Another nautical shot today, albeit an unintended one. I do keep a weather eye on the Sydney Ports web site for ship movements, though I haven't really taken advantage of it since I took the shot of the Volendam way back on 20 January. (PBase Link.) Her, I was staked out at the Opera House for.

But this morning I just happened to decide to go to work an hour later (getting up at 5.30 instead of 4.30, how luxurious!) and as I got off the train to change for the bus I noticed, purely by coincidence, the Balmoral being eased in to the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay with an appealing morning light shining on her. Alas I just lost the best light by only a moment, but this one still didn't strike me as an unattractive shot.

Although I already had my PAD in mind for today (and indeed did get in some practice shots of it later in the day; the actual one, incorporating what I learnt from the test shots, can wait for a later PAD), sometimes it's wise to just grab whatever targets of opportunity providence cares to throw at you.

(Balmoral's stats: Built in 1988, refitted in 2008. 43,537 tonnes, 218.18m long / 28.2m beam, 20 knots, 710 cabins and 510 crew.)
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Edit 19 January 2025, almost 15 years later: Balmoral is still in service, amazingly enough. She had been built as the Crown Odyssey for the Greece-based Royal Cruise Line in 1987/1988. In 1992 she was sold to the Norwegian Cruise Line and renamed Norwegian Crown from 1996 to 2000. In that year she reverted to her original name, before moving to the UK based, Norwegian owned line Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2007. Despite the Danish ownership, the Fred. Olsen line goes out hard on British ship names such as Boudicca and Black Watch. Thus our friend here was renamed Balmoral, after the place in Scotland, in 2008 and has remained so since.

All of her scheduled cruises are in the northern hemisphere for 2025. I don't know how long it has been since she was last down this way.

As per the cruise line's web page:
"Balmoral is the smallest ship in our fleet and is well-loved by all of our teams, and long-standing guests. She has wonderful facilities - six beautiful restaurants, seven bars and lounges, two pools and lovely wide open decks which are perfect for when Balmoral is scenic cruising.

The Spey and Avon restaurants offer spectacular views out to sea while you dine, and the Observatory Lounge really comes to life with our Signature Experiences of scenic cruising, or our Ship at Sea sessions.

Her smaller size is a huge asset when it comes to creating itineraries that go off the beaten track and into less visited ports and waterways. Balmoral journeys along rivers and right into the heart of cities such as Bordeaux, or transits through spectacular waterways like the Kiel Canal.

Balmoral's crest proudly replicates the British royal family's Scottish residence Balmoral Castle, with a nod to Fred. Olsen's historic links with Scotland and where the family still have an estate today."