Tom and Dom Travel
#16 GB/IE
Can a Cruise Ship Really Sail DOWN THE SEINE? Fred. Olsen Balmoral
Join us aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral as we experience one of the most unique itineraries in European cruising: taking a classic ocean ship sailing directly down the River Seine into the heart of Rouen, France. In this full-day cruise vlog and honest review, we take you through the complete onboard experience. From scenic dining in the Spey and Avon restaurants on Deck 10 to our upgraded balcony views passing French cliffs and countryside, we test out the food, service, and atmosphere throughout the day. We also uncover important onboard details every cruiser needs to know before booking, including how the Bookmark Cafe coffee card works, the drinks package coffee exclusions, the £22 per person Martini Experience in the Lido Lounge, Shrove Tuesday pancake specials, and evening entertainment across the ship. Whether you are considering booking Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines for the first time or you are an experienced ocean or river cruiser curious about how an ocean liner navigates the Seine, this video covers everything you need to know. Have you sailed with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines before, or would you take an ocean ship down a river? Share 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