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Balmoral to Europe

Balmoral to Europe


Date Sailed August 2012
Cruise Line Fred Olsen Cruises
Ship Name Balmoral
Destination Europe
Average Rating

Flagship of the current Fred. Olsen fleet, the 43,000 ton Balmoral accommodates some 1,350 passengers, making her the biggest and busiest ship in the fleet by quite a way.

That said, the old, traditional sense of intimacy and excellent service that defines the Fred. Olsen product is evident all over this lovely ship. Food and service are every bit as good as on any of her smaller siblings; it's just that there's more of, well, everything.

The ship was lengthened in 2008 with the addition of a new mid section, and this new area has the best cabins, so always good to check the deck plans. Not that there's anything wrong with the rest of the ship- there are just more twin bedded cabins in the new bit.

The focal point of Balmoral is a stunning, two storey central lobby, complete with a gracefully curving grand staircase, with a globe of the world at the base. Some Scottish accented touches were added to the ship and, quite surprisingly, it does work somehow with the original, predominantly Art Deco styling that still permeates this lovely ship.

There's a beautiful Observation Lounge on the upper deck right forward, with 360 degree views through glass walls. At night, this doubles up as Balmoral's disco.

But the nicest room is right aft, where the Lido Lounge features an upper level mezzanine and a two storey wall of glass that affords fantastic views right out over the stern.

Food wise, the main dining room is complemented by a pair of aft facing, upper deck venues- Spey and Avon- that serve more or less the same menus. The food is universally good, tailored to British tastes, but with a few continental twists sprinkled in. As ever on this line, service is warm, attentive, and a joy to savour.

Entertainment is not a strong point on board. Fred. Olsen traditionally caters to an older crowd, which partially explains the large number of good priced, single cabins on board.

Balmoral is comfortable, commodious and stylish, and she offers truly superb value for money. A lovely ship all round.

Scores
Dining and Food 8 / 10
Spa and Gym 7 / 10
Entertainment 6 / 10
Childrens Facilities N/A / 10
Accomodation 7 / 10
Shore Excursions 9 / 10
Service 9 / 10
Luxury 8 / 10
Value For Money 9 / 10
Drinks Packages 8 / 10

0 Europe Cruise Holidays found

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Duration: 26 nights

Ship: Crown Princess

Line: Princess Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
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£3,249
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£3,449 OUTSIDE

£3,699 BALCONY

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Flavors of Alaska from Vancouver to Seward with Stay

Date: 24 Jun 2024

Duration: 10 nights

Ship: Regent Seven Seas Explorer

Line: Regent Seven Seas

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£7,299
SUITE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
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Cruise and Stay

Chicago, U.S Rockies By Rail & Alaska with Glacier Bay from Seattle

Date: 13 Oct 2024

Duration: 14 nights

Ship: Norwegian Bliss

Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
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£3,149
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Per Person
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£3,349 OUTSIDE

£3,579 BALCONY

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Cruise and Stay

Niagara Falls, Bahamas & Perfect Day from New York with Stays

Date: 6 Mar 2024

Duration: 12 nights

Ship: Anthem of the Seas

Line: Royal Caribbean

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ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,099
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,299 BALCONY

£2,399 OUTSIDE

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Cruise Only

Singapore to Cape Town

Date: 11 Mar 2024

Duration: 25 nights

Ship: Ambience

Line: Ambassador Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,456
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,725 OUTSIDE

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Cruise and Stay

Mediterranean with Greece & Italy from Athens with Stay

Date: 19 Jun 2025

Duration: 9 nights

Ship: Sun Princess

Line: Princess Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,749
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£1,979 OUTSIDE

£2,299 BALCONY

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Fly Cruise

France Intensive Fly Cruise from Barcelona

Date: 30 Sep 2024

Duration: 7 nights

Ship: Azamara Onward

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CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,449
BALCONY
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£1,479 INSIDE

£1,829 OUTSIDE

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Cruise and Stay

Las Vegas & Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles with Stays

Date: 9 Apr 2025

Duration: 11 nights

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Line: Carnival Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,249
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,379 OUTSIDE

£2,579 BALCONY

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Cruise and Stay

Greece, Italy & Turkey from Istanbul with Stay

Date: 23 May 2025

Duration: 11 nights

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CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,879
INSIDE
Per Person
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GUARANTEE

£1,979 OUTSIDE

£2,049 BALCONY

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Cruise Only

Iceland from Southampton

Date: 14 Sep 2025

Duration: 14 nights

Ship: Norwegian Prima

Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,048
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,585 OUTSIDE

£3,152 BALCONY

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Cruise Only

Italy, Athens & Adriatic: Venice, Croatia & Santorini

Date: 10 Sep 2025

Duration: 21 nights

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Line: Holland America Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£4,611
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£4,911 OUTSIDE

£6,161 BALCONY

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Cruise and Stay

Sydney, Airlie Beach & Bali to Singapore with Stay

Date: 6 Feb 2025

Duration: 20 nights

Ship: Queen Elizabeth

Line: Cunard Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,899
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£3,199 OUTSIDE

£3,579 BALCONY

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Fly Cruise

Aussie Bites & Kiwi Sites from Sydney to Auckland

Date: 27 Dec 2025

Duration: 17 nights

Ship: Regent Seven Seas Explorer

Line: Regent Seven Seas

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£12,874
SUITE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
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Cruise and Stay

Tokyo Stay, Mt. Fuji, Kobe, Himeji & Tropical Japan to Seoul

Date: 19 Mar 2025

Duration: 15 nights

Ship: Norwegian Spirit

Line: Norwegian Cruise Line

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ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£3,849
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£4,099 OUTSIDE

£4,799 BALCONY

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Cruise Only

Norway & Northern Lights from Southampton

Date: 7 Nov 2025

Duration: 12 nights

Ship: Queen Mary 2

Line: Cunard Cruise Line

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,201
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£1,601 OUTSIDE

£1,901 BALCONY

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Cruise and Stay

Spain, France & Italy from Valencia with Stay

Date: 30 Jul 2024

Duration: 9 nights

Ship: Seaside

Line: MSC Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,529
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£1,649 OUTSIDE

£1,729 BALCONY

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Cruise and Stay

Eastern & Western Caribbean from Miami with Miami Beach Stay

Date: 13 Mar 2025

Duration: 17 nights

Ship: MSC Seascape

Line: MSC Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£2,749
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,949 OUTSIDE

£3,199 BALCONY

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Cruise Only

Croatia, Italy, Greece & Montenegro from Bari

Date: 4 Jul 2025

Duration: 7 nights

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Line: MSC Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£903
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£1,009 OUTSIDE

£1,325 BALCONY

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Fly Cruise

Eastern & Western Caribbean Adventure from Ft. Lauderdale with 1nt Stay

Date: 25 May 2024

Duration: 16 nights

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Line: Celebrity Cruises

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£3,099
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£3,199 OUTSIDE

£3,499 BALCONY

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Fly Cruise

Northern Lights Classic Round Voyage

Date: 17 Dec 2024

Duration: 11 nights

Ship: Ms Kong Harald

Line: Hurtigruten

CRUISE CONFIDENCE
ABTA - 100% SAFE
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE
£1,812
INSIDE
Per Person
BEST PRICE
GUARANTEE

£2,016 OUTSIDE

£4,736 SUITE

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