tiggertom

My wife and I have cruised over 35 times in the last 16 years and spent 62 days cruising with Fred Olsen. We have booked a ten night cruise with Fed Olsen over Christmas and the New Year and apparently the value was by having an anchor fare. At the time of booking we asked for the early sitting and when our ticket arrived we were allocated the late sitting but had to pay £40 to change to the early sitting.

Why do Fred Olsen impose this charge when they could so easily have allocated us to the first sitting at no extra cost.

I would add that we have used many cruise lines including Fred Olsen and this is the very first time we have been asked to pay to change our sitting.

Fred Olsen have now alienated a regular customer who will no longer recommend Fred Olsen to members of my caravan club.

No scam, you got a cheap initial price by choosing Anchor Fares and it is clearly stated that you have to pay to select seating. You may have been lucky and got the seating of your choice - 50-50 chance. You also forfeited Oceans discount, free shuttle buses, etc. You chose this but you should have done your sums and worked out if the savings were worth it. If it is important that you have a specific sitting for dinner then Anchor Fares are not for you and you should look for other deals. You shouldn't let this spoil your past history with Fred. I hope you have a great cruise.

Thanks for clarifying, Bill. I am pleased that we will be able to do the Valley of the Kings excursion and the Azamazing evening. It will be a long day but, hey, we will have plenty of sea days under our belts and opportunities to catch up on our beauty sleep. :)

I must admit I thought the Azamazing Evening had been re-scheduled for the 18th April when we are in Fujairah. That port stop has been extended until 10pm. Perhaps Bill can confirm.

 

Phil

 

Edit: this post from Bill in July seems to confirm the above http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=39289476&postcount=44

Thanks Phil. The confusion seems to come from the fact that the Azamazing Evening is shown in the Shore Excursions section of My Azamara as taking place on 27/4 when we are in Safaga. The website is causing confusion.:confused:

Hi Bill

I nearly booked the "Luxor/Valley of the Kings on Sunday April 27th off the Azamara Journey when I noticed an anomaly. This tour starts at 6.30 am and lasts apparently for 14 hours ie.8.30pm back on board and then I saw that the Azamazing evening starts on board at 7.00 pm and is scheduled for three hours. Forgive me if I have my facts wrong but if I don't then you have to accept that this will probably be the most popular tour at this location and the reason why many people are on this cruise, why would anyone in their right mind schedule an Azamazing evening when maybe over half the ship's passengers will be too tired from a long day and even allowing 30 minutes for people who might want to go it's nearly over. If this has been addressed before I've missed it or got my facts wrong I apologise,if not could you clarify please.

Yes, I wondered about that as well? This excursion is one of the selling points of this cruise and we will be booking it but sorely disappointed that we may miss the Azamazing evening. Please advise.

I imagine there was a self-service microwave in the buffet to make your food hot too, but it is hardly the same.

 

On the QE2, it was served in the ballroom and immensely popular. It was the social occasion of the day. I expected something similar on Fred olsen.

Nothing nicer than the speciality afternoon tea in the Observatory lounge. I have tried it on all Fred's ships and it is far superior to the afternoon tea that is standard anywhere else.

I'm currently sat in a Dover hotel, overlooking the port, drinking a beer and looking at the Braemar all lit up.

 

Tomorrow we embark on a 7 nighter to Tenerife.

 

Wifi permitting I will try and do a live review.

 

Our first FO cruise so looking forward to it.

Have a great cruise on my favourite ship.....enjoy :D

I have logged on to My Reservtions in My Azamara and the information about my cabin and pre-cruise hotel has disappeared. :mad:

All I can access is the itinerary with excursions and the express check in. There is no personal information available which was there when I last looked a few weeks ago as I remember seeing the name of the hotel....:confused:

Has the website changed?

Here we go

http://www.fredolsencruises.com/Cruise-Extras/Cruise-Extras/All-Inclusive-Package

Enjoy :D

Cabin 7109

Azamara Journey

October 2011

Would chose this again

Standard balcony

Cabin 7102

Azamara Journey

November 2012

Would chose this again

Standard balcony

Both these cabins were very quiet and peaceful. :)

Been on Journey twice and sailing on Pacific Princess, another Renaissance ship, later this year so looking forward to comparing facilities. Can't believe it will be as nice as Journey. ;)