Balmoral by Jayne

Balmoral is the largest ship in the Fred Olsen fleet. It has 9 decks and holds 1350 passengers.

I joined the cruise in Greenock part way through it’s British Isles cruise. I had an outside cabin on Coral Deck with a picture window which was lovely and spacious.

The public lounges where very bright and spacious with plenty of seating areas. The main dining room is called The Ballindalloch located on Main deck, but if you’re looking for something a little smaller and intimate you can chose to eat in The Avon or Spey restaurants located on Highland deck.

The entertainment was very professional from the Crew Shows to Singers and Comedians. Ballroom dancing was held every evening in The Lido Lounge accompanied by a singer or a band.
The nightclub on Marquee deck is open until the early hours.

I had a chance to use the facilities in the Spa & Fitness centre which I found to be very professional and reasonably priced. The drinks on board are charged in sterling and very similar to UK pub prices.

Boudicca Mini Cruise - September 2011 by Joe

I have just returned from the 4 night mini cruise on Boudicca which visited the Orkney Islands and Bergen. My last few cruises have been on very large ships, and I really enjoyed being on a ship where the staff got to know you quickly and called you by your name. I was impressed by the friendliness of the staff on board, and their obvious pride in their ship.

We set sail from Rosyth on the Saturday afternoon, and I was on deck to see just how close we got to the Forth Bridges. It felt like you could touch the cars and trains travelling above you. As the ship is mid sized, it was easier to get your bearings on board and find where you wanted to get to. After I had explored the ship, it was time to get ready for dinner. I had booked on second sitting dining, so there was time to enjoy an aperitif in one of the bars. I was in the Four Seasons Restaurant, and my waiter, also called Joe, really looked after me well. Service was professional but far from stuffy. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face the entire time I was on the ship, and nothing was ever too much trouble. There was plenty of choice on the menu, and I felt I made good selections. The food was delicious, cooked to perfection, and just the right amount. After dinner, it was time to go to the Neptune Lounge to see the show. Throughout the cruise there was a good choice of entertainment from the ship’s company and guest entertainers. Once I had seen the show, I then went to the Lido Lounge which is Boudicca’s late night venue. I enjoyed a few drinks at the bar, and I was very impressed with how reasonable the prices were on board, and as it’s sterling on board, it’s easy to keep track of how much you’re spending.

On the Sunday morning, the ship was sailing towards the Orkney Islands capital, Kirkwall, and we arrived late morning. I had an excursion booked here, and the organisation was excellent. We gathered in the Neptune Lounge until our coach number was called, then it was straight off the ship and away, stopping just long enough to pose for the ship’s photographers when disembarking. I enjoyed a well guided and very informative tour of the Orkney Mainland. We saw the standing stones of Stennes from the coach, but had a full visit to the Ring of Brodgar which is a fuller ring of standing stones. The guide said they don’t know what the stones were for, but we were shown Viking graffiti on one of the stones. From there, it was on to Skara Brae, which is a 5000 year old village that was unearthed after a storm and found by the local Laird when he was walking his dog. The Laird’s house is also now open to visitors, and it has been preserved as it would have been in the 1950s. After leaving there, we went back to the ship, passing the burial cairn at Maeshowe which also has Viking graffiti inside after some Vikings sheltered from a storm on their way towards Ireland. Sadly then it was time to leave Orkney behind and sail set for Norway.

Sunday evening was the time for the Captain’s Cocktail Party and the formal evening in the restaurant. Before going in for dinner, we met the Captain and he introduced everyone to the Officers on board, and we had a chance for a photograph with the Captain. After another very enjoyable meal, I went to the Lido lounge to see the duo they had on board rather than going to see the main show.

