borealis cruise ship current position

Passenger (Cruise) Ship, IMO 9122552

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The current position of BOREALIS is at North Sea reported 5 mins ago by AIS. The vessel is en route to the port of Southampton, United Kingdom (UK) , sailing at a speed of 14.9 knots and expected to arrive there on May 2, 02:15 . The vessel BOREALIS (IMO 9122552, MMSI 311000987) is a Passenger (Cruise) Ship built in 1997 (27 years old) and currently sailing under the flag of Bahamas .

Position & Voyage Data

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BOREALIS current position and history of port calls are received by AIS. Technical specifications, tonnages and management details are derived from VesselFinder database. The data is for informational purposes only and VesselFinder is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of BOREALIS data.

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Borealis is a Rotterdam Class cruise ship currently operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The ship has been in active service for 27 years. View Borealis' current position, recent track, speed, course, next port destination, estimated time of arrival (ETA) and more in the cruise ship tracker map below.

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BOREALIS Passenger (Cruise) Ship, IMO 9122552

Where is the current position of borealis presently vessel borealis is a passenger (cruise) ship sailing under the flag of bahamas . her imo number is 9122552 and mmsi number is 311000987. main ship particulars are length of 237 m and beam of 32 m. maps show the following voyage data - present location, next port, estimated (eta) and predicted time of arrival (pta), speed, course, draught, photos, videos, local time, utc time..

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BOREALIS current position is received by AIS. Ship info reports, fleet analysis, company analyses, address analyses, technical specifications, tonnages, management details, addresses, classification society data and all other relevant statistics are derived from Marine Vessel Traffic database. The data is for informational purposes only and Marine Vessel Traffic is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of data reported above herein.

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BOREALIS Current Position and Live Map Location

Where is the current location of borealis right now ship borealis is a passenger ship navigating under the bahamas flag. the imo number is 9122552 and mmsi number is 311000987. general vessel particulars are as follows length overall (loa) of 237 m and beam (max width) of 32 m. live maps below show the following voyage data - present position, next port of call, estimated (eta) and predicted time of arrival (pta), current speed, course, draught, photos, videos, local time, utc time..

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Borealis - description, photos, position, cruise deals

• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Cruise Ships
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The cruise ship Borealis of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was built in 1997 , belongs to the Rotterdam vessel series, and is 238 meters long with a displacement of 61,849 tons. The ship can accommodate up to 1685 passengers on board in 690 cabins. The number of personnel on board is equal to 615 people.

Borealis Photo Gallery

Borealis position

Borealis current position is as follows: 55.7356 N / 6.36029 W during the course of a journey to Southampton

Her current 15 days cruise started on 17 Apr, 2024 and is to end on 02 May, 2024

Current Cruise Itinerary

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Ship Specifications

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Borealis itineraries, 15 night discovering scandinavian islands & capitals, 5 night dutch tulips & waterways in five nights, 7 night wildlife & culture of the scenic scottish isles, 11 night whales & volcanic landscapes of iceland, 5 night discovering normandy & the channel islands, 20 night cultural adriatic discovery, 11 night dubrovnik to southampton, 8 night springtime falls & norwegian fjords, 14 night maritime cities & sailing events of the baltic, 9 night scenic landscapes & wildlife of the british isles, 14 night volcanic islands of the azores & madeira, 8 night summertime norwegian fjords, 9 night norwegian fjords & autumn fruit harvest, 13 night volcanic islands of the azores & madeira, 26 night canada in the fall, 14 night cultures & cuisines of the mediterranean, 11 night the fred. olsen mystery cruise, 14 night winter warmth in the canaries, 14 night in search of the northern lights, 14 night canary islands christmas & funchal new year, 28 night island hopping in the caribbean, 12 night discovering spain & morocco, 14 night canaries & carnivals, 10 night in search of the northern lights, 13 night maritime traditions of spain, portugal & gibraltar, fred olsen fleet.

BOREALIS CURRENT POSITION ( - DUAL TRACKING - )

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Inside Fred. Olsen cruise ship Borealis as vessel sets sail to Norway

Author: Harriet Mallinson

Published on: 16 November 2021

Updated on: 16 November 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines returns to the seas today as new ship Borealis sets sail to Norway. So what can one find inside the hotel at sea?

