Safety Deposit Boxes
Safety deposit boxes are available at Reception on Black Watch and Black Prince to safeguard valuables and important papers. There is a £5 deposit for these on Black Watch which is refunded at the end of the cruise. In addition to these, there is a lockable drawer in each cabin on Black Watch. Balmoral, Boudicca and Braemar have lockable safes in each cabin.
Sea.tv
Televisions in cabins and in public areas on Black Watch, Black Prince and Boudicca offer our own information channel called Sea.tv, which gives details of ports of call, special promotions, and general shipboard activities.
Shopping On Board
The on board boutiques offer a wide range of items from luxury items including jewellery, glassware and perfumes to elegant eveningwear and casual day clothes. The shop on board stocks essential items such as camera film, sun cream, toiletries and other on board necessities, as well as souvenirs and cruise mementoes. The shops will be closed in some ports due to customs regulations.
You may purchase alcohol and cigarettes via our Cabin Shopping Service to consume throughout your cruise or to take home at tax-free prices. An order form and price list will be found in your cabin – simply complete the form as required, hand it to Reception and your order will be sent to your cabin.
You may purchase alcohol and cigarettes via our Cabin Shopping Service to consume throughout your cruise or to take home at tax-free prices. An order form and price list will be found in your cabin – simply complete the form as required, hand it to Reception and your order will be sent to your cabin.
Shore Excursions / Going Ashore
Usually the ship will berth in the port’s harbour and a gangway will be positioned so you may come and go from the ship as you please. In smaller ports the ship may be at anchor when we will provide tender boats to take you ashore. These tenders will run frequently to and from the ship and there is no charge for this service.
We offer a choice of shore excursions in nearly every port of call. Our shore excursions are accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable tour guides and are an excellent way of exploring the main attractions of each port of call. As these tours are very popular we strongly recommend that you pre-book in advance of your cruise to avoid disappointment, although they may also be booked on board at the Shore Excursions Desk. Please note that tours may be subject to minimum and maximum participating numbers and to local weather conditions. Passengers on Balmoral and Braemar can preview and book tours available during their cruise, by visiting FOi (Interactive TV) under the ‘Shore Excursions’ menu.
A full colour programme, including booking form, detailing all our excursions will be despatched directly to you 8 weeks prior to sailing.
For disabled passengers we regrettably cannot guarantee that assistance by qualified persons will be available at all ports of call. Unless able to board a vehicle unassisted it will not usually be possible for wheelchair users to participate in organised shore tours. Please ask our Shore Tour Department about independent tours with adapted vehicles.
Regrettably, on health and safety grounds it is not possible to convey any passengers ashore via a tender service if confined to a wheelchair. Similarly, it is only possible to convey collapsible wheelchairs on a tender where the user needs the minimum of assistance to board and alight the tender. This will be at the discretion of our security staff on the day.
Going Ashore Independently:
Your cruise fare is fully inclusive of port taxes and charges, so as soon as the ship is cleared by customs and immigration in each port you are free to get on and off the ship as many times as you wish. When the ship is berthed some distance from the centre of town a shuttle bus service is often provided to assist with your visit and save you money on taxi fares. All day tickets (for which a small charge is made) can be bought from Reception. Shuttle buses do not operate in ports where we feel it is easy/more economical for passengers to use independent transport such as taxis, or when we are prohibited from running a service – this is particularly the case in the Caribbean.
We offer a choice of shore excursions in nearly every port of call. Our shore excursions are accompanied by experienced and knowledgeable tour guides and are an excellent way of exploring the main attractions of each port of call. As these tours are very popular we strongly recommend that you pre-book in advance of your cruise to avoid disappointment, although they may also be booked on board at the Shore Excursions Desk. Please note that tours may be subject to minimum and maximum participating numbers and to local weather conditions. Passengers on Balmoral and Braemar can preview and book tours available during their cruise, by visiting FOi (Interactive TV) under the ‘Shore Excursions’ menu.
