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 Cruise Reviews

Maybe the wrong line for us
Reviewed By: McConnell , Bangor NI on 30th Nov 2008
Cruise Line: Fred. Olsen Cruises Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Braemar Sailed: November, 2008
Destination: Caribbean Age: 46-55
This was our first cruise and Braemar is a lovely ship but we found the formality a little bit too much. We didn't go to any of the formal nights in the Thistle but ate in the Palms those nights which was fine. I know Olsen is touted as a 'traditional' cruise line but we just found it didn't suit us. We are likely to cruise in the future but are more likely to go for open dining and a generally more relaxed feel. We also got a bit of a shock on the first night when dining was specified as informal (jacket or tie) as OH had only brought smart casual (on the basis of info on the Olsen website) but we heard there were a lot of complaints and the non-formal evenings from then on were smart casual.
We didn't go to any of the shows as guests made a mad dash for the best seats and were shoe horned into the Neptune Lounge. We spent evenings in the library (lovely and quiet), the Coral Lounge or the bars. The Observatory at the top of the ship was lovely but was dead most evenings, perhaps it was too far from everything else.
The food was consistently good. The Thistle restaurant is huge but with good table companions dining was a pleasure. Grampian is smaller and quieter but with great views and we sometimes went there for lunch. Breakfast and lunch were usually taken at the Palms but outside on the deck enjoying the warm breeze.
The small size of the cabin was a bit of a shock initially but proved to be fine although the bathroom was cramped especially for my husband who is quite broad shouldered.
The staff were lovely and would always have time for a chat, especially in the bar. Our cabin was kept immaculately clean and we rarely saw our housekeeper as she used to slip in and out and must have kept a close eye on when we were in or out of our cabin.
One complaint we had would be the lack of information given to guests. For example our intinerary was changed and the sea was quite rough at night but we only found out at the end of the cruise that this was because of the recent storm over Cuba, as one member of staff told our friend who told us. Another example were the disembarkation instructions which told us in which order guests would be getting off the boat but didn't give us any times or tell us what would happen after getting off the boat. For experienced cruisers this maybe wasn't necessary but we felt like we were always on the back foot.
Some of the destination ports were a bit uninspiring. Favourites were Cozumel and Key West, least were Limon and Roatan.
Quality of Food3
Mostly ate on deck at Palms, with dinner in the Thistle
Entertainmentn/a
Didn't go to the shows
Shore Excursions4
Water scooter at Cozumel closely followed by air boat in Belize.
Staff4
Wicky our housekeeper
Children's Facilitiesn/a
Onboard Activitiesn/a
Not for us but we like a quite life!
Cabins3
Cabin small but great use of space. Bathroom cramped.
Overall Rating3
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Question by Gaunt, Kendal (16 Dec 08 14:28) about this REVIEW
We have booked to cruise on the Braemar in March and are somewhat confused as to what is informal dining. I was told by the cruise club we booked through that it meant open neck shirt and slacks for men. The Fred Olsen website says jacket and tie. I rang Fred Olsen Customer Services and they did not know!. My wife and I have done many cruises, some on 5 star ships, and I have never yet had to wear a jacket and tie other than formal nights.
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Answer by McConnell, Bangor NI (17 Dec 08 20:55) to a QUESTION by Gaunt (16 Dec 08 14:28)
The Fred Olsen website says smart casual for the Carribbean so were surprised when the first night was 'informal - jacket OR tie'. We raised the point at reception, and I also understand that a lot of guests were turned away from the dining room as they were smart casual (which is what they call open necked shirt). Anyway I think they had a rethink and dining was smart casual from then on. From the evidence of our trip, I would say that informal does mean jacket and tie but can also mean jacket OR tie, which even some of the experienced cruisers we met had never heard of. You should be ok with the open neck shirt I hope.
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Comment by moore, norfolk (04 Dec 08 15:13) about this REVIEW
My husband and I were on board at the same time as the McConnells the formality of Fred Olsen ships is one of the things we enjoy not having to sit with fellow quests in tee shirts trainers even vest tops!no thanks. dressing for dinner its like going out for a special meal every evening for us this is all part of being on holiday we mainly ate in the Grampian service excelent food very good and I loved our suite it was gorgous all staff on board were great and we will be returning as soon as possible
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