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.

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Round Britain, Princess Style

Kissing the Blarney Stone in Blarney near Cork is just one of the options on Princess Cruises' latest round-Britain and Ireland offering for summer 2014.

Or how about casting an eye over the murky waters of Loch Ness, which is another possibility on this cruise? Then you can discover the rich Viking history of the Orkney Islands and the vibrant life of Belfast before returning to Southampton after sampling the gentle rhythm of life on Guernsey. 

On Ruby Princess, guests can also enjoy a night of romance almost wherever they look on board, from a soothing couples massage or a cabana in the Sanctuary to listening to the Piazza singers' serenading melody. There is even the chance to cuddle up in Movies Under the Stars to watch a romantic comedy with complementary blankets and popcorn.

Nights are always buzzing, with live theatre, plush lounges, casinos, vibrant dance clubs and a terrific variety of speciality restaurants, and the 12-day British Isles Cruise starts from just £1,299pp, sailing on August 3.

More info: call 0845 075 0031 or visit www.princess.com.

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Crystal's New Wine & Food-Themed Cruises

Crystal Cruises has set four new Wine & Food-themed luxury cruises for 2014, to include new guest chef-prepared Vintage Room dinners on each of the four sailings - in Asia, the South Pacific, Trans-Atlantic and the US/Caribbean – as well as a new microbrew theme on the last of the voyages.

All of Crystal’s culinary Experiences of Discovery voyages include complimentary hands-on cooking classes, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, mixology lessons and a guest chef dinner for all guests in the Crystal Dining Room. 

In addition, in 2014, each culinary-themed cruise will feature an optional intimate, guest chef-created dinner for 12-14 in Crystal’s Vintage Room, with seven courses featuring local flavours of the region and extraordinary wine pairings selected by the guest wine expert. Building upon the success of Crystal’s recently-added Connoisseur Beer menu, the new microbrew-themed cruise will offer beer pairings, instead of wine, for the dinner, as well as craft beer enrichment and sampling throughout the voyage. 

Held on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, the cruises will feature local tastes of:

• The South Pacific: Sailing 20th January from Papeete to Bora Bora, Rarotonga, Tonga, Fiji and Auckland (overnight).
• Asia/China: Sailing 9th April from Hong Kong (overnight) to Xiamen, Shanghai (two overnights) and Dalian, with three days ashore in Beijing included.
• Atlantic, including Iceland and New England: Sailing 5th September from Southampton to the Channel Islands, Waterford, Dublin, Belfast, Reykjavik (overnight), Halifax, Bar Harbor and Boston.
• The US East Coast & Caribbean: Sailing 5th November from New York (overnight) to Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Turks & Caicos, Curaçao, Aruba and Miami.

While exact programming details are still being finalised, food experts scheduled thus far include Thrainn Freyr Vigfusson, recent Icelandic Chef of the Year and Bocuse d’Or finalist; Stephen Beaumont, co-author of The World Atlas of Beer; Aldo Sohm, Wine Director at New York’s Le Bernadin restaurant and the first-ever representative from America to win “Best Sommelier in the World”; Shailesh Naidu, the only native five-star executive chef in Fiji; and Serge Dansereau, Australian celebrity chef, fresh food movement pioneer and owner of the iconic Bathers’ Pavilion restaurant in New South Wales. 

“Book now” fares for the Wine & Food cruise series start at £2,461 per person cruise only and are only guaranteed until October 31.

Extraordinary culinary experiences are a hallmark of every Crystal holiday. Crystal’s extensive, innovative choices for dining include the ultra-luxury line’s coveted cheese and wine cellars overseen by onboard sommeliers (Court of Master Sommeliers-certified); fresh, cocktails served by certified mixologists; and gourmet dining options at every meal, whether in the Crystal Dining Room, at afternoon tea or in Nobu and Piero Selvaggio’s specialty restaurants.

More info: 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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More Boutique Adventures From Crystal

Crystal Cruises is expanding its exclusive collection of intimate “Boutique Adventures” during summer Northern Europe cruises with two new experiences in Belfast and Berlin. The shoreside outings – none of which are available on any other cruise lines – offer intimate access to Northern Ireland’s political leadership and Germany’s Soho House, along with visits to film locations around the city. 

