Passengers fly home as Boudicca remains in Tenerife for repairs

UPDATE: Thursday January 29
Passengers from Fred Olsen’s Boudicca are being flown home from Tenerife today. The company had hoped it could carry out repairs to engines and electrical cables during an extended two-night stay in Santa Cruz, but instead decided to terminate the voyage. The 784 passengers will receive a full refund of their fare, and a 50 per cent discount on their next booking. The ship is expected to be repaired in time to be back in Southampton on February 7, ready for a 14-night trip to the Canaries again.


Cruise ship Boudicca is expected to spend two days in Tenerife while repairs are carried out to the electrical cabling two main engines damaged in a fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A visit to Arrecife, on the island of Lanzarote, was cancelled following the blaze, which occurred as the 880-passenger ship was sailing along the Moroccan Coast during an 18-night Cape Verde and the Canaries cruise.

Passenger services were restored shortly after the fire - which was contained within the engine room - although some cabins and public areas were without power for a while. 

A Fred Olsen Cruise Lines spokeswoman said that once Boudicca has reached Tenerife this evening, she will stay for two days for the work to be carried out. Guests will then be notified of the revised itinerary for the remainder of the voyage. Managing director Mike Rodwell and a customer service team from the company’s head office in Ipswich were flying to Tenerife to greet the passengers and address any concerns.

There were no injuries to any of Boudicca’s 784 guests and 356 crew members, and - denying reports on the BBC and in national newspapers -  the ship’s Master confirmed that at no point were guests asked to don their lifejackets and gather at the muster stations.

The company added: “Fred. Olsen would like to thank all its customers for their wishes of support and they are delighted to report future bookings were unaffected yesterday, demonstrating the loyalty of its guests, with one, currently on board Boudicca, actually booking their next holiday for March 2016.”

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Power restored after engine room fire cripples Boudicca

Back to normal: Boudicca passengers soak up the sun as the ship sails on

Cruise ship Boudicca was briefly left without power after fire broke out in the engine room this morning while the vessel was sailing off the coast of Casablanca, Morocco.

The 784 passengers were alerted at 4.00 a.m. but Fred Olsen Cruise Lines denied a BBC report that passengers were instructed to gather at their muster stations wearing life-jackets.

The blaze, confined to the engine room, was extinguished. Although some cabins and public areas are without electricity, power has been restored to most of the ship, which is under way running on two main engines and three auxiliary units, according to spokeswoman Rachael Jackson.

She added: "The ship's master has confirmed that at no point were guests asked to don their lifejackets and gather at the muster stations as the situation was contained within the engine room by crew members. Most services are operating normally, and guests are enjoying the usual activities on board, both inside and out on deck.

“Following the loss of propulsion, Boudicca listed for a short period but is now fully stable and there is no danger to guests or the 356 crew. We are reviewing the itinerary and assessing the extent of the damage to the two main engines and electrical cables, and will make any repairs necessary at the next port f call. A revised itinerary will be advised in due course.”

Boudicca is on an 18-night cruise to the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands which departed from Southampton on Tuesday (January 20). The ship left Cadiz, Spain yesterday (Saturday) and is scheduled to arrive in Arrecife, Lanzarote, tomorrow. Built in Finland in 1973 and originally called Royal Viking Sky, it is one of four ships in the Olsen cruise fleet. 

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Fred. Olsen relaxes ID requirements for British Isles cruises

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines has announced it has relaxed its ID requirements for voyages that cruise around the United Kingdom.

The company acknowledges that a proportion of the British population do not hold either a valid passport or photo card driving licence and so it will now accept the following forms of photographic identification for its voyages around the UK:

• Passport
• EU national ID card
• Driving licence
• Council-issued bus pass / travel card
• Firearms licence
• VALIDATE UK card

This measure is only applicable to their “Around UK” range of itineraries and does not apply to voyages calling into Eire (Republic of Ireland).

Addressing security concerns the cruise line has stated that these changes continue to meet its own company policy of being able to verify the identity of each guest, and that the cruise line also fully complies with the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (‘ISPS’) Code.

The selection of “Around UK” voyages, together with the smaller vessels operating these, allows guests to explore England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from the convenience and comfort of a cruise ship.

The following highlighted sailings are amongst the first to benefit from the new relaxed rules:

Sailing on 28 April 2015 on-board Boudicca from Dover, guests can enjoy an 11-night voyage calling into Guernsey, Falmouth, Liverpool, Kirkwall, Rosyth and Newcastle on the 'Floral Britannia' itinerary. Prices start from £989 per person, based on an inside twin-bedded cabin, subject to availability.

Sailing on 21 June 2015 on-board Boudicca from Rosyth near Edinburgh, guests can enjoy a 7-night voyage around the Highlands, calling into Kirkwall, Lerwick, Stornoway, Tobermory and Portree on the 'Highlights of the Highlands’ itinerary. Prices start from £800 per person, based on an inside twin-bedded cabin, subject to availability.

