berkshireboy
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Posts posted by berkshireboy
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19 hours ago, twotravellersLondon said:
We like these ideas and we would like then even more if...
1, Some of the advertising was made a tad more creditable. Terrace cabins might be advertised as "promenade cabins"... rather than "balcony cabins"... they don't have balconies... they never have had balconies... and... advertising them as "balcony cabins" stretches the company's creditability to breaking point... it just seems silly to many.
Fred advertises cabins on the Bolette and Borealis as Suite, Terrace, Ocean and Interior. The Terrace cabins are described as "Offering access to the Promenade Deck via sliding doors. I can't see a problem with that.
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At the moment on the UK site the headline cruise fare [in sterling] does not include port fees, taxes etc and these extra charges are shown in much smaller figures as an add on. This may be the American practice but I believe here that the headline figure should be fully inclusive of such fees and charges [It certainly is for airline charges].. Hope that Azamara gets this sorted before going live with the new site
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3 hours ago, AJCM said:
I’d think if you’re in a club owner suite, you’ll be accommodated in either specialty restaurant on any day, if you wish. You might not get your preferred time but I expect they make the effort to look after owner suite guests. Just ask your butler on the day or the night before.
As I don’t really know if that is the case, you might consider booking multiple nights as soon as you board, because many experienced guests will book either the 3 night package or suite benefit on boarding. Then, if you prefer to dine elsewhere on any given nights, you just need to contact the specialty number on the morning (and your butler will do that for you if you ask).
When booking, they’ll be able to tell you the dates for white night and Azamazing. The seatings are 6.30 and 8.00. If you’d like a meal not on the menu, they’ll likely prepare that for you if they have at least 24hours notice.
This is not always the case! We were in an owners suite on Persuit's 7 Night Croatia Intensive cruise from 10 to 17 October last year. On boarding we booked up the speciality restaurants for 5 of the 7 nights, leaving 2 nights without a booking - we needed to sort out shore excursions for those two nights. Next day when we tried to book the outstanding two nights, having sorted out our shore excursions, we were able to get into Prime C [although not at our first choice of time] on one night but the second night was already fully booked in both Prime C and Aqualina with long waiting lists for both venues and we didn't get a slot.
In the event, that particular night there was a special event on at the Sunset Verandah [I think that it was the Discoverer Plus but can't remember for sure] which finished at 6pm - just as Windows opened for its Indian night so we just moved inside to the buffet which was very enjoyable.
If the cruise is full and a lot of people have booked the speciality restaurants then even your butler will not be able to get you in.
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Hardings have the franchise on Fred [According to their website this is still the case]. Last Fred I was on - the Boudicca, had these globes for sale.
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I've just received a booklet from Fred "introducing Bolette and Borealis" which has deck plans for both ships which shows that there are differences, especially in cabin types. One differance I noted was that Borealis has one swimming pool on deck 8 whilst Boette has a second one aft.
Bolette is the new Fred Olsen flagship.
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The new protocols have been published in Cruise Industry News. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24975-azamara-announces-health-and-safety-protocols-for-return-in-august.html
"Guests cruising in August and beyond can expect advanced screening protocols such as fully vaccinated crew and guests, enhanced sanitation measures, and enhanced medical services, according to the company.
Azamara noted it will continue to evaluate these protocols and update them as public health standards and the global situation evolves."
All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing, as an added layer of protection to keep guests and crew safe, in addition to providing a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Once aboard, complimentary COVID-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.
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20 hours ago, oddjob16 said:
Dang!! There goes our Quest october 02. cruise out of BCN. Maybe we will lift and shift to 2022.
We were also booked on that cruise. As soon as I got the email yesterday I contacted our TA and arranged for a lift and shift to the Croatia Intensive Voyage on the Pursuit between 10 October 2022 – 17 October 2022. All arranged within an hour. We paid an extra £19 in port dues but no other charges. We even got allocated the same cabin even though we were on the Pursuit rather than the Quest and our obc remained unchanged. For us I think that this is a better itinerary, as there are a couple of new ports.
This is the second year we have had to lift and shift this cruise - maybe this time we will be lucky!
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We have three cruises still booked this year and one next year. All four are re-arranged from cruises cancelled last year. I suspect that the likelihood of the next two cruises taking place are remote. However the last one this year [Azamara, October] and the one next year [Fred, March 2022] could go ahead, fingers crossed. Under the circumstances I've asked Fred for a refund of the deposit for the cancelled Borealis cruise. They are happy to do this but it will take up to eight weeks to be deposited back into our bank account. Fortunately, it is for a comparatively small amount. .
