Travelingman52

This will be our first warm cruise with Fred after visiting Northern Europe and Norway. We usually do our own thing via Hop on Off buses but was thinking that it maybe useful to do some of the ship's excursions, which would you recommend?

:) Thanks for your advice and thoughts everyone. We have took advantage of the current sale that is on and we are booked to travel on the Balmoral in September.

 

I am sure we will enjoy it and the age thing will not bother us.

 

Thanks

Really pleased that you have considered all the comments and booked this cruise,i am sure you will enjoy it, have fun enjoy life to the full!

I am sure that you will enjoy your 1st cruise with Fred and I am sure you will return. The age thing is just not worth thinking about what does it matter, both myself (65) and my wife (62) enjoy the destinations, food, the friendly staff, the shows, the AI and the company of the other cruisers we meet. We never consider their ages it is as unimportant as would be their inside leg measurement or what colour of hair they have, so please enjoy yourselves and forget the age it is only a number!

It would be such a shame if the formal nights disappeared, it is one of the reasons why we choose to cruise with Fred as the majority of passengers are of an age where people give respect to others and I think this what should be remembered here. So if you don't wish to partake in the formal events don;t but also do expect us that wish to, to have to dumb down the way way we wish to enjoy our cruising.

The only reason to book early is to secure a specific cabin and a spot on the cruise, it has nothing to do with 'loyalty'.

 

If you don't care that much about which cabin you get and are willing to risk the cruise selling out, then don't book early and wait until you see a good offer for the cruise you want.

 

But if you do book early you can be sure there will be better offers later on, even if 'later on' turns out to be a week or a month after you booked.

 

Can't have it both ways sadly,

You have it right, all our cruises have been with Fred, we have considered waiting until the last minute to pick up bargains but have dismissed this as we like the brand, the ships and like to pick our cabin. Yes we could wait and save some cash but hey you takes your choice and pays the price. Enjoy!

What a super review, really enjoyed reading it gave us some things to think about. Good also to read a review from the Midlands, we are Proud Northerners and note that most of the posts seem to be from Southerners! We have cruised on Balmoral and Bodicca both excellent ships though we prefer Balmoral as she is larger. How did Breamar handle the rough seas, i believe that she is 'flat bottomed?'

So glad that you enjoyed 'Fred' and the good mannered passengers. Us golden oldies are the best.

Regards

Travelingman52

I would love it, but the DW would not and as she allowing me a bird watching safari when we are in Honisvarg i don't think there is much chance. So i think we will be sitting this port out apart from looking at the scenery as we sail in.

Travelingman52

Hi

We will be Leknes on the 1st August and thought about hiring a car rather than doing the ships tour however the car hire company tell me that all their cars are taken! (First time i've come across that one!) So we are at a loose end and hoping that some one may have suggestions for two reasonable fit 60 year old, perhaps a short walking tour but not cycling TOH is not to good on two wheels. Thanks Travelingman52.

We also will be taking a FO cruise to the Arctic in July and had the same thoughts when we received the excursion price list, what a rip off. As you rightly state it is everyone choice to part take or not, i do hope that FO take note of this as this is what passengers have done with the theme nights and they are no more, that's people power, perhaps if the excursions are arranged and not taken up FO may have to incur a cost with the suppliers.

Just as an aside. Is the cruise terminal in Leknes close to the town centre?

Travelingman52

Thanks for all of your replies, it is obviously a case of wait and see. I will of course be doing my own homework and as the time gets closer the anticipation will grow.

Thank once again.

Anyone any idea what type of lectures will be given on the cruise L1410 (Crossing The Arctic Circle) that myself and my wife are booked upon in July. The last time we went to Norway On Boudicca we had a couple of lectures re the traditions of the Norwegian people given by a very nice lady dressed in national costume. Also when we went to the Baltic on Balmoral there were lectures on Amber and the Faberge eggs. As a couple of the excursions that are on offer in July are bird/nature watching tours I was hoping that they may have some naturalists on board.

:confused:Has no one been on this cruise, lots of views but no replies. Or am i just asking the wrong type of questions? The same thing happened when i posted before when we went to the Baltic, i asked questions that i thought were pertinent, plenty of views but very few replies.

Not trying to be annoying but i am feeling rather left out, perhaps i should just stick to asking questions like what to wear, or which restaurant to use if i don't want to attend the formal nights etc. At least folks get replies to these types of posts. :confused:

Anyone any idea what type of lectures will be given on the cruise L1410 (Crossing The Arctic Circle) that myself and my wife are booked upon in July. The last time we went to Norway On Boudicca we had a couple of lectures re the traditions of the Norwegian people given by a very nice lady dressed in national costume. Also when we went to the Baltic on Balmoral there were lectures on Amber and the Faberge eggs. As a couple of the excursions that are on offer in July are bird/nature watching tours I was hoping that they may have some naturalists on board.

Having just returned from The Baltic (1st Sept) I cannot recommend too highly the services of SPB tours they were truly fantastic from our first contact by email through to being met by Viktoria who had taken time out to bid us farewell at the end of our two day tour. The knowledge of our personal guide Andre was first class. Alexi our driver was a expert at getting us to where we needed to be safely. I have both driven and been driven in most major cities and I was never worried to have Alexi at the wheel. Both are excellent ambassidors of their company. Viktoria is delightful to meet.

I can only hope that you make a good choice when chossing your tour company and have a super cruise, enjoy St Petersburg it is a beautiful City.