Mayflower1306

So, the cruise lines rely on passengers to subsidise wages for the stewards and waiters. Better they pay a decent wage in the first place. As I said, the whole matter is not satisfactory.

Fred is quite clear on their website that gratuities are split equally between your cabin stewardess and restaurant waiter.

 

 

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Thanks - I must have missed that detail. Shall rethink my gratuity arrangements if all those others keeping us safe and happy do not share. What about those poor chaps constantly scraping the decks and painting the ship? Not for this forum, but the whole 'tipping' thing is a questionable process.

We have only been on two cruises - both with Fred - and we pay the auto gratuities before travel, but give a little extra to the room steward and waiters at the end of the cruise for their excellent service. We assume (and hope) that the majority of the auto payment is shared around the crew generally.

I see that a 22+ night cruise this year has 4 formal nights yet the similar one next year has 3. I hope this isn't an indication that Fred is phasing them out.

I do not see it will make any difference to the port call, but I would be particularly careful about taking care of your passport when ashore - maybe keep it in a money belt under your clothes.

Yes, good point. I understand that we are limited as to how free we will be on land, as we have a group visa only, so excursions will be organised and escorted. Can't really see too much in the way of problems, provided the Foreign Office advice stays as it is.

I see Foreign Office advice is cautionary at the moment. Probably not going to be a problem, but not too bothered if the itinerary changes. Morally maybe we should avoid bolstering their tourism business, but the world is full of dodgy dealings nowadays and we would go nowhere!

I hear the news that Russia is closing the British Consulate in St Petersburg. Has anyone heard whether this will affect the planned visit to the city?

Everyone has different tastes and everyone wold do well to accept that fact. We choose FO especially for the small ships with some traditional elements, an important one of which is the formal night. I We do not consider ourselves old fashioned, although 'of the 20th Century' (we are over 18!). Few people bother to dress smartly to go out for an evening - theatre, dinner, etc., so it makes a nice change to holiday in an environment where some do make the effort. Not for everyone (as above) and those that do not wish to participate are well catered for in alternatives. We all need to respect others' choices.

Sorry - should have included https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rigid-hulled_inflatable_boat

Google it and you will see photos. RNLI use them as inshore lifeboats and HM Royal Marines use them for raiding parties. We were on a cruise round Iceland last year and had to land from a boat to the shore in a RIB type boat. Evidence suggests that they will not be popular with a considerable number of Fred's 'mature' guests.

Having only cruised with Fred I cannot comment on the value for money on other lines but ever increasing prices will deter some. We have just taken advantage of the three-for-two offer which has saved us some money (and locked us into FOCL for a while!). Too old to go for the RIB Royal Marine experience.

Very relieved to hear that this list of 'facilities' is a joke. Booked on Boudicca in June and was thinking of cancelling!

Received notification today. As we have paid the deposit for a June cruise we have the option of paying at the old rate now or paying the new rate after 7 March. We shall pay now - much preferring to reward in cash specific good service at the end of the cruise. Nice of FO to give us the choice, but I suppose our contract requires it.

We have yet to pay the final payment for a June/July cruise. Haven't heard anything from Fred about this increase, so we will pay the extra with final bill. As a proportion of the holiday it's not too much and we always top up gratuities for good service (rarely anything but excellent). I agree that it is becoming a habit to expect gratuities at a level that one suspects are being used to 'top up' wages - in all hospitality and travel industries.

A relatively small increase in percentage terms when you compare it with the AI increase last year (although still reasonably good value). Personally, having enjoyed two FO cruises (Black Watch & Braemar), the crew are worth every penny.

With a try, as you say, but not holding my breath!

Not really bothered, as I would like to think that the profits made will help to keep FO afloat - I would not like to lose the small ships. Just a word of advice for others thinking of changing cabins.

Thanks for the tip. After further research, have decided on a junior suite on 5. Fingers crossed on noise/sea state. Last year they moved us from a noisy cabin, so usually not a major problem.

Appreciate the responses, thanks.

Having booked a balcony cabin on Boudicca for the Baltic in June, I contacted Fred to ask to change cabin. If I had gone with my first alternative choice of a superior outside grade A, which is cheaper (not expecting a refund!), they would have charged £100 admin fee. As I went for a junior suite, they just charged the extra to upgrade. Of course, I was not offered free inclusive drinks, nor any other offer that is now available for new bookings. I am beginning to think that it's better to wait a while and take a chance on cabins.

Booked on Baltic cruise on Boudicca - balcony cabin - but have read some reviews about the bed arrangement and others smoking, so thinking of looking for a change.

Anyone got views/reviews on junior suites on deck 5 (some talk of noise from galley below) and superior outside (A) on deck 7? Sailed on Black Watch last year in junior suite deck 7 but Boudicca only has them on 5. Any other suggestions? Grateful for any advice.

Just watching Balmoral arrive in Funchal,apparently later than planned with tug assisting. Wondering whether all is well.

Jenjess

On formal nights you can eat casual dress in other venues. It's just the main dining rooms that will be off limits if wearing casual gear. I should speak to Fred's Ipswich HQ to alert them to any possible issues and they can let the ship staff know. We have been on two FO cruises and find the onboard team very helpful and concerned to ensure that all is well.

Our experience is limited to two FOCL cruises, during which it appeared that officers dined on certain tables on formal nights. We did not see a 'Captain's table' during the cruises but did see various senior officers on a variety of tables during formal nights.

We ordered a 'special' bottle of wine when on Braemar earlier this year. Probably not a good choice, as it was no better than the most acceptable house wine in the AI package. If you do this, make sure it's worth it!

Delighted to hear that these charges are to be abolished by legislation in the near future. I used to run a small business and know that large organisations pay nowhere near 1.5% charge on credit card transactions. Just one more example of FOCL (and others) knowing how to make money from their customers.

We have just returned from Iceland on the Black Watch on which we were allocated a table in the Orchid Room. We are booked on Boudicca next June, so rang FOCL to request the Heligan but was told that this cannot be reserved as the Maitre d' allocates tables/restaurants prior to boarding.