I was just looking at the new layout and nice to know re the new suites that "Bathroom with bathtub and shower, tv, refrigerator, hi-fi, hairdryer. Beds convert to doubles. Designated non-smoking cabin."

I'm still in two minds about things will work losing the Explorer's Library & Dalreoch Card Room, down to the nightclub, but can see why. It's just those comfy chairs will not have the same views Nothing for it, but another cruise to see

The 205 m long vessel has 400 cabins and a passenger capacity of 761 persons. On completion of the conversion work, the efficiency of the new propulsion plant and the corresponding systems will be tested during a 2-day sea trial. Afterwards the completely renewed cruise vessel BLACK WATCH will leave the Blohm + Voss shipyard on course for Southampton."

Nothing left unturned it seems.. from

MAN B&W.

They are also doing exactly the same to Grand Latino.

"New propulsion for GRAND LATINO

Augsburg, 14th March 2005. The cruise vessel GRAND LATINO, recently purchased Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, will be equipped with a completely new MAN B&W Diesel propulsion plant. The new name of the ship, built 1973 in Finland, has yet to be revealed by Fred. Olsen.

Conversion and modernisation work is focussed on a reduction of the noise and vibration levels, as well as on clearly lower fuel consumption rates of new, state-of-the-art propulsion engines. The shipping company with its focus mainly on the British cruise market, has therefore decided in favour of four new MAN B&W 7L32/40 diesel engines for the propulsion.

Each of the main engines generates an output of 3,500 kW (4,700 HP) and is run at 750 rpm. The new propulsion plant will be resiliently mounted. As the general contractor, MAN B&W Diesel is, in addition to the propulsion system, also responsible for the delivery of two new double reduction gearboxes of the NDSL-2800 type, manufactured by Renk AG, a further member of the MAN Group. A completely new propulsion control system will also be installed for the reliable operation of the new plant. Further modernisation will be carried out within the scope of the safety equipment, cabins and public facilities.

Presently, the 205 m long vessel has cabins for a passenger capacity of 837 persons. The ship is sister to Fred. Olsen?s successful BLACK WATCH, which is going to be equipped with a completely new MAN B&W Diesel propulsion plant by Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg." from here.

A lot of investment being made by FOCL.

Marquee deck post refit:

The Lido deck pre refit:

The Lido deck post refit:

I always regarded the Black Watch as having a surprising number of public rooms for her size. Unfortunately she has just lost some!

However, I'm pleased that they retained the 'Marina Theatre' which is an alternative venue on the Marina Deck. At one time they planned to turn this area into six inside cabins.

The new suites will command a pretty high fare as they are still a rarity on this small ship.

[ 04-18-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

A question about the suites.

While looking at the deck plan that Malcolm posted above, I noticed on Black Watch, Marquee Deck Suite #9002 seems to be in a slightly different configuration as to the same suite, Owners Suite Deck 9 001(sound familiar? ) on the Norwegian Star 1.

I am wondering if any of you have stayed in this suite on Black Watch, and can compare it to the one on Norwegian Star 1 in the photos which you can
view here.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Deck 9 001:
I am wondering if any of you have stayed in this suite on Black Watch, and can compare it to the one on Norwegian Star 1

---

Sorry Mike, I've no idea having never stayed in a BW suite.

Interstingly the full brochure/web price for a PS Suite on the 12th July (15 night Fjords cruise) post refit is £7695 ($14,716) and the MS igrade s £6940 ($13,272), per person. Although some discount will be available, you can see the attraction to Fred Olsen of creating extra suites.

[ 04-19-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

For a difference of 1,444 a pax can get a PS Suite.

In general how do you feel about the tariff for this cruise? Expensive, moderate, very fair?,,,,as I have no idea about cruising from England.

So, will you be booking a Suite?

If you compare to Braemar's pricing.. she starts at just under £100 pppn, which is about right, BW is over the £100 mark.

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
The actual pricing is here. A differential of just over £400pp. The pricing is high even for the lowest inside cabin, and taking into account this is peak season.

If you compare to Braemar's pricing.. she starts at just under £100 pppn, which is about right, BW is over the £100 mark.

Pam

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Deck 9 001:
Hi Malcolm, In general how do you feel about the tariff for this cruise? Expensive, moderate, very fair?,,,,as I have no idea about cruising from England.

---

Don't get me started! I think all ex-UK cruising is expensive. It's not as if air-fare is required/included. Mind you as CGT said 'I'm poor'.

On a big ships in American waters, a few hundred dollars extra buys you a suite, but even on the bigger UK ships (i.e P&O) the price hike is significantly more between the grades.

