| My dad was snoozing so I went for a wander and they were continuing to replace the carpet. It was a warm day but hazy. Later, we went to the buffet for a snack. We were vibrating so badly the crockery on the next table was in danger of falling off. Our speed dropped too so it looked for a while as though we weren't moving, before picking up again. I finished my meal but my dad was struggling so I helped him when the waiter came over and refused point blank to take my plate due to the knife and fork handles being a millimetre apart. He demanded they be put together, motioning with his finger and saying, "Come on, come on. That's better", then took it. No one else cares and there was no sign of the Maitre 'D. It was our second formal night. During dinner, the subject of the toilets was brought up. Apparently, there had been an airlock in the system affecting them all. Afterwards, a few quick photos on deck in the mist then to the Neptune Lounge for the crew show, which was excellent and a lot of fun. Everyone was lined up outside so I took a photo of Orana in her costume as I waited for my dad. No Supper Club but Grand Gala buffet in the Thistle Restaurant. My dad returned to the cabin while I took photos then followed him. |
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The 23rd May was our final sea day. I had another lie-in leaving my dad to go to breakfast. It was catching up with both of us so he napped until lunch too. Later, I went for a walk around the deck and noticed they were getting ready for us to bugger off. Afternoon tea was lovely as usual then more napping before packing. I've never been so lazy on a cruise! We went on deck to see us pass Dover only the haze hid it mostly. The pasta with chilli I'd forgotten I'd pre-ordered was sooooooooo fabulous and hot I ordered seconds! My table companions weren't happy to be kept waiting for their pud. Luggage out and a Royal Princess on our port side heading to Le Havre. Last Supper Club, which was Mexican. The waiter from the day before who demanded the knife and fork handles weren't a millimetre apart before taking the plate was worse this time. First of all, took my dad's plate with just a knife and left mine. He just wandered or stood around. My dad finished his dessert and still my plate was there. Ten minutes after finishing, another waiter cleared the table. Again, the Maitre 'D was nowhere to be seen which is probably why he behaves that way. When the Maitre 'D was a visible presence, he often had to get the waiter to move his arse and work. The clocks went back at 2am when Queen Elizabeth and MSC Magnifica were gaining on us. Both were also going to Southampton. QE had been on our starboard side doing over 20 knots, double us, while Magnifica was port just 3 knots faster than we were. I went up to deck 8 and saw QE crossing our wake to port so I got back in the lift to go port on the Prom deck, which was more sheltered. Nearly an hour later, Magnifica crossed our stern to starboard. They keep you on your toes! I decided to go back in when she was level but my dad had a great view of her through the porthole. |
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| And so it was nearly time to be booted off. I was up early to watch us arrive but gave up and went to breakfast when it started raining. I would miss the jalapeño omelettes. There was a mix-up though as our assistant Maitre 'D took the order and the plates kept coming with fried egg. I explained each time we'd ordered omelettes, they came on the plate instead of fried. We said goodbye to Orana and congratulated the girl who organised the crew show, collected our stuff and found a couple of chairs in the Bookmark Cafe to wait. Disembarkation began at 7.30am with coaches and deck 8. Our deck was last but we were off by 8.30am. |
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A shame to leave after a great cruise. The only negative was really that rude waiter towards the end. Cunard has the same BBC HD and ITV channels as Fred but give you a TV guide. Fred doesn't, so that would be a plus. It was also good the Executive Chef, Robert Swann, was around a lot throughout the cruise to talk to passengers. I'd previously only done shorts on Fred and been warned to avoid longer due to it being "older and boring" but I had a great time. If their solo fares were cheaper, I'd have long been a Silver Oceans Club member, or even Gold. Fred. Olsen is everything I love about cruising yet is rapidly disappearing on other lines as they all try to money grab, squeeze in more passengers while removing space and add gimmicks. That's not cruising. It's a theme park at sea to get drunk on and spend stupid amounts of money in speciality restaurants to get decent food on some lines. Fred has a speciality restaurant but the daily food is unbelievably fabulous. They too have cut over the past 10 years since my first with them on Boudicca, but the quality is still there. There are so many cruises I and my dad would love to do on Fred if we had the money. For his first cruise at the age of 76, he was really impressed with the ship, product, itinerary, service and food. Fred suit him perfectly. |
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