The excursions are limited to 15 guests max and will take place during five of Crystal Serenity's cruises between June and August:

• Belfast: Go behind the closed doors of Stormont, the seat of Northern Ireland’s governing Legislative Assembly and symbol of hard-won peace solidified by 1998s Good Friday Agreement. A friendly three-course lunch with an Assembly member follows at a 200-year-old Georgian manor and working farm.
• Berlin: From the port city of Warnemünde, travel to Berlin to be led by a local film expert through the city’s most famous movie locations, from films such as The Bourne Supremacy, Inglourious Basterds and Run, Lola, Run. A champagne “wrap party” and private screening of Billy Wilder’s One, Two Three will be held in the stylish Red Room inside members-only Soho House, formerly the home of the Soviet Politboro.

Launched in the Mediterranean this spring, Crystal’s new “Boutique Adventures” are crafted just for Crystal guests and provide opportunities for deeper cultural experiences when visiting key destinations.

The Belfast excursion is offered during the August 26 seven-night Dublin to Dover British Isles voyage. The excursion from Warnemünde to Berlin is offered on four, 10-night Baltic sailings between Copenhagen and Stockholm departing June 15 and 25 and July 20 and 30. All-inclusive fly/cruise fares for the sailings start at £2,961 per person if booked by June 28 at the latest. Boutique excursion rates vary depending on access fees and distance travelled.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.

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Fred Olsen Returns To Liverpool

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a welcome return to Liverpool as a departure port this year, with 10 cruises on a variety of exciting itineraries, from a grand 12-night Canary Islands voyage to a four-night mini-cruise. 

The Brit-friendly line has one of the highest numbers of cruise calls into Liverpool in 2013, and Fred. Olsen is a long-standing supporter of the Merseyside region, having welcomed the decision to use Pier Head for turnaround calls as a great opportunity for the historic cruise city to boost its status as a major UK departure port.

And, to underline its huge variety of ex-UK options, Olsen is also offering Harwich and Belfast departures to its list of convenient regional ports this year, along with the recently-announced new ports of Tilbury and Avonmouth in 2014/15. Together, this means the company will be able to offer a choice of 10 different departure ports all around the UK, within only a two hours’ drive from 80% of the population. 

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

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Check Out Voyages Of Discovery In 2013

Discovery-led cruise line Voyages of Discovery has launched new ‘Saver Fares’ with savings of up to £250 per person on selected itineraries. Theyare ideal for customers looking for a great deal and are available on nine cruises within the Summer and Winter 2013-14 programmes. Saver Fares are limited in availability so guests are encouraged to book early to secure the best fare.

Current Saver Fare itineraries include:

• The 10-day Heritage of the British Isles cruise from £949 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin), which works out at less than £95 per person per day. The voyage departs from Portsmouth on June 2 and calls at Holyhead, Belfast, Oban and Port of Tyne.
• The 18-day Indian, Arabian and African Contrasts cruise from £1,149 per person (based on two sharing an inside cabin), or less than £64 per person, per day. Departing from Mumbai (overnight) on March 21, it calls at Porbandar, Muscat (overnight) and Safaga (overnight).
• The 14-day Springtime European Voyager cruise from £849 per person (again, based on two sharing an inside cabin), or less than £61 per person, per day. Departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), it calls at San Remo (Italy), Valencia (Spain), Cartagena (Spain) and Leixoes (Portugal). Price is based on a 21 April 2014 UK departure.

Offers are also available on the following itineraries: Celtic Treasures, Mediterranean Medley, Adriatic, Aegean and Corinth Canal, In the Footsteps of St Paul, Windows on the Ancient World and East to Myanmar and the Orient.

Saver Fares include return flights from the UK on fly-cruises, all relevant overseas transfers, meals and entertainment and the Guest Speaker programme on board the ship. 

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

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Regent's No-Fly Irish Cruise

Regent Seven Seas are offering a rare No-Fly 'Celtic Charms' cruise to Ireland next year, on their deluxe vessel Seven Seas Voyager.

The full round-trip departs from Southampton on September 2, 2013, for 10 nights and features a full round-UK and Ireland odyssey. 

The higlights include calls at Rosyth, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, Milford Haven and St Peters Port (Guernsey), with fares starting from £4,689 per person (in an H category Deluxe Balcony Suite). 

As with all Regent voyages, the fare also includes FREE unlimited shore excursions and all-inclousive on board, with fine dining, premium spirits and fine wines all at no extra charge, as well as gratuities, taxes, and entertainment. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise experts.