We arrived in Bergen just before lunchtime on Monday. Boudicca was able to berth right in the heart of the city, and we only had to walk for about 5 minutes before we arrived at Bryggen and the Fish Market. A few minutes further and we were at the station for the funicular railway to take us up Mount Floyen for panoramic views over the city. It was a shame the weather was not a little kinder, as there was a range of walks from there to explore the natural beauty of the area. We did have good, clear views of Boudicca below us in the harbour, and it was a great spot for photographs. Even on the railway carriage it was possible to take good photos, as they had huge panoramic windows and a glass roof. When I got back down into the city, I just had a look around the shops and tourist sights there. Bergen was somewhere I had always wanted to see, and it was this port of call that had really attracted me to the cruise.

Sadly, the weather was not being kind to us, and we were advised we would sail earlier than expected from Bergen to avoid the worst of the weather that the tail end of hurricane Kata was throwing at us. The crossing back to Newcastle was a little lively at times, but the Captain changed course to make it as comfortable as possible.

Tuesday was the day at sea, so I had a leisurely breakfast, then consulted the Daily Times on the ship to see which activities I could join in. On our cruise, the guest lecturer was one of the Concorde pilots, and he spoke with passion about the aircraft, and gave two very informative lectures that filled the lounge on both occasions. I particularly enjoyed going for afternoon tea in the Observatory. There is a small charge for this, but it was definitely worth doing it. You have to book a table, and you are welcomed and taken to your table and presented with a tea menu. There was a good selection of sandwiches, delicious cakes, then warm scones with jam and cream. My last experience of afternoon tea on a ship was nowhere near as good as this! It is a good job there is a well equipped gym on board to work off those extra calories.

I had an outside cabin, midships on Marina deck. The cabin was larger than ones I have had on the bigger ships, and it was very comfortable. Daisy, our maid, looked after us well and kept everything ship shape.

It was a real shame that it was then time to disembark in Newcastle on the Wednesday morning. I left Boudicca with fond memories of a lovely ship, happy and caring staff, and being treated as a person, not just a cabin number. I hope to return to Boudicca soon, in better weather, so I can take advantage of the large areas of open deck space to relax on the sea days.

Boudicca by Richard Cross

Cruise aboard Boudicca, a truly world class ship.

I recently enjoyed a mini cruise on board Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Boudicca ship, sailing from Liverpool to Greenock via Dublin. Fred Olsen offer a range of itineraries and departures from many ports around the UK, however Boudicca is the only ship in the fleet that offers a variety of departure ports including; Southampton, Liverpool, Greenock, Roysth, Newcastle and Portsmouth.

Because of it’s world cruise history, Boudicca tends to have larger cabins and a number of these are either outside or have a balcony. We decided to book a superior outside cabin, which was large in size, had plenty of storage and an en-suite bathroom with bath.

Out on the decks, there was plenty of room to sit down and enjoy the sea views. The ship had a large number of sunbeds on the decks and we even got sunburnt whilst in Dublin!

The food on Fred Olsen really is great; the main restaurant is split into three restaurants (Four Seasons, Heligan & Tintagel). We enjoyed our evening meal in the Four Seasons Restaurant, our waiter, Joseph, was helpful, hard working and the speed of service was fantastic. There is also the oriental styled Secret Garden café which houses the midnight buffet and informal dining. On Lounge deck, a poolside buffet is also available at mealtimes.

In the Neptune Lounge, the great shows & productions including a swinging at sea production and a hilarious comedian! In the Lido Lounge, there was daily entertainment including a quiz and bingo during the afternoon and at night, the Lounge became home to the resident DJ, disco and cabaret singers. The Observatory Lounge, located at the back of the ship, was the ideal place to unwind for a quiet drink after a long day exploring ports.

The leisure facilities on board were also great, with swimming pools, Jacuzzi, gym and fitness centre which were all available to use whilst on board. The ship enjoyed a number of improvements during a refit in early 2011, which included the construction of a new gym facility on Sun Deck with fabulous sea views! There are also shops on board to take home a souvenir or gift of your cruise.

We could not fault the staff on board who all worked hard and obviously enjoyed their job to go out of their way and help you.

I look forward to my next cruise on Boudicca.

Derek Mark's Blog - May 2011

Hi everyone – and sorry so late. John, myself and the team at The Liverpool Cruise Club have been so mad busy lately that I hadn’t noticed that it’s just a few short weeks until I take my first cruise holiday, aboard Fred Olsen’s Braemer in June.

