Thomson versus Fred

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Recently returned from 8 days on Fred Olsen Braemar. A couple of people asked me to let them know what it was like.

Well, it was wonderful. The ship was "stretched" and refurbished in 2008 and it showed. If Thomson can do this to the Dream, then it will be great.

The food was excellent, 2 formal nights, but used the buffet a few times as well. One thing we particularly liked was that the waiters showed you to a table in the buffet, which saves a lot of hassle looking for a spare table.

The entertainment was very good and I never thought I would say this but OH & I both said we thought it was better than Thomson:eek:

Our cabin was much smaller than the Dream, but beautifully decorated and everything was so well designed. No fridge though (although the higher grade cabins do have them) but lots of toiletries.

We went on three trips, which were good, but slightly dearer than Thomson.

The drinks were very reasonable - £2.65p for a pint of Stella and £12.99 a bottle of House White. (And no 15% charge a la American ships!!)

I think Thomson could learn a few things from Fred. Both companies have four ships of similar size and age, yet the Braemar, at least, is much nicer than the two Thomson ships I have been on - sorry all you loyal Thomson fans, but I think you have to try other lines before you can really compare:)

I have put a review on the "other site" (as I want my free Berlitz guide:D:D)

[1160451]

Hi

Cruised on Destiny and Braemar, and if push came to shove I just could not seperate the two. O go on then the Breamar.

Each has its advantages but overall its difficult to seperate the two.

Would say the Breamar was a touch more Country House in style.

Will cruise on both again I am sure.

[petal3]

Hi. Am going on Braemar in 2 weeks.Can't wait. Always cruise with Fred and also been with P & O. Fred wins every time. Would never go P & O again. Am also going on Destiny in December to Caribbean(1st time Thomsons) so really interested to read your comments. Most reports appear favourable so am certainly looking forward to it.If it's like Fred's ships-it will be fab!!:)

[its,only,me]

Thanks for that linda , very interesting and good to know , maybe think about FO for another time :)

mrs.c

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You are welcome mrs c.

One good thing is no flying:) but then you may have a lot of days at sea to get to, say,the Canaries or the Med:( Swings and roundabouts!

I can't remember who else asked me to let them know what FO was like.

[bankiegirl]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise Linda :)

Been thinking of going on a cruise with Fred next year. You have just made my decision so much easier with your positive comments. Thanks mind made up now. Dumped Thom, going with Fred !!!!

[Feebee2]

Thanks for that! Me and hubby were planning a Dream cruise next Jan as we loved our time on the Destiny.
However it may be that Fred is the way to go. A couple of questions - how were the cabins? Plus was the atmosphere as nice and friendly as on the Thomson cruises.
Thanks.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Thanks for that! Me and hubby were planning a Dream cruise next Jan as we loved our time on the Destiny.
However it may be that Fred is the way to go. A couple of questions - how were the cabins? Plus was the atmosphere as nice and friendly as on the Thomson cruises.
Thanks.

We were going to go on the Dream too as we wanted to go to Cuba, but after going on the Dream in May we decided to try out "Fred" on this 8 day one and really loved it, so have booked Caribbean/Cuba/Mexico on Braemar.
I haver put a fuller review on "the other site" but to answer your questions - the atmosphere was just as good, everyone (with the usual few miserable moaners!!) was saying how good it was and quite a few were veteran FOCL cruisers, who had been quite a few times before.

We had a standard outside cabin - 140 sq ft, about the same as Celebration standard cabins. Not huge, but very well designed to utilize the space. The inside cabins were smaller - 130 sq.ft. but we always have a window or porthole. The cabins above the main deck were bigger, but obviously more pricey, although all the balconies for the cruise we wanted have already gone and it's not until February!

Hope this helps, feel free to ask anything else, perhaps I should be posting this on the FO boards:eek:

[ekco]

Hi Linda

What is the smoking policy outside on the Braemar? As a non-smoker I didn't like the fact that smokers are everywhere outside on the Celebration, except for the left hand side outside the Lido. Even then we could smell it.:):)

Jan

[infoqueen]

that would be interesting to know, as an ex smoker the smell makes me want to start again oh dear not good!!