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No-Fly Cruising With Silversea

Here's a great opportunity for some luxury cruising next summer with absolutely no airports involved. Ex-UK cruising is increasingly popular, yet six-star opportunities remain relatively rare, which makes these latest offers from Silversea Cruises something of a bargain. Here's what they say. 

Scotland, Iceland & Ireland 

Sail on Silversea's Silver Cloud round-trip from London's Tower Bridge on an 18-day odyssey that takes in the highlands and islands of Scotland, the unique Faroe islands, four ports of call in Iceland, plus Belfast, Dublin and Cornwall.

The voyage departs on July 17, 2013, and also boasts three sea days in which to enjoy the sumptuous features and accommodations of this highly-rated boutique vessel. Prices start from £5,509, based on double occupancy in a Vista suite.

Southampton round trip

Alternatively, Silver Cloud sets sail on August 4, 2013, for a 10-day voyage from London to Southampton. Prices start from £3,799 per person, based on double occupancy in a Vista suite.

Breathe in the sea-salt air from the Moray Firth, explore the streets of Edinburgh's medieval old town and visit the third largest deepwater harbour at Cornwall's favourite, Falmouth. Full itinerary includes: London Bridge, Edinburgh, Invergordon, Portree, Belfast, Dublin, Cobh, Falmouth and Southampton.

For more information follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Fred Olsen's New Brochure For 2013/14

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched its new brochure of ‘Worldwide Cruises’ for 2013/14, on sale from today. The brochure features a comprehensive programme of ex-UK cruises, from early 2013 to Spring 2014, aboard the line’s fleet of four smaller, traditional style ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. 

The itineraries are truly international, with cruises visiting a total of 240 different ports, in 77 countries and islands worldwide. Of these ports, there are no fewer than 12 brand new or ‘maiden’ ports over the cruise season.

The programme also includes an enormous choice of voyages, ranging from a mini-cruise of just two nights to an epic world ‘Grand Voyage’, the longest-ever undertaken by the line, of 114 nights on Black Watch in 2014.  

Prices start from £199 per person, for a two-night mini-cruise on Boudicca, from Belfast on October 15, 2013, visiting Liverpool and returning to Belfast. The price is based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’. 

The lead-in price for the longest cruise, Black Watch’s 114-night ‘Australia & South America World Cruise’ (departing Southampton on January 14, 2014), is £9,399 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin Grade ‘I’.
 

Cruise prices include ensuite accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

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



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Fred Olsen to Cruise from Liverpool

Cruising from Liverpool with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has become even easier and more convenient, with the UK Government’s announcement of its intention to lift the restrictions that had previously prevented Liverpool’s Pier Head Terminal from being used for turnaround calls – subject to the municipality's repayment of an £8.8million UK Government grant.

Fred. Olsen cruise guests in Liverpool will be welcoming Boudicca back to the city in spring/summer 2013. The cruise line is making a return to this popular departure port with 10 cruises, on a variety of exciting worldwide itineraries, between April and August.

Boudicca will be offering a wide range of itineraries from Liverpool next year, of varying durations – from a 12-night Canary Islands cruise in April to a four-night mini-cruise in August.

Fred. Olsen will also be adding Harwich and Belfast to its list of regional departure ports in 2013. Together with the return to Liverpool in 2013, this means Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within only a two-hour drive from 80% of the UK population.

For bookings, follow this link to the Cruise Line Ltd, the UK experts in no-fly cruising.

And be sure to read our Captain Greybeard column in the Summer edition of World of Cruising - out next week - for the full story of Liverpool's return as a major cruise home-port. 

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Fred Olsen Goes Bowling!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship Braemar will be carrying a special group of guests on her nine-night ’Around the UK and Ireland’ cruise later this month - indoor bowls fans and World No. 1 Greg Harlow (above).

Harlow, who has seven World Indoor Tour titles to his name and is the only player ever to win the International Open three times in a row, is the special guest speaker aboard the cruise, which departs Dover on May 22.

The voyage is part of a very successful partnership with Potters Leisure Resort in Norfolk, who play host to the annual World Indoor Bowls Championships, which Fred. Olsen sponsored for the first time this year.

