Which Fred Olsen Cruise Ship is for you? Borealis Vs Balmoral
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
On both ships, the crew were consistently excellent, friendly, attentive, and most importantly, personal. This is where Fred Olsen really stands out compared to larger cruise lines.
Borealis just seems to offer a greater variety of food and dining options. There's noticeably more choice. It offers more specialty dining options and also a poolside grill.
If I was choosing purely on this factor, I would choose Borealis every time.
Creator's Tips & Advice
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
If you’re trying to decide between Fred Olsen’s Borealis and Balmoral, this video will help you choose the right ship for your cruise. I recently sailed on both Fred Olsen Borealis and Fred Olsen Balmoral within weeks of each other, expecting a very similar experience. After all, they’re part of the same cruise line, with the same reputation for excellent service and traditional cruising. But once I was onboard, something completely surprised me. While the service on both ships was consistently excellent, the overall experience felt very different — and the biggest reason was something I didn’t expect: the food and dining options. In this video, I break down: The key differences between Borealis and Balmoral What’s the same across both Fred Olsen ships How the dining experience compares Which ship feels more modern vs traditional Outdoor space, entertainment and atmosphere Which ship I would choose depending on the type of cruise I’ve also filmed full ship tours of both vessels on the channel, so if you want a deeper dive into each experience, make sure to check those out after watching this comparison. Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are known for their smaller ships, friendly service and classic British cruising style, but this comparison shows how two ships from the same fleet can deliver very different experiences. If you’re planning a Fred Olsen cruise and are unsure whether to book Borealis or Balmoral, this guide should make that decision much easier. Subscribe for more cruise reviews, ship tours and honest comparisons. Follow us on Socials: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/travellinglightlisa/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550871332897 Website | travellinglighter.co.uk