In an ocean full of trendy ships with fancy features, Fred Olsen’s Balmoral epitomises
tradition and comfort.
cosy nooks to relax with a book or meet other
passengers.
While it suits the old-style cruiser, the interior has
stayed fresh with a recent refurbishment of its
lounges and modern touches in the cabins.
In 2008 a major refit lengthened Balmoral by 30
metres, adding a pool deck, more balcony cabins
and a British pub.
Carrying about 1,300 guests, the mid-size ship
has a noticeable sense of space in the public areas
and corridors.
Most passengers are aged over 60 and 97% are British, but many Australians can be
found on local departures.
Earlier this year I had an enjoyable dinner in one of the ship’s formal restaurants with
Fred Olsen’s marketing director, Nigel Lingard, who has worked with the line for 23
years, and the local sales agent, Peter Marshall, director of Cruise Abroad.
Nigel was very candid about the facts and figures of the ship, revealing that only 65
Aussies had boarded the ship in Sydney, but 100 were on the waiting list.
Last year saw 350 Australians onboard “because there were more cabins available”,
he said.
It’s so popular that anyone wanting to board Balmoral in Sydney will have to wait until 2013.
The crew is mostly Filipino, Thai and Indonesian and all demonstrated impeccable,
friendly service during my evening onboard.
The menus have been revamped, there are no surcharges in the three restaurants,
and the drinks prices are very reasonable.
An ‘evening in’ can also be arranged in your cabin, with a three-course dinner
brought to your room – at no extra cost.
At night, cabaret and comedy shows are held in the Neptune Lounge, and the
Observatory Lounge transforms into a lively dancefloor.
Other facilities include two pools (one is heated saltwater), Jacuzzis, library, oceanview
gym and golf practice nets.
Like all Fred Olsen ships, Balmoral has several single occupancy cabins, or solo
passengers can ask to share a twin cabin with a stranger.
Gentleman hosts are hired to accompany female passengers on shore excursions and
play card games, in addition to dancing.
The family-owned company has a very loyal following, attracting 53% repeat business
each year.
Avail Availabl abl able e cr cruises uises
To mark next year’s centenary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, Balmoral is operating
a short cruise (priced from $899 per person) that calls at the historic liner’s UK ports.
The five-night roundtrip from Southampton departs on 3 April 2012 and visits
Liverpool and Belfast, including tours of the shipyard where the Titanic was built and
the new Titanic Belfast visitors centre.
The next Australian departure with availability is from Sydney on 26 February 2013.
Ports of call include Brisbane, Hamilton
Island, Darwin, Komodo (Indonesia), Ho
Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Bangkok
(Thailand).
Other destinations include Europe,
Arctic, Caribbean, South America, US/
Canada and the Red Sea.
For details, see
www.fredolsencruises.com or call Cruise
Abroad on 02 9900