Colours and Tastes on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 29 September 2026
Tom settling in with a chilled glass of wine before dinner begins at Colours and Tastes on board Balmoral
We nearly skipped the speciality dining on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, and we are so glad we did not. With complimentary five-course meals included every evening in the main dining rooms, paying extra for dinner can easily feel unnecessary.
However, on a classic smaller ship like Balmoral, Colours & Tastes offers something refreshingly modern and distinct.
After dozens of cruises and hundreds of days at sea across various lines, we have learned that a ship's marketing gloss does not always match the culinary reality onboard. That is why we booked an evening table at Colours & Tastes to see if the experience genuinely justifies the supplement.
Colours and Tastes is the signature intimate speciality restaurant aboard Fred. Olsen's Balmoral. Tucked behind the Lido Lounge on Deck 8 aft, the venue offers rotating regional concepts covering Italian classics, Asian fusion, and a gourmet grill. Pre-booked for £20 per person, it delivers outstanding culinary quality, attentive service, and exceptional value for money.
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Inside the intimate and stylish Colours and Tastes restaurant on Deck 8 aft aboard Balmoral
Where to Find Colours and Tastes on Deck 8
Finding Colours & Tastes can feel like a bit of a hidden adventure if it is your first time navigating Balmoral. The restaurant is tucked right towards the stern on Deck 8 aft.
To reach the restaurant, you walk through the Lido Lounge, passing the central stage and dance floor before arriving at the rear entrance. Right alongside is the Lido Bar, which boasts brilliant views out over the ship's wake.
The dining room itself is quiet and intimate, with walls decorated with curated artwork from the Olsen family collection. Because of its compact footprint, you never feel as though you are sitting in a bustling, cavernous dining hall.
A quick seating tip: several tables sit quite close to the entrance doors. Even if your table happens to be right near the entrance, foot traffic remains low once dinner service begins because the restaurant is so small.
The Concept: A Rotating Specialty Menu
Unlike many mega-ships where speciality restaurants feature static menus all year round, Colours and Tastes operates on an inspired rotating theme:
Italian: Traditional handmade pasta dishes, rich ragùs, and classic Italian desserts.
Asian Fusion: Fragrant curries, dim sum, bao buns, and spiced seafood.
Gourmet Grill: Hand-cut steaks from the ship's butcher, gourmet sides, and decadent sauces.
The menu being served depends on your specific itinerary and sailing length. On our cruise, the Italian menu was featured for the evening, and the choices were mouthwatering.
Before you even make your selection, the waitstaff welcome you with a warm selection of Italian-inspired breads, paired with fine olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars. It is a spot-on start that immediately sets the tone for a relaxed, indulgent evening.
The indulgent Fettuccine Alfredo starter served during Italian night at Colours and Tastes. Spot-on and full of flavour
Our Dinner Review: What We Ordered
We decided to treat ourselves to a full three-course dinner, accompanied by wines from our onboard package.
Starters: Fettuccine Alfredo
We both ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo to start. The pasta was cooked to perfection, holding just the right amount of bite, while the rich cheese sauce was deeply savoury and indulgent without feeling heavy. It was a generous starter portion, and we cleared our plates in no time.
Main Course: Filet Mignon
For the main event, the filet mignon arrived beautifully presented, accompanied by a rich bone marrow and red wine jus alongside a large tortellini stuffed with gorgonzola.
The steak was spot-on. The steak knife glided right through the meat, and the bold gorgonzola oozed out to complement the richness of the beef. If you are not normally keen on pungent blue cheese, do not let that put you off.
Because the gorgonzola is tucked neatly inside the pasta parcel rather than melted directly across the steak, you can easily control how much you eat with each bite. Alternatively, you can simply ask the kitchen to prepare the steak without the tortellini.
Desserts: Comforting and Creative
We finished the meal with a warm panettone bread and butter pudding served with silky custard. Bread and butter pudding is an absolute British staple, and this festive Italian twist was hands-down one of our favourites at sea.
