On February 13th, I was lucky enough to sail on Fred. Olsen’s latest ship, MV Balmoral, on what turned out to be her Maiden Cruise for them, the previous voyage having been cancelled as the ship wasn’t ready following a massive stretch. Having sailed on her in an earlier incarnation, as Crown Odyssey, I was interested to see what difference the additional 100-foot mid-section would make to the ship. I am delighted to report that it is, in every way, a huge improvement. Not only does the stretch allow a further pool, a lot more balcony
cabins and the addition of a pub: it has also enhanced both the ship’s appearance and (as we found out in a force ten off La Coruna) also her seakeeping qualities.

The ship’s decor is elegant and restrained a welcome change after my previous cruise aboard the frenetic, loud Costa Serena! Balmoral’s layout is simple. The majority of public rooms are on the logically named Lounge Deck. The Neptune Lounge is forward, the Palms Cafe aft. In between are shops, the extensive Library and neighbouring Card Room and the Morning Light pub, named after Olsen’s largest sailing ship and decorated with nautical paintings and memorabilia. One deck up is the Lido Bar, a delightful conservatory style room with views over the wake. One deck down is the tonguetwisting Ballindalloch Restaurant. On deck
ten are the more intimate Avon and Spey Restaurants, which appear to be assigned to guests in suites for dinner although anyone can eat in them at breakfast and lunch. Up on deck eleven is the Observatory, with sweeping views and a glass skylight roof. Next door is the cool and simple Marquee Bar.

My cabin was a superior outside double. It had a full bath, a brand new flat-screen TV, tea and coffee making tray and a huge amount of storage space. Two double wardrobes and three chests of drawers to be precise. Housekeeping is good, the laundry service fast and room service precise and punctual. Dining on board was a highlight of the cruise and seemed to me much better than the food I’d had on Black Watch and Boudicca. The Ballindalloch, Avon and Spey Restaurants have open seating for breakfast and lunch and there is both full waiter service and a buffet-style cold table for both meals. This means that you can mix and match to create your ideal meal. At dinner, there are two assigned seatings at 6.15 and 8.45. Highlights included absolutely perfect beef (be it roast, steaks or Beef Wellington), delicious lamb shanks and excellent seafood. Menus are a bit more limited than most cruise lines but the food and service is excellent. The other dining option is The Palms Cafe. For a buffet restaurant, it’s outstanding. Tables are properly set with cutlery and glasses; the buffet itself is extensive (although a bit repetitive for breakfast); and service is outstanding with, for instance, tea, coffee and toast brought to your table at breakfast.

Given the relatively small size of the ship, entertainment options aboard Balmoral are extensive. By day, there’s a full programme of activities including no less than four trivia quizzes, lectures by expert speakers on a variety of subjects and live music in four venues before lunch. Nighttime is equally diverse. On my cruise we
had a jazz band, a magician, a vocalist, a comedian, a classical concert pianist, a string trio, a steel band player and two musical groups. Not forgetting the hilarious Irish singer and comedian who filled the Pub every night.

Fred. Olsen provides a real, classic cruise experience. There are no announcements, no art auctions, no hassling to spend money. In fact, drink prices on board are remarkably low, as are the charges for Internet Access and laundry. If you want to cruise on a ship that is elegant, traditional, well-run and with a terrific crew who genuinely care for their guests, Balmoral is pretty hard to beat.