bigted

This cruise goes on general sale on 22 Feb when no doubt website will show correct pricing. At the moment it is only on sale to Oceans members who have to use a special code.

We would just like to provide a quick update regarding the change to the dining and show times that we have been trialling for the past few months on board our ships. We know this is a particularly hot topic amongst our guests and the feedback we have received via these forums, emails and letters is greatly appreciated. It really helps us ensure that the on board experience we offer suits the greatest number of guests, so thank you for taking the time to comment.

 

So far the response to the trial has been quite evenly split and we have received large amounts of both positive and negative feedback, so much so that – at the moment – it is difficult for a definitive decision to be made. Therefore we are extending the trial to continue throughout the summer, so that we can collate further feedback from guests on board. We know that this will come as a disappointment to some, but we want to be fair to all of our guests and collecting more feedback will help us to make a fair and informed decision.

 

Once again we would like to thank you for your comments regarding the trial; all feedback – both positive and negative – is greatly appreciated.

 

Kind regards,

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

I would expect a less than even split in comments, the change only affects second sitting guests which when the ship is not full is less than 50% of the total and of these some will be people who have booked a cheap cruise on an anchor fare and want first sitting but are not prepared to pay£2 pppd to secure first sitting so they will be quite happy with the early shows.

If this is to go ahead, the late night 10:45 cabaret needs to be in the Neptune rather than the Lido/Coral club to give the greatest number of guests the opportunity to see the shows, the Lido is too small to accommodate both first and second sitting guests at the same time.

I agree with Tigertom that this is the usual situation. However, Fred are trialing the change to showtimes on Braemar and Boudicca at the moment. (second sitting 7.15 on most nights) or at least they were in February and March.

The showtime was changed during our Boudicca cruise in February with the show for second seating guests before dinner. It did not go down well.

The biggest problem was that on coming out of dinner at 10ish the ship was dead with no accessible entertainment. On a few nights an 11pm cabaret was scheduled in the Lido but because of the size of the venue it was impossible to get in whilst the Neptune Lounge sat empty. The Lido is also the venue used by those wanting to sit and chat over a drink with background music and it is not a suitable venue to sit and listen to a cabaret act - even if you could get in. We ended up either going to bed by 10.30pm or using the card table area to play games. It says something when one of the busiest venues on the ship after 10pm is the card room and library.

Even first sitting people were unhappy as they struggled to get seats in the Neptune as many of the second sitting people stayed in the Neptune lounge after the show finished at 8pm as they did not go into dinner until 8.30. The show for first seating guests started at 8.45.

We understand that this is a trial, I just hope that Fred Olsen take note of the negative feedback.

The Gold benefits are still there if you book on a Freedom Fare.

There is no longer a Gold check in desk but once you check in, if you are Gold and on a Freedom Fare, you should be given a Gold Priority embarkation card, if on Anchor Fare you wait your turn along with everyone else.

All passengers on Freedom Fare get free shuttle tickets, even first timers, again if Gold but on Anchor you have to pay.

I am Gold and do a mixture of Freedom and Anchor fares, when on an Anchor Fare, I accept that I have paid much less than others on a Freedom Fare and fully understand that I have to pay for some extras, its still a much cheaper deal.