Mysticalmother Posted November 1, 2016 #1 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Hi all Just booked our first cruise on Balmoral. As you can see below, we have cruised before but have never tried Fred. Will probably have a few questions later, but in the meantime , any thoughts on comparisons between Fred & P&O from those of you that have done both.....happy to take warts and all! No cruise line is perfect. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwaijai Posted November 2, 2016 #2 Share Posted November 2, 2016 Have only cruised on Fred and Cunard and reckon that Fred more than adequately measures up. Ships, especially Balmoral, are smaller and more intimate than newer versions and actually retain the atmosphere of a traditional ocean-going vessel. We did a long leg on last years 'Far East Explorer' and were more than happy with price, service, food etc - no complaints at all ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsman Posted November 2, 2016 #3 Share Posted November 2, 2016 I consider Fred Olsen every bit a good as P&O save, perhaps. the choice of evening entertainment. The "Balmoral" is a lovely ship. It is small enough to be friendly but spacious enough to feel comfortable. The food is very good and the staff are extremely cheerful, friendly and helpful. I am sure you will have an enjoyable cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zib_zib Posted November 6, 2016 #4 Share Posted November 6, 2016 (edited) We've booked our first cruise with Fred on the Balmoral for next year too, after seven cruises with P&O, We needed a change, We've got fed-up with the same entertainment acts and the same headliners productions shows, god knows how many time we'd met Fogwell Flax, The Beatles Experience, the piano brothers and many others. On one cruise they had five different piano playing acts Sent from my iPad using Forums Edited November 6, 2016 by zib_zib Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted November 6, 2016 #5 Share Posted November 6, 2016 I think the food is better on Fred than P and O. I also think the lecturers on Fred more interesting. Last ear we did a cruise to Iceland on P and O and some of the lectures were about Egypt! On P and O we did find the average age of passengers a bit younger and not everybody goes to bed by 10pm as on Fred. I think the service from staff slightly have the edge on Fred, which is probably down to nationality differences. On Fred they are almost all from the Phillipines and on P and O from the sub continent. More than happy to travel with either line. We like the Britishness and smaller ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mysticalmother Posted November 7, 2016 Author #6 Share Posted November 7, 2016 Thanks for your replies...sounds like we will be happy enough on Fred....we can make oir own entertsinment if need be later in the evenings....presumably the bars etc stay open until a reasonable hour.....? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy48 Posted November 24, 2016 #7 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Oh yes, bars stay open as long as there are needed. Some cruises more lively in the bars than others. I've never cruised with P&O, but I have heard that the food has deteriorated recently. Fred Olsen food is excellent, particularly the soups. You'll enjoy Balmoral. We're on her again next February. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zib_zib Posted November 24, 2016 #8 Share Posted November 24, 2016 Oh yes, bars stay open as long as there are needed. Some cruises more lively in the bars than others. I've never cruised with P&O, but I have heard that the food has deteriorated recently. Fred Olsen food is excellent, particularly the soups. You'll enjoy Balmoral. We're on her again next February. 4th February 2017, same as us Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummy48 Posted November 26, 2016 #9 Share Posted November 26, 2016 Great! We'll look out for a zib zib from Doncaster! We've done about 20 cruises with Fred, as well as some with Azamara, Princess, Cunard and CMV (ugh). FO is definitely our favourite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zib_zib Posted November 26, 2016 #10 Share Posted November 26, 2016 Great! We'll look out for a zib zib from Doncaster! We've done about 20 cruises with Fred, as well as some with Azamara, Princess, Cunard and CMV (ugh). FO is definitely our favourite. [emoji16] See you onboard Mummy [emoji16] Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banjo an Posted December 12, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Hi, We have taken several cruises with various companies, Cunard, Azamara, Star cruises, P & O etc but have booked a 33 night cruise on the Boudicca from Liverpool in October 2017. We are really looking forward to this cruise as it has a great itinerary and because we haven't been with Fred Olsen before it is interesting to read other people's comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now