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines makes its return to homeland Norway today on board new ship Borealis, to seek out the Northern Lights.

This is Fred. Olsen's first cruise to Norway since the line resumed sailing in the summer, and marks the start of a hand-crafted programme of cruising to the region, with 22 sailings across all four seasons in 2022.

So, what do you need to know about the cruise line's new ship?

Well, Borealis brings a number of new venues and facilities to the fleet, including a grand, two-tier theatre and main restaurant and an all-weather pool with a retractable roof.

There's also a large spa and thermal suite plus new venue The Auditorium offering culinary demonstrations and more.

The ship can carry 1,360-guests, ensuring that on board Borealis you're never overcrowded.

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Borealis will sail also sail to Norway in 2022, on an eight-night 'Classic Norwegian Fjords' cruise, departing from Liverpool on April 6 2022.

The ship will visit Eidfjord, Flåm, Bergen, Kirkwall as well as cruising the waters of Lysefjord, Hardangerfjord, Maurangerfjord and Furebergfossen, Nærøyfjord

- READ MORE: Borealis has undergone exciting renovations -

Borealis cabins

Borealis has cabins to cater for every budget. Inside rooms consist of two single beds which can be converted into a queen-size bed and a shower only.

Larger picture window cabins have two single beds which can be converted into a queen-size bed, bathrooms featuring both a bath and shower as well as a great view.

There are also a number of suites, with the very best being the Olsen Suite. This suite is approximately 1,273 square feet in size. Features include floor to ceiling windows leading out to a private balcony.

The suite has one king-size bed and a sofa bed with the bathroom boasting an oversize bath and separate shower. A separate living room, dining room, dressing room, private balcony, pantry, mini-bar, fridge and guest toilet can also be found in the Olsen Suite.

The ship also caters well for solo travellers - Borealis has over 50 single cabins, with grades ranging from Inside to Balcony Suite.

- READ MORE: Which cruise ships have solo cabins? -

Borealis dining

Guests can enjoy dining in Borealis' lower level restaurant - The Borealis Restaurant, and upper level The Aurora Restaurant - a grand two-tiered venue featuring classical, elegant décor and a variety of seating options and table sizes, perfect for both intimate and large group dining.

Guests will also have the chance to savour new flavours in Borealis’ new speciality dining restaurants.

Vasco, named after the famous explorer Vasco Da Gama, who was the first European to reach India by sea, offers a fresh and modern take on Indian food.

Meanwhile, Colours & Tastes offers modern Asian Fusion dishes. The décor is colourful, the mood cheerful and the food offers a stimulating set of new taste experiences.

Alternatively, there's the more relaxed buffet restaurant.

Solo travel: Which cruise ships have solo cabins? From P&O to Royal Caribbean

Which cruise lines require a covid vaccine complete guide to major cruises, do cruise ships require masks full list of major cruise lines' face mask rules, caribbean cruise: mayan ruins, rainforests & wildlife - fred. olsen goes beyond sun, sea & sand, fred. olsen: new ships bolette & borealis have undergone exciting renovations, small but mighty: your complete guide to small ship cruising, escape to iceland & the azores with fred. olsen for stunning whale watching, talking cruise: fred olsen cruise lines' managing director peter deer, animal kingdom: discover the british isles’ amazing wildlife on a cruise with fred. olsen, why fred. olsen's 2022/23 itineraries will ignite your wanderlust, fred. olsen launches new 80-day-long phileas fogg adventure, fred. olsen releases new cruises for 2022 and 2023, book your fred olsen 2023 round the world in 80 days with rol cruise, fred. olsen cruise lines releases new no-fly sailings from the uk for 2022, sailing into the heart of the norwegian fjords with fred. olsen cruise lines, borealis entertainment.

Borealis features eleven stylish, spacious and comfortable bars and lounges, providing plenty of choice and variety.

When the lights go down and guests settle into their evening, Fred. Olsen will treat you to a selection of live shows ranging from music and cabaret to quick-fire stand-up comedy.

