As someone who’s always preferred travelling independently, getting off the beaten track and seeing the ‘real’ side of a destination, I didn’t think a cruise holiday was for me. Like a lot of people, I had a fixed idea of what cruising meant: rigid itineraries, set dining times with strangers, and a crowd that skewed... let’s say, slightly more mature.

It's Safe to say, I was wrong.

Earlier this year, I boarded Balmoral for my first ever cruise — a 5-night sailing with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, from Newcastle to Oslo and Gothenburg. And honestly? It completely changed how I think about travel at sea.

First impressions: not what I was expecting, in the best way

From the moment I stepped onboard, it just felt different to what I’d imagined. Balmoral is a smaller ship by today’s standards, and that’s part of its charm. It had more of a boutique hotel feel; intimate, characterful, and refreshingly easy to navigate. And unlike the mega ships, we sailed straight into the centre of Oslo, meaning I could stroll off and explore at my own pace, no tour bus or group badge required.

That freedom really surprised me. I’d assumed cruising would mean being herded around in a pack. But with Fred. Olsen, I found the opposite: flexibility, independence, and the ability to travel how I wanted, with the added bonus of returning to a cocktail and a guaranteed sea view each evening.

Onboard life: unexpectedly brilliant

One of the biggest surprises? The service. Genuinely warm, attentive and professional — better, frankly, than many five-star hotels I’ve stayed in. The crew remembered names, preferences, and made you feel like more than just a cabin number.

Then there was the food. Oh, my word, the food. Every meal felt like a treat, but it was the afternoon tea that really did it for me: proper scones, delicate sandwiches, elegant pastries, all served as the North Sea shimmered past. Utter bliss.

A cruise that didn’t feel like a cruise

I’ll admit I was half-expecting it all to feel a bit stuffy or overly traditional — but it wasn’t. It was relaxed, friendly and completely unpretentious. There were quiet corners for reading, sociable bars for a quiz and a pint, and spaces to just sit, sip and watch the world roll by.

About those ‘oldies’...

Yes, the demographic skewed older. But I’ll tell you this: they were the ones keeping me on the dancefloor until well after midnight. The energy was infectious, and any assumptions I’d had about cruise passengers went straight overboard.

Cruising, I realised, isn’t about age — it’s about attitude. If you’re curious, open-minded, and up for a good time, you’ll fit right in.

A new way to travel

That first Fred. Olsen cruise has really stayed with me. It was relaxing, yes — but also exciting, refreshing and full of unexpected moments. The blend of discovering new destinations with a thoughtfully designed onboard experience was unlike anything I’d tried before. And I loved it.

If you’ve ever written cruising off the way I did, I’d encourage you to give it a second look. Especially on a smaller ship like Balmoral, which lets you get closer to the places you actually want to explore — with a bit of pampering on the side.

I’m already planning my next one.