Venus (Black Prince)

[tgjr]

This vessel (LATE2) has a looooong cruise history.

 

I actually recomend Fred Olsen lovers to try her out. In my oppinion you get closer to the crew, that is fantastic.

The atmosfare is special, and the feeling of traveling with this old lady is very special.

 

The most US based vessels is floating Tupperware.

 

 

It is no late night club or huge shows, but quiet good entertaining, and a live dance band. Piano bar and a two table casino. a few places to get a drink and a few diningrooms.

 

TRY IT OUT it is quiet cruising

[HeinBloed]

We'll do it next month.

 

But tell us more for anticipation!!!

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[nitwit]

We'll do it next month.

 

But tell us more for anticipation!!!

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

hi,

i've sailed on the black prince around 20 times. she has a few quirks but she is old so it's acceptable. it is a quiet cruise because the passengers tend to be a little on the older side but because there are only three main bars the party animals tend to gather together and i've spent many a night drinking way past three.

by the third day you'll know all the bar staff by name and they will know you. nothing is too much trouble.

have a great holiday, glenn.

[sparkieplug24]

went on the BP in April she is small but that in my opinion adds to her charm. We had a fantastic time on board and cant wait to go again.

[HeinBloed]

@sparkieplug24 and nitwit:

 

I am sorry that is something bad I need to tell you:

 

You will have one more competitor for the vacate staterooms...

 

Both of you are right and I can confirm as well:

 

SHE IS A TRUE LADY - although she is already 41 years old (same like me...) and she has only 2* - but she appears like young teenager who is vivid and charming - I felt in love with her...

 

 

Great entertainment...

 

 

especially if Capt. Thomassen is playing himself like here:

 

 

Is this "normal"???

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

 

... who booked directly after the ship arrived in Liverpool for next April 2008...

[sparkieplug24]

Hi HeinBloed

 

U cant have the stateroom I already booked those cabins for every cruise for the next two:p . I wish no u can have it I am happy with any cabin as long as I get to go on the cruise.

 

Donna

[decerning]

we did 35 days on BP glad to get released, this tug is run for the benefit of crew. been for deep cleaning since don't look in the cabin/cell air con unit i did have pictures of dirt,complained got a 10% discount of next FO cruise but wo't be using it .

[Colin_Cameron]

Hi, Just popped over from the Cunard board to ask about Black Prince.

 

Have done 20+ cruises on Cunard but only one with Fred Olsen (Braemar). Funnily enough, I have been on this ship but it was way back in 1970 when she was Venus on the Newcastle/Bergen route.

 

Nitwit, Any comparisons with Cunard ships? I know that an inside on BP is going to be a little different from Queens Grill :D

 

Anyone know anything about 675/676. They appear to be outsides on Lido Deck but are classed as I grade insides:confused:

 

Any other info that anyone thinks might be useful would be much appreciated.

 

Regards, Colin.

[nitwit]

Hi, Just popped over from the Cunard board to ask about Black Prince.

 

Have done 20+ cruises on Cunard but only one with Fred Olsen (Braemar). Funnily enough, I have been on this ship but it was way back in 1970 when she was Venus on the Newcastle/Bergen route.

 

Nitwit, Any comparisons with Cunard ships? I know that an inside on BP is going to be a little different from Queens Grill :D

 

Anyone know anything about 675/676. They appear to be outsides on Lido Deck but are classed as I grade insides:confused:

 

Any other info that anyone thinks might be useful would be much appreciated.

 

Regards, Colin.

 

hi colin,

i think the ambience on bp is similar to that of qe2. both ships have a very very loyal following and this can be felt while you are on them.

i have very fond memories of bp, alot of the crew have pretty much watched me grow up.

you will have a good time as long as you don't nit pick. remember, she is over 40 years old and it shows, as it does on qe2.

glenn.

[HeinBloed]

We have been on both QE2 and BLACK PRINCE.

 

The crew was on BLACK PRINCE much more nicer for less money incl. lobster at dinner time and wonderful Tea Time. No white toast sandwiches only... beautiful created sandwiches with decoration everything.

 

But as we could only Mauretania Restaurant we have not compared with the performance of the Queens Grill.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[nitwit]

just booked the black watch for the 3 day mini cruise on 17th dec.

anyone else going?

glenn.

[Aplmac]

Black Prince sailed into Barbados today

and I was there to catch it!

 

Will post larger versions of these pics, later today

to my Cruise Ships visiting Barbados website at...

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/cncisland/bigships/btown.html

 

- I'll let you know more..

 

.

[HeinBloed]

just booked the black watch for the 3 day mini cruise on 17th dec.

anyone else going?

glenn.

 

No... but April 10... Looking forward to meet her again...

