Mabletown

Hi if you go into the Fred Olsen site and in the search box top right, type in Closer. The Autumn closer magazine ( third on the list which will display) has details about the refit on page 7.

There are some details of the refit in the new FO Closer magazine, which is available online from their website. It seems cabins will be refurbished, a new restaurant created, a refurb of the existing one, and some changes to the Lido lounge.

I agree with Tring. Previous cruise we booked direct with FO - for an upcoming cruise we have booked with agents. We got a discount - but to be honest, the hassle of having to correspond through agents, and the fact that if you try and ask FO a question, they refer you back to the agents means it really isn't worth the small discount that you get. We won't book with agents again - lesson learned.

We went on a 3 night mini cruise last year, and there was no formal night. However, everyone dressed smartly - hubby wore short sleeved shirt and trousers and I wore dress - also, as well as dresses, other ladies had skirt/ trousers and smart tops. Hope this helps.

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Thanks everyone - have happily booked the drinks package.

I for one am certainly looking forward to reading the reviews and finding out what the ports are. Wish I was going.

All posts really helpful thanks. If you have a coffee or tea in one of the lounges ( apart from the special chocolate shop lounge) are they included in the package, are they included in the cruise, or are they extra charges?

Sorry for all of the questions - relatively new to the cruising population.

Thank you.

The drinks package for £10 a night pp looks really good value. Is it as good as it sounds in reality please?

Hi, I have been looking at the Caribbean cruise itineries and notice that they dock in port on a Wednesday morning but the flight back to UK isn't until the following morning. Do you stay on the boat until the day of the flight, or do you have to disembark on the Wednesday and find a hotel to stay in overnight?

Having never done a fly cruise before I don't want to find out unexpectedly that we have to find a place to stay overnight. Any help welcome thank you.

Hi. Could you tell me how I could access the Fred Olsen fb group please? I am relatively new and not sure whether I could access this. We were keen to do a cruise early 2017 but all of the cabins we would have liked are booked. For that reason, I am keen to book early this time and any advance viewings would be really helpful. Many thanks.

We sailed from Dover at the end of May. We left our case outside The terminal and then as we went in we had to complete a health form. There was then a line of check in desks and no queue so we were gently guiided through, and our booking in completed there and then. We registered our card there, and were also then given our cards for the ship. We then went straight onto the ship, and our picture was taken just before we got on. Just as we got onto the ship we had to pass our card under a reader and that was it - straight to our room. About 10 minutes later ( at most) there was a knock at the door and our case arrived. Perfect. Have a great cruise - wish I was going on Braemar again.

We have just come back from a mini cruise on Braemar to Amsterdam, and if you are going to get a booze cruise it has got to be to Amsterdam! However, although I was told there was one hen party and one stag party on board, we never heard them at all. Didnt see anyone who had too much to drink either it was fabulous and certainly no booze cruisers.

we have just had a mini cruise on Braemar - our first with Fred and thoroughly enjoyed it. Can anyone give me their thoughts on the 3 other ships please - how different are they from Braemar? Thank you

I think its a matter of personal choice to be honest. We went on a cruise about 10 years ago with Festival cruises, an Italian line no longer in service, we didnt enjoy it at all to be honest and it put us off cruising, we saw the Fred Olsen advert, wanted to go to Amsterdam and saw the cruise as a luxury way to see Amsterdam. I have to say how much we enjoyed the Fred Olsen style of cruising - smaller ships, courteous and pleasant crew, and the fact that passengers did talk to each other. If you like the larger cruise ships with about 10 restaurants to choose from then Fred may not be for you - but if you enjoy excellent service, fab food and a more leisurely pace, then I can certainly recommend it. The age range was very mixed - for info, we are both in our early 60's - we werent the oldest, but we certainly werent the youngest either.

I just checked the Daily News for the 3 days, and the show for first sitting started at 9pm, and the show for second sitting started at 10.30 - this was the same for all 3 days.

we have just come off the Braemar - this was our first cruise with Fred, allbeit a mini cruise. We were on late sitting, and finished our meal around 10, followed by a slow wander to the Neptune for the show which started at about 10.35. We never had to queue at all, and in fact, the place seemed to have many spare seats - even the comedian commented on that !! However, the time suited us fine, although the jersey boys tribute at 11.45 was just a tad too late as we had to be up at 6, although i would have loved to have seen that.

As for our first trip with Fred - we loved it, although having been on a cruise with another line a few years ago which we did not enjoy, we were cautious of going on another cruise - hence the mini trial. I am sure we will book another cruise in the future, but only with Fred from now on - everyone was so friendly, both the crew and the passengers.

I notice from another thread that there is afternoon tea on Braemar when you board. Do you have to pay for this separately please? Thanks

Hi, i know this isnt the rollcall, but just wanted to say we are first time freds too going on this mini cruise to Amsterdam, and so the questions and answers were very helpful for us too. Thank you

thank you - lucky you. Wish i was on a cruise now but have to wait until end May.

thank you so much. As you may have guessed, we are newbies, and taking the mini cruise to Amsterdam to see how we get on.

Do tea and coffee have to be paid for on the Braemar if you are having this in one of the bars or lounges and not with a meal. Thank you

thanks everyone - really helpful to know what to do - I like to be prepared. Tring - We have booked in Grampion and are very unlikely to use the Grill - we will not be in any hurry at all - why rush. Looking forward to enjoying our cruise.

hi, this is our first cruise on Braemar, and with FO. Can anyone tell me whats best to do for breakfast and lunch please? Do you have to use the restaurant you are allocated for dinner, or can you use any one, does it depend on where you eat as to whether you have to pay, and if there are any recommendations, would be pleased to learn, thank you