Braemar

Built in 1993, the Braemar was originally constructed for Crown Cruise Line and has operated under a number of names, including the Crown Dynasty, Crown Majesty and Norwegian Dynasty.

The ship - which is named after a beautiful village on the River Dee in Scotland - was acquired for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2001. After the purchase, the Braemar was dry docked for a substantial amount of work, including the addition of 102-foot midsection extension. This increased the number of cabins and made space for some new amenities and lounge space.

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With its elegant and traditional decor, the vessel also features a modern layout that guests are sure to appreciate. There's usually a friendly and family-like atmosphere amongst passengers, and while the cruises are generally aimed at a more mature clientele, young families with small children and teenagers are welcome.

In the summer, the Braemar is based in Dover and offers Baltic and Mediterranean cruises. For the winter, the Braemar travels across the Atlantic to Barbados. From there, it departs on Caribbean tours, as well as voyages to the Amazon.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 977 Year entered service: 1993 Beam (ship width): 73.8 feet Draught (ship depth): 17.7 feet Length: 639.7 feet Tonnage: 24,344 Crew: 400 Maximum speed: 17 knots Number of passenger decks: 7 Number of lifts: 5 Number of swimming pools: 1 Number of cabins: 377

Food, cuisine and dining

With two main dining rooms - the Thistle and the Grampian, this ship is well known for its fine dining options and passengers are always delighted at the fare provided by the ship's award-winning chefs.

Located on deck four, the Thistle has space for 380 guests and is decorated with a pleasing combination of earthy tones. The seats are reminiscent of designs by Scottish artist Charles Rennie Macintosh, while the lovely sea views and floral centrepieces really make the room a relaxing and satisfying place to enjoy a meal.

Alternatively, there's the Grampian on deck eight. It has a richly coloured interior with wood panelling and a luxurious red and gold carpet. The large windows let in plenty of light and provide excellent views.

Both restaurants aim to provide a traditional cruise dining experience, so formal attire is generally encouraged at dinner time. There are two dinner services every night, while breakfast and lunch are more casual, with open seating.

The Palms Cafe is a bright, friendly and less formal option. It is a self-service buffet perfect for those who prefer flexibility in their meal times. Three main meals are served, while late-night snacks are offered until midnight and coffee and tea are available around the clock.

Snacks and fast food items are served at the Marquee Pool Bar and afternoon tea is served at the Coral Club and Palms Cafe.

Room service is available until 23:00, although some items will incur an extra charge.

On-board entertainment and activities

The most popular entertainment venue is the Neptune show lounge, which has space for 378 people in amphitheatre-style seating, while the smaller Coral Club is a bit more intimate. There are two performances every night in each venue and they generally feature song and dance routines or comedians.

Elsewhere on the ship, there are a number of lounges and pubs that offer live music, while the Skylark Club is a disco that's open late into the night.

Those seeking a bit of enrichment can take in a lecture or try an arts and crafts session. Other traditional cruise activities include bingo, karaoke and quizzes.

Cruises on the Braemar are generally marketed towards older travellers and it's not usually a popular choice for families with young children. However, during the summer holidays, this changes a bit and there is a youth programme for three age groups: one to four, five to 12 and 13 and up. These can include activities like arts and crafts workshops, games, ship tours and movies.

Spas and fitness facilities

The Atlantis Spa is located on deck three and offers a number of exercise machines, while fitness classes such as Pilates, yoga and aerobics are also available. Other options for those seeking a bit of workout include the swimming pools, jogging track, sports courts and golf nets.

For the ultimate in relaxation, you can also book a treatment like massage or facial, or enjoy the rejuvenating properties of the whirlpools, saunas and steam rooms.

Cabins

There are nearly 400 cabins on the Braemar and these are categorised into 21 different price ranges. Accommodation on higher decks comes at a premium, while the lower decks are ideal for those looking for cruise deals.

If a balcony is an important feature for you, then be sure to book your cruise well in advance, as there are only 80 staterooms with verandas. Meanwhile, rooms with views may have either a picture window or a porthole, depending on the deck, while some views may be obstructed by lifeboats.

The most luxurious rooms are the Superior Suites, which measure around 300 square feet and can be found on deck seven. These are single rooms, but have a large sitting area.

All of the rooms, no matter their size or location on the vessel, have a light and spacious feeling and come equipped with coffee and tea facilities, a hair dryer, a desk/vanity unit and a colour television. They also have en suite bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and fluffy towels. There's also ample storage space.