historyman

Just got a shiny brochure in from Fred highlighting all the Anchor Fares for the next few months. It also shows the original Freedom Fare prices and some of the discounts are massive! The benefits of a Freedom Fare don't justify the huge price differential of the Anchor Fare.

 

If I was going on one of these cruises and had booked a Freedom Fare I would not be a happy bunny at all. I have cruised for a long time and know this is just the way it is (so I try to avoid looking at prices after I book) however to get it neatly laid out in black and white and through your front door is just adding salt to the wounds.

 

Do Fred ever offer early bookers the chance to (pay for) an upgrade before they sell off cabins at these bargain basement prices?

 

Does the (complimentary) upgrade fairy ever visit?

Yes - after booking early quite often but it's luck of the draw. On other occasions we've been offered a discounted upgrade which sometimes has been accepted and sometimes not.:)

Had a call from Fred yesterday regards a cruise we have booked for next Oct. Seems the cost of the AI package is to go up to £15pppd from early March (I think the caller said the 10th) and would we like to buy it now before the price rise.

 

Must admit I think this a a wise move by Fred, especially if they can put the price of their cruises down a tad at the same time (perhaps a bit hopeful though). They are way out of line with pricing compared to other cruise lines who charge less for their cruises and then make their money on "spending opportunities", which makes Fred's cruise prices look bad, if people are initially comparing them to the cruise prices of other cruise lines.

 

I compared Fred's excursion prices in Casablanca last November to ones offered by NCL early this year. The US run lines have always been more expensive of course, but price difference seems much higher now. With the fall in the £, I wonder what may be ahead for us?

Glad you posted this thanks. Have also bought the AI package before the price increase,

And me. Parsman is spot on. Try to avoid the singalong at all costs. Usually successfully I have to say...

We were also on that cruise last year which makes us very apprehensive about going on board this Tuesday. However thanks to your post we are feeling a bit better. Thanks for posting. Do you happen to know if the Premier inn at the ferry terminal is an easy walk to the Terminal

Yes the Premier Inn (and Brewers Fayre) are within walking distance of the terminal, between the retail park and the terminal. We thought of staying there but found a cheaper Premier Inn further out which was fine as we had a car anyway. Some people left their car at the Premier Inn but the port parking is secure.

Yes we left the ship in Newcastle on Thursday having also been on the ill-fated "bug" cruise to Norway last May. No problems this time I'm pleased to say plus good weather helped make it a very enjoyable experience. Spoke to quite a few first timers who all seemed quite impressed. Embarkation at Newcastle was we found the fastest ever; arrived about 30 minutes before the appointed hour, parked car, cases taken, checked in, through security, short transfer bus, all within 45 minutes. OK we are Oceans Gold but never managed this at Southampton or Dover, certainly not recently.

We were on the Balmoral Norway cruise which terminated a day early in May owing to the virus and again on the cruise which returned yesterday 8 August. I can also confirm that we saw no indication of any problems this time:)

I have also suggested that maybe for first two days of cruise, that NO buffets are allowed. That would give any viruses to have less chance to spread as obviously if people have to constantly told to wash hands on ship, they probably don't do it at home and are not used to doing it!!!! I believe that some passengers may not be truthful when filling out the health questionnaire and they could be bringing the virus on board, seems just easy to blame Fred!

Interesting point. Years ago we were on Black Watch with a similar situation and we resolved then that we would never use the buffet for the first 2 days of a cruise. Have followed that rule ever since - with all the other recommended measures and using our own pen for signing charges. Having served buffets at the start of a cruise might be a small price to pay if it minimises the risk of an outbreak on this scale with its attendant costs, disruption and marred holidays. This was by the way to the untrained eye a more serious outbreak in numbers than previously encountered if the number of vacant seats for dinner is any indication.

Yes we were also on the curtailed cruise. Looked quite a serious outbreak but it was handled as well as it could be. They were starting a deep clean at noon today. Lots of extra work for the crew but all credit to them they mostly kept smiling. As stated refund cheque for the missed day waiting for us on return:)