Black Watch Review

4.5 / 5.0
0 reviews

Fred has blotted his copy book.

Review for the British Isles & Western Europe Cruise on Black Watch
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DavidMatthews
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
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Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2016
Cabin: Outside Cabin

We regularly cruise with Fred and would normally give an excellent rating but not this time. The food was excellent as were the waiters and the staff, the cabin was to the usual comfortable standard but from there on it all goes downhill.

The ship is very much still a "work in progress". The TV system kept giving the information "LAN lost" and closed down, even in port, so the problem with satellite explanation does not wash. We reported this regularly to reception and even missed part of the Queens Christmas speech because of it,but it was no better at the end of the cruise. Because of the weather, or so we were told, the itinerary regularly changed. The announcements were made on the ships system but did not sound in our cabin. This was regularly reported to reception. We were told how it should be set. In the end someone came to our cabin, set it differently to the instruction given to us at reception.

On Boxing day we were supposed to enter the Port of Tyne early in the morning. We did not, instead we went to breakfast with the boat turning in a tight circle and the restaurant floor some degrees from horizontal. Later, up in the aft lounge, deck 7 it was noted that the new glass doors no longer stayed closed. By the evening it was realized that wooden wedges would solve the problem. They were still there at the end of our cruise. How could this possibly happen.

Cabin Review

Outside Cabin

Cabin F

The cabin was comfortable. The temperature was OK after we reset it. Originally the thermostat was set to maximum and it was sweltering.

Port Reviews

London (Greenwich, Tower Bridge, Tilbury)

When leaving the foot passenger entrance the ground is uneven and dangerous

Dublin

On my bucket list. Fred changed his mind on this one

Belfast

I have used the port regularly and would recommend the hop on and hop off bus to get to the attractions. Fred did not get us here.

Edinburgh (South Queensferry)

There is a lot to do and see in Edinburgh. The bus no 22 takes you to the town centre from the nearby Britannia Centre. Outside the port passenger entrance / exit.is a stop for an open top tour bus with interesting information on the round tour. You can get on and off as you wish and it takes you to Princes Street and a short walk from the castle and Cathedral. .

Liverpool

I have visited Liverpool on a number of occasions and would recommend the hop on /hop off bus to get to the places of interest.

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