The ship's main evening show lounge is an impressive two-tiered venue designed to provide each guest with the utmost comfort and unspoilt views of the stage during the live after-dinner shows each evening.

Of course, throughout the ship, you can sit, relax and enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple accompanied by the gentle sounds of live acoustic music.

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Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and…

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Liverpool Cruise Terminal

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Rosyth Cruise Terminal

On the north bank of the River Forth, beside the iconic three bridges, and two miles from the M90,…

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BOREALIS (IMO 9122552 ) - Passenger (Cruise) Ship

What are borealis ship details.

BOREALIS (IMO: 9122552) is a Passenger (Cruise) Ship registered and sailing under the flag of Bahamas . Her gross tonnage is 61849 and deadweight is 6351 . BOREALIS was built in 1997 . BOREALIS length overall (LOA) is 237.95 m, beam is 32.25 m. Her container capacity is 0 TEU. The ship is operated by FRED OLSEN WINDCARRIER AS .

Where is BOREALIS current position?

BOREALIS current position is received by AIS and displayed on next chart by using of VesselFinder services.

Vessel details for BOREALIS

Borealis history.

All details and current position are for informational purposes and VesselTracking is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of BOREALIS data values.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Line Borealis Deck Plans & Reviews

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line Borealis

Activities & entertainment

• Guest Services
• Destination Services *
• The Photo Gallery *
• Jewellery Shop *
• Boutiques *
• The Flower Shop *
• Port Shop *
• Future Cruise Information *
• The Bolette Card Room
• Atlantis Spa *
• Thermal Suite *
• Fitness Center
• Whirlpools (2)
• The Olsen Art Studio
• Sports Courts
• The Observatory
• Forecastle - Observation Area
• The Lookout - Observation Area
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Self-Service Laundry
• Medical Center
• Neptune Lounge
• The Auditorium
• Film Screenings
• Stand-Up Comedy
• Cabaret Shows
• Enrichment Lectures
• In-Room Entertainment
• Borealis Restaurant - Main
• Aurora Restaurant - Main
• The Indian Ocean Room Restaurant - Private Dining
• Colours & Tastes Restuarant - Asian Fusion *
• The Oriental Tea Room - Tea Bar *
• Afternoon Tea
• The Bookmark Cafe & Lounge - Coffee Bar *
• Piano Bar - Piano Bar *
• Morning Light Pub & Lounge - Cocktail Bar *
• Ocean Bar - Popular Bar *
• The Poolside Cafe - Pool Grill
• The Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
• Vasco Restaurant - Indian *
• The View Buffet Restaurant - Buffet
• The View Bar - Scenic Bar *
• Room Service

Reviews We perform checks on reviews. Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines , the review is not published. When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site. Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines . Learn more about our review moderation.

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Cruise Ship   Borealis

Cruises On Borealis

Borealis Sails on Fred. Olsen’s 2024 World Cruise

• January 7, 2024

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis is sailing from Southampton today for the company’s 2024 World Cruise.

Cruising roundtrip from its United Kingdom homeport, the 1,320-guest vessel is set to offer a 101-night itinerary that circumnavigates the globe.

According to Fred. Olsen, the voyage is highlighted by three days cruising across Florida’s coast, during which guests will be able to enjoy sun-kissed beaches and the Kennedy Space Station as part of visits to Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, and Key West.

Passengers will also have a chance to encounter wildlife in the rainforests of Costa Rica, the company said, or revel in local cultures and volcanic vistas in Hawaii with calls in Golfito, Puerto Caldera, Honolulu, Hilo, and Maui.

The itinerary features the paradise islands of French Polynesia, Fred. Olsen added, as well as the diverse landscapes, famous vineyards and scenic waterways of New Zealand.

Featuring a total of 37 destinations, the world cruise includes visits to different regions as well, including Australia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean.

The Asian leg of the trip is highlighted by Alotau, Fred. Olsen said, a less usual destination for cruise ships in Papua New Guinea.

The global itinerary offers opportunities to see varying species of marine and wildlife as well, the company noted. The waters surrounding Hawaii, for example, are some of the best for whale watching, it added.