A full colour programme, including booking form, detailing all our excursions will be despatched directly to you 8 weeks prior to sailing.
For disabled passengers we regrettably cannot guarantee that assistance by qualified persons will be available at all ports of call. Unless able to board a vehicle unassisted it will not usually be possible for wheelchair users to participate in organised shore tours. Please ask our Shore Tour Department about independent tours with adapted vehicles.
Regrettably, on health and safety grounds it is not possible to convey any passengers ashore via a tender service if confined to a wheelchair. Similarly, it is only possible to convey collapsible wheelchairs on a tender where the user needs the minimum of assistance to board and alight the tender. This will be at the discretion of our security staff on the day.
Going Ashore Independently:
Your cruise fare is fully inclusive of port taxes and charges, so as soon as the ship is cleared by customs and immigration in each port you are free to get on and off the ship as many times as you wish. When the ship is berthed some distance from the centre of town a shuttle bus service is often provided to assist with your visit and save you money on taxi fares. All day tickets (for which a small charge is made) can be bought from Reception. Shuttle buses do not operate in ports where we feel it is easy/more economical for passengers to use independent transport such as taxis, or when we are prohibited from running a service – this is particularly the case in the Caribbean.
Single Travellers
Our single guests never need be alone on board as we have the reputation of operating the friendliest cruise ships afloat. Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines staff will be waiting to greet you from the moment you arrive at the port and special activities will be arranged throughout the cruise to give you the opportunity to meet with fellow single travellers if you wish. Dance hosts will be on hand on all cruises to make sure our single guests never go too long without a dance partner in the evenings.
Smoking Policy
From 01 January 2009 Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines will introduce a non-smoking policy in all inside areas. Smoking will only be permitted on cabin balconies and on designated open deck areas. This will apply from each vessels first full cruise in 2009, with the exception of Black Watch and Balmoral where it will apply once they have returned from their respective 2009 world cruises.
In the interim period on Black Watch smoking is permitted in the Observatory (starboard side), Lido Lounge (starboard side) and Pipers Bar. On Balmoral smoking is permitted in the Observatory (starboard side, rear) and Lido Bar (port side).
In the interim period on Black Watch smoking is permitted in the Observatory (starboard side), Lido Lounge (starboard side) and Pipers Bar. On Balmoral smoking is permitted in the Observatory (starboard side, rear) and Lido Bar (port side).
Special Occasions
If you are celebrating a special anniversary or birthday whilst on board we would like to help you celebrate to make the occasion even more memorable. Please let us know if you are celebrating your Silver, Pearl, Ruby, Golden, Emerald or Diamond anniversary either six months before, during or after your cruise and we will provide a fantastic package with our compliments. All we ask is that you provide us with a copy of your marriage certificate prior to departure. Similarly a honeymoon on board is a unique time and we will mark the occasion in style. If it’s your birthday during the cruise we will help you celebrate with a special celebration cake presented at dinner.
- In addition to this we offer a choice of special packages which may be purchased in advance:
- Anniversary Celebration – Flowers or chocolates in cabin on arrival, champagne and canapés served on your special day, anniversary gift, celebration cake and professional photographic session.
- Birthday Celebration – Champagne breakfast served in your cabin, birthday gift and card, celebration cake at dinner and souvenir photograph.
- Welcome Aboard – Floral bouquet, champagne and canapés, chocolates and a fruit basket – all placed in your cabin on arrival.
Swimming Pools
All vessels have outdoor swimming pool/s which are filled with seawater and heated to approximately 30°C (86°) and Jacuzzis which are approximately 34°C (93°F). The indoor pool on the Black Prince is also heated and is approx. 24°C (75°F). Weather permitting the pools are kept open from 8am – 8pm. Towels for use around the pool and on the sun deck are available in your cabins. For hygiene purposes all pools and jacuzzis are treated with the appropriate chlorine based chemicals. Black Watch and Boudicca also now feature state of the art SwimEX exercise pools.
