paulatsea

Yes I thought this was strange - so it’s not normal to receive a refund on price drop - only on this Maiden one ? curious as I’ve never been offered a refund before. This is a special case presumably ?

I have never been offered any refund from p&o if the price drops ?

Agree - Fred has lost its way. Ridiculous pricing is one thing - just feel that it doesn’t have any focus any more. Shame - as onboard was always very good.

Hope she/ they get kicked off - asap.

What fires ?

Maiden always risky - I couldn’t bear the worry. commiserations to all affected - horrible for you.

How did you get invited to book ?

As I understand it the select price move option is only for a holiday of the same price or more now - Unlike before when you could move to any other holiday regardless of price. So you can’t hedge using this option anymore. I think the only option is to find a holiday that seems a reasonable price now - based on previous cost. I would say it’s impossible to predict what prices will be in 1 year - they could be much higher with inflation - or similar or possibly lower due to lack of demand due to cost of living. my feeling is that the core cruise people will always have enough money and so demand will be steady for medium size ships with interesting itineraries. The mega family ships will probably suffer. —— maybe !

I agree. I got the big book as well . have 2 p&o booked for next year but will wait now before booking any more.

Thanks Dude - looking forward to your reports. Hope you have a great holiday,

We saw whales and other unusual sea things that I can’t remember the names of ! from the ship. And loads of birds. The captain would tell everyone where to look as soon as the bridge had spotted them. most days we saw something especially once past the arctic circle. we saw a polar bear once on the ice from the ship. I think it’s very unlikely you will see one close up as if they are spotted approaching they are chased away for safety reasons. when we tendered at Svalbard we had to wait on the tender for 30 minutes with armed guards as a bear had been spotted ! So the guides and guards make sure you are nowhere near any of them. at least 50% on board guests were wildlife enthusiasts with expensive cameras and red arctic jackets ! Expert Guests speakers / guides also on board. it was unusually warm when we were there - actually above zero. I think most cruises stop at the same places on the way up depending on ship size - smaller is better - I remember north cape being very interesting. if you are going up that way I think it’s best to go all the way to Svalbard rather than just the very north of Norway. if I remember anything else relevant I will post.

We went in June 2017 Balmoral. all the guides and guards we had were Russians - and very good - so I don’t know if that may affect any excursions etc.

Our Guard in Svalbard

But you might not see any bears - not guaranteed- we saw lots of whales. It’s worth going anyway if you can - very special and remote and beautiful.

Yes Spitsbergen is correct - or anywhere in Svalbard area is where the bears live ! We had an armed guard on the excursions in case we were attacked. We paid about £2500 pp but that was about 10 years ago. Fantastic place and great stops on the way up. top of the world.we went in June/July from Liverpool.

Svalbard - I saw a few there - that was on Fred Olsen.

Thanks - any idea why we can’t do this direct ? Myself I mean ?

Ok thanks - I’d prefer to wait until general sale and pay a bit more to get the specific cabin I want (and hope I don’t get moved !)

Yep thanks - I was looking at the mini suites in particular - but we like to have the TV at the end of the bed - so will stick with normal or deluxe balcony !! May sound sad - but that’s us !!!

Also - advice please from those who have booked pre general release before - do the prices change much between now and the general release ? the suite prices look tempting as well !

Ok thanks - so at some stage you can go back into the booking and then select the cabin ?

November 24 is about 1300 for 13 nights select price Aurora and about 1600 for 16 nights select price Arcadia - both to canaries and both deluxe balcony price looks good to me especially for 2 years time - I would book If I could select my cabin. this is with peninsula and previous customer discount and with parking or a measly 60pp spend !

Just looked at the 2024 ones . Arcadia and Aurora Canaries Select price does not give the option to choose a cabin number even though the link to choose your cabin is there - note says to the effect “on a guaranteed fare you chose your cabin type and we will allocate the cabin number” Any idea why this is ? Is this a new change to select price cabin booking options ?

Thanks for another great trip report - I hope you do the Fred around the world in 80 days so we can come with you !! best wishes. Paul

Great Blog - thanks again. Have you got another trip booked or planned ?