Why This Outdated Cruise Ship Won Us Over...
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
This is a story of why you should never judge a book by its cover or make judgments based on first impressions.
Over the week, as we explored more of the ship, we found those areas that delighted us and some that we weren't as keen on, but over the week, this plain Jane grew on us.
The staff on Balmoral were fantastic. The outdoor space is also a big bonus. It never felt crowded.
If we had to pick any cons, it would be that we found the buffet i.e. the Thistle Restaurant was rather small and had some limited choice.
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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↓
MV Balmoral Ship Tour | Is This “Old” Cruise Ship Still Worth It? | Fred Olsen Review If you're considering a cruise on MV Balmoral, this full ship tour shows you exactly what to expect — including the parts most reviews don’t mention. Our first impressions weren’t great. The embarkation experience felt crowded, the ship looked dated, and it didn’t feel like the start of a relaxing holiday. But over the course of the week, our opinion changed. In this video, we take you on a complete tour of Balmoral, showing both empty spaces and what the ship feels like when it’s in use. You’ll see all the key areas onboard and get a realistic sense of the atmosphere throughout the cruise. We cover: Embarkation and first impressions Public spaces including lounges, bars, and entertainment venues The Neptune Lounge, Lido Lounge, and Morning Light Pub Quiet areas such as the Botanical Room and promenade deck Outdoor spaces including the aft pool deck Entertainment, activities, and overall onboard atmosphere We also share our honest verdict, including: What Balmoral does particularly well Where the ship feels dated Who this type of cruise is best suited for As one of the oldest cruise ships regularly sailing from the UK, Balmoral may not impress at first glance. This video explores whether that first impression is accurate — or misleading. Remembering Hubert Greaves a lovely man who made a lasting impression on us. He was a much loved member of the Fred Olsen Entertainment Team and briefly appears in this video. Follow us on Socials: Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/travellinglightlisa/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550871332897 Website | travellinglighter.co.uk