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Fred Olsen Cruises

MS Black Watch

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Richard White
# previous cruises: 5
Date of Trip: May 27, 2002
Itinerary: Scandinavia

Friendly, efficient crew, perfectly clean ship and cabins, excellent choice of food and quality of the food first class. Excursions numerous (though pricey) and information beyond these for DIY port visitors was scant but did not detract from cruise. Deck space excellent, swimming pools and jacuzzis numerous and not over used.

Very comfortable public areas, especially the Observatory (bar/lounge at front of ship over bridge) where binoculars are also provided. The Lido Deck has a walk round promenade and a conducted 1 mile walk (5 laps) occurs every day at 4pm. Casino well run but not busy, perhaps an introductory session would have been well received.

Main dining room spacious and high up in the ship provides good views from the windows. Good choice of reasonably priced wines. Deck restaurants and grills provide an alternative and "lighter" choice of menu. Service very good, all the staff seemed very happy.

Standard outside on Marina (lowest public deck) quietly positioned, more than adequate storage space for 8 nights. TV picked up limited range of satellite programs but was not watched much due to stunning Norwegian scenery! Shower room fine, 6ft plus male easily could use the shower/wash facilities in comfort. Cabins on higher decks seemed to be in a more noisy environment.

Entertainment was generally OK but again the Observatory bar was mostly used due to the light evenings and scenery to be seen. The Lido bar had the best entertainment (good cocktail pianist and excellent female singer/piano duo).

Stopped at Maloy, Olden, Gudvangen, Flam, Bergen and Amsterdam. Did own site seeing/mountain walking at each place. Ship was late berthing in Flam so complete round trip on the Flam Railway was not possible which was disappointing. No children so cannot comment on facilities for them but those seen looked OK.

Those diners with whom we shared a table were good company for the 8 nights we were on board, a mix of ages but all very active. Names and addresses were swapped with a few local people with whom we will try to meet up with again.