adeck Posted February 14, 2012 #1 Share Posted February 14, 2012 We are on the Boudicca next month, first time with FO. Do we have to pre-book our excursions beforehand? We have sailed with P&O many times and they offer the facility to book on board as well as beforehand. They provide talks and films, on board, on the trips available in the following few days. At some ports where the pier is not within walking distance of the port/resort they provide free shuttle buses, every 15 to 20 minutes, that run all day. Does FO offer this service? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy mac Posted February 14, 2012 #2 Share Posted February 14, 2012 We are on the Boudicca next month, first time with FO. Do we have to pre-book our excursions beforehand? We have sailed with P&O many times and they offer the facility to book on board as well as beforehand. They provide talks and films, on board, on the trips available in the following few days. At some ports where the pier is not within walking distance of the port/resort they provide free shuttle buses, every 15 to 20 minutes, that run all day. Does FO offer this service? we have been twice with fred, once on black prince and once on boudicca ,we pre booked couple of excursions as it said they only took a limited number. there is a excursions desk on boudicca where you can book what you want, as i said we only pre booked to make sure as it said limited numbers.yes there is excursion talks on board. as for shuttle buses unless supplied by port we had to pay, i'm not sure but it was £4 or £5 pounds each for suttle. hope this helps. anyway enjoy your cruise ,hope you have a great time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GThornton Posted February 14, 2012 #3 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Can someone explain what you mean by shuttle buses ? Are you on about buses into town ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the english lady Posted February 14, 2012 #4 Share Posted February 14, 2012 We are on the Boudicca next month, first time with FO. Do we have to pre-book our excursions beforehand? We have sailed with P&O many times and they offer the facility to book on board as well as beforehand. They provide talks and films, on board, on the trips available in the following few days. At some ports where the pier is not within walking distance of the port/resort they provide free shuttle buses, every 15 to 20 minutes, that run all day. Does FO offer this service? we recently came back of Boudicca. if it was a tour we really wanted to do-we booked in advance--you pay in advance as well by the way. If we were not sure we booked on board. If shuttles were not provided free by the port you were charged £5 per person,but that covered numverous trips. If you are in a suite you get them free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adeck Posted February 15, 2012 Author #5 Share Posted February 15, 2012 Shuttle buses take you from the ship into the port/town and back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted February 22, 2012 #6 Share Posted February 22, 2012 We have done two FO cruises. The excursions are very expensive, so I always do my home work beforehand and either book local tours or hire a car. There is so much info on the internet these days that it is simple to organise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeanlyon Posted February 22, 2012 #7 Share Posted February 22, 2012 We are on Braemare to Cape Verde and West Africa. I already have a local tour booked in Banjul. My guess is that is a third less than the FO price will be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popsey Wopsey Posted February 23, 2012 #8 Share Posted February 23, 2012 I don,t think Freds., tours are any more expensive than other cruise lines or travel companies. Of course its mostly cheaper to "do it yourself".:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Posted February 29, 2012 #9 Share Posted February 29, 2012 (edited) In response we do have a designated line for pre booking tours if you wish to book or discuss any in particular please call one of our Tours Sales Consultant 01473 292394. Regards FOCL Edited February 29, 2012 by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonpjd Posted March 8, 2012 #10 Share Posted March 8, 2012 We have found P&O tours are much cheaper than FO (usually by around 25% - we compared Norway in a Nutshell where both excursions are the same - FO much more expensive). However we went with HAL to Alaska recently and the tours there were very very expensive. However we still usually book tours prior to sailing to make sure we get the ones we want. The problem with booking yourself is if there is a problem and the ship gets delayed. Or even worse if you are on a self booked tour and they get delayed and you arrive back to see the stern disappearing over the horizon. At least if you are on an official FO tour they will wait for you. But it would save quite a chunk of dosh if you are prepared to take the risk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonTowner Posted March 14, 2012 #11 Share Posted March 14, 2012 We are on a FO Caribbean cruise and it is very easy to arrange private pre booked tours. In many ports of call the ship doesn't depart until 23.00, so on a small island it would be very bad luck to miss the ship. All Caribbean islands have mini buses and taxis at the port areas, so not really necessary to pre book. I have done a lot of research and the tours offered are the same as those offered by the cruise lines but at a fraction of the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanmarc Posted January 18, 2014 #12 Share Posted January 18, 2014 We visited Gambia 2 years ago and booked with tillys tours, run by a British lady so no problem getting back to the Ship on time. She has loads of local information so well worth contacting. Ship excursions are great for the company of larger groups, seeing things off the beaten track or having a tour personalized for you and your interests is a different matter. Who ever you go with, enjoy your visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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