| |
From experience - a cruising tip! |
| Reviewed By: Measom, Leicester on 6th Jul 2008 |
| Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises |
Times cruised before: 6-10 |
| Cruise Ship: Braemar |
Sailed:
May,
2008 |
| Destination: Transatlantic |
Age: 56-65 |
|
|
We were very excited and nervous about our cruise on Braemar - fly out to the Caribbean, cruise to some of the islands and then sail home across the Atlantic. The flight was very good - meals, drinks, newspaper and TV entertainment (although our headphones did not work) included in the price of the holiday! Speedy transfer to the ship and to our cabin - quiet, although an outside one with restricted view, we were very lucky as the lifeboat was a small one and we could look over and around the end of it! No cases arrived before we went for our evening meal, after the meal and evening show we returned to check if our cases had arrived, mine had but not my husband's. As it was after 10.00pm and the ship was due to sail at 11.00pm we went to Reception to express our concerns. Cases were still being delivered to cabins and we were advised to call again in the morning if the case had not been delivered. In the morning back we returned to Reception to report non delivery of the suitcase. The Hotel staff on board had checked to see if a case had been left outside the wrong cabin and that none were left hiding in the store. It seemed as though my husband's case had disappeared after it was put on the flight at Manchester. Can you imagine how we felt, my husband only with the clothes he had on? Reception were very helpful - my husband received on board credit from Fred Olsen Lines and Monarch Airlines to buy clothes in the shop - very limited selection as Braemar was on her last voyage before her refit and the shop stock was being run down. Our first port of call was Cuba and luckily we were able to buy some clothes, but no shoes - Cuban men have smaller feet that my husband! Formal clothes were borrowed from the ship shop and a pair of formal shoes was borrowed from an officer! No one would know from our formal photograph that my husband's tuxedo outfit was not his own! It was difficult to get news of the whereabouts of the suitcase though we learned three days before Braemar docked at Southampton that the case was at Manchester Airport and would be delivered to our home. Phew!!! Apart from the initial panic and the daily call at Reception for news of the suitcase, we enjoyed our cruise. I particulalry enjoyed the craft sessions and look forward to doing my own thing with the tecniques learned! The weather was fantastic and we really enjoyed the entertainment on board Braemar as we sailed across the Atlantic - so smoothly I didn't need the wristbands until we sailed across the Bay of Biscay when there was some turbulence when I did wear them. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. It was our second cruise with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, a previous holiday on Black Watch some years previously which we couldn't fault and we'll definitely cruise with Fred Olsen again, though next time we will do as fellow passengers advised - separate our clothes so that each case holds a selection in case one goes off on its own holiday! Cruise taken 24th April - 10th May 2008
|
| Quality of Food |  |
| Set Restaurant - coice of meals off menu | | Entertainment | |
| | Shore Excursions | |
| | Staff | |
| | Children's Facilities | n/a |
| | Onboard Activities | |
| | Cabins | |
| | Overall Rating | |
|
|
|