Being down at Southampton and seeing the way the cruise operation works there has really opened my eyes. My neighbours have just returned from their umpteenth cruise – and as I write this, I’ve just spent a good hour in the sunny garden picking their brains for hints and tips. The overall message they gave me is to not have a care in the world. Relax, and enjoy. They’ve just been on another med cruise, and affirmed just how varied a cruise holiday can be.

John and I have been meeting more of you whilst we’ve been out and about on our travels – and the more people I speak to, the more excited I am. So, the countdown is nearly over. I’ve already got in mind what I’m going to be wearing on board. Of course, something for all occasions – and I keep forgetting that I can take as much luggage as I like as it’s a no-fly cruise from Dover.

I’ve promised that I’m going to take my camera with me and do a daily blog – as it turns out that many people take a Norwegian Fjords cruise as their first.

John’s on board another Fred Olsen sailing going in July I think – and it’s one of the cruises that features on our Fred Olsen programme coming up in June. We’ve got some really, really good opportunities for you in that programme – so don’t miss it.

As always, I’m keen to hear from you. Have you been to the fjords, and top-tips and must-do’s – I’d love to hear them. You can e-mail derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk at any time.

Right friends, I’ll go and think of packing and continue my eager wait to get on board. 11th of June, Dover! 11th of June, Dover! I can’t wait. I’ll keep you up to date.

Take Care for now.

Derek Marks

Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club

derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Derek Marks Blog - March & April 2011

Hello Everyone - and firstly, apologies - I'm very late with this month's update. This year is going so quickly - I guess enjoying the best of the spring sunshine is on everyone's mind.

Well, March is here and it's getting ever closer to my first cruise in June. I was re-watching my Fred Olsen Braemar DVD (which you can get free by calling the team on 0800 655 6449). I wanted to get an idea of the facilities, facts and figures on the ship I'm sailing on. I have to say the more I say the more excited I get .

Thank you to those people who have been enjoying our recent programmes and e-mailing us, it's been really interesting to see the questions that you want the answers to you before you take your first cruise. Don't forget that John and the team at the Liverpool Cruise club are there to answer any questions that you have at any time.

They been sending people on cruise holidays for well over 20 years, so they have been asked every single question. In fact, don't tell anyone but I've been asking lots of questions as well about the size of cabins, dining, entertainment, what to wear, and just all the questions that have come into my mind.

I have had one or two e-mails about disability requirements on-board cruise ships. I'm glad you have asked as it is a subject close to my heart as my mother lives with cerebral palsy which affects her mobility. It is a question that we would like to address on the tv programmes, but the answer if very individual to the ship that you are sailing on. Of course, the number one priority on board a cruise ship is safety. They do have some provision for people with mobility problems, and can indeed often cater for a limited number of wheelchair users. What I would say to you is please call the team, or email me directly and I will do my best to get the answers for you - my e-mail address is derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Well being countdown really has begun for me and I am very very excited and also excited about our new channel change as well. We have just been making some new programmes with a new look for April and you can keep track on the website for the new channel numbers on sky tv very shortly. We also have some other big plans which I can't tell you about at the moment , but they are very exciting indeed.

Don't forget for those of you who have taken cruise holidays before, the preview brochures for 2012 for a lot of the cruise companies are out now, so if you haven't yet had yours through the post, please make sure you call us and let us know and we will rush them out to you as quickly as we can. I do know that we are taking a huge number of bookings already for next years sailing, so please take advantage of the best deals whilst we have them for you. I'm really keen to hear from people who may have already been on a cruise this year so far, please do drop me a line and let me know how it was – because of course I have all of this to look forward to on my cruise in June.

Lovely to talk to you again, I'll be back with an even more excited update I'm sure in April!

Derek Marks
Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club
derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Derek Marks Blog - February 2011

Hello everybody and welcome to this month's blog.