During the cruise, the Borealis will also sail to many of the world’s most iconic landmarks, Fred. Olsen said, including Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Opera House, the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and more.

The voyage also features over five overnight calls in key destinations, in addition to full transits of both the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal.

Upon completing the itinerary, the Borealis is set to return to Southampton on April 17, 2024.

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Fred Olsen Balmoral

Former name: crown odyssey.

Cruise line Fred Olsen Cruise Lines

• Newcastle upon Tyne (England)
• Southampton (England)
• Leith-Edinburgh (Newhaven-Rosyth-Queensferry, Scotland)

Fred Olsen Balmoral current position

Fred Olsen Balmoral current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 62.51251 N / 5.50919 E) cruising at speed of 14.3 kn (26 km/h | 16 mph) en route to NO OLD. The AIS position was reported 46 seconds ago.

Current itinerary of Fred Olsen Balmoral

Fred Olsen Balmoral current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Mighty Waterfalls Norwegian Fjords . Prices start from USD 1864 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 26 Apr, 2024 and ends on 03 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Fred Olsen Balmoral

•   Itineraries
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Fred Olsen Balmoral Itineraries

Fred olsen balmoral review, review of fred olsen balmoral.

The 1988-built (as "Crown Odyssey") cruise ship MS Balmoral is currently the oldest in the Fred Olsen fleet, with fleetmates Bolette and Borealis . The shipbuilding cost  was USD 180 million. The vessel was last refurbished in 2019 December.

The vessel (IMO number 8506294) is currently Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 308785000) and registered in Nassau .

History - construction and ownership

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd is a Norwegian-owned and UK-based cruise shipping company, part of the Fred Olsen Group (Fred Olsen & Co/shipowner, headquartered in Oslo, Norway ). The company is headquartered in Ipswich (Suffolk England) and is owned by Bonheur and Ganger Rolf. The company was founded in 1848 (in Hvitsten, Norway) by the three Olsen brothers (Petter, Andras, Fredrik Christian) who bought their first ships and established an international shipping company. Today, Fred Olsen Group is in its 5th family generation and operates subsidiary companies specializing in cruise passenger shipping, trade, shipbuilding, aviation, offshore industries.

Fred Olsen Group wholly owns the companies Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd, Fred Olsen Travel Ltd (worldwide tours and vacations via independent operators), Fred Olsen Marine Services AS (shipowner and vessel management), First Olsen Ltd (tanker ships), Dolphin Drilling Holdings Ltd (offshore drilling rigs), Fred Olsen Express (Canary Islands-based fast ferries / catamarans), Fred Olsen Freight Ltd (cargo shipping and air freight), Fred Olsen Windcarrier AS (transport and installation of offshore wind turbines), Fred Olsen Production AS (offshore petroleum production), Fred Olsen Renewables AS, SeaRoc Group Ltd (offshore and marine consultancy and contracting services), ZephIR Lidar UK (wind measurement devices), Ganger Rolf ASA (energy and shipping). Also part of Fred Olsen Group, the company Bonheur ASA manages several fully-owned companies, among which are NHST Media Group AS (newspapers and online media) and the real estate companies Stavenes Byggeselskap, Koksa Eiendom, Fred Olsens gate 2. Part of Fred Olsen Group is also Timex Group BV - parent of several watchmaking companies, including the subsidiaries in the USA, India and Philippines).

The 1340-passenger ship Balmoral offers a mix of old and new that is fresh and satisfying. If cruisers seek for a well-run vessel which provides peace and coziness while also featuring a nice range of amusement, friendly service, solid cuisine, interesting routes, and competitive rates, Balmoral is a good choice.

The ship debuted in 1988 as Crown Odyssey, built for Royal Cruise Line. Since then, Balmoral has changed her name to Norwegian Crown (for NCL) and Crown Odyssey (for Orient Lines). MS Balmoral debuted for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines after a major refit and refurbishment in 2007-2008 which added a 30-meter midsection. The inaugural cruise of the ship started on February 13, 2008.

