callyuk

Tring's list won't be up to date, as it is from before the all inclusive price was increased and content of the package changed.

We have found the all inclusive package to be a good deal in the past; now it's gone up in price we'll have to see how we feel about this on our next cruise. We were told by staff there would be more choice of wines and some spirits e.g. gin. As a rum (not gin) drinker a dark rum would be a plus for us, and if they are now charging for draught beers we make rethink whether it's worth our while in the future.

[Reading the small print [you need to with Fred.] it says that the welcome aboard gift will be restricted to one per cabin or household. As we are both Gold members we've always received a gift each - it will be interesting to see if this is another cut or whether we will still receive a gift each.

We are both Gold members but have never received a gift each, except for the Christmas one (was a plate each, now just a bag of chocolate balls!). I don't know if it makes any difference but we have the same surname; our neighbours, with different surnames, have always recived a gift each.

Hi, Not wishing to advertise, but we have a Nationwide debit card which doesn't charge fees.

I agree completely. We can't bear British Night, mainly for the dreadful singalong; of which many of the songs are close to 100 years old and horribly jingoistic. We think if Fred wants to modernise itself it sets completely the wrong tone.

We always enjoyed tropical night, if only for the colourful clothes everyone wore and the holiday feeling it gave to the ship.

I too find the prices being asked by Fred for 2017/2018 are over the top compared with previous years, so I have emailed my travel agent and told him not to book the back to back cruises we originally enquired about.

 

Pugwash123

I agree completely, their prices seem to have gone up steeply. When onboard recently we asked for a quote for a cruise we were interested in; it was at a price that was just silly. About 4 days after we got home someone form Fred 'phoned us and asked if we were interested. Can't be selling that well then!

Every cruise line we've been on, including British ones, has provided what we call flannels, along with towels. We haven't been on CMV, but I can't imagine them being any different.

Have a good trip.

As I said in an earlier post it is not correct that you pay full price on a can of Guinness on all inclusive. My husband always drinks it and we pay 50%.

>>>Guinness is not included - I know because my wife drinks it and we have to pay full price for each can.<<<

My husband drinks Guinness and, with all inclusive, pays 50%. We have worked out what we would have spent with and without all inclusive and, for us, it is definitely worth it. E.g. A cranberry with vodka is inclusive or a white rum (sadly no dark rum on AI) and pepsi

We don't have the house wine every night, often buy another at 50%; I have a 50% cocktail most nights. I quite like a glass of the rosé or red, but don't really like the white, although my husband does. So it's all clearly down to personal taste.

No goody bags with toiletries on Fred anymore.

There is just a container of liquid soap near the sink and one in the shower.

My husband is happy enough with them, but I always take my own.

All the cabins on Fred's ships have kettles; with tea bags, coffee and small containers of milk.

No biscuits though, like some cruise lines have. (Not that any extra food is really needed).

If it's fly cruise with Fred, and flights booked with them, we have always stayed on board and been transferred by Fred directly to the airport in time for the flight.

If it's Barbados (not all ports allow it) your luggage is taken from outside your door the night before flight and you don't see it again until you land in Britain.

We flew back from Barbados with them in February. We docked in Barbados at 10.30 in the morning and spent the day there. Gatwick and Manchester flights were the afternoon the next day and we were transferred after having lunch on the ship. It was all fairly stress free.

There was a morning excursion available for those who wanted one, but we just walked into town.

We generally drink the cabin water on Fred. Olsen ships. But on Black Watch found that the water had an unpleasant tang, so much so that we threw away some water bottles that we had put it in.

We don't bother with tea on embarkation day but just take some sandwiches which we sit and eat whilst waiting to board. On two occasions, though, we boarded so quickly that we ended up eating them in the cabin.

When we sailed from Rosyth we stayed overnight at Preston Pans, we then drove ourselves on little tour in the morning around that bit of Scotland before we boarded, which was a nice start to the holiday.