Sorry it’s a little bit later than planned, but I wanted to come back to you after the two cruise fairs. Thank you to all of you who came along to Southport and Liverpool. It was a really great opportunity for me to meet so many of you, and hear your many varied experience of cruise holidays. I now understand that people who have been on cruise holidays do tend to go on more and more and more. It's a great opportunity for adventure for so many people and gives you the chance to visit many different countries all on one. I got the sense that people that have worked hard for many years are enjoying the chance to kick back, relax and enjoy not only wonderful destinations – but the company of meeting people just like you.

What I did notice in particular is how fondly you seem to treasure memories of their cruise holidays. I heard many stories of new friendships developing on the ocean wave – and how the cruise holiday works so well for groups of friends, and even single people who want to enjoy being part of something special.

Many people make lifeline friends on their cruise holidays, and often meet up and go on a variety of future cruises together. Of course, that isn’t for everyone – and I met couples who also liked the fact that they could simply escape from everyday life at home and just have the time of their lives at a reasonable price. Price of cruises are very important to people – with times being tighter, people are really spending the time to make sure that they are getting value for money. I hope that in some small way that our programmes really do bring to life the genuinely fantastic opportunities that the Liverpool Cruise Club offers. For instance, this month – we bring a variety of cruise offers from P&O, Fred Olsen and MSC Cruises. You can see that we are dealing with all of the biggest names, but negotiating for the TV and for YOU the very best prices we can. Don’t forget, if you have seen offers elsewhere that it will always be worth checking out what we can offer for you – whether it’s your first cruise, or your 31st (which I know it certainly could be).

For our future programmes, I also want to bear in mind a few of the things I learn from talking to people at the cruise fairs. Some people like to know before they go on a cruise holiday and things like how many passengers the ship holds, and whether it’s more of a family or adults only cruise. I’m also aware that many people hear from friends and family about just how great a cruise holiday is, but want to take a taster to find out if it is for them. Well, don’t forget that there are always options for you.

For those of you who don't know, I'm taking my first cruise holiday with Fred Olsen on 11th June from Dover on the Braemar, which I'm looking forward to incredibly and comes highly recommended by you. In fact the more I hear your stories, the more excited I become. A big thank you to those who have been sending us e-mails and messages – we’re responding personally to all of you. In the meantime, if you have any questions or queries – you can always call the club on 0800 655 6449 or e-mail me, derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk Until we speak again in March, I wish you very well.

Derek Marks

Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club

derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Derek Marks Blog - 3rd November 2010

Derek Marks Blog - 3rd November 2010

Hi Everyone, I thought as I'm off on my first cruise in June 2011 that it might be a good idea to write a blog in the run-up to the cruise, to share my experiences - and hopefully to hear from you along the way too.

You may know by now that it was a complete surprise to find out that I'll be taking to Fred Olsen's Braemar on June 11th 2011 for an eight night Norweigan Fjords Cruise. When I found out back in September, a number of questions came to my mind straight away.

A lot of people I believe have an outdated view on a cruise holiday. People do make certain assumptions - and to be honest, I had one or two pre-conceptions in my mind before finding out more. John Cooper and myself were lucky enough to go and visit the Boudicca while it was in at the Port of Newcastle. I must admit, my heart jumped when we drove in towards the Quay and saw the ship. Walking on board, I was taken by the sheer amount of space that there is on the ship. You somehow think that things will feel quite claustrophobic. Well, I have to tell you - it's far from it. From the Boudicca, I saw plenty of different spaces on board. Whether you just want to relax in one of the lounges, enjoy the variety of dining spaces or take up the opportunity of enjoying entertainment on tap - you'll always have a sense of space. Without having sailed as yet, I have to say that both times I've been on board that I have completely forgotten that it was even a vessel on water. Remember, in the UK in the last year - around 1.6 million people took a cruise holiday, and the number is on the increase. To be honest, I'm not surprised. All of those different destinations that you can enjoy - everything taken care of and you only have to unpack once.

