andy mac

when i was working i booked early to ensure i got area on ship i wanted as i could only go at same time every year, yes i missed offers etc. i am retired now and can wait longer before booking,yes i have got some good bargains.as far as i an concerned loyalty is nothing you are only another passenger.

I don't know why people are so surprised. Many years ago when Fred. Olsen had only one cruise ship (Black Prince) they had a very similar thing for school holidays and Christmas. Mind you, that ship had some facilities that the current ones do not have nowadays eg and indoor swimming pool, a facility for swimming in the sea from the aft of the vessel. This was popular with the youngsters and not only the youngsters!!

loved Black Prince.last time we were on her( 2008) they advertised kids club but there was only 1 kid on board as he was only 10 months don't think it was used.

my wife swears by them.

went into Thomson t.a.this morning for new brochure,none on display, when i asked if they had any told she would go and look in the store room,yes she had them and gave me one, still there was none put on display,do they not want to sell for next year yet? so if you go in looking for brochure and don't see any ask as they may be in store room.

enjoyed this program, still prefer smaller ships.

they are not my cup of tea

read in to-day's paper she jumped in at 10pm ship had set sail at 8pm 2hours after ship had sailed.

grandson loved it so did papa

been to Norway and Iceland, not been to Greenland as yet, still on my places to visit list. Thanks for sharing your photos ,they make me want to do this cruise.

In my experience they are not doing anything differently to how other cruise lines manage tenders.

When we were on Celebrity and NCL ships neither of those allowed people who weren't on ship's tours to use the tenders until after the ship's tours had all offloaded.

It's fairly logical, when you think about it, there's a large number of people to organise, all on a fairly tight schedule.

yes i agree, any cruise i have been on booked tours first then the rest of us.

yes i received one from fred .still waiting on thomsons but you never know.

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.

yes they know who they are but it does not stop them ,why will they not shut up even when asked too. it seems to happen on every cruise (may-bee we are just unlucky but i don't think so).

Some years ago when oil prices soared some fuel surcharges were imposed by cruise lines including Fred. Olsen. Now that crude prices have virtually collapsed I wonder if passengers will receive any compensation, or am I dreaming!!

your dreaming.

lady on baltic cruise we were on 2009 told us she always sailed with p&o.we were on thomson spirit at the time ,all she seemed to talk about was p&o,when asked why she was on thomson spirit she was stuck for answer.after couple days into cruise people were avoiding her and calling her mrs bucket. after six cruises with thomson this is the only time we met a mrs bucket.we have met people who liked thomson better than p&O.

not on scottish either

as i can not fly for health reasons i have to vote for uk sailings

yes agree there will be plenty time ,as said not a lot to do but but glad i went.

our ta booked our cabin for free,said not to tell everybody

as for health reasons i am unable to fly i would miss uk departures

I'm rather surprised when I read that cruise ship passengers get off the ship, get onto a bus, ride for 2 hours,wander Carcassonne for 4 hours and drive another 2 hours back. Why don't they stroll the streets of Sète which is according to the Daily Telegraph UK "the most fascinating town" on the Mediterranean coast. A gourmet walking tour is available, as well as outings to the local oyster farms, fabulous seafood restaurants, colorful buildings lining the canal, a fantastic daily market with abundant local produce, 5 museums, 22 art galleries, cycling paths, endless sandy beaches bordering the Mediterranean...

we were in sete in 2009 and had a great time just wandering round through the streets ,walking along the side of the canal .

it was a sunday and a lot of the shops were closed,we found a market and in a small park area there was a flower market, mostly roses which delighted me as i grow roses.

we spent an hour or so in the afternoon just sitting in a seafood resturant next to the canal and watched the world go past.

the ship was berthed in front of a block of flats and the people came out to wave to us as we sailed away.

we liked sete and found the people very friendly, and my french is, well enough said.

We are on the Boudicca next month, first time with FO. Do we have to pre-book our excursions beforehand? We have sailed with P&O many times and they offer the facility to book on board as well as beforehand. They provide talks and films, on board, on the trips available in the following few days. At some ports where the pier is not within walking distance of the port/resort they provide free shuttle buses, every 15 to 20 minutes, that run all day. Does FO offer this service?

we have been twice with fred, once on black prince and once on boudicca ,we pre booked couple of excursions as it said they only took a limited number.

there is a excursions desk on boudicca where you can book what you want, as i said we only pre booked to make sure as it said limited numbers.yes there is excursion talks on board.

as for shuttle buses unless supplied by port we had to pay, i'm not sure but it was £4 or £5 pounds each for suttle. hope this helps.

anyway enjoy your cruise ,hope you have a great time.