We were on the Balmoral for the first week in August and, although we didn't see the Cruise Director a great deal, when we did we found her very personable.

One afternoon she did a quiz, with one of the other hosts, which lasted a long time and I must say we laughed more than at any other time on the cruise.

On other cruise lines we've been on (apart from QM2 where the CD did a morning quiz) although we've seen them around the ship they didn't really do anything where they engaged with the passengers.

As regards the rest of the entertainment our favourites were Nico and Carolina, in the Morning Light. We also found the show company (who I believe were new on that cruise) not really to our taste, although you couldn't fault their enthusiasm.

It just shows everyone's personal experiences and opinions can be different!

We got off the Balmoral today and they were doing a wash and fold (not ironed) offer near the end of the cruise.

I can't remember exactly but I think it was £10 for a bag.

Just posted in another thread that we got off the Balmoral today and there was no Norovirus on board. :)

We just got off the Balmoral today.

There didn't seem to be any cases of Norovirus on board, as far as we could tell. All buffets were as normal and salt pots etc. fully available. :)

I agree, Mark.

We are usually fairly near the forward lifts ,and not too low down, and never have a problem with vibrations.

We often seem to sleep better on a ship than we do at home!

On other ships in my experience some of the tenders are used for ship tours and others for independents at the same time, not tours first and independent second (hence the factual second class comment).

In my experience they are not doing anything differently to how other cruise lines manage tenders.

When we were on Celebrity and NCL ships neither of those allowed people who weren't on ship's tours to use the tenders until after the ship's tours had all offloaded.

It's fairly logical, when you think about it, there's a large number of people to organise, all on a fairly tight schedule.

When we get back to the ship too late for lunch we often have room service (we're always second sitting dinner and don't take afternoon tea).

It isn't a huge menu but there are sandwiches, platters, soup and salads available free of charge; always nicely prepared, good size portions and generally arrive within 20 minutes of request.

In fact we see it as a sort of treat and look forward to it; and get ourselves a drink from a bar to go with it.

We have also never liked "British" night, particularly the sing song that goes along with it. We do sometimes pay lip service to it and wear something in those colours, if we've taken them with us. They did have a brief try at International night but that didn't seem to be very well supported.

Most of the theme nights they used to have were a bit like fancy dress and there were always those who didn't take part. But I was really put off, on our first Fred. cruise, on country and western night; I was wearing a flowery dress and a man on our dinner table commented "you could have made a bit more effort".

The only theme nights we ever enjoyed were tropical nights as it gave an excuse to dress brightly without looking silly and it seemed to make everyone more cheerful.

Hi,

As, of course you are aware, the options you mention are very different.

We have done all three and enjoyed, and still do, all of them. If cruising on inland waterways, apart from the Nile, Britain is our favourite.

Personal opinion (and call me biased) here, but we used to own a narrow boat, which we used mainly in North West England and Wales. As the canals were built for the transportation of goods from Industrial regions they are now mainly a rural and Industrial heritage experience that can't be beaten if you enjoy countryside, quiet and travelling slowly; you tend to pass through towns that are interesting but not earth shattering. You have to be willing to decide on your own route and itinerary, and negotiate locks (my muscles always grow during time on a canal!). Although I love places like Chester and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Wales), and there is plenty to see, most places are quite low key and you don't tend to get sightseeing that is comparable to the big highlights of the UK and Europe.

We also love cruise ships, and all they have to offer, but it's a bit like comparing a cycling and camping holiday to a guided tour staying in luxury hotels.

I'm sure whatever you decide you'll have a great time!

>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.

Oh no! If this happens on our next cruise with Fred. we won't be very happy either. We go to second sitting and like to relax before dinner with a cocktail/beer and then think about shows after dinner.

The messing about with show times was one of the reasons we weren't happy with P&O.

(I would also think that people who like to do a spot of ballroom dancing before dinner will thus have that option spoilt.)