nb125

We always park through Fred. You drive right up to the terminal, offload your luggage and they take the car away, couldn't be easier.

I believe you can buy it on board but it costs more. I think they now have a policy of limiting the number of packages so you would not guaranteed getting it.

It was still Newcastle Brown and Stella on Black Watch in May. Sorry, no idea about cider.

They are both lovely ports. Rouen is a shuttle but there is also a very good shopping centre in walking distance. Bordeaux is right in the middle of the city centre and is a wonderful place if you like people watching. The locals use the grassed area in front of where the ship is docked to jog, walk dogs, play games and lots of them sit having a picnic on the grass in front of the ship. We were there overnight and it was one of the more memorable ports we have visited.

It's easy enough to get on Facebook even if you don't use it for anything else but the group. It's a private one so you have to be accepted to join.

Why don't you try the Fred Olsen Cruise Group on Facebook. There are always a lot of people on there going on the same cruise.

https://www.fredolsencruises.com/faqs/on-board/whats-the-dress-code-whilst-on-board

The above link will take you to the dress code on Fred's website. I noticed when reading it that smart dark jeans are mentioned as acceptable for men on smart casual nights. I cannot see why this should not apply to women as well. Your husband will be fine wearing a polo shirt on smart casual nights, no need to always wear a dress shirt, In my experience very few jackets around except on formal nights.

I really couldn't say. I have never actually taken part, just watched. There have been some really good singers, especially on Balmoral where I believe they have the opportunity to practice beforehand in the Theatre.

There has been a Karaoke on every Fred cruise we've done, In the Lido Bar on Balmoral and the Coral Club on Braemar.

I asked Customer Services the question about all the other crew and was told "we have an arrangement for that".

I doubt the work is done yet. As with all the other Fred re-fits the work started on the cruise before dry dock and continued on at least one cruise after.

As far as I can see all cruise ship will become a block of holiday flats with a top deck given over to a range of high street takeaways (KFC McD etc) and strewn with plastic boxes etc. :mad:

What about the zip line? :)

Yes, it does seem as though people on organised trips should have a trouble free visit. I think the problems will occur with the football fans at the World Cup.

I would think that Fred, in line with all holiday companies, will follow Foreign Office advice,

I think it is inevitable in line with all cruise lines who want you to spend on board. The difference is that other cruise lines have lower ticket prices so need to make up the difference with all the add-ons. Fred is already far too expensive without spending more.

I noticed that and wondered what area would be sacrificed to accommodate them.

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/298918/premium-upgrade-is-paying-off-says-fred-olsen-owner

Fred Olsen Junior seems to be saying the upgrades are worth either reducing the number of cruises taken or booking a lower grade cabin. I can't say that I agree as most of the upgrades were just long overdue updates.

Does anyone think these upgrades justify the huge increase in prices?

Perhaps it is not so much about saving money but more about attracting younger cruisers who are not so keen on dressing up as us older ones.

If they want to attract younger cruisers maybe they should look at the activities and entertainment they provide and also get rid of the stupid sing a long with songs from the First World War.

No need to be offensive! We do not all have to enjoy formal nights! I am not ‘miffed’, just disappointed. And as we have the AI, the free drinks are irrelevant. Merely trying to guess how Fred reckon this will save them money, since it has to be about the money! And I didn’t say I would cancel cruising, just cruise with another line. We have cruised with at least a dozen lines, so happy to go elsewhere. All lines have their pros and cons. Formal nights were one of Fred’s ‘pros’.

 

 

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How this saves Fred money is something I have been wondering about also. As far as I can see the only difference in the dinner is the chocolate at the end. Surely not a great expense.

Our 16 night cruise says 3 smart casual and 1 British. I am assuming this is a mistake and it will be 3 formal.

It was a joke just a mistake on Fred's website.

I would hope so!

Has anyone checked out the price on this. Seems a bit steep for a balcony even for Fred. :D

Sorry there should have been a photo with that, price for two in a balcony cabin £1,783,974.66

The crew won't get less. As I understand it the money goes to Fred and is part of the guaranteed wage paid to crew. So if tips are removed it is Fred that pays the difference.

Gratuities pre-paid up to 7 March will be at the £4 rate.