In November-October 2007, MV Balmoral (under Fred Olsen's ownership) was stretched by inserting a 99 ft / 30 m long prefabricated middle section. The refit resulted in an increased gross tonnage (from 34,242 to 43,537) and passenger capacity (from 1230 to 1780). During the ship's stretching (reconstruction was done in Germany, Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg ) were built new cruise cabins (186, including 60 balconies), restaurants, bars, and lounges.

The list of other stretched (elongated) cruise ships includes the fleet mates Balmoral, Boudicca, and Braemar, also the MSC Cruises ships Armonia , Lirica , Opera , the Phoenix Reisen 's Albatros and the Royal Caribbean 's Enchantment of The Seas .

Decks and Cabins

MS Balmoral staterooms (710 total, in 21 grades) include 68x Suites, 94x Balcony cabins, 340x Outside and 123x Inside cabins. Most staterooms are sized 165-200 ft2 Oceanviews. The wheelchair-accessible cabins are 9. The largest accommodation is the Premier Suite (430 ft2).

The Fred Olsen ship Balmoral has a total of 64 Studios (single-occupancy cabins for solo travellers).

The boat has 11 decks , of which 9 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Dining on Balmoral is resolutely classic. The vessel's one main dining venue and two satellites all offer set-seating, set-tablemates evening scenarios.

Follows the complete list of Balmoral restaurants and food bars.

• Ballindalloch Restaurant (main dining room; hosts the formal Gala Dinner; dining times are the same in all 3 dining rooms - with 2 fixed dinner seatings at 6:15 pm and 8:30 pm, open-seating buffet-style Breakfast 8:00 - 10:00 am and Lunch 12:00 - 2:30 pm)
• Spey Restaurant (ship's 2nd largest dining room, with the same menu as the Ballindalloch's; features floor-ceiling windows and intimate design)
• Avon Restaurant (ship's 3rd dining room with floor-ceiling windows; offers the same menu as the other two restaurants)
• Palms Cafe (alternative buffet-style restaurant, open-seating; offers Breakfast 7:00 - 9:30 am, Brunch 10:30 - 11:30 am, Lunch 12:30 - 2:30 pm, Afternoon Tea 3:30 - 4:30 pm, Dinner 6:30 - 9 pm and Supper Club 11:30 pm - 12:30 am; also features a 24-hour open tea-coffee station)
• Marquee Bar (casual restaurant for lunch; al-fresco dining, with large, floor-ceiling panoramic windows; serves the pool area with alcoholic/non-alcoholic drinks).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

MS Balmoral offers a variety of amenities while also presenting a cozy ambiance. There are lots of places to sit, relax, read and nap without feeling pressure to buy drinks or merchandise. Some aspects of the cruise ship, such as the inflexible bed setups (that offer either a double or 2 twins that can not be converted into the reverse), found in older rooms, might feel a bit dated. Balmoral also features a high-tech, in-cabin interactive TV, and Spa and fitness amenities with state-of-the-art equipment and services.

Follows the complete list of Balmoral lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Arts & Crafts Room; Art Gallery
• Atrium (2-deck high, with glass and chrome design elements; has a spacious seating area)
• Port Shop (duty-paid, sells essentials, hats, swimwear, toiletries, beachwear, sweets, books, snacks)
• Photo Gallery & Shop (offers digital images printing/transferring; personal video making; sells photo and video equipment at duty-free prices)
• Neptune Lounge (ship's theater lounge/main entertainment venue for grand-style show productions in the evenings at 8:45 pm and 10:45 pm; during the day serves the Fred Olsen enrichment program, with various lectures and seminars, multimedia presentations, dance classes, workshops, bridge lectures, cards playing tournaments)
• Boutique Shops (duty-free luxury gifts, perfumes, cosmetics, fashion clothing, watches, fine jewelry, Fred Olsen logo merchandise)
• Card Room; Library; Internet Room
• Bookmark Cafe (a la carte priced patisserie; offers luxury chocolates, specialty coffees, hand-made chocolates); Cafe Venus
• Braemar Lounge (relaxation place with large windows)
• Morning Light Pub (features stand-up comedy acts, live music performances)
• Deck 7 pool area (swimming pool, 2 whirlpools, sunbathing area)
• Lido Lounge (hosts daily bingo games and trivia quizzes; evening entertainment includes cabarets, resident music trio, and Big Band Show)
• Lido Bar (live-music program)
• Casino corner
• The Wellness Centre (Atlantis Spa & Fitness; has treatment rooms for massages, Sauna, gym; the Fitness Centre hosts exercise classes Yoga/Pilates/aerobics/meditation/dancing classes)
• Beauty Salon (part of the Wellness Centre; offers hairdresser/barber services, facial/body treatments, manicure/pedicure, massages)
• Observatory Lounge (indoor observation lounge with piano, glass dancefloor, panoramic windows for 270-degree views; serves Afternoon Tea and transforms into a disco in the late hours)
• Sun Deck's pool area (with one heated swimming pool, 2 whirlpools, sunbathing area)
• Golf Net; Deck Games area (shuffleboard, quoits).

