Bit of Bother in the Buffet………..

Just caught up with some clients of mine who have just returned from a 15 night cruise to the Canaries on Fred Olsen’s Balmoral, one of my favourite ships I must confess. They had an absolutely wonderful time despite their misgivings before they went. Having previously cruised with MSC, P&O and Regent they really weren’t sure how they were going to like Fred Olsen but had chosen the itinerary as it departed from Newcastle which is nice and local for them, and the 15 night itinerary really appealed to them. They booked a Premier Suite as they like ‘nice’ accommodation and evening meal in the Spey, one of the two smaller restaurants on board. A few times they wobbled about their decision to cruise with Freds but I assured them all would be well and that they would love it.

Love it they did! They are absolutely full of praise for Balmoral, they loved the atmosphere on board, thought the food was wonderful and the staff they thought were the friendliest they have ever come across – and these are people who have previously sailed with Regent! I spent quite a while on the phone to them as they were so excited and had so much to tell me about. These people are definitely Fred Olsen converts. The suite was beautiful and much better than they expected and the balcony was ‘ginormous’ to quote Lee. They were thrilled when shortly after they arrived at their cabin a waiter came along with a trolley full of litre bottles of alcohol and asked them to pick two of their choice to drink in their suite – one of the lovely perks of booking a suite with Freds. All in all they had an absolutely fabulous time, and I have the feeling I am going to be inundated with emails of holiday snaps 🙂

The ‘ginormous’ Balcony

There was just one minor issue, and I must confess I am a bit puzzled by it. One hot evening they decided they didn’t want a five course dinner so they headed to the Palm’s Cafe, the buffet restaurant which I have always understood to be casual dress but it seems things have changed. Lee arrived in a pair of smart crop trousers and a smart top but he was asked to go back to his cabin and change into long trousers! Apparantly there is now a dress code outside the Palms and shorts/crop trousers are no longer acceptable in the evening. Such a shame as I have loved casual dinners in there myself when I felt like a relaxed dinner rather than the formality of the Ballindaloch or the Avon and Spey restaurants. I’m not sure how popular this decision is going to be with cruisers who prefer the more casual option especially on a boiling hot evening in the Med.

Anyway, it didn’t spoil my clients cruise and they are already looking at their next Fred Olsen voyage.

Would you be happy with a dress code in the buffet restaurant?

Happy Cruising Folks!