We arrived at our allotted time and went through the check in procedure very easily. We are not too keen on City Terminal but it all went well and we boarded just after 2.15. Our luggage had already arrived so we were soon settled with time for afternoon tea in the Palms Café – where our muster took place. Sailing was on time and calm water took us to Zeebrugge.
The shuttle bus transfer into Blankenburg used boarding passes which did cause a delay as the town had only provided 2 coaches. Probably Cunard had the monopoly of this type of transportation. However, we had decided that we would spend the day in Blankenburg – a town we are particularly fond of and as it was my birthday, we had a nice lunch in a restaurant we have visited before.
From Zeebrugge, we had a day at sea and enjoyed the Captains Welcome Gala. We arrived in Copenhagen late morning, had time for a light lunch then joined our organised trip to Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market which did not disappoint. En route, we stopped at the Little Mermaid for a photo shoot and then for a walk to the Royal Palace with our Guide. We replaced the latter with a visit a couple of gift shops which for Denmark were very reasonably priced. A tour of the city and then to Tivoli where we had 2 hours to explore. It was a good afternoon, the rain tried to keep away but a light drizzle came in as we were walking back to the coach.
The following day was spent in the Kiel Canal, no snow but still very pretty and plenty of chances to use the camera.
Next was Hamburg Christmas Market using the newly opened Underground Train to get right into town. The Markets seemed smaller than before but there were plenty of bargains to be had. Bremerhaven followed and the Shuttle service was spot on. Again the Market was smaller but we had a really good time.
The final day was at sea with, as usual plenty to do. The Captains Farewell was that night and a very fitting end to a most enjoyable cruise. Overnight we had high winds which resulted in slow disembarkation at Southampton as the bad weather had prevented the crane which takes the baggage off the ship from working. Luggage was moved manually and in stead of being called off in deck order from top to bottom, the decks seemed to be called randomly. The Baggage Reclaim area was very wet as a result of the rain the UK had suffered and delayed us getting off.
None of this was a fault of Fred, it was simply weather conditions and the knock on effect.
We were on second sitting in the Avon Restaurant on a table for 8 and had a happy crowd on the adjacent table. The waiting staff were first class and we were joined by the Hotel Manager on the first formal night. The food was as good as ever, well cooked and presented nicely.
It was wonderful to have Victor Stoica as our Captain again, Mr Thomas Rennesland as the Hotel Manager and Ashley Bolton-Burrows as the Cruise Director, ably assisted by Jamie and a great team of hosts/hostesses and the theatre company.
There was a really good atmosphere on the ship, passengers were very friendly and happy and for once, we did not hear the C word (compensation) or many complaints. That was a bonus.
All the staff were great but if we had just one gripe, it would be that there was a new photographic team and not many photos were taken. We collect gangway photos but we only had one at Copenhagen and unfortunately, we were left out in the Avon and on the British Night. With that said, that slips into insignificance as it was such a great cruise.
The sea conditions were much better than expected and the only clue that it was a bit choppy one night was when a champagne flute fell onto the floor in the middle of the night.
The entertainment was first class. We went to the Lido Lounge every night where at 7.45 the show company put on musical shows, a 60’s night, an evening with Elvis, a Christmas show etc and then the main shows in the Neptune where the show company put on really good productions and then of course there was Brenda Collins who was on 3 times – such a funny lady. The Balmoral Orchestra were very good, as was Q Tones, the Rosario trio and the young man in the Morning light bar.
Thank you Fred for another great cruise on Balmoral and to Ocean World Travel for ongoing great service.