Itineraries

Fred Olsen Balmoral itinerary program is based on World Cruise deals out of the UK and regular round-trip voyages from Southampton to the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Scandinavia, Russia, and the Norwegian Fjords.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the ship was passed for 2+ years (March 2020 through May 2022), restarting on May 2nd (16-night roundtrip from Newcastle England to the Canaries and Madeira).

In 2023, Fred Olsen with Balmoral offers the "North American Waterways and Canadian Fall" itinerary (UK roundtrip) that includes the company's maiden cruise on Hudson River (USA's New York state). The 34-night / 35-day voyage (booking code L2323 ) starts from Southampton on September 26, 2023. Prices start from GBP 5300 (EUR 5860 / USD 6940) per person, double occupancy cabin rates. Bookings made by September 30, 2020, received up to GBP 300 pp in OBC (onboard credit).

The special itinerary's call ports include St John's Newfoundland (overnight), Sydney NS , Halifax NS (overnight), Saint John NB , Portland ME , Boston MA , Cape Cod Canal , passing by NYC's Statue of Liberty, NYC New York (2-night stay), Hudson River, Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Baltimore MD (overnight), Transatlantic crossing, Hamilton Bermuda , Ponta Delgada Azores , La Coruna Spain .

Fred Olsen Balmoral - user reviews and comments

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Fred Olsen Balmoral Wiki

Launched as "Crown Odyssey" in 1988, MS Balmoral was constructed originally for the Royal Cruise Line and operated by NCL Norwegian Cruise Lines and Orient Lines before being bought (2007) by Fred Olsen. After a major drydock refit (during which a 30 m / 99 ft long midship section was added to the vessel's center) in January 2008 mv Balmoral joined Boudicca , Braemar and Black Watch as the fleet's largest ship. The inaugural cruise started on Feb 13, 2008. Currently, Balmoral is the largest ship operated by Fred Olsen.

The vessel (Meyer Neptun yard/hull number 616) is powered by MAK marine diesel engines (model 8M601/AK6M35) with total power output 21,3 MW.

An interesting fact about MS Balmoral is that in 2012 "Miles Morgan Travel" chartered the cruise ship to follow the RMS Titanic original route honoring the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking. Balmoral stated her "Titanic Cruise" on April 8 departing Southampton with last stop - the site of the wreck of the famous (infamous) ocean liner.

MS Balmoral attracts a loyal base of mature customers (almost all British), who prefer to travel only with the Fred Olsen company. The ship has some single-occupancy cabins and offers regular meetings for solo travelers. Dance hosts are available. This is the ideal ex-UK boat for people who travel alone. Throughout the voyage, guests will find ballroom dance classes and a program of exercise, plus the first jazz dance classes at sea.

Fred Olsen offers an all-inclusive cruise package upgrade (additional fixed price PP per day) and UK fly-cruise deals to the Canary Islands (year-round discounted airfare from Southampton, England ).

In 2018-2019, MS Balmoral offers roundtrip departures out of Edinburgh (Rosyth) Scotland for the first time ever. There were a total of 9 cruises scheduled (May through July), including 5-night Norwegian Fjords, 14-night Scandinavia and Russia (St Petersburg), 9-night "German Waterways".

