New to Fred Olsen and Rosyth departure

[MRS TIGGYWINKLE]

Hi all,

We are seasoned cruisers but our first Fred cruise departs Rosyth in July (Balmoral/Scottish Isles). Could someone please explain how the embarkation and disembarkation process works ? Is it based on deck or cabin category as to what time you are allocated? Also, we would appreciate advice as to whether driving and parking at the port is a better option than the train and taxi.  Apologies for all the questions but I will be travelling with someone living with dementia and want to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Many thanks in advance.

[Eglesbrech]

@MRS TIGGYWINKLEThey usually allocate times by deck so the higher you are the earlier the time you tend to get. It’s the same in reverse. As the ships as so small embarkation / disembarkation as generally very efficient. 

 

Rosyth is a ferry port in the middle of nowhere and small so nothing is more than a few steps away should you choose to bring your car. Fred Olsen can arrange prebooked parking for you, usually at less than you would be if you just turn up on the day.
 

For me if you are driving within Scotland that’s probably an easier option than a train / taxi combo. A taxi direct from Edinburgh would not be cheap and while you can get a train from Waverley/Haymarket into Fife you would still need a taxi from Inverkeithing which is the closest train station to Rosyth. So multiple changes with your cases. 
 

I think Fred did offer a pre bookable mini bus transfer from Inverkeithing if you opted for the train but you would need to check that they still do that.

 

if you come by car and are early there are some lovely tea shops and pubs in Limekilns just along from Rosyth to pass an hour.

 

 

[MRS TIGGYWINKLE]

Thank you ! That is all most helpful 😊

[edinburgher]

On 2/17/2024 at 2:59 PM, MRS TIGGYWINKLE said:

Also, we would appreciate advice as to whether driving and parking at the port is a better option than the train and taxi. 

We took a few FRED cruises, but only twice out of Rosyth.

 

We considered driving  there and parking at the port for the duration, but were too penny pinching to  pay the quite high cost of parking at the port. You could check the current cost then decide if it is worth it to you..

 

There had been a change or two between our first and second from Rosyth.

 

First time around when we exited the train, we only had to wait a short time for the Fred shuttle bus to take us to the port.

 

Second time around the shuttle bus was no more, so on exiting the train we took a taxi the relatively short distance to the port.(note that I use the word "port" rather than "ship") Once there our taxi had to wait in line for a shortish time as there were other vehicles in front and passengers can only be dropped off once the vehicle reaches the actual terminal building.  (this also applies to passengers arriving in private cars)

 

This because there is a large hall for the embarkation process  with a separate section for luggage. When arriving by both the shuttle and the taxi, porters came to take the luggage directly from the transport to the luggage area. In the main terminal area, passengers took a seat until they were called to a check-in desk where the usual formalities were carried out.  At this point we were given numbered tickets for the bus transfer to the ship. This is a bit bonkers as the "journey" is barely a minute long, but no walking is allowed.  Before exiting the passenger area in the terminal building to board a bus, hand luggage went through x-ray. Once the bus dropped off at the gangway there was really no delay as all the formalities were already completed..

 

Both times we did this, we were quite impressed with how efficient and smooth the check-in  and boarding processes were, apart from the bonkers bus journey.  😀

 

I have no idea if changes have been made as it has been a few years since we sailed from Rosyth, (in part as there are fewer and fewer local sailings, also because we detest the rigid fixed dining arrangements, and sitting with the same folks every evening)but others who have sailed more recently could advise.

 

 

Way back in the day, once upon a time, Fred even had coach transfers available to buy from Waverley Bridge Edinburgh outside the train station direct to Rosyth but these were withdrawn by the time we took our first.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 27 by edinburgher

[edinburgher]

On 2/17/2024 at 2:59 PM, MRS TIGGYWINKLE said:

We are seasoned cruisers but our first Fred cruise departs Rosyth in July (Balmoral/Scottish Isles)

I have only now noticed your location is listed as "SW Scotland" in which case you may want to consider parking at Rosyth.  This because we are Edinburgh based, and as the return cost of our train tickets for the few stops to/from  Inverkeithing was absolutely minimal, and travel time only 20/25 minutes, it meant that the parking cost for us was way out of proportion to the little effort involved.

 

Travelling longer distances than we did means your non-driving costs could be much higher and the parking cost would perhaps make more sense.

 

At that time, with your back to the terminal building and the ship more or less straight ahead, the parking area was a short walk off to the left.

Edited February 29 by edinburgher

[MRS TIGGYWINKLE]

Thank you for that information..... to be honest at £14.00 per night it is more financially beneficial for us to travel by train but perhaps not as convenient.  Much to think about.

[edinburgher]

20 hours ago, MRS TIGGYWINKLE said:

Thank you for that information..... to be honest at £14.00 per night it is more financially beneficial for us to travel by train but perhaps not as convenient.  Much to think about.

I did think it would be a more difficult decision for you, and it appears i was correct.

 

if it is any help at all, local taxi drivers know when there is a ship in port and we saw a number of them when we arrived at the station.

 

FYI, arriving at Inverkeithing from Edinburgh, you would exit onto the platform next to the car park and roadway, so minimal walking, really only a few steps on flat ground. OTOH, in case it makes a difference, travelling in the opposite direction means walking across the railway bridge to the opposite platform.

[MRS TIGGYWINKLE]

You’re a star thank you so much 😊 

[edinburgher]

8 hours ago, MRS TIGGYWINKLE said:

You’re a star thank you so much 😊 

All of the above info was correct at the time, but I do not know if there have been any changes since, as post pandemic there have been many changes in many sectors.