bartonhillbum

Hi Jean

I had never cruised before, unless one counts crossing from Liverpool to the Isle of Man 1960 or the Mersey Ferry to Bebbington. :D

The formal nights were a joke,:D in the Palm Cafe, I commented on a man and woman in slacks and a polio, "we are having starters here as we are on second sitting and will dress for the Avon, was her reply he said nowt, perhaps they thought as those eating in the Palm were just the 'steerage' (like on the Titanic).

I met some really nice people on the cruise - pity it, the cruise, did not live up to my expectations.

I was the 'Nutter' running around (walking very quickly for the first week or so) as I had not walked for a few years due to a stroke, and my Daughter and Grandchildren not letting me - I left my power wheelchair in my mates van, so I had to walk, by the end of the voyage I was walking O.K.:) So that is something I have to thank Fred for, if nothing else:(

Good Day, Just a quick note:)

I was on the FO cruise 'Winter Warmth' from Southampton.

I have never owned a 'Penguin Suit' although I have dined with the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh on two separate occasions, once in Kenya and once in Barbados. As well as Princess Anne on many occasions at differing venues within the U.K.:):)

I was brought up to always dress for dinner, in a suit, clean shirt and tie, on the aforementioned cruise I dressed in suit, shirt and tie every night,with a different shirt and tie every night.

A Penguin Suit, can be a badge but of what ? That one can afford £99 suit from M&S, ;)

Clean and tidy and showing respect to all marks the man, I was always taught.:D:D

I also have just returned from Fred Olson 'Winter Warmth' on the Balmoral, (Cruise number L1701) just a few points to note from a first time cruiser.

I had a 'Superior Inside' on deck 9 cabin number 9034 and paid £1,800

1 No over head reading light

2 No Radio (such as BBC World Service

3 Not easy to find the switch to turn off the bed side light, which does not illuminate the bed.

The Ballindalloch Restaurant, in very pretentious and on the first night out was quite crowed, by the second night quite a lot were eating in the Palm Cafe, where one is able to choose excellent HOT food, always a very good salad at each meal time (well not breakfast) admittedly it is a very large buffet of self service. The waiters clear the tables very quickly. By the first Monday night we had to queue for a table it was so busy.

As a 69 year old I would NEVER cruise with FO again, it seems that the ship always arrives at Arrecife, Lanzarote. On a SUNDAY when the whole town is shut, not even a local bus service operates, the tourist information opens especially for the Fred Olson ships that always dock on a Sunday, no other cruise line calls on a Sunday.

I also have just returned from Fred Olson 'Winter Warmth' on the Balmoral, (Cruise number L1701) just a few points to note from a first time cruiser.

I had a 'Superior Inside' on deck 9 cabin number 9034 and paid £1,800

1 No over head reading light

2 No Radio (such as BBC World Service)

3 Not easy to find the switch to turn off the bed side light, which does not illuminate the bed.

The Ballindalloch Restaurant, in very pretentious and on the first night out was quite crowed, by the second night quite a lot were eating in the Palm Cafe, where one is able to choose excellent HOT food, always a very good salad at each meal time (well not breakfast) admittedly it is a very large buffet of self service. The waiters clear the tables very quickly. By the first Monday night we had to queue for a table it was so busy.

As a 69 year old I would NEVER cruise with FO again, it seems that the ship always arrives at Arrecife, Lanzarote. On a SUNDAY when the whole town is shut, not even a local bus service operates, the tourist information opens especially for the Fred Olson ships that always dock on a Sunday, no other cruise line calls on a Sunday.