another number. Having the same dining table each day, the waiters really made an effort to learn our names. The crew and staff are so friendly and go above and beyond. For example, after one of the tours, I had a swollen foot and had difficulty putting my evening shoes on. My cabin host had noticed what time I left for my evening meal, and had also noticed I was limping. She actually knocked on my cabin door for a few nights to help buckle my shoes for me.