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[Aplmac]

Two larger pics of Black Prince

entering Bridgetown Port, Barbados at..

http://www.angelfire.com/wizard2/cncisland/bigships/bprince.html

[bcscot]

Thank you for the photos. We are thinking about taking the Greenock to Norway trip in May next year. I would like to sail on this classic little ship before she retires. Do you know how well she handles the rough seas? I have heard mixed reports. That trip would include the Minch, Pentland Firth & the North Sea!

 

Nitwit. How did you enjoy your minicruise?

[HeinBloed]

Some impressions from our last mini-cruise between Greenock and Liverpool via Belfast. It's in German. But enjoy the pictures. How should we survive for the next two monthes... until we are going back from Liverpool to Greenock via Dublin and Douglas. Regards, HeinBloed

[bcscot]

Thanks HeinBloed. The pictures were nice & I got the gist of the 'alles ist lovely' but not much more I am afraid.

Was Lilli Marleen singing onboard?;)

 

We are due to visit Belfast on the QE2 later this year. How did you find your visit there?

[HeinBloed]

Was Lilli Marleen singing onboard?;)

 

I would say: Andrew Sisters...

 

We are due to visit Belfast on the QE2 later this year. How did you find your visit there?

 

We made a combination of Causeway Bay + Titanic Tour. It was great. Especially Causeway Bay was absolutely breathtaking and georgeous.

 

I would recommend an individual tour with a taxi.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[bcscot]

Have you considered the idea of going on the Marco Polo now that she is to be sailing for Transocean Cruise Lines from Tillbury Docks near London?

She will be aimed at the German & UK markets.

[HeinBloed]

No - MARCO POLO was formerly from Orient Line (NCL/Star Cruises) before she was sold to Transocean. Transocean already tried to sell ARIELLE (Louis Cruises' AQUAMARINE)-cruises last year. MARCO POLO replaced ARIELLE/AQUAMARINE.

 

I normally dislike Transoceans Pricing Policy in Germany as they normally present as their cheapest price a 4-berth-stateroom. But here it looks good as all staterooms are based on 2-berth-staterooms. The prices for UK are not too bad.

 

So I cannot tell you anything: I have not used her while she was part of ORIENT LINES and I will not use her in the near future as my plans until October 2008 are full.

 

Sorry!

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[bcscot]

Does anyone know how well the Black Prince handles rough seas?

[exshawsavill]

Does anyone know how well the Black Prince handles rough seas?

We did 35 day trip Jan/Feb this year Liverpool to West Indies. In rough seas she did not handle well. Captain called it dancing with the waves. It does depend on where you are in the ship but she pitched and rolled in Force 10, not much fun. Most passengers managed but doc had to give a few anti-seasick drugs.

Cabin facilities very limited, and ventilation could be better. Library not up to modern standards. On plus side very friendly fellow passengers, entertainers tried very hard ( dancers and singers first rate ) and when a comic told out of order jokes he was taken off and replaced next port. Excursions fair price and drink far cheaper than most ( Stella £2.35 a pint ), Captain was best cruise ship captain I've seen. Food better than I expected at the price ( not QM2 but neither were the prices ) . I was concerned that wife and friends would be bored with six days between ports but there was always plenty to do.

[bcscot]

Thank you for your reply. I had heard that the Black Prince is not the most stable of ships in rough seas & you have confirmed that. It seems a shame for a ship that was built for the North Sea though.

 

I imagine that if you are ex-Shaw Savill, you will know very well what it is like to feel the seas move under your feet! I once worked for a little while on the OCL Ocean Islander. She was a 5,000 ton ex-ferry & she could move around a bit in heavy seas on the Atlantic too! My wife is not such a great sailor though, so I do not know what she would think of the Black Prince on the Minch, Pentland Firth & North Sea! We will see how we get on with QE2 this year.

 

Graham.

[HeinBloed]

For those who would like to see actual pictures from our Mini-Cruise from Liverpool to Greenock: you'll find a blog here:

 

http://heinbloed-minis.blogspot.com

 

The text is in German but I am sure you'll like the pictures.

 

Unfortunately we did not call Douglas, Isle of Man because of the weather condition but Belfast again.

 

As we were unlucky to have a stateroom with the smell of Diesel all the night we decided to have the next cruise on another Fred Olsen Ship and will move to BOUDICCA.

 

But we still love the BLACK PRINCE, the crew, whom we met a lot of them from our last cruise nine monthes ago and some cruisemates as well.

 

Therefore this BLACK PRINCE-cruise remain for us unforgettable - even with the slight inconveniences.

 

Regards,

HeinBloed

[MMDown Under]

I enjoyed your photos very much. Your wharf/street photography reminds me of an Australian painter, Jeffrey Smart's art (and that is a huge compliment).