December news

[ROBERT M.]

I think there is/was an............Olsen Line/Cruise

[paul jh]

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is very much in business. It's a UK-based cruise line owned by the Norwegian shipping company Fred. Olsen & Co., founded in 1848.

Marian: do you remember the name of your ship? Fred. Olsen had ships cruising in the 1960s I think they had names like Black Watch or Black Star. I believe the Black Watch is still cruising


Cunard is NOT snobby. On the QE2 there were four classes; I was always in the bottom, so I couldn't go to the exclusive restaurants and lounges. But we all saw the same shows and went to the same cocktail parties, and stopped at the same ports (obviously!). My cabin was tiny (less than 100 sq ft), but it was quite cozy. The fellow passengers were interesting and charming. The food was delicious and the international staff was excellent.

Now I believe Cunard only has Grill class for the very expensive staterooms, and then everyone else is the majority.

[Michele Monro]

What works for one doesn't necessarily work for the other. I found Cunard snobby and because we are lucky enough to have lots of competing lines, it wouldn't make my Top 20. The other side of the coin is the excursions that are on offer. They are very much set for the elder person and there was nothing fun on offer, like Quad Biking, Zip Wiring, Jet Ski etc etc. I am not talking high octane just something other than city tours, churches, temples and ruins. We all look for something different but I don't feel they have a broad enough selection for me.