Braemar - post stretch

[Colin_Cameron]

Hi, This is my first post on the FOCL board (I normally live over at Cunard).

 

Having just booked for the Amazon voyage in 2011 I'm interested in the changes to the ship when she was stretched. We sailed on her in 2006, our only other FOCL cruise, and also in 1996 when she was Cunard's Crown Dynasty. (BTW also been on Balmoral, in 1993, when she was Crown Odyssey and Black Prince, 1970, when she was Venus)

 

What's the Observatory like? The Grampian Restaurant, is it an alternative or are passengers split between that and the Thistle Restaurant? Any other changes? Do the increased numbers make the ship more crowded?

 

I'm sure I'll come up with some more questions later but that will do for now.

 

Regards, Colin.

[Pugwash123]

Hi, Colin

We also cruised on Braemar when she was Crown dynasty and have also sailed on her as Braemar both pre and post stretch.

In answer to your questions.

The Observatory is the old fitness suit converted into what I would best describe as a lounge bar which is very popular for pre and after dinner drinks.

Passengers are allocated dinner places at either the Grampian or the Thistle restaurant but passengers can use either for breakfast or lunch. We were allocated places in the smaller Grampian restaurant on our last cruise and have requested this restaurant again for our next cruise. Of the two restaurants I prefer the Grampian but either is fine as they both have the same menus.

Prior to our last cruise I was concerned that the increased number of passengers would make the ship feel crowded but I can honestly say that the ship now feels more spacious than she did. One venue that could with a bit more room is the Coral club which can get quite crowded for some of the more popular shows.

Do you remember the Casino on Crown Dynasty, I was disappointed that this had been removed by Fred Olsen when they took the ship over but I suspect that the average Fred Olsen cruiser would not place a casino high on their list of desirable amenities.

 

Regards,

 

Carl

[sweep]

We too sailed on Braemar as Crown Dynasty and loved it. We went back last summer and were on the cruise immediately after the 'stretch'. It was a disaster as it was unfinished and should never have sailed. We were disappointed that a company like Fred Olsen allowed it to leave port in the state it was. 14 days later when the next lot of people boarded it was much better but work was still being carried out.

 

However that is all water under the bridge - forgive the pun- and from Carl's post Braemar sounds as if it has the problems sorted. You mention the Observatory as being popular so they must have got the air con working - it is a lovely lounge but empty on our cruise as it was always baking hot. I agree about the Coral Club being crowded - FO try to get both the late and early seatings into one show and it does not work. We also felt the loss of the casino - not necessarily the all singing, all dancing version on the Crown Dynasty but something more than the one blackjack table stuck in the corner of the Coral Lounge which could not be used when the show was on.

 

Have a great voyage!

 

Sweep