Tom and Dom Travel
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What Happens When Your First Fred Olsen Cruise Doesn’t Go to Plan? Balmoral Embarkation Day
Is Fred Olsen Balmoral still worth booking, and how does the line handle a major disruption? Join Tom and Dom as we embark on our very first Fred Olsen cruise experience from Southampton. Just to clarify, we took this Fred. Olsen Cruise in February 2026. Our five-night River Cities cruise got off to an unexpected start when an onboard viral outbreak delayed our boarding by five hours for a full deep clean, leading to an itinerary change from Antwerp to Zeebrugge. But did that ruin the holiday? In this video, we provide an honest, independent look at Fred Olsen’s embarkation process, our Junior Balcony Suite, the food and dining quality across the restaurants, and whether the new Premium Drinks Package represents genuine value for money. From the traditional touches like postal cabin booklets to five-star British hospitality, here is our verdict on Balmoral. Have you cruised with Fred Olsen before, or are you considering booking Balmoral? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Subscribe to Tom & Dom Travel for stylish, modern, and honest cruise guides. Fred Olsen Balmoral Balcony Junior Suite 9023 Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXEwNXDk7-U Support our channel by booking your next Fred. Olsen cruise through our link https://tidd.ly/4AmumCc. We earn a small referral commission at no extra cost to you. Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral is a charming, classic cruise ship sailing from the UK and a firm favourite among British holidaymakers. Originally built by Meyer Werft and refitted for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, she is designed for travellers who appreciate traditional, small-ship ocean cruising. At around 43,537 gross tons and carrying approximately 1,300 guests, Balmoral offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere that mega-ships cannot replicate. Stretching 218 metres in length, her smaller size allows her to navigate scenic waterways, rivers, and historic city ports, docking right in the heart of each destination. Standout features include wide wrap-around teak promenade decks, bright panoramic lounges, and an authentic home-from-home ambience. Guests can enjoy five-course formal dining in the Ballindalloch, Avon, and Spey restaurants, casual buffet options in the Palms Cafe, and Asian-fusion dishes at Colours & Tastes. Key social venues include the signature Morning Light Pub, the panoramic Observatory Lounge, the Neptune Lounge for evening cabaret and live shows, two heated swimming pools, and the Atlantis Spa. This Valentine’s voyage departed Southampton on 14 February 2026 for a five-night European city break to Belgium and France. Due to an itinerary adjustment, Balmoral headed into Zeebrugge for an overnight stay instead of Antwerp, giving guests the chance to explore the historic canals, medieval architecture and famous chocolatiers of nearby Bruges via complimentary shuttle transfers. The journey continued with daytime scenic cruising along the River Seine into historic Rouen, famed for its timber-framed buildings and Gothic cathedral, before returning across the Channel to Southampton. We are Tom and Dom Travel, a UK-based cruise and travel couple with years of first-hand experience across multiple cruise lines, ships and destinations, sharing trusted reviews, insights and advice to help travellers make informed cruise choices. We cover every part of the cruise experience, from cruise ship food, drinks and dining to entertainment, cabins, destinations and shore excursions. We share first-hand cruise reviews, menus and insights from main dining rooms, buffets, room service and speciality restaurants, as well as theatre shows, live music, quizzes and onboard activities. Our port guides and destination content combine our own experiences with practical information to help you make the most of every cruise. Join our CRUISE CHAT Facebook group👉 https://m.facebook.com/groups/728759168363809/?ref=share Support us and receive exclusive benefits!👉 https://www.patreon.com/tomanddomtravel/membership Check out our Amazon Store to find out more👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/tomanddomtravel You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! You can find our Socials on https://linktr.ee/tomanddomtravel #fredolsen #FredOlsenBalmoral #Balmoral #FredOlsenCruiseLines #CruiseVlog #CruiseReview #SmallShipCruising #UKCruising #SouthamptonCruises #Antwerp #Rouen #RiverSeine #CruiseShipTour #Cruising #TomAndDomTravel