Sailing on 23 June 2015 on-board Balmoral from Southampton, guests can enjoy an ten-night voyage calling into Falmouth, Belfast, Stornoway, Lerwick, Invergordon and Newcastle on the 'UK Islands & Landmarks' itinerary. Prices start from £1,034 per person, based on an inside twin-bedded cabin, subject to availability.

(Photo credit to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)

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Mystery and murder on the Seven Seas

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Saga Ocean Cruises are both planning murder mystery cruises for 2015 - with the involvement of the Duchess of Northumberland and the help of crime writer Ruth Rendell.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' Boudicca

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Boudicca will embark on a Poison, Murder & Mystery Cruise on 10 July. Setting sail from Rosyth, Scotland, the vessel will call in at ports at Leixoes (for Oporto, Portugal), Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz (Tenerife), Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), Lisbon (Portugal) and Newcastle (UK). During the voyage a staged murder will occur and it is down to the passengers to piece together the clues to identify the perpetrator.

The themed cruise is the result of a creative collaboration between Mr Fred Olsen Senior and the Duchess of Northumberland. This event will be the largest participative murder mystery event ever held on a cruise ship, and will be officially witnessed by Guinness World Records.

The cruise will be themed around the subjects of poison and mystery with plays, talks and special tours on offer, besides the murder mystery that starts as soon as guests board the ship and culminates in a ‘Grand Finale’ at Alnwick Castle, home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland. Guest speakers include Peter Dean, Her Majesty’s Coroner for Essex and a former forensic medical examiner with Scotland Yard; Dr Dan Jones, a poison historian and archaeologist; and Dr Mark Siddall, curator of The Power of Poison’ exhibition at The American Museum of Natural History.

Meanwhile, Saga are also planning a murder mystery on a cruise sailing from Southampton on 6 May.  Saga Sapphire's Baltic Treasures itinerary has the ship call in to ports at Rønne (Denmark), Stockholm (Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), St Petersburg (Russia), Tallinn (Estonia), Saaremaa (Estonia), Riga (Latvia), Warnemünde (Germany) and Ijmuiden (The Netherlands) together with two transits of the Kiel Canal during the voyage.

On-board will be crime novelist Ruth Rendell who will be hosting a Q&A session. Undercover experts will also be on hand to show guests how to fight real-life villains in the tradition of Rendell's Detective Chief Inspector Wexford. This new-found knowledge will be put to the test with an interactive murder mystery to solve. Each passenger will receive a signed copy of Rendell’s most recent novel The Girl Next Door.

(Photo credit to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines)

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Take a three-city break on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is giving guests the opportunity to visit three cultural European cities - Oslo, Amsterdam and Antwerp - with Balmoral's (above) 10-night  European Cities & Waterways cruise, departing from Southampton on 24 October from £79 per person, per night. With overnight stays in each destination.

Prices for this European city break cruise start from just £790 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded outside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's all-inclusive drinks package from just £10 per person, per night.

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Cruise Adagio walking holidays on Fred. Olsen's Balmoral

Adagio walking holidays take to the high seas with Fred Olsen and the launch of its first ‘Cruise Adagio’ programme. 

Prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, restaurant tips and the services of a dedicated tour leader.

Holiday options aboard Balmoral, which sailing from Southampton,  include:

The Norwegian Fjords – an eight-night cruise and walk through some of the world’s most stunning scenery.  Price from £1,350 per person.   Departs Southampton 3 July 2015.

Atlantic Coasts – a six-night cruise and walking holiday along the coasts of France and Spain, following in the wake of pilgrims and pirates.  Price from £999 per person.  Departs Southampton 19 October 2015.

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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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Madeira's Floral Delight

Madeira's annual Flower Festival is one of the horticultural highlights of the year, on a par with Bloemencorso in the Netherlands each year and the annual Battle of the Flowers in our own Jersey.

But the Madeira version is best visited by ship and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering the chance to visit Funchal, Madeira, during its annual floral spectacular on board Braemar’s10-night ‘Sunshine, Shopping & Spring’ fly-cruise, which departs from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, on May 3 and returns to Harwich on May 13.

The Flower Festival, which is held every May when the flowers are at their best, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Madeira, filling Funchal with a riot of colour and scents. This enchanting and beautiful festival showcases the island’s most wonderful gardens and flower displays, as well as playing host to a parade – with vibrant costumes and traditional dance – a flower market and other activities, including the making of flower carpets in the streets, prizes for the best shop window, classical music concerts and variety shows.

