Cruise Reviews

Fred Olsen first timer by regular P&O cruisers
Reviewed By: Denison, Cleckheaton on 21st Aug 2008
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises Times cruised before: 10+
Cruise Ship: Braemar Sailed: July, 2008
Destination: Mediterranean Age: 46-55
Comments have already been made regarding the problems on the Med cruise leaving Rome on 24 July. My review is more of a comparison between our regular line, P&O, and this, our first time on a Fred Olsen ship.

Embarkation went smoothly, the flight out on a Titan plane was excellent and we were pleasantly surprised that the outside cabin, although not large, was roomy enough with two portholes. During the cruise we had to call on three occasions for the air conditioning to be looked at as it was far too warm even though the setting remained on the coldest level throughout. Nothing improved so we just had to live with it. On this setting with P&O you would need a blanket to remain warm. The bathroom was shower only which suited us but the washing line which is contained within a P&O cubicle extended from the shower across the bathroom obscuring the mirror/wash basin when in use. Unlike P&O there are no fridges in outside cabins so nowhere to keep the water cool. Wardrobe space was sufficient but some of the drawers were rather small for all but the smallest items. On the first night the steward left the customary tea/coffee/biscuits but that was the only time we saw any biscuits, according to the steward they had run out. After the first day?! We were later told by a back to back from the previous cruise that the biscuits had been left out in a restaurant and people were taking them in quantities that would fill up their own kitchen cupboards until their next cruise!

With 12 previous cruises behind us we were well versed in the art of safety drills but this was more like Fred Karno than Fred Olsen. Each cabin has a Muster station with a designated letter but in this case also a designated number. NOTE THE NUMBER! Even numbers stand outside the library (our muster station) and odd numbers go into the library where roll call is taken. But nobody knew this!! As you can imagine both areas were full but unfortunately not with the correct people as there were two lists of names. As roll call was being taken names were not being responded to, people were coming into the library whilst others were pushing through to get out. Why do Fred Olsen need a roll call when P&O don't? It will have told them nothing due to the lack of responses when names were being called.

Dining arrangements. There are two restaurants, main one being Thistle, an overflow restaurant Grampian, much smaller on the top deck and a fully self service cafe called Palms. Let me start by saying we don't do self service. One of the joys of cruising for us is to sit down in a fully waitered restaurant, linger over the menu at breakfast, lunch (when at sea) and dinner and enjoy the meals when served. Unfortunately this does not happen on Fred Olsen and was by far the biggest disappointment of this cruise. We had dinner in our designated restaurant, Grampian. An excellent size and a great position
with ocean views. This was waiter service only like the Thistle. The menu was disappointing without the standby items available on P&O if nothing takes your fancy. Portions were clearly aimed at people who are watching their weight. Someone said to us that they would increase the portions if asked but the point of this comparison is that you don't need to ask for more with P&O. The waiters were efficient but rather aloof so it was not easy to build a rapport as we always do on P&O.

At breakfast and lunch neither of the two restaurants is waiter service only and resembles what in my mind could be described as "Butlins at sea". Again in Grampian there are no breakfast menus but we eventually learned that if you grab one of the waiters they will go and bring a cooked breakfast otherwise join the queue and serve yourself. There were menus in Thistle but only for the cooked items and toast and you still had to jostle for everything else. We tried lunch in both restaurants with no menu in Grampian and a very limited one in Thistle (main course only). Join the queues at the various food stations for the rest. Strangely, I had been helping myself to soup in Grampian each day until the second week when I was told by a waiter that it had to be served and would be brought to the table. After two further requests it finally arrived just as my wife was finishing her main course. If you wanted tea/coffee after lunch sorry you have to go in to Palms for that but as the tables are full with diners either do without or go back to the cabin. Finally on the dining front don't expect other than tea/coffee either in cabin or with the midnight snacks in Palms as they don't do hot chocolate/horlicks as we were used to on P&O.

