Fred Olsen Braemar July 2007 by Jim Summer Geysers Cruise

This cruise was booked through Connoisseur travel in Edinburgh which included free coach transfers to the ship we were picked up exactly on time arrived at Perth picked up the remaining passengers and set off for Leith. We left Perth at 1.50pm headed onto the M90 and hit the tailback of traffic going to T in the park a large open air concert which is held over 3 days didn't clear the jam until 6.20pm took us that time to travel 11miles.

The ship was meant to sail at 5pm we were still 30 miles from the port at 6.20pm we had been in contact with Connoisseur and they were keeping in touch with us telling us they had managed to get the ship departure delayed until 7pm max because of the tide a tug was on hire and of course labour at the dockside we made it by 2minutes. We found out later talking to Nikki the cruise consultant with Conoisseur who was on the ship that they had provisionally booked hotel rooms in Edinburgh and would have flown us to Bergen to catch the ship we also found out the MD of Connoisseur had come down to the cruise terminal to try and help.

The cruise itself could not have been better the Braemar is the smallest ship we have been on but certainly the friendliest the number of people we were on first name terms with was the most of any cruise we have been on. We were on Atlantic deck cabin was clean and kept tidy towels changed twice a day. Most of our meals were in the Thistle restaurant which was of a very high standard and good portions.

We did use the Palms cafe for afternoon teas and late night snacks..All the public areas were kept clean and fresh looking the ship on a whole looked in very good condition. Hygiene was a very high priority for the crew you were given a portion of hand cleanser at the gangway anytime you came back on board and at anytime you entered the restaurants no exceptions. Entertainment was of high standard also with a number of guest speakers on board for the duration one of whom was Jim Bowen whose two shows had us in stitches and a really nice guy to talk to around the ship.

Ports of call Bergen was clagged in but we had been there a few times in the past so walked into town did a bit of shopping. Iceland was blue sky and sunshine and not really to do on your own taxis were expensive and we thought the ships tours were good value for money free shuttle buses were laid on at Akureyri Rekjavik Torshavn and Kirkwall although in Kirkwall there was a German cruise liner the Delphin along side us and her passengers tried to board our buses but were repelled. Would we travel with Fred Olsen, again yes and would use Conoisseur travel.