Fred. Olsen Cruises - Balmoral Cruises Reviews

Thursday 9th Feb 2012

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Cruise Reviews

Fred. Olsen Cruises

Balmoral

Dover To San Francisco

Dover to San Francisco

Reviewed By: Hall, Colchester on 9th Feb 2010
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises	Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Balmoral	Sailed: January, 2010
Destination: North America	Age: 65+
Cabin: Outside

We left Dover slightly delayed as there had been an outbreak of norvirus on the previous cruise and for the first few days no self service was allowed in the restaurants. Norvirus continued to be a problem with approximatly 300 people having been ill (myself included) by the time we got to San Francisco By day 5 we arrived at Madeira after a very smooth crossing of The Bay of Biscay. We left Madeira and spent the next 6 days cruising down to St .Lucia. The entertainment during the day on these sea days was not very good, there was a lack of interesting lectures. Evening entertainment by guest acts was poor. New acts and lectures were brought on at Curacao and they were of a much higher standard, what a pity they were not on the ship from Dover to proved entertainment during all the sea days we had. By day 18 everyone was up early to watch the ships entry into the Panama Canal most people stayed on deck all day to watch our progress through the canal into the Pacific Ocean. We then cruised for a day before arriving at Puerto Caldero, Costa Rica, a container port in the middle of nowhere. This was our worst port of call, why we stopped there I do not know. We took a taxi to Punta Arenas where we discovered a proper cruise terminal for 2 ships with one Celibrity X ship tied up. We then cruised up the coast to Mexico passing Acapulco to arrive at Cabo San Lucas, a lovely seaside resort, which I think everyone enjoyed. 2 more days at sea, then 2 days in LA some people thought 2 days were too long but we found plenty to do. The first morning was spent with USA immigration officials, but we were lucky and were off the ship by 9:30. Day 31 we arrived at San Francisco, we had a full day to explore here before flying home the next day. The flight home was with Thomas Cook on an A330, this had reasonable legroom but was very cramped width wise with a seat arrangement of 3-3-3 having checked on the internet since arriving home it appears the most A330 aircraft heve a seat arrangement of 2-4-2. Staff on the ship are excellant, very helpfull and friendly. There appeared to us a poor organisation of daily events, for instance lecturers did not always know when their next lecture was going to be until the last moment ( this also happened last October when we were on the same ship). Also clashes in the evening shows stopped people on the second sitting for dinner from seeing both shows, for instance the Crew Show clashed with Abba. The other strange thing was having the Captains Farewell Party 5 days before the end of the cruise. I realise this comment may be controversial but this is the first time with Fred Olsen that we have had a large number of foreign guests on board (200 Dutch) This meant that we started to get PA announcements in more than one language. This may in future start to affect peoples choice of who they want to cruise with. Having said this we had a delightfull Dutch couple on our table.
Quality of Food
Most meals in the Ballindalloch restarant, apart from lunches in the Palms Cafe
Entertainment
Poor until new entertainers got on the ship in Curacao then much better especially Andy Rudge, comedian and Philip Hitchcock,magician
Shore Excursions
Only one taken in Cartagene was good
Staff
Restaurant staff are so friendly and efficient
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins
Plenty of storage, comfortable beds and room service when required good
Overall Rating

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Comment by MC, Eynsford (09 Feb 10 13:44) about this REVIEW

Oh dear, your trip didn't sound too successful so I am pleased we were not on the ship which we had considered! We were on The Balmoral last year from Singapore to Vancouver and again, the daily events were poor and the lecturers were no better and we were at sea for about eight days, in the rain and mist to!!!!!! We also had about 200 dutch on board and like you, we did meet some very pleasant people but the majority, oh dear! where on earth do they come from? We know quite a few dutch people who have manners, unlike the ones on the ship sitting with their feet on the coffee tables and laid out on the settees in the lounge was the norm! There was never any attempt to move to make room for people either but then saying that, after their bare feet on the chairs didn't feel like sitting on the seat anyway!

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Comment by Hall, Colchester (09 Feb 10 14:30) about a COMMENT by MC (09 Feb 10 13:44)

I did not like to say too much in my revue but a lot of Dutch were behaving in a similar way to the cruise you were on. The Dutch couple on our table with another english couple were lovely. The Dutch couple had made a point of requesting a table with no Dutch on it.

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Comment by MC, Eynsford (09 Feb 10 21:31) about a COMMENT by Hall (09 Feb 10 14:30)

Well, what a shame you had the unfortunate experience with the Dutch on board The Balmoral! I think they get great (???) last minute deals from Readers Offers! At least we were both were fortunate enough to meet some lovely Dutch people! It is such a shame but equally, it goes for the English doesn't it at times? Mind you, I did glare at an English lady last year and she knew why I glared at her!!!!! She immediately removed her feet from the coffee table and looked very embarrassed! Hopefully she reads this message and remembers her manners in future!!!!!

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