| |
Norwegian Panoramas |
| Reviewed By: Jennings, Otley on 3rd Jun 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises |
Times cruised before: 0 |
| Cruise Ship: Boudicca |
Sailed:
May,
2008 |
| Destination: Scandinavia |
Age: 56-65 |
 |
As this was our first cruise we selected Fred Olsen as the reviews pointed to smaller ships being much friendlier and less organized. Our experience confirmed this. The Staff on the Boudicca were exceptional, very hard working, attentive and always smiling. Service was exemplary with nothing too much trouble.
Arrival at Southhampton was very efficient with the luggage being taken and after a wait in the embarcation lounge until being called to board, the next time we saw it was in the cabin ready for unpacking. Similarly when disembarking, packed and left outside the cabin on the night before and ready for loading in the car after we left the ship, all very well organised.
The cabin though not all that large was very well equipped, and the layout was very practical with clear areas for dressing, sleeping and sitting, having a lifeboat just below the balcony did detract somewhat from the view though. A fresh fruit basket, and hospitality tray of coffee and biscuits were replenished daily, a complimentary bottle of wine was there on arrival.
Allocated seating in the Four Seasons restaurant was convenient and the choice and standard of food was superb with imaginative menu's. At breakfast the open seating and rotunda breakfast bar at times it became a bit of a scramble.
The nightly shows were good and repeated so both first and second sittings for dinner were catered for, although the Neptune lounge was really inadequate for the number of passengers. The observatory cocktail bar with the classical pianist was very relaxing.
Tours were expensive although, with the prices in Norway, that may be relative. Certainly the Flam Railway was memorable and worth every penny, this may have benefited from improved organisation as those at the end of the queue were left searching for somewhere to sit. Some of the other tours were repeated under a different name in the afternoon so some other passengers felt they paid for the same thing twice. This together with the ships photographer continually trying to sell £10 photo's after every event/port of call highlights the cost of the cruise is not the final charge. Although to be fair, Drinks prices on Boudicca were not expensive.
Will we go again? ........ Cruising is very relaxing with everything laid on, and just sit and watch the world go by, opening up vistas not available any other way. The Fjords were sensational, and we were blessed with fantastic weather. The company was good, probably because of the clientelle which Fred Olsen attracts. With range of destinations and cruise lines on offer, I'm sure that there is something out there to tempt me again.
|
| Quality of Food |  |
| Four Seasons Restaurant, excellent Steaks and Fish | | Entertainment | |
| Very good Crew Cabaret, Amateur but very enthusiastic. | | Shore Excursions |  |
| Flam Railway excellent, Amsterdam unsatisfactory, late arrival in Amsterdam meant boat trip was cancelled and Bus trip at half price was no substitute | | Staff |  |
| Charan the Iceni lounge Bar staff who arranged complimentary birthday drinks. | | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| | Cabins | |
| | Overall Rating | |
|
|
|
