Fred Olsen Promise To Get 'Closer To The Destination' in 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced its big programme for 2015/16, with the promise they will get guests 'closer to the destination' than ever before.

The full schedule for the winter season in 2015/16 will visit no fewer than 245 destinations in 81 countries around the globe, including 42 countries on its 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’ alone. The preview ‘Launch Brochure’ for the new itineraries will be unveiled to existing guests on March 17 and the cruises will go on general sale from March 24.

Fred. Olsen’s four ships, Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, will sail from 10 convenient regional UK departures ports – Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Bristol (Avonmouth), Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast – meaning British guests will be within a maximum 90-minute drive away from joining a Fred. Olsen cruise, reinforcing their reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

More info: call 0845 508 4947 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

The next edition of World of Cruising will be out next week, and you can see the current version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Marco Polo's Caribbean Highlights

This November, the unique adventurer Marco Polo of Cruise & Maritime Voyages sails from London Tilbury on a spectacular 32-night cruise to the West Indies, taking in 9 different Caribbean islands and numerous opportunities to explore the region through an action-packed excursion programme. 

Departing November 3, it calls at Ponte Delgada in the Azores and then Antigua, St Barts, St Maarten, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent, Beuquia, Mayreau and Barbados in the blissful Caribbean, before returning to Tilbury via another stop in the Azores, this time at Horta.

Cruise fares start from just £1,969 per person, and one of the featured eye-catching shore excursions is as follows:

Barbados and the Catamaran Cruise & Turtle Encounter: This catamaran and lunch cruise leaves Bridgetown's harbour and, after a pleasant sail along the coast, anchors in a quiet bay where guests can take to the warm, inviting waters and snorkel, and spend some chill-out time on the beach. Afterwards they can simply relax - lie in the shady cabin or bask in the sun on deck and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The catamaran then sets sail to an area where guests will have the unique opportunity to view and swim with the enchanting Hawksbill Turtles, an opportunity not to be missed. A buffet luncheon is served on board and an open bar serves unlimited soft drinks, juice, beer wine and rum.

Marco Polo is a classic, elegant vessel with original wooden decks, small enough to get to know your way around and offer the unique country-house-hotel style experience on board that Cruise & Maritime are known for.

The fares are based on two people sharing an inner twin cabin on a full board basis with afternoon teas, daytime activities and evening entertainment, and complimentary tea and coffee between 6am and 10pm. Gratuities of £5pp per night will be debited to the onboard account.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's leading specialist cruise-agents.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Try A Marco Polo Sampler

Cruise & Maritime Voyages are the only line that offer regular cruises on the classic Marco Polo (above) from the River Thames at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, with the chance for two 'sampler' voyages on this elegant 22,080-ton ship this December. And, with the benefit of great shopping and no flights, you can almost literally buy as much as you want!

Prices start from only £169 for the first person and just £85 for the second person, for the two-night cruise. Take your pick from:

1. Cruise to Ghent at the junction of the River Leie and Scheldt and Amsterdam on the North Sea Canal on December 15 for 3 nights. This is ideal for Christmas shopping when the Festive Market is in full swing in Ghent, or you can also visit neighbouring Bruges or Brussels. Amsterdam is well stocked for shopping and full of sightseeing interest. On board items such as spirits, perfume and other gifts, including jewellery, are also keenly priced and duty free. Prices are from £249 for the first person and £125 for the second.

2. On December 18, you can sail for two nights, again from London Tilbury to Antwerp with a pleasant journey along the River Scheldt. The city offers a good range of shopping in the main square and there are many quality shops close by. Marco Polo berths close to the main square that is just a 10-minute walk, and there visitors can buy local beer, chocolates and many unusual gifts not normally found in your local UK town.

Marco Polo is an adult-only traditional and classic ship. She boasts traditional wooden decks, is small enough to get to know your way around and offers the unique country-house-hotel style experience on board that Cruise & Maritime Voyages are known for.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's cruise-agent specialists.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.