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I have just been notified by Fred that my cruise on Borealis S2108 – ‘Irish Highlights & Scottish Scenery’, 29th April 2021 has been cancelled. Fred is now showing the first cruise by Borealis as 22 May.
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20 hours ago, oddjob16 said:
We did a Lift&Shift to Quest 02.october 2021. It is not the first choice we would have wanted, but since we had a great deal on 4 free nights on the original cruise we chose to keep it. All we have invested so far is the original deposit. I doubt we will book another cruise before we see what restrictions will be in place and wether in fact there will be a restart next april/may.
Our last cruise ended in Sydney 23.february so we feel that it hasn't been that long. We loved NZ intensive and would do that again anytime.😁😁Would you believe it! We have done exactly the same as you, using Lift&Shift to transfer to this cruise. Also like you we had free nights - but in our case 6 nights. And we also had a great deal which we didn't want to lose.
We have two cruises booked before this one, one in June and one in August [neither Azamara] but I think that this is the first one that there is a real chance of sailing. See you on board, hopefully.😁
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13 hours ago, cruisestitch said:
Is that an Azamara ship?
Its operated by TUI cruises which is 50% owned by Royal Caribbean and 50% by TUI AG. I would be very surprised if RCI are not involved in the planning and operations of these cruises. I assume that lessons learned by Royal Caribbean at this time will be used by all companies in the RCI family, including Azamara.
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4 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:
Others I remember were -
- in Cyprus, our first Azamara cruise. They bussed us up to one of the villages in the Troodos mountains on a glorious day in October. The village was beautiful, all pedestrian, and we were greeted with wine and lovely snacks, then all sat down in the village square for a display of Greek dancing and singing. Unfortunately when they planned it nobody took account of the fact that once the sun goes down it gets very cold in the mountains and nobody had coats! It had to be cut short so all of us shivering passengers could get on the busses and back to the ship to warm up
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We were also on that cruise. As well as the cold, the organizers were not aware that after each performance of a particular style of local singing/dancing the performers went off elsewhere in the village to change into different costumes etc. taking about 20 minutes, whilst we were left to talk among ourselves not knowing what was happening. I also recall we were sitting near the back of the square and that drinks and snacks were served to the front rows first and didn't reach us at the back. Eventually this was resolved. [This is a problem we've encountered on other Azamazing evenings].
Looking back over the years I would say that in our experience poor Azamazing evenings outnumbered memorable ones by about two to one. Perhaps we've been unlucky.
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19 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:
Mr Google suggests it's a Norwegian name, which is a move away from their normal Scottish names.
Two of their last five cruise ships have not had Scottish names - Black Prince and Bouddica.
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19 hours ago, Norn Iron Man said:
Azamara Journey from Venice in October is looking more unlikely
I was booked on the Journey out of Venice in September but have reached the conclusion that it won't happen so have used Lift and Shift this weekend to move to a cruise in October next year. Very straight forward to do.
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16 hours ago, tiggertom said:
The Arabian Courtyard has a lovely English pub where we had an evening meal with beer and wine at a very reasonable price. It is ideal for the museum and the creek. I’m sure you will have a great time.
On our most recent visit to Dubai we also stayed at the Arabian Courtyard and dined in the English pub each evening. Found it to be good value and a great location
Would use it again. On a cruise at the moment and having problems with CC, hope that this makes sense!
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23 hours ago, Lottie A said:
Wow... that is going to be a tight squeeze indeed for Braemar! Captain Victor and Staff Captain Davro seemed very competent during our Bay of Biscay storm and the emergency medical evacuation by helicopter at the height of it, so I’m sure all will be fine. Be interesting to see some pix though.
Have a great cruise and if you get the chance please say Hi to the lovely Jean in Bookmark Cafe from Mam Lottie. She is an absolute star!
Have put a note in my "to do list" to say hi to Jean in the Bookmark Cafe from you. Have also noted your comments about Chris in the entertainments team and will ensure that we go along to see him.
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1 minute ago, Lottie A said:
Aren't they just! The list of crew members I mentioned by name went on forever.
I have just completed the Fred Olsen post cruise evaluation survey and I couldn't find one single thing to be negative about, except the fixed time dining. I had to mark everything else as excellent and people who know me would say I'm not usually that easy to please! 😄
I don't mind the fixed time dining too much, especially as show time is worked around it. I also love the anytime dining on Azamara so I'm not difficult to please [my wife might comment on that statement!]