Dress code was well observed on formal nights until the end of dinner when a change to t-shirts and open necked shirts seemed to happen in far greater numbers than we are used to. Informal nights was nothing short of a farce. Pre cruise information states that gents should wear a tie and jacket. However, on board this changes to tie or jacket and is interpreted by the majority of men as neither jacket nor tie. The pre cruise pack also does not confirm exactly how many nights there will be of each dress code which is detailed by P&O so at least you know what clothes to pack. When my wife rang FO to query this she was told that they had never been asked that before and to use her "common sense". Maybe the lack of common sense amongst the passengers led to the poor showing on informal nights. Perhaps this also affected the captain who, for the first two days, invited us during his daily address to enjoy our day on Boudicca! I can see why he may have wanted to be somewhere else! Oh, and if you are in the habit of looking at the cruise guide in the cabin to check what the dress code will be for each day of the cruise and the identity of the acts who will be performing and when, then don't bother as there isn't one. You have to wait until the night before when the "Braemar At Sea" is delivered to find out. If you want a copy of the daily newspaper that is not delivered so you will need to go to reception for a copy.

Although important to us this will have little interest for most cruisers. The gym is extremely small and buried in the centre of deck 3. Obviously there are no windows to the outside world and not even any mirrors. The CV equipment is lined up facing a blank wall approx 2 feet from your face so it's a relief to get your workout finished and get out. Three pieces of kit were also out of order for the entire cruise and for only 2 days was the water bowser working.

Because of the work being undertaken on the sun deck which was out of bounds until day 12 the open deck 8 had to accommodate the sun worshippers which would have been fine if not for all the selfish passengers who may not have wanted a lounger for themselves but were determined to give their towels a tan. At one point I counted 19 loungers in a line covered by 3 bodies (one mine) and 16 towels. I have never encountered this on any P&O ship. Despite the daily "Sunbed Notice" that belongings would be removed and taken to reception if left for more than 30 minutes unattended no action was ever taken as there weren't any deck stewards to carry this out. There was also a warning that children were not allowed to use the spas. It was rare to see anyone other than children in there! One day I noticed the captain approaching a group of children in the spa but rather than telling them to leave a friendly discussion ensued and he walked away. I couldn't hear the words spoken but a couple of the accents sounded remarkably like his own Norwegian accent. His family? That's alright then. By the way if you want to go to the beach you are not allowed to take a towel from the ship.

Smoking - according to FO only allowed in one public room, the Skylark club on the portside only. As non smokers we didn't use this club but we did pass through the starboard side of it one evening at 6pm when it was totally empty. It is hard to believe that this was the non smoking side as it smelt so bad they may as well give the whole room over to the smokers (or better still ban smoking altogether). Smoking was also permitted on "deck 5 & 7 outside decks (portside only)" according to the daily Braemar at Sea but maybe smokers don't understand the term "portside" as they congregated on those 2 decks at the back of the ship all the way round from port to star. Possibly not their fault as all the tables contained ashtrays!

After dinner we like to watch a show and in the main they were excellent. Unfortunately the Neptune show lounge doubles up as the dance floor for passengers so when you go in there after second dinner there are already people in dancing who have been to the first presentation thereby limiting the available "good" seats. You get to learn eventually where the dancers are sitting so get ready to move in when the dancing stops! As for the Coral Club lounge it is so small that you will not get a seat after second sitting for the show group unless you go there straight from dinner.

Maybe for those who have read this far you may not think I am a fan of Fred Olsen. You would be right. I am, however, extremely impressed with the bathroom mirror. It doesn't steam up! Would we use them again? Well, this ship was not ready after its refit. The carpet layers were busy laying carpets for the whole of the first week followed by the painters the second week. The sun deck was not open until almost the end of the cruise. The lack of a fully waitered restaurant was a major disappointment and the menu/food were poor by comparison with the excellence of P&O. But yes, I would go with them again. The ports of call were excellent, the two tours we did were good but pricey as they are with P&O and as for the cruise itself the "price was right". Don't go on a Fred Olsen cruise thinking it will be as good as P&O because it won't be but if you are prepared to remember that you get what you pay for and you can get a good deal go for it!!



