Cruise Talk: Balmoral Photos

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the official christening of the all-new Norwegian Aqua in Miami and unveiled its plans to reimagine Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's idyllic private island in the Bahamas, with new experiences debuting in the fourth quarter of 2025, including an expansive pool area with a dedicated bar and kids splash zone and so much MORE. With a history of delivering guests ...

Latest News...MSC Cruises officially named its highly-anticipated new flagship, MSC World America, in a dazzling ceremony on April 9 at the line's new state-of-the-art MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in the world. MSC World America's Godmother, Drew Barrymore officially named the ship at the glamorous event with the maritime tradition of cutting a ribbon and triggering the breaking of a champagne...

Latest News...Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, celebrated the maiden arrival of Seabourn Encore to the continental United States on April 9, 2025, marking a major milestone as the ship docked for the first time in Long Beach, Calif. The visit offers a rare opportunity for guests and local travel advisor partners to see the award-winning ship up close..

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Balmoral Photos

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Balmoral Photos

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 03-05-2008 07:08 PM

I have now got online all the photos [ferries & videos still to come]. So you can compare the old and new. Quite a mix of styles but not the horrors some seem to think. The glitz of her era is apparent, mainly the Atrium, Ballindalloch & some fibre optic Peacock in a cage

, but quite offset with the more modern areas, so no need to dwell over what one doesn't take to, move on to the next room.

Pics Indexed here.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

chateausmith
First Class Passenger
Member # 3423

posted 03-05-2008 09:34 PM

Hello PamM, just a note of thanks for the album of FOCL Balmoral,we had planned to cross in her Miami to Rome , but then heard Cunard had sold QE2..........just had to go back.........one more time. Now after your wonderful pics we cant wait for 2009, maybe in Norway! Thanks again......Chateau.

Posts: 68 | From: Alpharetta georgia | Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 03-05-2008 10:15 PM

Great pics as always Pam. From what I can see the ship is lacking a certain cohesiveness with the decor. Some areas look modern and very inviting, some others rather bare and stark, and yet others are virtually unchanged since the ship was built (very 80's looking). It almost appears that Olsen had run out of money and could only pick certain areas to refurbish. The 80's areas really look out of place next to the areas that have been modernized.

Change out the mirrored ceilings, atrium lobby, and staircases and the design could really come together. Right now it looks almost like two different ships.

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 03-05-2008 10:30 PM

I agree, Ernie. I mean, just look at the Art Gallery - half new, half old, and it couldn't be more obvious!

I really am not enticed to try this ship from the photos - it just looks like a haphazard mix of different styles and periods. And I think it was a big mistake to leave the spa as is - at the very least, the observation lounge and spa would have been best with their places switched.

I would like to try Fred. Olsen, but the other ships (except BLACK PRINCE) are much more appealing.

I look forward to seeing how BRAEMAR looks after her stretch - even if the existing areas of the ship aren't changed, the result should be much more cohesive. (And she looks quite nice as is.)

On the other hand, everyone I know who has been on BALMORAL has liked her, so perhaps her charms are simply lost on photographs. But from the photos, I am quite disappointed - I was looking forward to seeing totally new interiors, not what looks like a half-baked job. (If they weren't going to tear out the original interiors, at least the new parts should have been designed to blend in better.)

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...