The ship was built by Meyer Werft of Papenburg, Germany in 1988, for service with Royal Cruise Line as the Crown Odyssey.

Fred. Olsen took delivery of the ship on November 7, 2007 from her previous owner Norwegian cruise lines and she was re named Balmoral after the balmoral estate, The company initiated a major refit adding a further 186 passenger and 53 crew cabins, making the ship currently the company's largest. Some of her onboard features include a laundrette, medical centre, library and Internet room, card room,art gallery,fitness centre, boutique,photo gallery and shop,swimming pools and Jacuzzis,and on board entertainment.