Quality of Food2
See narrative
Entertainment4
See narrative
Shore Excursions4
Only 2 - Giza/Pyramids & Olympia. Well worth doing but pricey
Staff3
Very aloof compared to P&O waiters. Wine waiters more open. Hardly ever saw cabin steward
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activitiesn/a
Cabins3
Overall Rating2
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW
Comment by MacDonald, West Sussex (20 Nov 08 16:06) about this REVIEW.
I do wonder if there are two Fred Olsen Braemars. My wife and I are regulars on the one refitted this year. I think it now takes roughly 100 more passengers rather than 300 suggested by one correspondent. And you can have waiter service at ANY meal in the Thistle restaurant. Hardly need to ask; the staff are happy to serve. If P&O is so good, stay there. A lot more money, generally, on a larger less friendly ship. Me ? Olsen every time. Excellent value, nice ship and wonderul crew.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Opinion: Agree Comment by Gleed, Crediton (05 Sep 08 17:09) about this REVIEW.
Agree absolutely with the tenure of this review. Our first "Fred" cruise was trans Atlantic west-east just before the refit. The catalogue of items not available after Day 3 was extensive and laughable [inc breakfast tea, skimmed milk, cider, some beers and some scotches]. Our one complaint to the Pursers Office was never acknowledged or dealt with. It WAS like Butlins at sea both in service and facilities and range of food [one evening the choices at dinner included macaroni cheese, shepherds pie and beef [for the scond night running]] And the dress code!!!!!! We too come to Fred from another line - Princess - and we shall not cruise with Fred again. We met many people who are firm Fred Olsen fans and good for them. But not for us, we are back with Princess for range of food and excellence of service. And all of that is fine - one man's ceiling is another man's floor.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Comment by spencer, Hereford (01 Sep 08 17:11) about this REVIEW.
The last part of the review was the key , you get what you pay for. We have never been with P&O because we cannot afford it.We have been on Braemar twice and are going again in December, after your review we wonder if the ship will feel the same now that it has been lengthened. They should have made sure the refit was completed before starting the summer cruises.We enjoyed reading your review and we are so glad that you would go with Fred Olsen again we hope we will not be disappointed in December.We have just been on the Balmoral to the fiords(see my review!),we did not like it as much as the old Braemar but it could have been something to do with the time of year August to us is a family month and as we being of a certain age, try to avoid families(been there done that)!!!We must say that the chidren in general were better behaved than the parents.Smoking is such a nuisance on cruise ships ,it should be banned, why should smokers pollute the air for everyone else.(we are both ex-smokers so have no sympathy at all.)
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Opinion: Agree Comment by G, Southend On Sea (26 Aug 08 21:36) about this REVIEW.
I was unfortunate enough to be on Braemar for her first cruise after being lengthend. It was comparable to a building site, should never have sailed. I have discribed this cruise to friends and family as the cruise from hell and even if I were to use my imagination and picture it completed without the builders on board, the dirt and dust the noise of drills, hammers and sanding machines and without stepping over carpet contractors. I would also discribe it like Butlins at sea. The only saving grace of the entire cruise was three couples that we met on board and spent most evenings with and the entetainment. Had it not been for them we would have left the ship. This is only my second cruise the first was with Princess. If this is an example of a five star cruise then I might as well give up cruising.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Opinion: Disagree Comment by James, Swindon (26 Aug 08 13:12) about this REVIEW.
This person really can't have much of a clue on cruises. Almost everything negetive that he has mentioned about Fred Olsen has happened to us on P&O. Fred Olsen are the best cruise company out there in my eyes. Enjoyed every cruise that i've been on with them. I would advise everyone to try Fred Olsen
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Comment by Denison, Cleckheaton (27 Aug 08 00:24) about a COMMENT by James (26 Aug 08 13:12)