The groups who have booked the bowls package on this cruise will be able to enjoy all the usual pleasures of a Fred. Olsen cruise, as well as benefiting from special ‘added extras’ related to their chosen sport. They will be able to play bowls ashore in four ports of call: Dublin, Belfast, Kirkwall and Invergordon, and, because of the generous baggage allowance on an ex-UK cruise, up to 90kgs per guest, they can take their own equipment. 

As well as playing bowls during the cruise, the group will also enjoy an exclusive drinks party on board and will get the chance to listen to Greg's talks on his fascinating and hugely successful bowls career.

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

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Crystal Tee Off For Top European Golf

Crystal Cruises has lined up 10 of Europe’s most spectacular championship golf courses for exclusive, luxury play during two limited-access “Experiences of Discovery” golf-themed cruises this summer.

Hosted by 51-time PGA tour-winner Billy Casper, travellers can tee off in Spain, Portugal and Monaco during Crystal Serenity’s 13th July voyage or throughout the British Isles on Crystal Symphony’s 25th August sailing.

Courses include:

Edinburgh/Rosyth
· Gleneagles King’s and Queen’s Courses: Overnighting allows for rounds on two aristocratic moorland links.

Barcelona
· Real Club de Golf El Prat: One of Spain’s most exclusive courses, designed by Greg Norman.
· Club de Golf Masia Bach: Challenging and contemporary 18 holes designed by José Maria Olazábal.

Monte Carlo
· Monte Carlo Golf Club: Inaugural Crystal club features sweeping Mediterranean Sea views.

Valencia
· El Saler Golf Course: Pine forests and sea flank this site of several Spanish Opens.

Cádiz
· Valderrama: Voted the 15th Best International Course by Celebrated Living readers.

Belfast
· Royal Belfast Golf Club: Ireland’s oldest fairway, with Belfast Lough and Antrim plateau views.

Lisbon
· Penha Longa Golf Course: This mountainous course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Junior, is considered one of the European circuit’s best.

Dublin
· Kildare Hotel & Country Club: Inland links designed by Arnold Palmer.

Boutique excursions offer socialising during warm-up refreshments, games, lunch and “19th hole” cocktails in legendary private clubhouses, with Crystal also arranging round-trip transportation, team-pairing, carts and caddies (where available) and club and shoe cleaning and storage. 

 

Shoreside activities are complemented by a host of onboard offerings, including parties, awards, golf clinics with PGA pro John Clark, TaylorMade clubs, putting green and two driving ranges for practice-at-sea. Billy Casper will also play and mingle with guests, as well as provide tips and presentations.

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

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Fred. Olsen To Sail From Belfast In 2013

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will commence cruises from Belfast next year, with 880-guest Boudicca making two turnaround visits in October 2013 - a 12-night Iberian titinerary and a 2-night mini cruise to Liverpool.

The traditionally British cruise line will also be adding Harwich to its list of regional departure ports in 2013, with Boudicca’s sister ship Black Watch operating four fascinating itineraries from the port in May and June, meaning guests living in the local area can take advantage of Harwich International Port’s excellent road and rail connections, and state-of-the-art facilities.

For booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Commemorate RMS Titanic with Fred. Olsen

Next April marks the centenary of one of the most momentous events in cruising history, the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic. To mark the occasion, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be operating a mini-cruise aboard Balmoral, calling at each of the historic ports on the liner’s short-lived maiden voyage.

The ill-fated Titanic, then the world’s largest passenger steamship, was the pride of the White Star Line and departed with great fanfare and excitement from Southampton on April 10, 1912. The Olympic-class liner was carrying 2,223 passengers en route to New York when she struck an iceberg and sank on April 15. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people, making it one of the most serious peacetime disasters in maritime history.

Fred. Olsen’s five-night mini cruise, L1202, departs from Southampton on April 3, 2012, and visits Liverpool – port of departure for so many thousands of migrants and luxury travellers to the New World – and Belfast, the city in which Titanic was built, before returning to Southampton. In Belfast, there will be an opportunity to see the site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard where the ill-fated ship was built between 1909 and 1911. Guests can also see the new state-of-the-art, six-storey visitor’ centre, Titanic Belfast, at the shipyard, which is opening its doors for the first time in April 2012 to mark the centenary.

Prices for this historic five-night cruise start from only £559 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, Grade ‘I’. The price includes accommodation, all meals and entertainment onboard and port taxes.

For further info, see www.fredolsencruises.com or contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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