Congratulations to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines who were voted Best for Enrichment for the second time in the Cruise International Awards held at Kensington Roof Gardens, London on 9th September 2014. They last won this category in 2011.
This is quite an achievement as they are up against some mighty competition.

Having just recently come off a Baltic cruise on their MS Balmoral, it does not come as a surprise. Apart from a Port Lecturer we also had a former RAF navigator and an art history expert giving lectures during the cruise. If that wasn’t enough, the entertainment included the 40 piece Central Band of the Royal British Legion.


The cruise gave us the advantage of overnights in 3 out of the 4 ports visited. We were able to see much more than we could cram into the more usual 10 hours or less calls. With that great band on-board, the sail-away parties were rousing affairs to say the least, even if held under cover. As for the British Theme night during the cruise – WOW. That band, under its Musical Director David Cole, turned the evening into an Olsen version of the Last Night of the Proms, driving the audiences in the Neptune Show Lounge (both sittings) into a patriotic frenzy.

David is the only salaried member of this versatile band. All the other members are unpaid volunteers. They also formed a smaller group to play jazz in the Lido Lounge on at least two evenings to much applause.

Additionally, the ship board entertainment included the Balmoral Show Company who were a very versatile group of 4 girls and 5 boys, all of whom could sing and dance; an excellent comedian; a comic magician; a classic trio; a lounge pianist and a singer musician in the 'Pub'. Wandering around the vessel during the evening we could always find some entertainment to suit our mood.

In 1997, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines comprised of just two ships, the much loved Black Prince with a capacity of around 450 passengers and the Black Watch with a then capacity of around 800 passengers. At that time I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas from Harwich. She carried over 1,200 passengers and was to me then, an enormous ship. Now the Olsen fleet has 4 cruise ships of similar capacity and they are thought of as smaller, more intimate vessels. Of course, when cruise ships now run to as many as 4,180 passengers and 2090 cabins (Royal Caribbean’s Quantum series of ships) that really is the case.


Apart from applauding Fred. Olsen for its award and on-board entertainment, I should talk a little more about the Baltic cruise I was on. We visited Tallinn and it rained, we visited St. Petersburg and on the second day it rained. We visited Helsinki and it rained both days and finally, in Copenhagen we had two fine days but, even there, we sailed away in rain. Now that sounds really depressing doesnt it? Well, the choice of ports was excellent as the allure of all these destinations is great, rain or not. The choice of shore excursions was all encompassing and very well operated. Even when a shuttle bus service was necessary to take passengers into the city there wasn’t the usual dash to the quayside and long, impatient queues. Disembarkation of passengers not on tour was done in an orderly and more relaxed manner and didnt seem to cause any of the frustration of old.

Of course you cant talk about a Fred. Olsen Cruise without mentioning food and service. Even in these days of economic cutbacks the menus were exciting, the courses of appropriate size so you could enjoy three or even four courses without feeling 'stuffed'. The buffets were equally enticing and if the three main meals were not sufficient, there was a mid-morning snack opportunity, a formal afternoon tea service and of course, the ubiquitous late night buffet. As a top up between these grazing opportunities there is an ‘in cabin’ food and beverage service. Its a good job that the super ports of call enabled us to do quite a bit of walking to counteract this feast of fine food.

There is a saying that states "If you love somewhere in the rain, you will love it even more in the sunshine." Well I loved my Baltic cruise despite the rain and that was due in no small part to the fine entertainment, good food and, above all, a wonderful crew of smart, smiling individuals who work so hard to ensure we had a great time.


To Captain Robert Bamberg and the Crew of the MS Balmoral I say thank you very much and I can hardly wait until the next time.

To see the great selection of cruises Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have to offer please visit http://www.fredolsencruises.com