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Hi Jan and infoqueen,

They did give out smoking policy at the safety demo, but being a non- smoker, I did not take too much notice:eek:

I do know, however, that there is no smoking anywhere inside:) Smoking was allowed on half the cascading decks at the back (though why they don't realise that smoke drifts accross I don't know) and according to the FO brochure on "designated areas" of the open deck and balconies.

I can't say I noticed smell of smoke and I am prone to give a sarcastic cough as I go through the crowd of smokers outside our local shopping centre;)

Still no sign of Berwyn:(

[ekco]

Hi Linda

That was the problem for us on the Celebration. One side of the pool is for smokers and the othe side for non-smokers but the smoke drift across and up so with that being the only outside spot near a bar for having a drink in the evening it made it quite unpleasant. Sorry to all you smokers.

No, no sign of B yet. See you on the other thread later.:):)

Jan

[Feebee2]

Thanks for the response Linda.

[vwgolf]

Might look at Fred Olsen next year. The only thing that puts me off is that I've heard it is very much the "pensioners' cruise line"! Please reassure me that at the ripe old age of 46, I won't be the youngest person on there!

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Might look at Fred Olsen next year. The only thing that puts me off is that I've heard it is very much the "pensioners' cruise line"! Please reassure me that at the ripe old age of 46, I won't be the youngest person on there!

I won't deny there were older people on there, but the age range was 4 months upwards! All the "oldies" seemed to congregate in the Braemar lounge but there were two show lounges and the Skykark and Observatory
bars. We loved the Observatory bar, as it was above the bridge and had a fantastic view as we came down the rivers out of Amsterdam and Antwerp.
And they did a fantastic hot chocolate with Baileys in there:D

As it was the beginning of the school holidays, there were about 50 under 16s on, but no trouble at all. There was a children's club with two staff, so I presume they are used to catering for children.

There was a good mixture of ages, as on the Dream, but obviously only been on one Fred, so can't speak for the other ships.

[polkadotty]

CruisinLinda
What swung it Fred's way with you as opposed to the Dream? We would like to do the Cuban Adventure cruise too but been looking at the Braemar itinerary too. Been on the Dream in June and am aware of the problems encountered, although we were extremely luck I reckon

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CruisinLinda
What swung it Fred's way with you as opposed to the Dream? We would like to do the Cuban Adventure cruise too but been looking at the Braemar itinerary too. Been on the Dream in June and am aware of the problems encountered, although we were extremely luck I reckon

Well, we went on the Braemar for a try out before we booked and basically we preferred the Braemar to the Dream. The decor is much better although I know the Dream is due for a refit, but I wonder how far £5million will go as the shop seems to have quite a lot of serious problems. It is now listing:eek:

We also felt we were lucky in the week we went, but it seems to be pot luck. I would go on the Dream again, but not until after the refit and not until the reviews prove that the problems have been resolved,rather than what Thomson say.

Another, more personal reason is, that to go on my birthday we go to Cuba in the middle of the holiday and come back from Montego Bay. We have already been to Montego Bay so would like more time in Cuba and I had a bad experience coming back from Barbados and I would like to avoid that if I can :D

I also think the Braemar is cheaper - £1500 each and the drinks are cheaper on Fred unless you can get free AI which I understand from remarks on this site you can't get for Caribbean 2011:confused:

[mtt]

Just seen this online on face ook

"Cruise Village (http://www.facebook.com/CruiseVillage) Fred. Olsen are looking at adding tips to your account at a very reasonable rate (tba)...is this the way forward for other UK cruise lines...add tips but keep cost well below the US ships who charge $10 (£6.50) a day....

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Just seen this online on face ook

"Cruise Village (http://www.facebook.com/CruiseVillage)Fred. Olsen are looking at adding tips to your account at a very reasonable rate (tba)...is this the way forward for other UK cruise lines...add tips but keep cost well below the US ships who charge $10 (£6.50) a day....

Wouldn't surprise me, as we were offered the chance to pay tips through our account (which we declined) at, I think, £4 a day per couple for your waiter and same for your cabin steward and also the was a chance to buy afternoon tea on a couple of days (also declined)

So it seems costs might be creeping in.