Show Times

We were on Braemar Feb/March and show times were changed. 7.30 for late diners, which we didn't like, as we like lots of others, like a quiet drink before dinner and then go to the show. On leaving the Neptune after the first show the queue waiting to go into the second sitting went right through the Morning Light into the casino area. Difficult to get past to go for dinner and most uncomfortable for people in the bar having a drink. Hope Fred realises most people do not like this arrangement and leave things as they were.

That doesn't sound very good at all. I, as most people, hate standing in a queue. :eek: I suppose the result depends on the comments made by the majority of passengers and if this is what was happening, the comments would not be for a 7.30 Show and they hopefully will leave things as they were.

This is the response I have had from FO regarding my question of the above change / trial of Showtimes so it may be worth other passengers giving any concerns or feedback directly to FO. Thank you to the OP for bringing it to our attention:-

 

 

 

 

Thank you again for your message, we appreciate you taking the time to contact us.

 

In response to feedback from our guests in 2014, we have been trialling a change to the format of the evenings on board, with the aim of making this time as enjoyable as possible for everyone. The trial has been running for several months on selected sailings and is due to end shortly.

 

Once we have reviewed all the feedback from the trial, we will then make a decision on the structure of the evenings that will satisfy the greatest number of guests. We expect to have reached this conclusion by the beginning of May, at which time we will of course advise you of the outcome. Your concerns have been passed on and so will be included within the review, along with guest feedback given on board.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us, it is feedback from our guests that ensures the on board experience is the best that it can be.

 

Kind regards,

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

That's very good that Fred Olsen are taking into consideration the views of guests other than those on the ship during the trial. Better get writing! ;)

That doesn't sound very good at all. I, as most people, hate standing in a queue. :eek: I suppose the result depends on the comments made by the majority of passengers and if this is what was happening, the comments would not be for a 7.30 Show and they hopefully will leave things as they were.

We are not impressed with this proposed change at all and have already sent our comments to FO.

It seems likely that the change would create the problems that already occur on the evening of the cocktail reception, but every night instead of just once during the cruise.

Many people simply can't stand waiting in a queue and there is insufficient seating in those areas so this does not bode well if they go ahead with the change.

I hope Fred. reads the comments on this forum, as I'm sure they do, to see that the arrangement is not popular at all.

I wonder what an impact it will have on their bookings if this new arrangement were to stay in place.

I like Fred. so I hope they don't change.

Susan

I wonder what an impact it will have on their bookings if this new arrangement were to stay in place.

The vast majority of people will have no clue about this before they get on-board so initially I don't expect it will make any difference at all, but once people see what a mess it turns out to be I can't imagine they would willingly return for a 2nd cruise.

I know it is making us very worried about the one we already have booked in August, so I do sincerely hope this change is not put into effect.

Well, I don't intend to pay my balance until we get to know what is happening. Of course, as this is our first time on Fred Olsen, we have the guarantee that if we don't like it.....oops better find out what that guarantee is. :eek::D

http://www.fredolsencruises.com/freds-enjoyment-promise

>It seems likely that the change would create the problems that already occur on the evening of the cocktail reception, but every night instead of just once during the cruise.<

>Many people simply can't stand waiting in a queue and there is insufficient seating in those areas so this does not bode well if they go ahead with the change.<

>I know it is making us very worried about the one we already have booked in August, so I do sincerely hope this change is not put into effect. <

We agree completely Mark; we have always disliked cocktail party nights for this very reason.

It's not just people having to queue it is also the poor people trying to have a quiet drink whilst surrounded by people queuing.

We have a number of Fred. cruises booked and are now beginning to regret it.

I received the following feedback from Customer Relations today:

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I can confirm that we have only changed the time of the show for 2nd sitting guests on 3 of our ships, Boudicca, Braemar, and Black Watch as a trial. However, Balmoral is to follow from 3rd May.

However, during the Captains Cocktails (Welcome and Farewell) the show times are kept as they were previously.

With the revised timings, our guests will still be able to enjoy a show after dinner as well, as we will be putting on a show at approximately 10.30 in the Neptune Show. We are doing this in order to add more entertainment. We were seeing lots of negative comments that there was nothing going on before dinner, the ship was quiet, now they can see two shows a night as well as entertainment in the Lido Lounge.

No decision has been made yet as to whether we will be making this a permanent change across the fleet.

You may wish to contact us closer to your cruise departure date, and we will be able to confirm if this is a permanent change, or has been withdrawn.

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I received the following feedback from Customer Relations today:

 

------------------------

I can confirm that we have only changed the time of the show for 2nd sitting guests on 3 of our ships, Boudicca, Braemar, and Black Watch as a trial. However, Balmoral is to follow from 3rd May.

However, during the Captains Cocktails (Welcome and Farewell) the show times are kept as they were previously.

With the revised timings, our guests will still be able to enjoy a show after dinner as well, as we will be putting on a show at approximately 10.30 in the Neptune Show. We are doing this in order to add more entertainment. We were seeing lots of negative comments that there was nothing going on before dinner, the ship was quiet, now they can see two shows a night as well as entertainment in the Lido Lounge.

No decision has been made yet as to whether we will be making this a permanent change across the fleet.

You may wish to contact us closer to your cruise departure date, and we will be able to confirm if this is a permanent change, or has been withdrawn.

--------------------

I read that it means they are doing 3 shows a night?! Is that what they mean?

I read that it means they are doing 3 shows a night?! Is that what they mean?

That is what I read as well, but it is not clear if this is the same show as the previous two that evening or something different.