Grand Voyage 2025 (Discovering Asia with the Holi Festival)

In March 2023 was announced Balmoral's 82-night Grand Voyage 2025 themed "Discovering Asia with the Holi Festival".

Departing roundtrip from Southampton (on January 18th), Grand Voyage 2025 visits Gibraltar UK, Malta (Valletta), Egypt (Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, Safaga), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), Sri Lanka (Colombo, Hambantota), Malaysia (Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu), Brunei (Muara), Vietnam (Saigon), Cambodia (Sihanoukville), Singapore, Burma (Yangon), India (Chennai, Cochin, Mumbai), Oman (Muscat, Salalah), Jordan (Aqaba/Petra), Israel (Asdod, Haifa), Crete Greece (Heraklion), Sicily Italy (Catania), Spain (Cartagena), and Portugal (Lisbon).

The itinerary's pinnacle was the call at Port Mumbai. The visit (on March 14th) was scheduled to coincide with India's Holi Festival (aka Festival of Colours/Spring/Love) which is one of the most popular and significant Hindu festivals celebrating the eternal love of the goddess Radha/Radhika and god Krishna. Holi is an annual festival celebrated on the last full-moon day of the luni-solar calendar month marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Holi's date varies with the lunar cycle but typically falls in March (sometimes in late February).

Prices started from GBP 9000 (EUR 10120 / USD 10680) per person with double occupancy.

Early bookings received up to GBP 500 per person in OBC/onboard credit, free door-to-door transfers (within 250 mi/UK mainland) to Southampton.

South America and the Antarctic Cruise (2023)

Next table shows Fred Olsen's 78-night "Exploration of South America and the Antarctic Cruise" (booking code L2301) on MS Balmoral. The UK roundtrip visited signature/once-in-a-lifetime destinations like the Antarctic Peninsula (from Ushuaia ), Chile's Patagonian Fjords , and Cape Horn on Hornos Island (South America's southern tip, in Tierra del Fuego Chile).

Prices started from GBP 7625 / USD 9220 per person.

Mardi Gras Cruise (2018)

In 2017, Fred Olsen (for the first time ever) scheduled "Mardi Gras Cruise" combining the Caribbean with North and Central America. Leaving roundtrip from the UK (Southampton), the Balmoral's voyage was adults-only and visited 18 ports. The highlight were the 3 full days plus 2 overnights in New Orleans (Louisiana USA) for the fun and festivities at the annual Mardi Gras Carnival. This unique themed voyage (46-night itinerary, booking code L1703, theme "Central America and the Mardi Gras") left Southampton on February 4, 2017.

Prices started from GBP 3450 pp (based on double occupancy/twin-bed Superior Interior cabin). Pricing included accommodation, all onboard meals, and entertainment, plus port taxes.

The itinerary's call ports included: Southampton, Funchal Madeira, Bridgetown Barbados, Castries St Lucia, St John’s Antigua, Road Town (Tortola BVI), Falmouth Jamaica, Trujillo Honduras, Belize City, Cozumel Mexico, NOLA/New Orleans LA (2-nights), Florida USA (Tampa, Key West, Miami, Port Canaveral/Orlando, Jacksonville, Charleston SC USA, Hamilton Bermuda, Ponta Delgada Azores, Southampton.

The 2-night stay in Port NOLA allowed Fred Olsen's cruise tourists to enjoy the festivities at this extravagant festival. Passengers were also provided with the opportunity to attend the "Orpheuscapade Black Tie Ball" in New Orleans - something rarely experienced by tourists. This formal event was held in the city's Convention Centre, featuring live music, dancing and the chance to get up close to the gigantic carnival floats, as a local celebrity leads the parade directly through downtown.

Fred Olsen Balmoral refurbishments review

On December 9, 2014, the ship underwent a 10-day drydock refurbishment for engineering works, interior and exterior painting works. The Library area was redesigned, a new patisserie (Cafe Venus) was added on Lounge Deck (deck 7).

Balmoral ship's drydock 2019 (December 10-19 at Blohm+Voss Shipyard in Hamburg Germany ) was for general maintenance and engineering works, interior renovations (public areas) and cabin refurbishments. The USD 18 million drydocking project also included adding the new Tea Room (China-themed lounge) and Photo Gallery.

