Cruise Reviews

Disappointed with a Fred. Olsen cruise.......
Reviewed By: Latham, Newcastle on 27th Sep 2008
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Balmoral Sailed: September, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 56-65
My wife and I recently travelled on a two week cruise from Dover to the wetern Mediterranean on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral. Check in at Dover was easy and pleasent but we were disappointed when we first embarked not to be shown to our cabin - we were left to find our own way! The outside cabin on deck 5 was light, spacious, clean and was more than adequate for our needs.
Balmoral is a ship which has recently been lengthened to accommodate additional passengers. Unfortunately, we felt that some ares e.g. main dining room, entertainment lounge were somewhat cramped and unable to cope adequately with the additional numbers. Food on board was possibly the best we have had on any cruise but the service was lacking. For example, when we took breakfast or lunch buffet style, we would find our dirty plates still on the table when we returned with a new course. Entertainment was, in our view, not as good as most we have experienced.
All went reasonably well until just after mid way through the cruise when we were told of an engine problem which had caused us to fall behind schedule. We arrived late on the Saturday into Mahon and left the port at lunch time, which was disappointing. We were then told that repairs would be undertaken at Lisbon but that we would not be able to disembark. As we continued on, it became apparent that so much time had been lost that we would not now be stopping in La Caruna as expected and that our arrival in Dover would be a day late i.e. Friday. Before Lisbon was reached, the engine fault was fixed, we were back up to speed and then told that we would terminate the cruise by lunctime on Thursday at SOUTHAMPTON - not vey good as our car was at Dover! There was much unrest on the ship at this decision and by the time we reached Southampton, we had been 5 days at sea. We were then taken by coach to Dover, arriving there early evening. Whilst mechanical problems can occur anytime (has your car ever broken down?), it was Olsen's handling of the situation which was unacceptable to us; free phone calls, internet useage, free bar on the last afternoon/evening and £50 each off our on-board spending hardly compensated for the last few days of stress, unrest and disappointment at missing La Caruna.
It is unlikely we will travel with the Olsen cruise line again- after all, there are many companies competing for business and we will give them a try next.
Quality of Food5
Food was excellent
Entertainment2
Apart from the comedian, I felt the shows were not great
Shore Excursions2
Excursion to Lisbon was good but expensive for what was given
Staff4
Cabin stewardess was most attentive and did an excellent job.
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities2
Plenty of choice but little that appealed to me!
Cabins3
Better than expected for a "budget" cabin
Overall Rating1
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Comment by Spencer, Hereford (02 Oct 08 11:09) about this REVIEW.
I would have thought Fred Olsen was more than generous- but from your review it is easy to see that you are fairly difficult to please.
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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Green, Harwich (01 Oct 08 17:38) about this REVIEW.
How can your overall rating be 1* when every category has at least 2*s?
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Comment by Green, Harwich (30 Sep 08 14:47) about this REVIEW.
At breakfast your dirty plate was STILL on your table when you returned with a new course????? I have not cruised in recent years, but have stayed in many 4/5* hotels. The one thing that drives me crazy is a waiter taking my plate before i've finished with it!! My wife and I are booked on the Balmoral for 28 nights this October....your review has higtened my anticipation for breakfast!
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Comment by Muster, Plymouth (28 Sep 08 16:06) about this REVIEW.
Told my husband and he said 'Book quick before they mend it!' and my daughter 'Yum, Virgin Daquiri party anyone?' These things happen. Yes, we'd have been put out at the delayed arrival in Dover, but they did what they could. As for changing plans, how often have you had a boiler or car repair where they were getting the part in and then suddenly they couldn't and timings change? It's called life. No doubt they had to stop in Southampton to either get the repair done properly or to make sure the next cruisers could get on board and start their holiday.
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Comment by Richard Okill, Lee on the Solent (28 Sep 08 14:50) about this REVIEW.
A free bar and fifty Quid would have suited me down to the ground.
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