[5] Balmoral was built as a ferry by John I. Thornycroft & Company at Woolston in 1949, for the Southampton, Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Limited, more normally known as the Red Funnel line.

From her introduction she also occasionally performed excursion duties, but as dedicated car ferries were introduced to her main route, her role became more focussed on offering coastal cruises around the South Coast.

Since then the ship has operated a summer season of excursions around the Bristol Channel, with visits to most areas of the UK.

[4] Balmoral can now accommodate up to 800 passengers and has a self-service restaurant on board, along with two licensed bars, a heated observation lounge and a souvenir shop.

[15] Balmoral was also hired in the 2017 drama Another Mother's Son, featuring Ronan Keating and John Hannah She also features in the 2019 film Stan and Ollie, a biographical comedy-drama based on the lives of the comedy double act Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.