Braemar Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Once and Once Only
My wife and I have over the years taken many cruises with many different lines, but had never been with Fred Olsen before and won’t be going again. We had heard mixed reviews about Fred, with some friends liking it and others hating it. So we decided to try a short cruise to see for ourselves before booking anything longer. The conclusion was once and once only, there was something about this ship we did not like. Overall the crew did not come across as a happy one, they looked very tired, it was a lot of what I could call British Airways smiles. I know crews do not like short cruises as it means turn around days are close together.
Embarkation and Disembarkation
Cabin Review
Balcony Suite
7008 this is classed as a balcony suite, I would only class it as a mini suite, we had been informed that on average Fred's cabins were on the small side and we can confirm that appears to be correct. There was a settee and armchair, these were smaller than normal size and very low, it might be that these were purchased this size to make the cabin look bigger?
The bathroom was very small, the only bathroom on a ship or boat that I can remember which was smaller than this one was thirty plus years ago on a Russian river cruiser. When having a shower the water temperature goes up and down, presumably because other passengers on the same water circuit are using theirs?
The cabin was supplied with tea and coffee making facilities, unfortunately the kettle was fitted with an English type three pin plug but all the sockets were of the continental type. So we asked our stewardess how to plug the kettle in, and were informed that we had to go to reception and ask for an adaptor as she was not allowed to do that. So we went to reception and asked for an adaptor, the receptionist immediately gave a note to another member of staff and informed us that an adaptor would be delivered to our cabin straight away. About a hour and half later we returned to our cabin and guess what, no adaptor, so we telephoned reception and a few minutes later an adaptor actually arrived.
The only plus points about this cabin is that it is located in a quiet position towards one end of a corridor and the balcony is a useful shape, fairly deep back to front.
The Stewardess wanted to come early and do the turndown service before we went to diner each night as we were on the late sitting at 8.30, we said no as we both like to have a shower and change our clothes before diner. On all other ships, we have always left the makeup room card on the door when going to dinner and any turndown service happened whist we were out.