worldfamoustravellers

That is surprising! I thought the ability to cross the Atlantic with only two sea days was a brilliant idea. I like sea days, but so many all together does not appeal. Also when you are still at work, you cannot spare the time for three or four week holidays, so have to fly to do the Caribbean or Canada. Not to mention that a two week holiday is cheaper than a four week one. What were your reasons?

I'm surprised it's even possible in that time scale!!

Definitely not something I would consider. Sea days are an important part of the cruise experience.

wft

We were thinking of doing a mini Cruise in December, and the ones I can find are the 60's and 70's ones from Southampton.

 

Someone has said that these short cruises become booze cruises, and although we would enjoy the music, we wondered if anyone has experience of these cruises to let me know what they are like please.

No experience myself, but I'm curious why you've posted to the Fred Olsen board?? Try the Thompson board, if there is one.

wft

Hi we're sailing from Tenerife in November, when can we expect to get flight details. I ask as:

I will need additional leg room if it's a Monarch flight.

Want to book car parking for decent price in advance

Need to know if I need to combine parking with an hotel the night before.

 

My cruise TA keeps saying; "Next month" and has been for months!

 

Thanks.

Might be worth asking FO direct, yes I know that's what the TA should do, but................................

wft

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

Braemar is the only ship we haven't (yet) sailed on. Of the others, Boudicca and Black Watch are of a similar size (around 800 passengers) and Balmoral is larger (around 1300 passengers). Balmoral is probably our favourite but we would go on any one of them.

BW tends to be used on longer cruises/world cruises. Balmoral also used to do these but not so much now, possibly because of the cost of the Panama Canal transit.

wft

I've heard that the airline is Monarch, which is not good based on the views of friends who have flown with them.

I'm trying to find out.

wft

We saw them for the first time earlier this year.

Weird. Not really for us.

wft

I was directed to this site earlier:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destination/ireland/61826/Belfast-attractions.html

wft

I thought that under English Law Fred Olsen would be responsible however in their small print they seek to remove themselves from any liability. It is a good tip to read all the small print although I am not sure that they can be fire proof under British Law or even if British Law is applicable. Sailors Beware!

I am not a lawyer but I imagine UK contract law would hold FO responsible, despite their efforts to rule otherwise.

wft

This is what they do on Holland America. The buffet restaurant is open but all food is served for the first two days. I think Fred should adopt this as they seem to get more of these outbreaks than any other cruise line.

We were on BW in January. When the outbreak started, the buffets were open but food was served by the staff wearing gloves and hats. Some of the entertainment staff were involved in this, which was much appreciated.

wft

.

As a veteran of more that 30 cruises with this line and several with others I am glad to say that FOCL do read what is posted and very often take action on complaints.

Thanks, I've often wondered if Fred read the comments here.

wft

I have always found tendering on the Fred. Olsen ships to be well organised and efficient.

Agreed, but those on pre-booked excursions will have priority, so it may be around 09:30 before independent cruisers will get off.

wft

Many thanks for your posts and the pictures. We also had a great time and really enjoyed the itinerary, particularly the Chilean Fjords, which I reckon was the highlight of the cruise.

Re Black Watch, yes it was 'grubby' in places, particularly the balconies. I was interested in your comment about the average age on board - 74 - where did you get that? Fortunately, we didn't get the bug, just had a couple of days feeling under the weather so we slept most of that time.

With respect, I'm really not convinced that the state of the ship contributed to the norovirus, I know there were a number of people who ignored the quarantine regulations!!

Thanks again for alerting us to the alternative tour in San Martin, Peru. Really good and much less than Fred's offering.

We are looking forward to some more cruises planned with Fred. Enjoy your upcoming cruises.

wft

We were on Black Watch recently and the cabins were being used. They would only do for people who're sociable as everybody on the Promenade Deck walks right in front of you when you're sitting there. They definitely wouldn't be any good for someone who wants privacy.

We also were on BW in January. I agree, don't book these if you expect privacy. Also, they've taken up the space previously available for sun bathing and walking round the ship (5 laps = 1 mile, if you're interested :rolleyes:).

Would we book one? Yes, if the price was right!!!

And I know it's a minority interest, but you can't smoke on these balconies.

wft

We've used this firm for parking at Southampton and generally it works well:

https://www.justpark.com/

The only caveat I have is the journey from the house where you park to the port. Previously, they were a little vague on whether they would pick you up at the end of the cruise and we found they 'couldn't make it' for some vague reason. Not the end of the world, but it means you have to get a taxi from the port to the car parking place.

Now, I make certain they will take us to and from the port, albeit at a small additional charge. Otherwise the system works well and we will use them in the future.

wft

It would be interesting to learn if the Internet vouchers are all voided at the end of each voyage. Perhaps someone doing a back to back could conduct an experiment. :)

I don't think so. I checked with reception, who confirmed the crew could use them - that's why our gave ours to our cabin stewardess, like I said.

wft

Booking shore tours online - I did this in November/December last. Yes, the site was slow and should be improved. I'm not a techie but I can't imagine it would be that difficult.

