gillhalfpint

Julessmiles,

Neptune show times were 7.30 for 2nd sitting diners, and 9.00 for 1st sitting diners. At 10.30 had a movie on the Big Screen, or sometimes an artist on at that time.

Coral had the resident In Tune Band doing 3 slots, or the show team doing performances there when an artist was on doing the main shows in Neptune and were 8.00 and 10.30. There were a variety of things really.

Gill.

13.8.15. Sea Day.

Didn't do a lot today. I forgot to change my watch and slept in to 7.45. Spent some time on deck 8 but Ray thought it was breezy so we went to the Observatory where I discovered the delight of Choco of the day. Had a late lunch then back to the Observatory till time to get ready for the evening. We missed Neptune show again, but went to Coral later. Don't know why really but it seemed strange to me going to get ready for the show then the meal. It meant we were never on deck to watch the sunset, and I missed being able to do that. Haven't had fixed dining on a cruise before, and that took a bit of getting used to. I know we could have gone to Palm any time, but it is easier for Ray having his meal served rather than buffet, and we liked the Thistle in the evening.

14.8.15 Helsinki.

Sail in to Helsinki was great, and we found the HoHo bus in port for a trip round. I really loved the trip along the coast. When we got off, we found Helsinki brewery and enjoyed sitting out in the garden with a beer or two. Managed to walk back for lunch ok, and Ray decided to stay on board, so I went out for the bus along the coast to the beach for a swim. I got ready to swim but chickened out and paddled for a while, then walked back along the coast to the ship which was great. I had my swim up on deck 8 instead. I really like the set up on deck 8 with the pools, sun beds and seating. Enjoyed the afternoon and the sail away before having to go back to the cabin to get ready for the evening. We tended to get into Neptune while the dancing was taking place. I loved listening to the excellent Braemar orchestra, and would have loved to get onto the dance floor, but Ray doesn't dance. The dancers seemed to be a regular group each evening, and I hadn't the confidence to ask the staff dancers about getting a dance. Maybe I should have gone to the dance sessions during the day to make myself known, but with the weather being so good I spent sea days outside and port days ashore or outside when we got back. There are so many things itemised in the Daily Times going on, and if the weather had been bad, I may have looked into trying other things, but I wasn't going to complain about the wonderful weather we had. Our days had fallen into a pattern, but St Petersburg was next and we had trips to look forward to.

Jackie, wish you could have been there with us - weather was amazing. No rain and sunshine every day. Hotter than the Med I bet, and I took far too many clothes expecting British weather!!! How long before you go?

12.8.15. Copenhagen

Got up at 6 and walked my mile round deck 5. When we got ashore we had to go to see the little mermaid, along with a few coach loads despite it being early. The park area round there was lovely to walk round and some convenient seating for those needing it. Got the HoHo bus near the port, and decided to stay on it right round and get off at the central area, but it stopped just before the centre for everyone to get off and catch a different bus, and then missed out the stop we wanted to get off at, so we were a little away from centre, and Ray found walking back tiring so we found a bar to rest in, as you do. Ray wanted to get the bus back to the ship, and I got off to have a wander through the Botanical Gardens. I had a little Danish money left so when I came out of the gardens I found an entrance to Rosenborg Castle café in another garden area, so used up the spare cash there before walking back to the ship. Made it back in time for lunch with Ray and sat outside enjoying the sunshine before getting ready for another good evening entertainment.

11.8.15. Aalborg. Never been to any of the ports on this cruise before, so looked forward to exploring after finding a chemist to get Ray his tablets. Paid in euros and got Danish kroner back in change and that was great as we wanted to find some Danish beer. We found Sogaards Bryghus and enjoyed 4 beers there sitting outside. Lunches were being served and we thought we should get back on board for our lunch, but it was too nice a day, so we went to the John Bull pub to try some more beers. We made our way back on board as Ray wasn't able to get around much more, and were in time for afternoon tea in Palm. It was very good, but we would have liked more of a savoury choice. We tend to have an early breakfast when Thistle opens, and if we don't make it back for lunch it is a long time till 8.30 for the evening meal on afternoon tea, so we decided it would be best to get back for lunch, then go out again if there was time. I left Ray on board and went to explore along to the bridge, and found a kind of Lido area where I was able to have a paddle, and there were some gardens close by too. Weather fantastic so we sat outside on deck 6 till time for dinner. It meant we missed the show in Neptune, but we did get up to Coral for the Happy Days production by the Show Company which was brilliant.

