Things we don't like on Fred!!

[Dartmoordan]

Not been on Fred for a number of years...............will not be going again especially if the wine has disappeared along with the waiters :mad: Will some kind soul put me in the picture re drinks with Dinner as we are due to go on Braemar soon'

 

Many thanks..... hassop

 

 

You can order your wine via interactive TV in your cabin and it will appear on your table ready for you to pour:) Not sure about other drinks though maybe you get them from the bar yourself:confused:

[hassop]

Thanks for the swift reply.

Thought we might have had to 'smuggle' only problem with that ..............we're flying ;)

[Marius]

The thing I hate most about Fred.Olsen cruises is that I cannot afford to travel with Fred more than I do!

[Freecall]

Not been on Fred for a number of years...............will not be going again especially if the wine has disappeared along with the waiters :mad: Will some kind soul put me in the picture re drinks with Dinner as we are due to go on Braemar soon'

 

Many thanks..... hassop

 

The waiters still bring you drinks (wine or whatever you want) but they are your regular table waiters not wine waiters. If you know exactly what you want then the only downside is that they can only do one thing at a time and therefore something has to suffer. Ideally you order before going to dinner which relieves the pressure on the staff.

 

.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I haven't got my tickets yet:(:(

 

Although that is not Fred's fault. They said they had sent them to Bolsover and they say they have sent them to us. Right - blame the Post Office:D

[Dartmoordan]

I haven't got my tickets yet:(:(

 

Although that is not Fred's fault. They said they had sent them to Bolsover and they say they have sent them to us. Right - blame the Post Office:D

 

 

Last year we had the same problem less than 2 weeks and no tickets, we contacted Fred you said they had been sent to travel agent, travel agent said they had been sent out?????? 2 days later called into travel agent and lo and behold they were there waiting for us to pick up:eek: I would pester your TA. Hope you get them soon

[Floppydog]

So agree with the post about shore excursions. I know it's an older crowd on FO but the choice is generally very poor. Where there have been more interesting options it's been great - a walking tour in Maderia along the levadas was really enjoyable, and people of all ages took part.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Last year we had the same problem less than 2 weeks and no tickets, we contacted Fred you said they had been sent to travel agent, travel agent said they had been sent out?????? 2 days later called into travel agent and lo and behold they were there waiting for us to pick up:eek: I would pester your TA. Hope you get them soon

 

They have arrived today- hooray. Couldn't call in for them, booked over the 'phone and Bolsover Cruise Club is based in Sheffield :D

[Dartmoordan]

They have arrived today- hooray. Couldn't call in for them, booked over the 'phone and Bolsover Cruise Club is based in Sheffield :D

 

 

Don't forget to let us know how much you enjoyed your cruise, we'll be on Braemar in March, Have a great cruise:)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Don't forget to let us know how much you enjoyed your cruise, we'll be on Braemar in March, Have a great cruise:)

 

Hi Dan,

If it is only half as good as the French collection last July, it will be brilliant:D:D

[jeanlyon]

Hi - tempted by a cruise to West Africa, but it's on Braemar and I've read at least three terrible reviews. Bad shaking of the ship? Vibrations felt throughout the ship at night? Had the same on Artemis and vowed I wouldn't put up with it again.

 

Anyone any views?

[Goldryder]

Hi - tempted by a cruise to West Africa, but it's on Braemar and I've read at least three terrible reviews. Bad shaking of the ship? Vibrations felt throughout the ship at night? Had the same on Artemis and vowed I wouldn't put up with it again.

 

Anyone any views?

 

I sailed on Braemar across the Atlantic & a couple of mini's...on the long 17 day transatlantic she was superb...no vibrations or anything except if she has to reverse out of a berth, which can cause the dinner table to empty its contents :D

 

Granted I went on her before she was stretched, so could have improved by now. The one thing that she & her sister Gemini have in common is the sideways shuffle if its choppy...nowt bad really, just feels a bit like you've had a pint or two too many when trying to walk in a straight line. The crew frequently made fun of her for that :)

[Dartmoordan]

Hi - tempted by a cruise to West Africa, but it's on Braemar and I've read at least three terrible reviews. Bad shaking of the ship? Vibrations felt throughout the ship at night? Had the same on Artemis and vowed I wouldn't put up with it again.