I can't imagine that it is the same show, that would be too much to expect from the Show Company and also pretty pointless.

I'd also guess this part is not yet in effect as nobody who reported the time changes mentioned a 3rd show...

That is what I read as well, but it is not clear if this is the same show as the previous two that evening or something different.

 

I can't imagine that it is the same show, that would be too much to expect from the Show Company and also pretty pointless.

 

I'd also guess this part is not yet in effect as nobody who reported the time changes mentioned a 3rd show...

All seems rather strange - not sure why they can't keep the shows as previous but just put on other entertainment earlier if they feel the need.

All seems rather strange - not sure why they can't keep the shows as previous but just put on other entertainment earlier if they feel the need.

I guess if it is something different as it pretty much has to be, then putting it on early would mean that 1st sitting couldn't see it.

As already posted earlier in the conversation thank you all for your messages, we appreciate you taking the time to post your comments and views.

'In response to feedback from our guests in 2014, we have been trialling a change to the format of the evenings on board, with the aim of making this time as enjoyable as possible for everyone. The trial has been running for several months on selected sailings and is due to end shortly.

Once we have reviewed all the feedback from the trial, we will then make a decision on the structure of the evenings that will satisfy the greatest number of guests. We expect to have reached this conclusion by the beginning of May, at which time we will of course advise you of the outcome. Your concerns have been passed on and so will be included within the review, along with guest feedback given on board'.

All your feedback given on this site has also been noted and passed to those departments concerned.

Kind regards,

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Thank you for taking the time to read the comments & respond on here, Fred Olsen. It is encouraging that you are listening to your customers.

I thank you for responding to the comments made on here. It is refreshing to know that this site is being 'listened' to by Fred Olsen and I look forward to hearing the results of the trial in May.

I too would like to thank Fred. for taking the time read our views an take them into consideration.

It is nice to know that they listen to their customers, so thank you.

Susan

I was glad that the company got involved in this debate. As a regular with Fred. Olsen and someone who prefers the late sitting for dinner I think it would be sad if the late show were to be abolished. It is a good way to round off the evening.:)

Great to hear from a cruise line that listens to it's customers, thank you.

Great to hear from a cruise line that listens to it's customers, thank you.

I'm happy they are listening, but I'll judge based on what they actually do :)

It is easy to say that our comments are being taken into consideration, that doesn't mean that they won't decide to do what they want anyway though...

I'm happy they are listening, but I'll judge based on what they actually do :)

 

It is easy to say that our comments are being taken into consideration, that doesn't mean that they won't decide to do what they want anyway though...

I think there are 16 posters on this thread including myself so I doubt if they will take a great deal of notice of us. I personally like the new times but will go with whatever decision Fred Olsen makes after they have reviewed the passenger surveys.

For us it is pretty simple, if what they do creates a situation where 1st sitting people moving from dinner to the show lounge have to queue outside, then this will be the last time we sail with FO.

Our August cruise is already booked so nothing to be done about that, but we won't be booking anything else until this is resolved one way or another.

For us it is pretty simple, if what they do creates a situation where 1st sitting people moving from dinner to the show lounge have to queue outside, then this will be the last time we sail with FO.

 

Our August cruise is already booked so nothing to be done about that, but we won't be booking anything else until this is resolved one way or another.

We are also pre-booked on the Braemar in August but I have already resolved that this will be our last Fred Olsen cruise. There were too many issues and problems with our March cruise to make me want to book with Fred again, which is a pity because we love the ship and will be one point short of gold status after the August cruise.

If I am on the late dinner seating I quite like a show before dinner and have enjoyed this in the past on several other cruise lines. It means that you can have your show, dinner then a night cap and get to bed at a reasonable time if you have trips the next day. That said these other lines had a third different show that anyone could go to in the main theatre so there was always late entertainment if you wanted it.

Having only sailed with Fred Olsen a couple of times before I was interested to read about the potential impact others feel this would have on early diner people. That has to be balanced with other comments I have read about late seating people struggling to get a (decent) seat in the show lounges as the early diners don't move on.

It is all about getting the timing right for passenger flows I suppose.

Looking forward to my next cruise regardless of what Fred decides.

We were on Boudicca in February and were subjected to the new show times. We always choose second sitting and, like many other contributors, do so to avoid rushing and look forward to the show after dinner. I can only imagine that Fred has done this to suit their own itinerary as it ensures that both shows are over nice and early for the band, crew and entertainers and that the oldies will get the message and go to bed. We witnessed first sitting diners hovering quite aggressively near seats in the Neptune lounge waiting to pounce on second sitting diners after the first show. On some occasions hassling people to move on and give up their seats. Quite unseemly. To relieve the tension that this created we played a game sometimes by appearing to be about to get up and then changing our minds and staying put, childish I know but when Fred decides to mess about with passengers enjoyment for their own gains, what do they expect. before we book another cruise With Fred I will be checking the show times with the agents and if they insist on continuing this ridiculous new system will be going elsewhere after many years of only travelling with Fred. Olsen. I. Am not against change but for,the right reasons, not just the convenience of the company. There have been enough examples of Fred economising and reducing customer benefits over the last ten years and enough is enough. rant over.

There have been enough examples of Fred economising and reducing customer benefits over the last ten years and enough is enough. rant over.

But moving the shows to earlier times, I think, looses money. The posters just above say they go off to be early now, whereas if the show was later they may well buy another drink or 2. The bars on the last cruise were open to 1AM or even 2, so having the second sitting show at 7:30 gives all second sitting people an excuse to go to bed early :D