Monday 6th October 2008

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norwegian fjords july 4-11
Reviewed By: tanya, eye on 17th Jul 2008
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises	Times cruised before: 1-2
Cruise Ship: Balmoral	Sailed: July, 2008
Destination: Norwegian Fjords	Age: 26-35

just came back from the cruise to norwegian fjords (4july-11july) - weather in norway was absolutely great - mostly all days sunny and warm..we had an outside cabin on the deck 5(atlantic) in the middle of the ship - very spacious and quiet .. food was ok - (not excellent).. sometimes lunches were nicer than dinners...it would have been nice to have all day cafeteria - as if you go on excursions and come back after 2.30pm-its nothing to eat (only sandwiches and cakes from 3.30-4.30)..staff- very friendly and remember your name very quick..... great views from observatory on deck 11 - great to watch fjords from there and listen to the music... the ship itself - nicely furnished and decorated, but for the ship which have been refurbished and extended - black smoke from the funnel and black bits flying from it on top deck and deck 7 covering swimming pools with it, chairs and tables and ofcourse your clothes(happened twice during 1 week)..plus huge black generator placed in the front of deck 7 - spoiling your views.. entertainment - was ok ...lectures -fairly boring... we didnt take any excursions (very expensive and rushed if excursions started late)- just did our own things...flam railway(return 35 pounds/per person - 2 hours there and back) - was big dissapointment- you have better views on the ship going through the fjords.. cruised before with thomson (celebration) - and preffered thomson much more... we parked our car at the car park in dover port -very convinient (just 1-2minute walk to the terminal), but when we came back our car was absolutely covered in sea salt(took 2 car washes to get rid of) - but we were very lucky as 6 cars parked just 2 meters away from us (near big wall) were smashed to each other (broken windows,smashed door panels) by big waves on monday,7th july!!!!!..dont know if it happens very often there - but the next time we just park our car with Reylon car parking(2 miles from dover port-they transfer you by minibus- cheaper by 40% than dover port parking plus you save on car washes afterwards)
Quality of Food
ballindaloch restaurant
Entertainment
sam in observatory -deck 11
Shore Excursions	n/a

Staff

Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities

Cabins

Overall Rating

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Comment by Mould, Leicestershire (20 Aug 08 19:29) about this REVIEW.

Interesting about car park - my car was covered with sea gull messages and salt - lol - however when they allow you to park under cover the car is better protected - Port authority should have warned you and me. we parked under cover on our previous cruise from Dover and the condition of the vehicle was that much better I agree about tours some good points raised which i concur with especially meals and the return to the boat after trips

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Comment by Muster, Plymouth (18 Jul 08 10:30) about this REVIEW.

I am now worried about the parking arrangements. I have paid a decent amount to park at Dover and certainly on booking on their site they show indoor parking. I would be very annoyed to find they use spaces as open to the elements as you say for £6.50 a day. I have lived by the sea all my life and cars parked in local quay car parks have never suffered the damage which you describe. That area should not be used for long term parking (i.e where you can't quickly pop down to move your car if the forecast is bad). Have you exaggerated the problem?

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Comment by tanya, eye (19 Jul 08 10:35) about a COMMENT by Muster (18 Jul 08 10:30)

hi...no, i havent exaggerated the problem..i myself wouldnt have belived it if i havent seen it - especially when security guard told us its the wave done it on 7th july!!! we parked the car opposite the entrance to the cruise terminal next to the big wall(from where people fishing)..just try to park in the middle of the car park away from the walls...

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Comment by Jordan, Leicester (18 Jul 08 12:52) about a COMMENT by Muster (18 Jul 08 10:30)

I also parked at the quayside car park at Dover, and had no problem. Yes, it is pricey compared with other car parks, but the ease of parking so near to the terminal was worth it. The car had a light covering of salt which washed off in the rain on the way home.

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Comment by Muster, Plymouth (18 Jul 08 13:54) about a COMMENT by Jordan (18 Jul 08 12:52)

Thank you. We live by the sea so the salt we have no problem with but cars which have been damaged to such a terrible degree, I do have a problem. Storms come with warnings and the port authority should ensure they have the ability to move vehicles in vunerable places or, indeed, more preferably not let those spaces for long term stays at all.

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Opinion: Disagree Comment by jones, redditch (17 Jul 08 21:14) about this REVIEW.

Tanya,we were on the same cruise but in a higher age bracket,so I can understand some of your comments if you are comparing with a Thomson cruise where I expect the passengers are generally younger.We felt quite young at 50!I think your marking is a bit stingy,we had 3 good meals each day in Ballindalloch restaurant including 6 course dinner and great service.We used room service if there was no food available-free.I thought entertainment good.We did the rail trip,The feat of engineering to get the train up to 900ft was as inpressive as the views.

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Comment by tanya, eye (19 Jul 08 10:42) about a COMMENT by jones (17 Jul 08 21:14)

hi...we preffered the thomson(celebration) not because of younger passengers(my husband is 46), but because for us - we more enjoyed the atmosphere of the ship - food and entertainment were much nicer ..i agree that food and entertainment on balmoral were good(but not excellent for us)..and the service and staff - absolutely brilliant!!

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Comment by Rook, Kingsteignton (20 Jul 08 23:01) about a COMMENT by tanya (19 Jul 08 10:42)

we were also on the same cruise and the whole experience was fantastic as far as were were concerned. A pity some people didn't make more of a effort on the formal nights and the red white and blue nights. the Flam railway was magnificant - you must of sat on the wrong side of the train!!! I agree with 'Jones' the food was excellent, some nights our service could have been better, but overall I have no complaints. We also parked at the port, and our car was covered with seagul mess, but then its by the sea, what can you expect with so many flying rats around!!

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Question by Stokes, Bedfordshire (22 Jul 08 15:54) about a COMMENT by Rook (20 Jul 08 23:01)

Which is the best side to be on the Flam Train. Will be doing the excursion later in the year.

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Answer by tanya, eye (25 Jul 08 14:43) to a QUESTION by Stokes (22 Jul 08 15:54)

the right side of the train...

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