The next video shows the cruise ship's refit (time-lapse of the vessel's extension/lengthening) done at Blohm+Voss Shipyard (Hamburg).

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.

Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships can take you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Remember that seeing this phenomenon doesn't involve a cruise director flipping on a switch. Witnessing the northern lights requires clear and dark skies, late-night viewing hours, enough solar activity for the colors to appear and a big dose of luck. Keep that in mind before you invest all your cruise vacation hopes in this one experience.

Where can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

The lights are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere and especially in locations on the so-called auroral oval, a ring zone over the polar regions. In cruising terms, that means prime viewing is in northern Alaska (which is easily accessible on cruisetours), Norway, Iceland, Arctic Canada and parts of Greenland.

Just off the auroral ring is the rest of Alaska. If you are on a cruise in the Inside Passage before April 21 or after Aug. 21 and are willing to be awake in the middle of the night (the lights tend to appear in Alaska after midnight), there's a chance you'll see the aurora borealis.

Cruise lines operating in Alaska — including Holland America , Princess Cruises and UnCruise Adventures — have northern lights sign-up sheets so you don't have to stay up all night, every night, hoping to see the display. Put your name on the list, and you'll receive a wake-up call or knock on your cabin door if there's aurora action. Plan to put on your clothes or bathrobe quickly, as the lights might only appear for a few minutes. (They could also last considerably longer.)

Related: Peak solar activity is forecast for 2024: Here are the best places around the world to see the northern lights

If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights."

Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.

Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.

Cunard Line and Hurtigruten are among the lines that visit northern Norway in the fall. However, the peak viewing season is from November to March (see below). Viking also visits but in the winter.

Iceland, Greenland and Arctic Canada appear on many expedition ships' itineraries during northern lights season, mostly early in the season in August and September. Lines with ships there include Quark Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions.

When can I see the northern lights on a cruise?

Because of the late-setting and early rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, but solar activity does take place year-round.

If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations discussed here, you're best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. Norway is the only prime northern lights destination with winter cruises.

The lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. — in Alaska. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period during fall and winter.

Do cruisetours in Alaska improve my chances of seeing the lights?

Cruisetours in Alaska can improve your odds of seeing the aurora because they get you to Fairbanks and other inland destinations in Alaska that tend to have more cloud-free skies than in the Inside Passage, where cruise ships sail.

While you might see the lights from Denali National Park and Preserve during the viewing season, venturing to Fairbanks and points farther north will increase your odds.

Fairbanks tourism folks like to brag that if you visit for at least three nights between Aug. 21 and April 21, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are more than 90%. (That assumes you are out actively looking during the late evening hours.)

Since your cruisetour might not visit for three nights, consider booking extra hotel nights before or after your cruise. Other things to do in this laid-back city (human population: about 100,000; moose population: 16,000) include riverboat tours, gold panning and yoga with reindeer.

You can also see the lights in Canada's Yukon Territory, including in the gold rush town of Dawson City, which is visited on some Holland America cruisetours.

Related: What's the best way to view the northern lights? We tried to see them by air, land and sea

Should I go on a cruise just to see the northern lights?

Yes, but remember that the phenomenon is dependent on the weather (clear skies required) and hard to predict, despite scientists' best efforts.

Viking has wintertime cruises to Norway from London specifically designed to track the lights in the Norwegian Sea during the peak viewing season — throughout the cruise but especially above the Arctic Circle in Tromso and Alta (where the sailings stop overnight). It's dark in these locales in winter, increasing your chances.

Hurtigruten is so invested in its northern lights experiences that it has hired famed northern lights astronomer Tom Kerss as its "chief aurora chaser." He will serve as an onboard expert, offering talks and workshops for passengers.

The line is so sure you will see the lights on the October-through-March sailings of its year-round 11- and 12-day Norwegian Coastal Express itineraries that the company has a guarantee called the Northern Lights Promise. If the deck's officers don't announce to all on board that the northern lights are happening, you can get a six- or seven-day Norwegian Coastal cruise for free.

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