After waiting 3 years to get back on a cruise ship we decided to go back to a previous favourite ship.
Sadly our latest experience didn’t quite work out as well as we hoped.
First of all the new cabin L-shaped configuration just didn’t work.
2nd bed had nowhere to place any drink, no lights for reading and you had to get out of bed to turn the lights off! – Not sensible in the dark!! One excursion didn’t explain access to the venue very well.
They said the gardens we visited had gravel paths and a few steps.
WHAT THEY didn’t say was that it was a MILE walk from the tender to the gardens then a MILE back!!! Not suitable for people with mobility problems!!! Changes in the overall itinerary were not clearly explained.
A shuttle bus was cancelled without any notification in Rosyth so passengers were left stranded in town with an early ship departure looming.
(Eventually another shuttle had to be arranged) The track and trace bracelets did not work – we were in direct contact with some Covid infected passengers but were not notified at all about possible infection status! Two of the excursion couriers were annoyingly non stop talking about everything and anything rather than where we were.
(the man in Shetland was great though.
Very informative and knew when to keep quiet) Last minute change to disembarkation – Only notified the day before due to the ship’s relocation to Dover and the ship was at sea so NO PHONE SIGNAL TO REARRANGE PICK UPS ETC at Southampton .
a long wait for shuttle service to collect cars parked at original berth.
LOTS of very tired and fed up passengers by then?! IF they had notified the changes whilst the ship was still in Rosyth every one would have had time to contact transport arrangements for early pick ups.
On the plus side the hard working staff were really helpful and friendly and the on board entertainment group were exceptional.
Sadly we have now decided NOT to travel with Fred Olsen cruises again in the near future!!
