Arctic on Boudicca was FAB. Lovely ship. Fantastic captain who was very enthusiastic. The staff were great, especially ANDREA (cruise hostess). The food was wonderful, much more to my taste than QE2. Secret Garden is a fantastic venue where you can arrange to have dinner with the friends you have made. Enjoyed most of the shows. One of the comedians was NOT funny and a little bit offensive too. The other comedian/magician (is his name Andy?) is cute though and always good for a laugh. The Radio 4 singer and his pianist were world-class. Not keen on Adagio though. The girl who did the gym classes was good fun (sorry, can't remember your name). Only gripes: The room didn't get tidied up until early afternoon which meant we couldn't sit down all morning because the sofa turned into a bed overnight. And the cocktails were very sugary and sweet, unless you chose to have a very alcoholic one. Also, the coffee and tea sometimes tasted dreadful but we realise this is a "feature" of all cruise ships and Boudicca does have an Expresso bar if you feel like paying for a decent coffee

For a new ship in the Fred Olsen fleet the Boudicca lets it down in many ways. Tired cruise director,and shows. Public area too small for volume of people. Yates Ware 17th September

Sailed on Boudicca twice last year. Not as bad as reviews read. Agree that restaurant should not be split,but food and staff still as friendly. Have cruised with Fred.Olsen 24 times on all ships. Also cruised on P&O,Cunard and Princess Lines and feel that Olsen cruises are the best if you like friendly, smaller ships. Have just returned from cruise on Black Watch and booked for inaugral Balmoral next January. Looking forward to it!

I cruised on the Black Watch in 1997 and it was awful then, and we said we'd never go on another Fred Olsen ship. Afternoon tea came out of an urn just like the ones you'd find in a work's canteen and it was served in polystyrene cups. You can have whatever cake you like as long as it was Madeira. In the intervening years I think Black Watch had a refit but as in all refits, they are usually confined to the common areas, e.g. lounges and restaurants but not the cabins and especially not the plumbing.

I sailed on the Black Watch and would never book any Fred Olsen cruise again. The ship was cramped, old-fashioned in layout, the entertainment was dire. I agree it is time to look for a more up to date ship

just returned from boudicca too not sure what it is but just something. m6y waiter was ok but nothing special, a lot of mistakes with our order's. my chum had to wait ages to get the right course delived no apology. no braemar room and no model mof the ship. secret garden nice but too crowded for afternoon tea. SHOW WADS THE 30'S a bit slow, comedian was fine.