When you put the from date in on the Thomson cruise website, select the option with 14 nights and the back to back cruises will come up. Love doing them.

Monday 10.8.15 - Sea Day.

I love to get up early to wander round on my first morning so at 6.15 I went up to deck 9 to explore Braemar from the top. Loved the sun deck and pool deck. Plenty of beds out, and pools looked great. Tried to find the water dispenser but had to ask in reception and was told no dispensers, but available in the bars. Not if you are an early riser like me. I found jugs of water in Palm when they set up for breakfast, but had to choose water with either lemon, cucumber or water melon in. Not really for me, so found I had to get my clear water from a bar during the day and pop it into my bottle so I had some to carry round with me when up early. Not a problem once I got it sorted. Enjoyed a cuppa on the back of Deck 5 while waiting for Ray to join me in Palm for breakfast. There were no trays, but a waiter would carry Rays plate to the table if he needed assistance ok. Toaster set up a bit slow, but again, something easily coped with when we got used to it. Choices of food excellent and I really enjoyed all my breakfasts whether in Palm or Thistle during the cruise. We had a lovely lazy day after an excellent lunch in Thistle. Ray liked the Morning Light Bar and I must say that was something I loved about Fred. So many places you could go if you want somewhere quiet to read or chat. If you want a drink it is available, and if you don't it is not a problem. Fantastic library, and coffee area too. I loved deck 8 and the pools. Despite the wonderful sunny weather we had for the whole cruise fortnight, I never found I had a struggle to find a sunbed. Also loved the settees and table seating on that deck as well. For Ray it was brilliant as he cannot get down to the sunbeds, and to have so much seating available was a blessing for him. Really loved Braemar. There was a lot of things to do listed in the Daily Times, but we were enjoying being out on deck so much that we didn't participate in the daily activities, so I cannot comment on them I'm afraid. We went down to the cabin to get ready for the formal evening which we enjoyed. This ship has a lovely comfortable friendly feel to her, and we feel we are getting to know her really well.

Braemar – Baltic- just returned, well we did on Sunday but have had a mountain of washing and ironing to tackle of course. Firstly, I must say we loved the Braemar, the staff and crew, the itinerary, the food and the weather. I am not used to doing reviews, and feel a little nervous having read some comments here where folk get shot down for giving opinions that others don’t like, but I want to be honest and say how I felt about things.

First day. Getting to Dover was a worry being Sunday and if we missed the connection from St Pancras we would not get to Dover before 3pm sailing, but we made it ok and found a taxi to the cruise terminal where our cases were taken to go to the cabin, and we went to a massive reception area with plenty of seating waiting to be registered and get called to go to our cabin. We got there just in time for the drill and saw our lifeboat no 9. Back to the cabin to unpack, and I found I had forgotten to pack Ray’s prescription tablets including his BP ones, so we had to visit the medical centre, where the doctor gave him tablets to keep him going till we got to Denmark and a prescription to take to a chemist there. Such a relief!! We were able to relax in the observatory with a welcome drink before going to find our table in Thistle restaurant for 8.30 dining. We were ready for our meal as we had only had flakes for breakfast at 7am, and were too late for the afternoon tea when we got on board, so only had a sandwich in the cabin to keep us going. We shared a table in Thistle with a couple we got on with very well over the course of the cruise, and also with the ladies on the next table. The waiters serving us were wonderful. Roshan and Rene and they had us in stitches with their stories and tricks. Off to Neptune and enjoyed our first show of the cruise. We had bought the drinks package, and at first I felt disappointed with the choices, but we were able to have drinks from the main menu at 50% so were able to find drinks ok whether beer wine or spirits. I loved the punchless colada, but it was so difficult to get it made up without ice. It doesn’t take long for the waiters to get to know your drinks when you start finding a regular table in Neptune, Coral and Morning Light Bar though. Choco of the day became a favourite to try too. It had been a long day, and we were ready to turn in. Our cabin was on deck 4 and although we did not chooses a cabin being Anchor class, we were well happy with the cabin 4127 and it was kept well by our stewardess Girlie. To be continued.

Gill.

We enjoyed the railway in Jan 13 and the rum punches and Pina colados!! We sat up on top deck which was great for photos. I was really enjoying the commentary too, but he kept talking when the choir girls were in our carriage so we couldn't hear him then, but stopped the commentary when they were in his cabin. Very enjoyable experience though.

