A 60th celebration on the Balmoral

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A 60th celebration on the Balmoral
Reviewed By: Salmon, Milton Keynes on 29th Jun 2009
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Balmoral	Sailed: June, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean	Age: 56-65

My husband and I and two very dear friends, one of whom was celebrating his 60th birthday in Fred's 60th year decided to join us on a med cruise on the Fred Olsen Balmoral. They had never cruised before but were very excited about it. Fred Olsen did our friends proud. He got lots of extras as he was celebrating his 60th birthday on the actual cruise and I have to say the staff in all areas of the ship treated us like royalty. We ate mainly in the main restaurant with waiter service. Our waiters were Tom and Jerry (almost their correct names) and they were absolutely perfect. The food was fantastic much better than we had been led to believe. I can honestly say we never had a bad meal. We were lucky to be on the new stretched version of the Balmoral and had a superior cabin with a window. Our friends cabin was still a new revamped one but they chose an inside which they say was very nice. Excursions: We did our own thing at the ports of call. We were lucky as the weather was great the for the whole week. We started off at Venice which was as everyone says wonderful. Luckily we managed to get to Venice quite early in the morning and it wasn't too crowded. I would recommend going on a guided tour of the doges palace as the queues soon build up on the door of the doges palace and our guide got us in at the front of the queue. Dubrovnik was enchanting with its lovely cobbled streets and we walked the wall around the City and noticed that all the roofs of the houses and buildings have been replaced. Its a marvelous sight and the ice creams are to die for. We didn't stray far in Palmermo, it was a sprawling city with plenty of architecture. Sardinia was for us our best port of call. The four of us had a horse and carriage ride through the town and the guide was so good with his horses and he gave us a running commentary on all the interesting places and stopped so we could get out and look. I would highly recommend this. When we have visited Gibraltar in the past it has always rained but on this occasion it was hot and it gave the whole place a much better feeling and for once I really enjoyed its colourful and lively atmosphere. We took a guided bus tour in Lisbon. It is a huge city but the bus tour was great because we could get on and off at the places we found interesting. Entertainment: We spent most of the day in the port or if back in the afternoons and the weather was still good would swim in the pool or subathe around the pools. As is usual on most cruise ships the pools are on the small side but adequate. My one criticism would be the constant trolleys going around with drinks, milk shakes etc. did tend to get a tad on your nerves. Afternoon tea was always a must. The evening entertainment was always very good with dancers and acts. After the main show we would usually go up to the observatory lounge which had a piano player and was the venue for the quizzes which the four of us thoroughly enjoyed. There was always dancing in another small lounge if we felt like it with a very nice band and good singer. All of us had a fantastic time and would not hesitate to sail with Fred Olsen again.
Quality of Food
Main restaurant
Entertainment
The dancers and singers and quizzes in the observatory
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff
Tom and Jerry our waiters in the restaurant
Children's Facilities

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Question by Farman, colchester (12 Mar 10 21:36) about this REVIEW

which are the new cabins on the Balmoral

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Answer by Salmon, Milton Keynes (15 Mar 10 09:20) to a QUESTION by Farman (12 Mar 10 21:36)

They are the superior rooms. We are due to sail on the Braemar for a mini cruise in August in a superior inside cabin so I will write a review on my return. Have a great time if you decide to book.

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