On smaller ships like BW, the very limited number of suites means the differential between grades is even higher. For example the differential between a basic inside and the top suite is approacing x3. However like much British cruising, Fred Olsen appeals to reasonably well-off retired people and NOT the mass-market.

No I'm unlikely to book a fred Olsen suite. I'd rather use the money to go on TWO Olsen cruises in lower grade cabins, (almost three, if we are talking top grade suite).

What kind of prices would you pay Mike?

Ernst said: but the prices are too high for the only fair service and food quality - and the bad condition of the ship.

The BW is in very good condition internally. I would rate the service as 'fair to good', but the food can be very good - if you have British taste buds.

Many passengers obviously think the high fares are well worth the experience of cruising on a small-classic ship.

[ 04-19-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

So now we now.. She's on her way with an ETA 06.00 tomorrow. Hamburg webcams are here.

you have been faster. - the yard did not awnser my e-mail up to now -> So I got my plans of her, to figure out, wheter it would make any sense to go trough the engine casing...
My Hamburg friends are already informed, maybe we get some nice pictures. (not tomorrow, but during the next weeks)

Greetings

Ernst

quote:

---

Originally posted by PamM:
I sent an email asking to FOCL, and they responded almost immediately with "Yes, when fitting new engines they cut a hole in the hull."

So now we now.. She's on her way with an ETA 06.00 tomorrow. Hamburg webcams are here.

Pam

---

Cheers Pam. I'll have a look later on in the process and see if there are any pictures on the internet.

quote:

---

Originally posted by sslewis:
Pam,
the webcam seems frozen....how do you activate it?
My german is getting rusty and clicked all buttons without success!

---

We don't have any long cruises here in Asia, so I really can't tell you or compare prices with your British cruises and tariffs.

But, I will give you an example of some cruise tariffs for GEMINI, ex-Keelung.
Before I start, please note that there are 3 variations of prices for any selected category. I'll explain---If you book your cabin 4 weeks in advance, you will get the lowest published fare.
If you book 2 to 4 weeks in advance, your fare will be higher.
Any booking made 2 weeks prior to the cruise will pay standard tariff.

OK, here goes:
(I will use the lowest tarrifs and examples of highest/mid/lowest cabin categories.)

4d/3n Keelung--Miyako--Naha--Keelung

Cat:AA--Executive Suite w/Balcony
NTD 21,600 pp or BPS 359.44 or USD 680

Cat:CB--standard twin Deck 4 w/window
NTD 12,100 pp or BPS 201.35 or USD 381

Cat: CE--lowest outside w/porthole
NTD 9,900 pp or BPS 164.74 or USD 312

Cat B--lowest inside
NTD 8,200 pp or BPS 136.45 or USD 258

All the above pertains to a cruise aboard the lovely, little GEMINI.

So Malcolm, you now have an idea of what cruise tariffs are like ex-Keelung.
May I also add, that thanks to you this post will cost me money as you have put me in the mood to contact Star Taiwan and book a cruise for May! If it weren't for you, I never would have thought about taking a cruise.

Thanks for the information Mike. It is very difficult to compare cruise rates between countries. Average incomes, levels of taxation, disposable income and supply & demand (a major factor) are all considerations.

By tradition, many Brits took a two week annual holiday on the British coast. Later this became two weeks abroad, often in the form of a ‘package’ to Spain, or Greece etc. This tradition has translated to UK cruising with many 13 or 14 night cruises being offered from UK ports. An average cost for such cruises would probably be around £100 per day, per person, for a basic cabin - depending on ship/line and departure date, of course.

May I also add, that thanks to you this post will cost me money as you have put me in the mood to contact Star Taiwan and book a cruise for May!

I'm not sure if I should feel pleased for you or guilty? I tell you what, just charge it all to my credit-card.

[ 04-20-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Deck 9 001:
May I also add, that thanks to you this post will cost me money as you have put me in the mood to contact Star Taiwan and book a cruise for May! If it weren't for you, I never would have thought about taking a cruise.

---

Thanks for your reply, and also you reminded me that I did not mention "packages" in my post.

For the past five years or so, many Taiwanese have taken advantage of air/sea packages put together by Star. The major destination is Singapore with a cruise aboard Virgo.
And when Gemini is also there, many Taiwanese book the one week cruises.

Now that Star and ValueAir have formed an alliance, I am certain that there will be packages offered for SuperStar Libra in Mumbai.

When I get the chance, I will post some air/sea package rates from Taiwan.

As for now, back down to my bar and play "host."

and so to bed:-

more here for future records.

Pam

[ 04-20-2005: Message edited by: PamM ]