2010 Visit Reports

Aurora

Black Watch

Boudicca

Braemar

Crystal Symphony

Discovery

Empress

Eurodam

Funchal

Marco Polo

MSC Opera

MSC Poesia

Ocean Countess

Prinsendam


Previous Visit Reports

Arcadia

Arion

Black Watch

Hebridean Princess

Ocean Majesty

Van Gogh

On an overcast morning in July, 15 members of the Ocean Liner Society arrived in Southampton and assembled in the Cruise Terminal adjacent to Gate number Eight prior to a visit to the cruise liner Black Watch owned by Fred.Olsen Cruises. The terminal facilities in Southampton are excellent and are located a short walk from a purpose built car park. Parking for our visit was free thanks to car stickers provided by the cruise company. Together with about 70 other visitors who had been invited by various travel agents we were quickly checked in and given a map of the ship and other gifts. Soon we were on our way up the escalators and were quickly on board the ship. The Black Watch was completed in 1972 as the Royal Viking Star for Royal Viking Lines and was the first of three similar vessels completed for that company. She later served as Westward with Norwegian Cruises Lines and Star Odyssey with Royal Cruise Lines. Owned by Fred.Olsen Cruises since 1996, she underwent a major refit in 2005 which included the replacement of her main engines. Used principally for long distance cruising she attracts an older clientele and has a loyal following of regular passengers.


 They say first impressions count and on first sight the decor struck me as bland and uninspiring. We were taken to the Marina Theatre located on Deck 3 where, after a short introduction by one of the shore based cruise staff, we watched a film showing some of the advantages of cruising with Fred Olsen. We were then split into three groups and accompanied by a member of the passenger liaison staff set off on a tour of the cabin accommodation which was very varied but much the same as other ships of the same vintage. The majority of the passenger cabins are situated on decks 3, 4 and 5. Suites and larger cabins are located on Decks 7, 8 and 9. As we made our way upwards through the ship we passed the Reception area on Deck 5 (Main Deck) and after looking at more cabins on that deck arrived at Deck 6 (Lounge Deck). On this deck are situated the main Glentanar Restaurant, together with various bars and informal dining facilities. Some of these areas underwent refurbishment of their soft fabrics in late 2009 but the new décor was similarly uninspiring.


After touring the outer decks and the fitness area our party arrived in the main restaurant for our buffet lunch. I’m not sure whether this is where the buffet is usually served but to me the actual buffet area was cramped and the food limited in both choice and amount available with, nothing to make you want to stay on board for more. The Black Watch is a popular ship with many loyal passengers; she is after all nearly forty years old but is showing her age unlike other ships which I have recently visited of similar vintage. An interesting visit, but would I travel on the Black Watch? As far as I am concerned the jury’s still out. My wife, who usually enjoys these visits, will need to see a lot of improvements before she travels on Black Watch. Thank you Peter for fixing the visit.