I have to say the wi-fi was better than I've experienced on Fred's other ships, infuriatingly slow at times but, more often than not, reasonable. I imagine that providing more bandwith would be prohibitively expensive. I only used it for short periods for emails, checking certain websites - I didn't try Skype or Facetime (is that the name of the Apple equivalent?). We were on BW for 69 nights, the cost of a 24hour ticket was £30 and I had 5 hours left at the end of the cruise when I gave the ticket to our cabin stewardess. I also leant the ticket to our dining companions towards the end of the cruise.

Jackie was Cruise Director on Black Watch over christmas and she did work

 

incredibly hard especially on New Years Eve, we had a brilliant night.

 

Susan

She was also CD on the South American cruise after Christmas. I agree, she did work very hard and her efforts were much appreciated.

wft

We'll be leaving Scotland in just over a week's time and setting sail on the Black Watch. We start by heading South to Madeira, Tenerife and Cape Verde before crossing the Atlantic and visiting ports in Brazil (not the Amazon) Uruguay, Argentina. Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and then into the Caribbean for some island-hopping before heading back across the Atlantic.

 

I would LOVE to do a 'live from.....' for Cruisecritic but I know I haven't got the staying power so if anybody would like to follow my travels on Twitter you'll find me on

@arrbee54.

 

I will tweet once a day with a sentence or two and a photo, all starting on 4th January. I'm getting very excited now although anxious too as we'll be away for 10 weeks and we've never been on Fred Olsen before nor have we ever been away for more than 35 days.

That sounds good, but do be aware that the on-board wi-fi is, at times, pretty dismal and expensive - you are paying when you connect to the system regardless of the speeds obtained. Many people wait till ashore where you can normally find reasonable connection free or for a small fee. I've no idea how the wifi provided by Fred compares with that on other cruise ships, however.

wft

Hi everyone. we have just come back from the Caribbean on Balmoral. what a great trip on a wonderful ship with outstanding crew! My one big problem is with ignorant passengers who just want to TALK/COMMENT about the shows in the main theatre at night. To those people. SHUT UP!! you spoil the show for others! We don't want to know what YOU think. Nor do we want to listen to you drone on about their shoes, their dress, his shirt. If you really have to tell your partner something, whisper to their ear!!! You talkers are really very ignorant. Perhaps you never go out? Perhaps you don't know how to behave in public? Just learn off others around you. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!

Also in the Lido lounge DON'T play cards and whoop and shout while the artists are performing. You my not like the listen and watch but there are many who do. If you want to play cards go else where.

Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean. I once asked some people nearby to stop talking during the acts and if looks could kill...............

Also happens in the Observatory lounge.

Hi,

 

Not sure if anyone will read this before we depart. This is the first time I have entered a forum! My husband and I are looking forward to our cruise starting on the 5th January 2015 around South America. Cruise ID: W1501 South American Discoverer. Does anyone have any tips about trips or excursions we could book privately? Indeed, any tips at all!

Hi and welcome to Cruise Critic. There is a separate 'roll call' board specifically for this cruise and there is loads of useful information and plenty of ideas. This is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025730&page=5

By the way, Black Watch sails on the 6th January;)

wft

I've stayed in this town twice (visiting Valdes and Punto Tombo/Bahia Dos Cabos) and would have to say that there is (sadly) really nothing of interest for the effort/money to get there from Puerto Madryn. Only stayed there as it's nicer than Trelew and close to the airport (REL) for morning flights.

 

It is at least 40 Km away from Puerto Madryn.

Thank you. You've confirmed my early impression.

wft

Quite fancy visiting this village/town(???).

Seems a fair distance from the port.

Has anyone done it by taxi, as opposed to the ships tour?

How long was the journey?

Reasonable cost?

Thanks for any information.

wft

We are on Black Watch around South America in Jan/Feb.

I would be interested to hear about the likely weather conditions from anyone who's done a similar cruise around that time.

Many thanks

wft:confused:

Dreamers and cynics on the same board at the same time.

No hope for any of us now:p

wft

Hi there,

 

Please see below details of times that we have for arrival and departure into/from the ports on this cruise. However, please note that this is subject to change at all times, depending on weather and tide conditions, and any other situation that may arise as the Captain has the authority to amend at any time:

 

Sat 07 1630 Southampton,

Wed 11 0830 - 1730 Funchal, Madeira

Thu 12 1030 - 0130 on 13th Santa Cruz, La Palma

Fri 13 0800 - 0030 on 14th San Sebastian, La Gomera

Sat 14 0800 - 0100 on 15th Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Sun 15 0800 - 1800 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Mon 16 0800 - 1400 Arrecife, Lanzarote

Wed 18 0830 - 1630 Lisbon, Portugal

Sat 21 0630 Southampton, UK

 

If you've any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,

F.OCL

Thanks for this information. Could you do the same, please, for Black Watch around South America on Jan 6th - I appreciate timings could change for all sorts of reasons.

Cheers

wft