 

Anyone any views?

 

 

We sailed on the Braemar last year in the carribean didn't feel any vibrations at all, enjoy

[jeanlyon]

That's good to know, mustn't take too much notice of one bad review. We have only been P&O up to now and this West African cruise on Braemar looks really good. Thanks

[Popsey Wopsey]

That's good to know, mustn't take too much notice of one bad review. We have only been P&O up to now and this West African cruise on Braemar looks really good. Thanks

 

I,ve sailed on both Artemis and Braemar,I said I would never sail on Artemis again after spending 3 weeks on her ,being shook up.

I had a weeks cruise on Braemar in the cheapest single next to the laundry.No vibration, no noise ,peaceful sleep on a lovely ship ,with a great atmosphere and crew.

 

I,ve done the Cape Verde cruise twice and on the 20th. March will go again, on Boudicca.

 

I looked at the Braemar cruise ,in the preview brochure they say they visit Banjul but its dropped on FOs website. However the price and nights are still the same and at £3.199 for a single greatly overpriced.

 

Otherwise a very nice cruise to do.

[jeanlyon]

I e-mailed FO about Banjul and they are changing the website, because the brochure is correct, they are going to Banjul.

 

Thanks for the info, I think we might definitely go for it :-) Is there ever Free Parking at Dover like you get with P&O

[Popsey Wopsey]

I don,t know about free parking at Dover,you may get it with a TA deal ,otherwise I think it has to be paid for.

 

My first cruise to Cape Verde was to include Banjul but we didn,t call there ,something to do with Black Prince getting stuck in the river there and the none availability of a tug.So you will be luckier than us if you get there.

 

Just a little addon ,the cabins at the front of the ship under and over the theater I believe can be noisy during performance times.:)

[Parsman]

I think you will like Banjul. I used to visit there on business and have also called at the port on a FOCL cruise. The country is fascinating and the people charming.:)

[jeanlyon]

I've been to both Banjul and Dakar when I was a stewardess. Hmmm, the more reviews I read, the more I think we will not like the Braemar. She's pretty small and flat-bottomed. Sigh, will wait to see what P&O are offering before making a decision.

[rayatpop]

Friendliness of the crew far outweighs any little gripes I may have, such as no biscuits on tray, charge for water, etc.,:)

[Goldryder]

I've been to both Banjul and Dakar when I was a stewardess. Hmmm, the more reviews I read, the more I think we will not like the Braemar. She's pretty small and flat-bottomed. Sigh, will wait to see what P&O are offering before making a decision.

 

If you want a 'sea ship', try Balmoral Jean. She was purpose built for world cruising...and the most expensive ship built in 1988 she has the largest stabilisers & ballast tanks of her class and the first to have in built balconies too.

 

I cruised around Cape Horn on her in 2005 and she faced 40ft seas without so much as a quibble.

 

Lovely ship and from what I can gather, she was not ruined in that respect by her stretch.

[jeanlyon]

too late - I've booked Braemar! Just loved the itinerary.

[Popsey Wopsey]

too late - I've booked Braemar! Just loved the itinerary.

 

Good for you,you asked about parking ,its between £5 - £7 at Dover a day at the moment.:)

[Shaka198]

Just returned from an excellent leg of the world cruise on Balmoral, very comfortable ship, one or two concerns, Internet service needs to be better and cheaper if they want to attract the working as opposed to the retired class, excursions and transfers are too expensive, often better to do your own thing where practical, eg Oz, NZ etc, could also do with more shade on top deck for warmer climes. Apart from that an enjoyable trip with good entertainment, food, activities etc. Ship rides rough seas very well, we certainly had some in the Tasman Sea. Will certainly consider FO again and the Balmoral.

[KenQE2]

World-wide mobile access to Internet is a problem, as I explain in detail following a similar question in another thread HERE.