Just back from my first Fred cruise on Braemar and had a fantastic time. I didn't understand all the differences when I booked Anchor fare on 19 May for our 9 Aug cruise and to be honest, I am not sure if I understand the differences now. We did not choose a dining time, and did not choose a cabin. We were given second sitting and had no problems at all with that. The cabin we got was fantastic so no problems with that. Never saw any shuttle buses as we docked close to each town, and never felt that we were being treated any differently to any other passenger during the cruise. We booked our St Petersburg tours on line before sailing, no problem, and had no problem booking the shore excursion we wanted on board either.

So hard getting on here on phone. Just to say in Aarlborg and loving our Braemar cruise. All is well. Photos loaded on FB as we go as I don't know how to do them on here and hard to search for the forum on phone. Happy.Xx

Got that one covered Jackie. The 0800 number from the brochure, and two taxi numbers in case there are none at the station. Cases are packed, but no room for shoes. Some adjustments necessary. Can't wait to get going now. Will try keeping in touch while away on wifi.

Thanks Linda. About to start packing! We have the train tickets to Dover, but worried if anything is late we only have 45 minutes from arriving at Dover Priory to getting on board before 15.30 when they finish registration. Seems very early. Have a taxi number so hope we make it ok. Looking forward to it so much now.

A lot of my childhood was spent on the north east coast beaches pretending I was one of the Famous Five having adventures in the caves there, or pretending I was in Champion the wonder horse galloping round sand dunes, or making bows and arrows in the woods. Yes it was fun getting into scrapes, swinging on ropes, climbing trees, being a happy tom boy.

Brilliant, enjoy yourself. Heading north ourselves on Braemar soon, can't wait - get the sun ordered as we want ice cream weather on our Baltic cruise not the dire cold wet summer we have had over the last few days here.

I can't answer a lot of your specific Christmas questions, but Dream was our first cruise ship in January 2013 and was so good we got hooked on cruising, as do a lot of folk.

We tend to use the buffet in the Lido for breakfast and lunch, but the main dining room for the evening meal. There are now some restaurants where there is a cover charge but we have not used them. We haven't done Cuban Fusion so can't comment on the shore trips for you either. Go with the flow, and have a fantastic time.

Been on line to look at the Scottish Lochs cruise, and it sounds amazing. Such a shame Thomson don't consider these cruises any more. Really fancy this one though.

Thanks for all the information. We'll be picking a brochure up tomorrow too. Like the sound of the Scottish lochs cruise. We have had the tour book for our Baltic cruise on Braemar in a couple of weeks, and loved the maps at the back. We can look for places we want to go to and find the streets at leisure now and be organised for the trips ashore. Brilliant!!

Not Scottish but struggle to find a mixer I like in my vodka, so this may be of interest to me too.

Everything ok. E-mail just arrived from Co-op TA to say they have printed the tickets and I can collect them when we get back home a few days before joining the cruise. Can relax now as they were the last official items on my check list to see to. Roll on 9th August.

I used the email address on the paperwork the travel agent gave me when I booked. I am going to leave it now till I get home, and go to see them.

Thank you. I never heard from Co-op travel agent and rang Fred and was told the travel agent will have my tickets as they get sent out automatically on a date basis. Was starting to panic because I am now in Co Durham away in our caravan and TA is not answering my e-mails and a phone call went to a different branch who looked up my reference numbers and couldn't find my tickets and said to contact the branch again. A bit difficult as I won't be home now till a few days before the cruise.

Reassuring that I may not need tickets, so should be ok with the invoice document I have for the cruise instead of any tickets. I did get luggage labels through the post. Will stop fretting now and enjoy looking forward to the cruise.

Letting the train take the strain - and then a taxi driver to the cruise terminal. Getting off train at 2pm so should be ok.

Linda, that is why I don't go onto the reviews page. Everyone on the same cruise can give half a dozen or more different versions depending on what they expect.

I don't expect a good time, I KNOW I will have a good time, so I do. Simples!!!

Perfect. Thanks all. No worries.

Jakanne,

Get some summer weather ordered up your way as we will be up there with the caravan tomorrow for a few days. Trying not to take any clothes we want for the cruise, but have to get the lists sorted tonight. So much to do and so little time after we get home, but the Braemar beckons and we are so excited.