We are back on Braemar in a fortnight on the Greek Islands and Corinth Canal cruise when Braemar will be the largest cruise ship ever to pass through the Corinth canal. We booked this two years ago when it first went on sale and it has been fully booked ever since.
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We have an inside cabin booked on the Quest, Dubai & Emirates cruise on 29 November. At 97 days out we received an [unsolicited] email asking if we wanted to bid for an upgrade. However, we could only bid on a restricted view outside or a Club Continent Suite, not on a veranda cabin. We have made a minimum bid offer on a restricted view outside but will not be concerned if we do not get an upgrade. At this point in time there are no inside cabins and only 2 outside [including 1 disabled] available. There are numerous veranda cabins still available. Seems to be there will be a lot of juggling with inventory before we sail!
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18 hours ago, Lottie A said:
Well berkshireboy I enjoyed Fred’s Braemar so much I have just booked a late deal on Balmoral in October. 😄
You clearly enjoyed your cruise! Braemar is our favorite Fred ship but we enjoy cruises on all four. Being the largest of the fleet your cruise on Balmoral will be different but I'm sure that you will enjoy it just as much. The crew on all four are superb.
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13 hours ago, Lottie A said:
Hi Al...how are you? We have had a great time on Braemar...and I thought Trivia on Azamara was serious stuff! It’s life or death on Fred! 🤣
Booked another Fred Olsen cruise today and I’m not home yet.
Hi Lottie
So pleased you have enjoyed Fred - I was a little concerned that you might not think it was for you.
And yes the urge to win one of those Fred Olsen key rings can be cut throat at times!
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15 hours ago, Azamazingal said:
Lottie and Pam
What coincidences.
We are booked on Spirit of Discovery next July
And our first Oceania cruise next April (with lots of extras).
But we have recently finished a B2B on Braemar and will be re-boarding later this month.
Nothing planned for Azamara though.
Al
Is that the Corinth Canal cruise? If so we are also booked on that - and counting down the days.
We love Azamara but also love Fred Olsen.
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3 hours ago, excitedofharpenden said:
If I need a herbal tea or the occasional coffee I usually walk the short distance, go to Mosaic and sit in a comfortable chair there and watch the world go by. It’s open quite late.
Phil
We always decline coffee with the meal in the MDR and have it in Mosaic afterwards. After a couple of evenings we found we didn't even need to order - as soon as we sat down [always fairly empty in the evenings] our coffee was delivered to us exactly as we like it.
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The BBC have put together a very interesting summery of the proposed changes to Komodo Island next year, including evicting all the islanders. When it reopens the entrance fee could be $1000 [valid for twelve months] against the current $10. Looking to attract the very rich [not us I'm afraid]! By comparison the fee to enter the Galapagos National Park is $100
“The Komodo is not being protected,” says Laiskodat. [The Governor]
“Too many people are coming in - they are paying next to nothing, and that means anyone can enter,” he says.
The current charge is about $10 (£8) a person. For his new vision he would charge a much higher price.
“People will have to become members and pay $1,000 [£790] to enter for a year. I think that’s cheap. So if we let 50,000 people in we will have $50m [£40m] a year.”
Living Among the Dragons is on BBC iPlayer and on BBC World on Thursday 25 July, 09:30 GMT, and Friday 26 July, 08:00 GMT.
Maybe the existing arrangements will will still be in place when we visit on the 21 January next year. If not Rinca Island looks like the only viable option [1049 dragons as against 1727 on Komodo Island itself].
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It's easy to get anywhere in Singapore! It looks like we will dock at Marina Bay Cruise Centre which is a little further from Sentosa than the Singapore Cruise Centre but there isn't much in it. Have you thought of going across by the cable car - definitely worth it if you haven't done it already.
For anyone wanting to try the true Singapore Sling, Raffles is due to reopen next month.
Fred Is Hiring! But is it changing?
in Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
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I'm sorry but I am using the current FOCL website.
As an example, I've selected at random cruise S2409 Wildlife and Culture of the Scenic Scottish Isles on the Borealis sailing from Southampton on the 7 May 2024. Going to the booking options on this cruise the cabin catagories offered are Suite, Terrace, Ocean and Interior. There is no specific Balcony catagory. [Athough the Suites on offer are described as having a private balcony]. The Terace cabins are described as offering access to the Promenade deck via sliding doors - there is no mention of a balcony.
Perhaps you could check this cruise and see if you can see the same as I've described? If not perhaps your computer is holding an old copy of the FOCL website and, if this is the case you would need to delete cookies etc.