Is Fred for us?

[markfull]

We have in past cruised several times with P&O and Thompson/TUI and are considering a Northern Lights cruise with Fred Olsen, mainly because they sail out of Newcastle; a lot easier to get to from Yorkshire than Southampton!

We will both in in our early 60s when we plan to sail and neither of us is a 'party person' but we do enjoy freedom dining and good entertainment.

Of the ships we have sailed on, Britania was a bit too big for our liking!

The FO ship we're looking at is Bolete, one of their recent additions.

Any comments welcome! TIA

 

[jocap]

We've sailed twice with Fred O, mainly because of easy access to Newcastle; both times the passengers were elderly, although once we had around 40 children on board, who were very well occupied. 

It wasn't freedom dining when we were on, although there is a buffet option; the food was about the best we've had on a main line cruise.

The entertainment was limited, being a smaller ship (Balmoral), although the dance troupe was first rate; lots of old fashioned party-type games, but excellent lectures.

Although our preference is for larger, modern ships, we'd happily cruise with Fred again, especially as their itineraries are so good.

[ann141]

I would agree with the comments that jocap has made.I wouldn't want to book a long cruise with them but we have booked a short 5 night cruise on one of their newer ships from Liverpool in April and if that is more suited to our tastes then we may book a longer cruise as they have some good itineraries and the 2 newer ships are supposed to offer Freedom dining which we prefer.

[tring]

Freedom dining (or flexible dining as Fred has called it) has not been brought in by Fred yet due to covid restrictions and no definite plans of when it may happen.  It was meant to be on his newer ships from the start, but the introduction keeps getting put back, even when people have been booked on it for that cruise previously.

 

I have never known any children on Fred ships and we have done a fair few of his cruises over the years, but we do not travel in school holidays.  The more unusual itineraries and the shorter cruises have a much wider range of age groups.  Yes most passengers are retired on other cruises, but not all, so as you are in your early sixties, you will find most other passengers are the same age.  Quite a relaxing environment compared to the bigger cruise lines which have non stop activities IMO.  TBH I doubt you will find much difference between Fred or one of the smaller P&O ships for a northern lights cruise, but Fred's staff are generally better - friendly and efficient.  Like others, the more unusual itineraries are mainly why we have sailed with him and the regional departures help a lot since we are in the north.

 

Edited January 31, 2022 by tring

[jocap]

I agree with Tring that our Fred O cruises were very similar to our 2 P&O Aurora cruises, perhaps with less options for dining, though. If you want to be occupied most of the time, there is plenty to do, but not as many musical/theatrical shows.

We loved the talks from Fred O's bridge as we sailed through Norwegian Fjords, or around Iceland's islands- lots of details pointed out.