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A Marquee Suite - what you get for your money.
Reviewed By: Carr, North Yorkshire on 4th Sep 2008
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Boudicca	Sailed: August, 2008
Destination: Baltic	Age: 46-55

Marquee Suite 9017, Athens Penthouse, mid ship, starboard side. Through the entrance door (complete with doorbell!) into lobby with three wardrobes containing bathrobes, slippers, and lifejackets. Full length mirror and coathooks. Door to a very good sized bathroom, with a sliding internal door enabling it to be divided into a separate toilet and bathroom each with plenty of mirrors, hanging and cupboard space with a washbasin in each room. Over bath shower. Towels changed twice a day (such a waste, but this is set to change because signs appeared on the wall during our last day to ask passengers to undertake the more normal hotel policy of "if you hang it up we'll leave it alone but if you drop it in the bath we'll replace it". Good quality full size toiletries provided were: handwash, shine shampoo, shower gel and hand & body lotion. Also two small vanity bags with mini bottles of the same along with hair conditioner, shower cap, sewing kit, shoe shine pad etc etc (although the one item I did use was not actually replaced). from lobby, opening into lounge area, the far end of which had full length floor to ceiling glass windows and a door opening onto a reasonably sized and completely private balcony (unlike the fully open balconies on deck 8 visible to all walking around on deck 7), with two chairs and a table. In the lounge we had a large sofa, two armchairs, a coffee table, writing desk, more mirrors, plenty of wall and ceiling lights to vary the mood, side tables with open storage and plenty of drawer space. A couple of floorstanding plant displays and smaller flowering plants were a nice touch. There was a 13 channel TV , DVD player, 3 channel radio, tea and coffee making equipment and biscuit supply and fruit bowl, both of which were topped up daily. A decanter each of brandy and scotch were supplied along with a litre of gin, and a bottle of Lanson was sat waiting in an ice bucket upon our arrival. A fully stocked large fridge/minibar was also a feature, but next time I would take some ice cube bags as the ice tray provided was tiny and I had to pester the staff in the Observatory bar for a pint pot full of ice whenever we had visitors. I should add that this was never a problem for them though. From the lounge were two sliding doors into the bedroom where there were two extremely comfortable single beds that could also be made up into what I imagine would have been quite a large double. The duckdown duvet was perfect for my Mother but far too hot for me and my request to switch to sheets and a blanket was met on day two without question. Three bedside tables with more drawers underneath nicely filled the space around and in between the beds. At the far end of the room was a large window across the width of the room, however it didn't open. Underneath this was a full width dressing table with a stool, further drawer space, a concealed hairdryer and more full length mirrors. The lighting was again very adaptable although the reading lights were just too bright for one person to read whilst the other slept. Did I mention the four huge wardrobes? Complete with an umbrella for wet days in port and a couple of towels for your visits to the swimming pool. A second entrance door led into the bathroom at the bath end. Each of the rooms had its own individual air conditioning control to either heat or cool the space as desired. We were served canapes at 5.30 daily, just three perfectly presented bite-sized nibbles each. Other advantages to a suite on Marquee deck: The corridor outside our suite was quiet with very few fellow passengers walking by. I never had to share the (small) swimming pool with anyone else; I didn't feel out of place early in the mornings when I wandered along to collect the daily quiz/sudoku from the Observatory bar still dressed in my pajamas and slippers (there was NEVER anyone else around): It was only one flight of stairs to find almost total seclusion on deck 10 at all times of the day and night - where was everybody? We enjoyed the company of an Officer at our dinner table on the formal nights but surely that can't be guaranteed for everyone in the suites and I am still wondering how we ended up being chosen for that particular pleasure? So was it worth the extra money? I certainly felt that we were treated like royalty but I can't honestly answer the question because I don't know what you get in the other types of cabin. So get writing folks!
Quality of Food
So much choice it was difficult to make a decision. Not exactly gourmet but you won't go hungry! The wine list was very extensive and reasonably priced too.
Entertainment
Did'nt go to a single show but did watch some of it on the TV back in the cabin. Singing and dancing are not really my cup of tea. I took my i-pod out on to the balcony with a glass of brandy and was perfectly happy watching the stars. Enjoyed the duo in the Lido Bar though and also the three pianists on board.
Shore Excursions
Did our own thing mostly, having spent hours planning ahead, using this site and others on the Internet. Really enjoyed the visit to David Holliday's country home during the FO Village Life tour in Lithuania. The markets in Klaipeda and Tallinn were certainly the best and cheapest places to buy souvenirs, particularly the good quality amber costume jewellery in Klaipeda. The ship's prices at their Russian Bazaar were simply over the top My self organised trip on the Molli train only cost 40 Euros for two, including the bus and train to get there as well as wine with lunch - FO's version would have been £100 without the lunch - and we did a return trip on the train, not just one way like the hoards herded there by FO.
Staff
Our cabin stewardess Pha was excellent. All requests were met promptly with a smile and she looked after us perfectly. Ronaldo and his assistants in the Heligan Room never had to be reminded of our special requests, eg Mother prefers tea after meals and I like my coffee to taste of something, so an extra pack of instant was always provided alongside my cup. All the staff aboard seemed to be very happy, and the guys washing down the deck each morning between 6 and 7am when I was out for my run deserve a special mention as I never once got wet even though I must have been in their way!
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
There was always something to do.
Cabins
If you're reading this you should have already just read my full cabin review.
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Comment by Windsor, Salisbury (06 Sep 08 16:57) about this REVIEW.

Just the review I was looking for! We've just found out that we've been upgraded from a Superior Suite to a Marquee Suite for a Boudicca criuse on 15th September. It sounds great in the brochure but even better from your review! I can't wait til we go. This will be our first cruise and it certainly sounds as though it's going to live up to expectations!

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Comment by dolan, Washington (04 Sep 08 18:49) about this REVIEW.

Out of interest...and of course if you dont find this a rude question...how much are we talking about here for the suite?

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Comment by Carr, North Yorkshire (05 Sep 08 09:12) about a COMMENT by dolan (04 Sep 08 18:49)

Well, we probably paid far too much because we booked very early to guarantee getting exactly what we wanted. Just have a look in the brochure or on the FO website as it will vary from cruise to cruise depending on length, destination and whether or not flights are involved. It was our first cruise and, not knowing any better, we simply booked through a local high street travel agent who was a well regarded cruise expert. We were happy with the deal we got but yes, it was the most expensive holiday I've ever had and I doubt if I'll ever repeat the experience....but I have started to buy lottery tickets since I came home!

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Comment by Mordan, Looe (04 Sep 08 18:19) about this REVIEW.

That's really good to hear. We had a brilliant last minute deal and were given an outside cabin which we were delighted with, of course. I did wonder how this business model worked at the high end when, essentially, your cruise, entertainment and food was the same. After all, while Fred. wants us all back you are the ones he really needs to look after and certainly not upset. Sounds a wonderful experience. I can only dream. One day, perhaps, one day.

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Comment by Freemantle, Fareham (04 Sep 08 17:34) about this REVIEW.

Thank you so much for submitting this. We are going on a 3 night cruise on Boudicca next month and have just been upgraded from a Balcony Suite to a Marquee Suite - 9015 - the one next door to yours I think. It sounds fantastic, can't wait. We had a Balcony Suite on Braemar on our first cruise back in 2003 but it was nothing like as large as this sounds. We may not get all the freebies that you had as we are only onboard for 3 nights but even so it sounds splendid. I can remember on Braemar we were astounded to find we had a litre bottles of gin and whisky provided. This was on a trip in the Caribbean. Fred certainly treats his suite passengers well.

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