Cruise Lines

Fred Olsen is offering a new dining option from January - but not quite the takeaway service fellow blogger Captain Greybeard wrote about.

Rather, they will be giving anyone who wants an escape from the main dining room the option to have a four-course evening meal served in their cabin.

Currently called "Nights in with Fred", although thankfully this is due to change, the concept is being trialled on Balmoral and Black Watch, on cruises of more than 21 days, and will be rolled out across the fleet if it is successful.

The "night in" menu will be more extensive than is currently available from room service - Thai, Indian, Chinese, Spanish, French, Mexican and English pub food has been mentioned - and includes wine. The in-cabin dining will be free; you'll have to pay for wine, as usual.

Fred reckons it will appeal to people who have spent a long day ashore and want a quiet evening in their cabin watching a DVD or have an early start the next day.

I reckon it will appeal to people on long cruises who want a break from sitting with the same people at the same table night after night.