Fred's new livery

[Guest Solent Richard]

I was out and about in Southampton yesterday and spotted a number of smaller cruise ships in port.

 

A quick check on my favourite Southampton maritime tracking site...

 

http://www.john-ambler.com/ais/google.html

 

revealed that two were belonging to Fred Olsen, Boudicca and Balmoral.

 

Reading recently that they had undergone a livery change I headed down to Mayflower Park and took a couple of photographs.

 

Boudicca on City Terminal...

 

 

...and Boudicca with Balmoral further up at the Mayflower Terminal...

 

 

So that's the new livery then? Can't say I was over impressed, A bit like Azamara really and the old Saga Rose.

 

But the real gem of the day was Cruise & Maritime's Marco Polo in, excuse the pun, pole position at Ocean Terminal...

 

 

All three ships, with a combined age of 122 years, made it feel like Southampton was having  a cruising version of a 'Darby & Joan' day.

 

What's your view on the new Fred Olsen livery?

 

 

 

 

[Guest Solent Richard]

To help making any comparison, here's Balmoral passing Calshot Spit last year...

 

 

...in Fred Olsen's previous colours.

[AFC04/03 144]

Very classical perhaps Freds are trying to drive home their traditional cruise offering.

 

Not my cup of tea personally but each to their own.

[Cast ashore 100]

The new livery does give the Fred ships a more traditional feel, but personally I prefer the old livery. As AFC has mentioned it's each to their own.

[Popsicle 282]

They look like mini not quite so grand Cunard ships!

 

Very odd choice!

[Guest Solent Richard]

They look like mini not quite so grand Cunard ships!

 

Very odd choice!

 

   I didn't dare say that.

 

[loz6 126]

Hmmm not so sure about Freds new look

[Popsicle 282]

   I didn't dare say that.

 

 

You see, that's how it's done!

 

Poor little Fred's ships just look like a 'tried quite hard but not quite up to scratch' bunch!

[ron 604]

Dare I say very DRAB I think the person or persons might be a little colour blind or should that be colourless blind

[Land Ahoy 752]

Hi  As usual most of the voices on this forum criticize Fred Olsen and their older vessels but they must be doing something right, it is well documented that they have the highest number of repeat passengers.  Yes the ships aren't state of the art but they well maintained but more importantly the dining is well above that offered on their competitors and visit a wider variety of ports of call.   Fred Olsen offers an alternative for UK passengers who don't wish to sail from Southampton offering a wide range of cruises from other UK ports, most of the objections to this cruise line appears to be by those who believe that newer is better but as I have already stated if you had the choice to stay in the elderly Dorchester or a brand new Travelodge I know which most would opt for.  Just accept that not everybody wishes to sail of a floating entertainment venue and some still prefer a more "classical" cruise experience.

[AFC04/03 144]

Fair play Land Ahoy do you like the colour scheme?

[Land Ahoy 752]

Fair play Land Ahoy do you like the colour scheme?

Hi  I truth I prefer their previous colour scheme but when you are cruising on their vessels you don't notice the external paint colour.  In fact I have never consider booking a cruise because I liked a particular external livery - it's not important.

[wheels36 450]

I think that the new colour scheme looks alright, and from a practical point of view the darker hull will probably require less cosmetic touch-up paint.

[tj42 36]

very good pics!!

[Popsicle 282]

Hi  As usual most of the voices on this forum criticize Fred Olsen and their older vessels but they must be doing something right, it is well documented that they have the highest number of repeat passengers.  Yes the ships aren't state of the art but they well maintained but more importantly the dining is well above that offered on their competitors and visit a wider variety of ports of call.   Fred Olsen offers an alternative for UK passengers who don't wish to sail from Southampton offering a wide range of cruises from other UK ports, most of the objections to this cruise line appears to be by those who believe that newer is better but as I have already stated if you had the choice to stay in the elderly Dorchester or a brand new Travelodge I know which most would opt for.  Just accept that not everybody wishes to sail of a floating entertainment venue and some still prefer a more "classical" cruise experience.

 

I certainly wasn't being critical of Freds as a brand and can't see any others have either?

 

I've never sailed with them personally but have heard the service & food are superior to P&O!

 

Just not keen on the Cunard-esque paint job!

[The Pesky Pirate 807]

To be honest, the photos look as if the ships need a good clean…. not impressed.

[angel 114]

Prefer the white version

[Oldworldtraveller 1765]

In all honesty not impressed. As already said it is a similar scheme to Cunard and whilst it suits the large ships I think it does little for 'Fred Size' ships. I much preferred the white which I thought made them look classy small ships. To me a ship of white hull and superstructure with just the funnel indicating its line,  and the sun making it glisen as it cuts through the blue ocean waters is a beautiful sight.  I am on Braemar in April so it will be interesting to get passenger reaction. 

[AFC04/03 144]

I have only been on black watch for a day visit and can see their appeal to a target audience, and I must say the service was very good, I was not knocking the cruise line....

 

Just the livery  

[Captain Kidd II 698]

Interesting discussion - Fred changes colour scheme from what was simikar to the old P&O look to the Cunard look. I think it is smart and like it. Fred coukd not have matched the new P&O as they coukd not have the union flag on the front for obvious reasons.

[Oldworldtraveller 1765]

Interesting discussion - Fred changes colour scheme from what was simikar to the old P&O look to the Cunard look. I think it is smart and like it. Fred coukd not have matched the new P&O as they coukd not have the union flag on the front for obvious reasons.

Not sure why Fred couldn't have a Union Flag on the front as the registered office off Fred Olsen Cruises is in London with an English company registration number. P&O is owned by Carnival Corp of America although also registered in Southampton.

[wheels36 450]

I think that they could have a flag as well.

This reminds me of the company that did not want the flag, British Airways, and famously got the public "handbagging" from Maggie that impacted on their share price and ended in a humiliating climb down a few years later.

As far as livery mistakes go I doubt that will ever be equalled.

[Sea Cruiser 79]

i really prefer the white colour - the black looks very dull no shine or anything

[eyes12 76]

Love the pics

 

I don't think it matters what they look like it is when you are onboard that counts and the service you get. having travelled with Freds a couple of times I cannot by any means fault the service or food its fantastic the décor yes is dated but you really cant fault the amazing staff and dinning.

 

  

[jaguar01 546]

Hello, Thank you Richard for the quality,as always, pictures. You will not be surprised to learn that " Saddo Rodger " has a lap top scrapbook of ship's pictures. Assuming that copyright does not account between friends I have substituted mine for yours,

Rodger