Here we go again from those who "disagree". What exactly are you disagreeing with? Are you saying that the cabins do have a fridge or that the washing lines don't extend across the bathroom blocking the sink/mirror or that the safety drill in/outside the library didn't descend into farce or...? Why do all you FO fans just keep coming out with your "I love Fred Olsen", disparaging me but not identifying one thing that I mentioned regarding THAT cruise that is false? How dare you say that I "don't have much of a clue on cruises" but still can't argue your case for Fred Olsen? Yes, I have only been cruising since 2000 and since my first one with First Choice (Bolero) have only cruised with P&O, the last one as recently as June but during that time I have been on all P&O ships except Ventura and am now only 11 days short of the P&O "gold tier" standard. Re-read my review and you will see that it was predominantly aimed at P&O passengers who might want an idea what this particular cruise line was like seen through the eyes of one who has a base line of expectation when boarding a cruise ship. You will note that there are a lot of positive comments but when I find something that I feel P&O do better then I say so! I would use them again and I say that also, so stop getting all precious about FO and accept that not everyone shares your devotion to them. They are not in the same league as P&O but their prices reflect that. Lighten up folks!!!
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Comment by Pickard, Keighley (11 Sep 08 15:41) about a COMMENT by Denison (27 Aug 08 00:24)
Oh dear! I am sailing on the Braemar in December. The first time with Fred Olsen. I am also a P & O passenger and have been sailing with them since 1980. I take 2 or 3 cruises a year with them.What appealed on this cruise was the visit to Honduras, which as, as you might guess, has now been cancelled! I wait in fear and trepidation to experience Fred Olsen. I will compare it with the Artemis, which I am criusing on, in February.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Opinion: Disagree Comment by Johnstone, Duns (22 Aug 08 16:04) about this REVIEW.
I can only assume that this contributor was of a certain age and had got confused over which ship he was sailing on. It is certainly not the same Braemar that we were on. Surely he must be thinking of his previous occasion with another cruise line. No-one should be put off by this negative and truly unrepresentative review.It is a slur on both the ship and it's staff and written, I would say, by a professionaly complainer. Certainly not the type of person I would like as a cruise campanion. Fortunately we didn't meet unless he was the moaning old bore who complained when I spoke in the library! Braemar and those who run her are definitely five star.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Comment by Denison, Cleckheaton (22 Aug 08 20:05) about a COMMENT by Johnstone (22 Aug 08 16:04)
What a pathetic rant in which you say nothing to counter the valid points I made in my comment. Is your answer always to to make a personal attack rather than come up with a valid counter argument? No,I was not confused nor am I "of a certain age" - I didn't notice you in the gym? Were you actually on that cruise? Thank heavens that I was not your cruise companion as I have a sneaky suspicion you are a smoker? If you want to extol the virtues of Fred Olsen then go ahead and write your own review of the cruise, assuming you were actually on it. Otherwise you are portraying yourself as someone who would feel totally at home on "Butlins at sea".
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT
Comment by Johnstone, Duns (25 Aug 08 11:21) about a COMMENT by Denison (22 Aug 08 20:05)
You're quite right. I was never in the gym.Your sneaky suspicion about me being a smoker is totally wrong. It's a filthy habit and not one I would engage in. I can't comment about Butlins - I've never been! Best of luck with your cruise provider in the future. By the way, we definitely were on Braemar, deck 2 in the new section. Very comfortable.
ASK A QUESTION
COMMENT

Add a COMMENT about     Ask a QUESTION about     ANSWER  Question

Agree with Review?            

Publish a Review
  • uk departure cruises
  • Special offers
  • Neil and Ida Down cruise blog
  • Special Caribbean Cruises
  • Princess Caribbean Special
  • MSC special offer
  • Special Meditteranean Cruises
  • Oceania
  • The Cunard Sale
  • Thomson Cruises
  • Berlitz Cruise Guide
  • Ocean Village Cruises
  • P O Cruises
  • Special Luxury Deals
  • Garden Cruises