Fred Olsen Cruise Excursions

[Docmalc]

I suppose similar threads have been viewed many times, but sheer anger has motivated me to post this. Both myself and my wife have undertaken quite a few cruises now, and over 3 with FO alone.

 

We are aware that ship organised excursions are often priced at a premium, and also these vary on destination. At the end of the day its a personal choice if people wish to avail themselves of these excursions.

 

What we have done in the past is to do our homework on ports of call and booked the odd excuersion if there was something special we wished to do. We have also used a specialist cruiise excursion company in the past which turned out to be a disaster ( but that's another story !).

 

We are due to do an Arctic voyage at the end of June, and had some idea of the odd excursion we wanted to do ( and the price ). However FO have now sent us the excursion details and the new prices, which are by any standards stupid. Yes, we know that Norway is expensive and expect to pay more. However we have seriously curtaied any trips, and this has put a dampner on the voyage for us.

 

We are experienced horse riders, and planned to do a horseback excursion while in the Lofoten Islands, but not any more. This trip advertised as a 'gentle horseback ride' ( 4 hrs ), (and that will not all be on horseback), has been priced at £180.00 EACH !!!.

 

With the best will in the world this is a disgusting rip off. We KNOW how much it is to ride; we have even owned our own horse, and even for Norway someone is taking the mick.

 

We also know FO and the other lines have to make money, but this is blatant profiteering. It would serve FO right if they got no takers on their excursions. We had a good impression of FO from our past cruises, but this rip off will seriously make us consider if we ever cruise with them again. If they continue with this pricing its not surprising if they start loosing business.

 

Malc

[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