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south american trip
 
Reviewed By: McGill, ARBROATH on 11th Mar 2010
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Black Watch Sailed: January, 2010
Destination: South America Age: 46-55
Cabin: Outside
Having just returned from the trip round south america(part trip) Rio to Callao, I can honestly say that my husband and I are highly unlikely to travel with Fred Olsen again. We found the food fair, often tepid, despite complaining. Cheaper cuts of meat etc, and with macaroni cheese as a main dinner option!. The entertainment was poor as usual, dancers, singers lack lustre, extra entertainment was poor with the exception of singer Carl, and classical duos, which were good if you like that sort of thing. The entertainment staff( who did quizzes, games, sports etc) are very good, with the jewel in the crown namely Ronnie Finch. God help Fred when he retires!. Enjoyed the itinery, except the awful journey to and from with Thomas Cook airlines, this was despite upgrading to premium class, poor service, hellishly uncomfortable seats, a church pew has more padding!.
Back to the cruise, they will always have the die hard Fred O fans, however they are dying out or will do over the years as this is predominately an older persons cruise line, younger than saga but only just, and therfore they should REALLY be trying to capture the up and coming oldies, Im under 50 just, and yet they have already lost my and my husbands custom, and having spoken to the few similar aged people onboard, they agreed.I dont want an 18-30 type holiday but its time to have a band playing in the bars, younger type music, there was nothing going on ( unless at theatre for 1st show) for anyone coming out of the dining room 2nd sitting and this happened every evening between hrs 9:30 - 10:30 unless you're a quizzer, thankfully I am, hubby is not. Anyway, enjoyed itinery, not value for money, food fair, alcohol especially wine jumped up in price, cut backs everywhere, including staff. POOR,POOR.
Quality of Food1
main dining room, garden cafe, poor choice, mainly not hot( when it should be!), same old, repeat menu too often.
Entertainment2
local shows
Shore Excursions2
white water rafting, best- montevideo worst
Staff2
bar staff were lovely overall, as was Don master waiter in the garden cafe
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activities2
good for quizzers, qoits, bridge etc and lectures
Cabins2
sad tired cabins, badly laid out, unable to have double bed, very hard to view tv from one bed, cramped shower/ wc
Overall Rating1
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Opinion: Disagree Comment by Russell, Ashley (17 Mar 10 18:31) about this REVIEW
We did the second leg and apart from the outward flight and return charter Thomas Cook, which needled to say lived up to the abominable reputation that Thomas cook, have got. In fact very surprised that Fred Olsen went SOOOO downmarket and chartered a plane from this awful travel company!!BUt the cruise was great, good company, good food and if you were just under 50 , why choose a Fred Olsen cruise? especially the Black Watch. It is known as the floating Care Home!!But we are mid 60's and found the itineray superb, very cheap cruise for the distance we travelled and the number of ports visited and when we were cruising, so much to do on board and as for no entertainment, yes bit shoddy BUT good variety and we never got to bed before 1.30am. The Lido Bar was great after mid-night. Plenty going on and great company. The food and service was superb as usual with Fred Osen Cunard and P&O should take a lesson out of Fred Olsen's book, Cunard and P&O watch out!!their food can be compared to old style school dinners.I agree the ship is looking tired but then it is 34 years old BUT a good Sea ship
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