The thing that I can't impress upon you enough is the feeling of belonging on board with Fred Olsen. The staff are attentive and plentiful. My parents have taken two cruises with Fred Olsen before, and had told me that they were very impressed by the level of service. I have now seen for myself why. I had to say that every member of staff that I saw (and remember, most of them had no idea who I was) was willing to help with a smile. From the crew in the cabins, to the check-in and security staff - everyone had time for you, and you are treated individually and made to feel special. Looking into Fred Olsens' history as a company I see that they have been sailing for around 150 years. It shows when you look at the attention to detail in what they have to offer, and the dedication of the team. After speaking and interviewing some of the key figures on board Boudicca, it was clear that a number of the team have been with Fred Olsen for a good, long time. That tells you something about them as an employer.

The more I learn, the more I want to know. It's nearly Christmas and I'm looking forward so much to my first cruise experience coming up in June 2011. Listen, if you are a potential first-timer to cruise holidays - what would you want to know. Are there any unanswered questions that you have? Why not drop me an e-mail and I'll find the answer for you derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Don't forget that we have an incredible discount for you on the cruise that I'll be taking. It sets sail on the 11th June 2011 from Dover and is an eight night cruise taking in Amsterdam and the Norweigan Fjords. We'll also be having an exclusive Liverpool Cruise Club Cocktail Party on board for this sailing - so call the team on 0800 655 6449 to get this amazing discount.

I'll talk to you soon

Derek Presenter - Liverpool Cruise Club

derek@liverpoolcruiseclub.co.uk

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines Balmoral by Richard Cross

I was lucky enough to enjoy five nights on board Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Cruise ship last year visiting some great ports of call in France, Ireland and the Channel Islands.

Balmoral is Fred.Olsen’s largest vessel afloat, it carries around 1300 passengers and her name comes from the Scottish home of the Royal Family. Although the ship maybe smaller, when compared to other cruise lines, it is still big enough to offer all the facilities and entertainment that other cruise ships offer. This also means that the ship is able to get closer into ports of call then other larger ships.

There are a variety of cabins and suite accommodation on board, I can highly recommend the Balcony Cabins on Bridge Deck. The balconies have superb sea views and watching the sun set on the horizon from the comfort of your own balcony is a relaxing end to a perfect day on the ocean.

There are a number of restaurants on board, the main being the Ballindalloch restaurant which I dined every evening. Whilst on board, a member of our group had a birthday celebration and the staffs on board were excellent, all waiters sang round the table during our meal. The food on board is superb, there was a wide variety of choice and speciality requests were catered for. We also sampled the other restaurants on board Spey, Avon (both on Highlight Deck 10) and Palms Café (on Lounge Deck 7). Palms Café served an excellent buffet style selection every evening after the review shows, an alternative from the main restaurants. Breakfast was served in all restaurants, we ate in the Spey & Avon restaurants which provided excellent sea views. The Morning Light pub was a new addition to the ship in 2008, we took part in the daily quiz on the days we were at sea (although never won!). A fresh and light pub, named after a earlier ship from the Fred. Olsen fleet.

In the daytime, there were lots of activities to do on board. There was an Internet Room to keep in touch with emails and news from back home, plus a card room and a well stocked Library. In the Lido Lounge we also joined in the fun of the Daily Bingo, with a prize of £500 on offer…(I was very close to winning!!!) On deck there were two pools and a number of smaller Jacuzzis. Plenty of seating on deck was also available, sitting on deck in the blazing sunshine, topping up the tan, whilst we were in the middle of the ocean was fantastic…I didn’t want to come home! The gym and fitness centres were also available and provided good sea views whilst getting fit!

The nightlife on board excellent, after our evening meal, we would go to the Neptune Lounge and take in a review show or enjoy a musical. One of the nights was a themed night whilst another night we enjoyed a magical illusion show! The staff in the Balmoral Theatre Company were great and all spoke to us after the show. After the show, we would either go to Palms Café for our midnight snack or slope off to the Observatory Lounge for the Disco into the small hours of the night!!

It was sad to get off Balmoral, as I would of gladly stayed on board for another two weeks to sample to delights this fantastic vessel has to offer.