Travelingman52

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

Looking to return to cruising next year upon Bolette and considering having an interior cabin due to needing complete darkness to sleep. Has anyone any experience/comments of the cabins on decks 1 &  2 and which ones to avoid ie engine noise, lifts etc. Thanks.

Thanks to all for your advice much appreciated, the Kindle fire option is attractive as well as investing in a few more larger capacity SD cards. Thanks once again. 

I was thinking of using the PCs in the Internet room, surely this would not be problem?

Hi advice please, I don't want to have to take my laptop with me on my next trip but would prefer not to keep all my shots on the SD cards, what alternatives do I have ?

I was thinking of getting an external hard drive that I could connect to a pc onboard ship, would this work? Thanks in anticipation.

Thanks to all who have replied to my post. I will take all of your comments onboard. It is getting close now and I really need to get this sorted it is going to be a big thing on this trip of a lifetime and it is my responsibility to make the trip happen for my OH.

Having received the excursion brochure for our up coming tour to South Africa, we were disappointed to note that all of the visits to game reserves came with a warning that anyone with back problems etc. should not book on them. As my wife has had recent spinal surgery we will not therefore be partaking on any of the planned activities, this is of course a great disappointment as we were hoping to visit the Elephant park at Port Elizabeth. 

I would be grateful for any suggestions.

I would expect to pay extra for a speciality product in the same way as I pay for the speciality coffee or the cocktails not included in the AI package. You pays your money and takes your choice!

I would question the correlation between having gaming tables and having an adult clientele, surely the facilities should reflect the needs or requirements of the customer.

What the drinks package does include is a 50% on the price of the litre bottles in your cabin. 

Hi, Sorry to disappoint you but no dedicated ice cream bar on Black Watch. The only speciality is the coffee shop and of course the Black Watch grill. Such a pity, I'm sure that there would be a demand if one was to be installed and noticing the lack of trade on the gaming tables I would think that the space allocated to the casino could be used better.

Thanks for the suggestions, Avon Skin So Soft seems to win the day.

Wow! That's a great tip thanks, will definitely try it.

We will be visiting Canada in October, with visits to forests etc. Should I pack insect repellent and if so can anyone recommend one. Thanks.

We used SPB tours 2011 and they were super. We certainly would use them again.

We sailed on Black Watch last Nov/Dec and enjoyed a couple of films via the TV, really enjoyed them. We are sailing to Canada in the Fall in this September and are looking forward to watching a few more films then. Of course we shall also enjoy the many other facilities on board as well.

I also had posted on the roll call each time i have cruised and have been disappointed with the lack of replies.

Having returned from our first cruise on Black Watch, having previously sailed on Balmoral and Boudicca we were well impressed by the ship. It is easy to understand why she is a favourite of many.

We found the Black Watch room devoid of any atmosphere perhaps due to the small amount of customers on the one night we visited although we never saw it busy at any time. I do wonder if the space might have been put to better use.

We also felt that the lighting could be a little softer in the observatory lounge in the evening which could create a more intimate and relaxing atmosphere.

The cinema is excellent and we saw quite a few films whilst on board, impressed with the up to date films and the showing times, especially the late night ones.

As per usual form Fred the food, staff and entertainment especially Brenda Collins were excellent. Looking forward to our next cruise on board Black Watch which will be in September when are sailing to Canada in the Fall.

I agree it is great pity to see the amount of people who do not dress for formal nights, however for the benefit of any 'new cruisers' this is not the majority, as is reflected by lack of seating to be had in the Neptune lounge where cocktails and drinks are served after meeting the Captain and Officers. I think that perhaps if more posts accentuated the number that do dress for formal nights it would be better. Both formal nights that we attended on Black Watch on the Sun, Souks and Siestas cruise in November were well attended.

It is noticeable however the amount of gentlemen that seem to have departed from wearing ties and a jacket in the evening, i am aware of course that the dress code is smart casual but taking the general age of Fred's clients it does surprise me, perhaps it just reflects the dumbing down that has happened throughout society. However I will still wear a tie and jacket in the evening and appreciate that not everyone may have my standards but that they do have the freedom of choice but that they may also be missing out on something that makes our style of cruising special.

Right on Travellingman52; you think like we do. Nice to read your comments as we are thinking of a first cruise with Fred.

I'm sure you will enjoy a Fred cruise, they are real ships and we have always found the service excellent or we would vote with our feet. We are sailing out of Tilbury in November to the Canaries and Morocco and have already booked another cruise for 2018. I see that you are in NZ would you board from there?

On the three Fred cruises we have been on the food has been excellent. Not been on P&O so can't comment. The facilities in H grade inside cabins have been just what we wanted and needed. After all we only sleep and change there, we see the same things, eat the same food and enjoy the company of all on board so why pay the extra for a larger more upmarket cabin. Enjoy your cruise. Gordon

Can anyone help with upto date information re any where that I can park my car at Tilbury, most of the posts are quite out of date. We are to sail out via FO in November this year. We are thinking about booking a hotel in Thurock and arranging with the hotel to leave it in their car park if there is nothing else. Would prefer something more secure.

Thanks.

Thanks Barbara, I will be taking all the info with me, so valuable to be able to use helpful advice which will make our trip more enjoyable. As I feel that you can get so much more when traveling independently than just taking the ship's excursions.

Regards Gordon

Thanks, the info is much appreciated. I have been reading up about Funchal and intend visiting Monte and talking the sledge ride down. Do you know if buses are available to get you back up again to the cable car or are taxis the only option, don't fancy having to walk it!

I thank everyone who has replied to my query regarding what excursions to take on our next cruise. My delay in thanking you all is due to the fact my laptop has decided to retire and consequently I am using a tablet to post on, not the best method as I don't use it everyday.

The ports that we shall be visiting are Arrecife, Las palmas, Santa Cruz, Porto Santo, and Funchal.