Eastern Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale with Miami Beach Stay

Date: 6 Feb 2026
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Celebrity Xcel
Line: Celebrity Cruises
Date Sailed | August 2016 |
Cruise Line | Fred Olsen Cruises |
Ship Name | Black Watch |
Destination | Europe |
Built in 1972 but extensively updated by her owners, Black Watch is one of the proudest and most distinctive cruise ships afloat. But while she looks like something from another age- that being a miniature version of the QE2- this same ship has recently benefited from some nice new upgrades.
Chief among these are some new terraces on Seven Deck cabins. Though beautiful, they line the promenade deck, and are hardly private spaces. Deck walkers stroll past at all hours of the day.
Inside, Black Watch has the Garden Café, a popular venue for breakfast and lunch that is intimate, and entered via a lovely space full of plants, wicker chairs and tables that looks as if it was lifted intact from the Titanic. A string trio usually plays here just before dinner. It's a classy appetiser to what remains some of the best food afloat.
Truly nice is the new, partially covered outdoor grill. Only open on certain nights, it's extra charge (£20 per person) and serves a limited menu, but feasting on fillet steak while sailing through a Norwegian fjord at sunset- that takes some beating. Book in advance, as it fills up pretty quickly.
Entertainment has never been Fred. Olsen's strong point, but Black Watch provided great live music in the excellent lido bar. Black Watch has broad decks and wide, interior corridors filled with sunlight through huge windows. The effect is to make the ship feel bigger than she actually is.
And the crew create a fantastic ambiance for the cruise. Many of them are Filipino, and have been with the line for decades. They offer superb, intuitive service that is never intrusive. Other lines could learn from Fred. Olsen on that score.
All in, Black Watch offers intimacy, style and a certain amount of exclusivity in a wonderfully welcoming environment. Prices on board are really reasonable and, with her new enhancements, this ship offers an expanded range of accommodation that should widen her appeal. However, note that the room service menu is way too small, and much too far out of date
Dining and Food | 8 / 10 |
Spa and Gym | 7.5 / 10 |
Entertainment | 5 / 10 |
Childrens Facilities | N/A / 10 |
Accomodation | 7.5 / 10 |
Shore Excursions | 8.5 / 10 |
Service | 9 / 10 |
Luxury | 7.5 / 10 |
Value For Money | 9 / 10 |
Drinks Packages | 8.5 / 10 |
Date: 6 Feb 2026
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Celebrity Xcel
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£2,579 OUTSIDE
£2,699 BALCONY
Date: 10 Jun 2024
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: Queen Elizabeth
Line: Cunard Cruise Line
£2,453 OUTSIDE
£2,647 BALCONY
Date: 17 Apr 2024
Duration: 17 nights
Ship: Sun Princess
Line: Princess Cruises
£2,430 OUTSIDE
£3,012 BALCONY
Date: 11 Jul 2024
Duration: 25 nights
Ship: Insignia
Line: Oceania Cruises
£8,055 OUTSIDE
£10,558 BALCONY
Date: 16 Dec 2024
Duration: 20 nights
Ship: Silver Shadow
Line: Silversea Cruises
Date: 9 Jan 2025
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Wonder of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£2,199 OUTSIDE
£2,299 BALCONY
Date: 8 Aug 2025
Duration: 15 nights
Ship: Norwegian Pearl
Line: Norwegian Cruise Line
£3,649 OUTSIDE
£4,499 BALCONY
Date: 6 Sep 2024
Duration: 15 nights
Ship: Oosterdam
Line: Holland America Line
£2,049 OUTSIDE
£2,479 BALCONY
Date: 26 Sep 2025
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Celebrity Flora
Line: Celebrity Cruises
Date: 23 May 2025
Duration: 17 nights
Ship: Silver Muse
Line: Silversea Cruises
Date: 28 Sep 2025
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Equinox
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£2,479 OUTSIDE
£2,649 BALCONY
Date: 2 Jul 2025
Duration: 10 nights
Ship: Edge
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£3,179 OUTSIDE
£3,479 BALCONY
£764 OUTSIDE
£862 BALCONY
Date: 25 Mar 2025
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: Carnival Panorama
Line: Carnival Cruise Line
£2,299 OUTSIDE
£2,499 BALCONY
Date: 25 Feb 2026
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: Celebrity Apex
Line: Celebrity Cruises
£2,899 OUTSIDE
£3,099 BALCONY
Date: 7 Nov 2025
Duration: 12 nights
Ship: Queen Mary 2
Line: Cunard Cruise Line
£1,601 OUTSIDE
£1,901 BALCONY
£4,468 SUITE
Date: 30 Jun 2024
Duration: 7 nights
Ship: Odyssey of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£1,722 OUTSIDE
£1,794 BALCONY
Date: 26 Oct 2024
Duration: 15 nights
Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
Line: Royal Caribbean
£2,799 OUTSIDE
£2,879 BALCONY
Date: 9 Mar 2024
Duration: 11 nights
Ship: MS Nordlys
Line: Hurtigruten
£2,739 OUTSIDE
£5,089 SUITE