Just when we thought we could not fit in another bite, the team brought out a complimentary plate of chocolate and pistachio salami to accompany our coffees. Dense pistachios rolled in velvety dark chocolate provided a cracking final note to the meal.
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Decadent panettone bread and butter pudding with brandy custard at Colours and Tastes. An absolute highlight of the meal
Service, Pacing, and Drinks
Overall, our dinner in Colours & Tastes lasted roughly an hour and a half. The timing between courses felt unhurried yet attentive, striking that ideal balance between relaxed holiday dining and professional service.
If you have purchased the Fred. Olsen drinks package, you can easily order your included wines and soft drinks at the table, with red, white, and rosé options poured directly from the bottle. For those fancying something extra special, an elevated wine list and digestif menu are also available for an additional charge.
Practical Booking Tips for Cruisers
To make the most of your evening, keep these handy tips in mind before boarding:
Book before you sail: Reserving your table online via your cruise booking portal is significantly cheaper. Booking ahead costs £20 per person, whereas reserving onboard costs £25 per person (prices rising to £25 advance / £30 onboard for newer bookings from 2027 onwards).
Pair with evening drinks: Since the venue is right off the Lido Lounge, it is worth arriving 20 minutes before your reservation to grab a pre-dinner cocktail and enjoy the live lounge band.
Smart casual dress: Fred. Olsen’s standard evening dress codes apply here. While it is an intimate venue, on regular evenings smart casual (collared shirts, smart trousers, dresses) is spot-on.
Go easy on lunch: Portion sizes in Colours & Tastes are generous. We recommend having a light lunch or opting for a single course earlier in the day to save room for all three courses at dinner.
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Dom thoroughly enjoying the fantastic three-course dinner at Colours and Tastes on board Balmoral
Was It Worth It?
Colours and Tastes on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral is worth every single penny.
At just £20 per person when pre-booked, the cover charge is an absolute bargain compared to the £40 to £70 cover charges frequently seen on larger mainstream cruise lines.
Who this restaurant is best for:
Couples looking for a romantic, quiet date-night atmosphere away from the busier main dining rooms.
Foodies who appreciate elevated cooking techniques, rich reductions, and quality cuts of meat.
Guests celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or special occasion at sea.
Who might want to skip it:
Cruisers on a strict budget who are completely satisfied with the five-course dinners included in the Ballindalloch, Spey, and Avon dining rooms.
Very fussy eaters who prefer plain, traditional British dining over regional Italian or Asian seasonings.
Our final verdict? It was one of the culinary highlights of our entire voyage aboard Balmoral.
Conclusion & Our Top Tip
Balmoral has plenty of vintage charm, and Colours & Tastes bridges the gap beautifully by offering an elevated, contemporary dining experience in a cosy setting.
Our single top piece of advice: log into your Fred. Olsen cruise account and book your table well in advance of departure. Because Colours & Tastes is the only dedicated speciality dining room onboard and table space is limited, popular sitting times fill up fast.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cover charge for Colours and Tastes Fred Olsen?
Colours and Tastes costs £20 per person when booked in advance through your online cruise account, or £25 per person if booked once onboard (increasing to £25 in advance and £30 onboard for sailings booked from 2027).
Where is Colours and Tastes located on Balmoral?
The restaurant is situated at the aft (back) of Deck 8, directly accessible by walking through the Lido Lounge and next to the Lido Bar.
Do I need to book Colours and Tastes in advance?
Yes, we strongly recommend booking before your cruise begins. The dining room has a limited number of covers each evening and can book out quickly, especially on sea days.
What kind of food does Colours and Tastes serve?
The restaurant serves a rotating seasonal concept featuring Italian classics, Asian fusion, or a gourmet steakhouse grill, depending on the itinerary.
Are drinks included in Colours and Tastes?
Drinks are not included in the £20 cover charge. However, if you have purchased a Fred. Olsen beverage package, your package wines, beers, and soft drinks are served at no extra cost during your meal.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
