The elegant charms of Balmoral

Balmoral holds a special place in many Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines customers’ hearts. As the smallest ship in the fleet, Balmoral offers intimate sailing and personal service that makes any journey feel like travelling with friends. Tracey from Travel Norwich Airport enjoyed a 4-night break onboard Balmoral, sailing from Malaga to Lisbon for a spot of winter sunshine and some relaxation onboard:

“I flew from London Stansted to Malaga with Jet2, then transferred to the port to join Balmoral. The flight was smooth and on time, and the transfer to the port was well-organised - my luggage was handled efficiently, and I was onboard within an hour of landing. Check-in at the port was very straightforward. The staff were friendly, and everything was clearly signposted. Once onboard I headed to the restaurant for a spot of lunch whilst my luggage was delivered to my cabin.

I expected Fred. Olsen to offer a more traditional, smaller-ship experience with a strong focus on personal service and a loyal, older clientele. I thought it might feel a little more reserved compared to the larger cruise lines, but my expectations were exceeded! The ship may be smaller, but that made it feel more intimate and comfortable. Balmoral felt classic and welcoming, accommodating just 1200 guests at full capacity - more like a stylish country hotel than a flashy resort. It had a lovely, relaxed atmosphere and was easy to navigate.

I stayed in a Superior Suite, which was spacious, beautifully furnished, and had a private balcony with fantastic sea views. The suite includes the ‘Suite Dreams’ package – including fluffy robes, slippers, fresh fruit basket (topped up during the cruise), a bottle of sparkling wine and daily canapés delivered to my room.

The public spaces were elegant and comfortable, with plenty of seating. The pool deck was peaceful and never felt crowded. The soft seating on deck 11 was the perfect spot to watch the world go by, and the Observatory Lounge was another favourite for downtime – light and quiet, with panoramic views - perfect for a coffee or cocktail.

There’s a spa, fitness centre, theatre for live shows, lounges, card room and an arts and crafts room. The spa was lovely, calm, well-run, and reasonably priced - book any treatments early, as they fill up quickly. The arts and crafts session using watercolours was very popular too!

I mostly dined in the main Ballindalloch Restaurant, which was my favourite for its attentive service and varied menus. I also visited Thistle buffet for lighter meals. I really enjoyed the steak on board (I actually ate it twice during my 4 nights on board – the peppercorn sauce was incredible!) Afternoon tea served in the Observatory Lounge is a lovely treat, available at a small additional charge.

The dress code onboard is casual, whilst evenings tended to be smart-casual, with some guests dressing up more for formal or theme nights. We had a ‘British Themed Night’ on board in Gibraltar which was great to see everyone rocking the red, white and blue colours! You won’t need too many formal outfits - smart-casual is fine most of the time. I joined in on a few of the quizzes, which was great fun! During our overnight port stop in Malaga we had a local folk show come aboard and perform local music and dances of the region, and there was a comedian one evening too. The live music and silent disco were great fun in the Lido Lounge, and this was a great place to unwind before dinner, or to dance the night away after.

Our sailing called at Malaga, Gibraltar and Lisbon. The range of shore excursions on offer included city tours, cultural excursions, and scenic drives. In Gibraltar, I did the Rock and Caves tour, which was fantastic - seeing the caves and the iconic monkeys up close was unforgettable.

‍Gibraltar has a very British atmosphere, whereas our next stop Lisbon, was very Spanish, and people appreciated you making the effort with a simple “Ola!” Comfortable shoes are essential for Lisbon’s steep hills and cobblestones, though we also enjoyed a tuk tuk city tour, so got to rest our feet for a while!

What really makes Balmoral special are the staff, who are truly exceptional. Always willing to go the extra mile, the service felt personal rather than scripted, and their genuine warmth and attention to detail was tip-top. Balmoral’s smaller size and traditional charm is perfect for older couples, solo travellers, and anyone who would enjoy a traditional style of cruising with thoughtful service and well-planned itineraries. It’s less about glitz and more about comfort, good food, and cultural experiences. Elegant but unpretentious, with excellent service, lovely food, and fascinating destinations – Balmoral is the perfect escape for those who appreciate classic cruising with a modern touch.