The cruise takes guests to Funchal on May 7, where they can explore this exquisite ‘Garden Island’ and soak up all that its celebrated Flower Festival has to offer – glorious sunshine, the finest flower displays and an abundance of local traditions, festivities and celebrations. 

Prices start from £675 (£539 cruise-only) per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, flight and airport/port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com 

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Fred. Olsen's Norwegian Celebration With Julian Lloyd Webber

This spring, guests aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ seven-night ‘Norwegian Celebration’ cruise will have the chance to listen to the fantastic musical sounds of renowned cellist Julian Lloyd Webber as they take in the sights of the magnificent fjords.  

This unique combination of views and music will be on offer aboard the 929-guest ship Braemar, where guests will be able to enjoy some of the most stunning vistas in Europe whilst also listening to one of the finest musicians of his generation. 

To encourage new and loyal customers to book by February 28, Fred. Olsen is also offering 10% off its great-value brochure fares. If guests book two cruises, they can save 20% off both, and, if they buy three or more cruises, they can save 30% off all cruises.

Prices for this cruise, which sails from Harwich on May 13, start from just £629 per person based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Cruise Lines Recognise War History

This year marks 100 years since the start of World War I and 70 years since the D-Day landings and, in commemoration, a number of cruise lines have created a wide selection of special itineraries and excursions.

The waterways and seas of Europe provide a unique, tranquil way to reflect on these times and an opportunity to visit the iconic locations that were the setting for some of the 20th Century’s most significant events.

A selection of specially designed cruise itineraries and excursions for 2014 have just reached our Inbox, and the details are as follows:

Azamara Club Cruises – 11 night ‘Memories of WWII’ fly/cruise
This 11-night cruise aboard Azamara Journey departs from Lisbon and calls at St. Peter Port (Guernsey), Cherbourg (D-Day Landing Beaches), Honfleur, Boulogne-Sur-Mer, Dover and Amsterdam before arriving into Hamburg. Guests can also enjoy ‘The North of France WWII experience’ excursion, taking in a visit to the national cemetery of Notre-Dame de Lorette and nearby museum.  

More info: visit www.azamaraclubcruises.co.uk.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages – range of itineraries visiting historic areas & D-Day landings
Cruise options stopping at the ports of Ghent, Zeebrugge, Antwerp in Belgium and Honfleur in France allow guests to visit key places in World War One history, including Ypres, where the main conflict took place, and the Menin Gate. There is also a special Anniversary Cruise departing from Bristol on June 1 to commemorate the D-Day landings, taking in Normandy, Honfleur, Guernsey and Cherbourg.

More info: visit www.cruiseandmaritime.tv

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – 7-night cruise to commemorate D-Day 70th anniversary
Join the Braemar for its commemorative cruise visiting Zeebrugge – Tyne Cot Cemetery and In Flanders Fields Museum; Portsmouth – stopping at Southsea seafront and the D-Day Museum; before moving on to Cherbourg and Le Havre, France, where guests can visit the Allied landing areas on the ‘Day of Remembrance’ on June 6. Dunkirk is the last port of call, where guests can visit the Battle of Dunkirk Museum. Fred. Olsen is also proud to welcome nostalgic British ‘Big Band’ The New Squadronaires on board, as well as Tony Harris, Official Ambassador for the Help for Heroes charity and inspirational speaker.  

More info: visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

Swan Hellenic – new D-Day 70th Anniversary Cruise
Cross the Channel aboard the Minerva to Dunkirk, where guests will visit the Dunkirk beaches and museum. The cruise also takes in Ypres – to visit the In Flanders Fields Museum and Tyne Cot Cemetery, Caen – for the Gold and Sword beaches and Arromanches D-Day Museum, and Cherbourg – to visit the American Utah and Omaha beaches and St Mere Eglise, one of the first towns to be liberated. On June 6, the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, Minerva will cruise off the Normandy Beaches and hold a Service of Remembrance.

More info: visit www.swanhellenic.com.

Titan Travel – new Centenary Remembrance Tour, ‘Corners of a Foreign Field’
Expert guides take guests to the WWI Battlefields, memorials, landmarks and museums of Flanders, Artois and the Somme. Guests will visit iconic landmarks such as Vimy Ridge and Hell Fire Corner, and the preserved trenches in Newfoundland Park, as well as the memorial to The Last Fighting Tommy.

More info: visit www.titantravel.co.uk

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Cruise & Walk In The Caribbean

We know the 'cruise and walk' holidays with Ramblers Worldwide have proved popular here on Time Spent At Sea in the past, so here is another opportunity to try their unique combination with Fred. Olsen Cruises - this time on a pair of fly-cruise trips to the Caribbean early next year.

The Caribbean and Latin America 
This rare 16-night Cruise & Walk opportunity covers three islands in the Eastern Caribbean, three in the Dutch Antilles and three ports in Panama and Colombia. The adventure begins with a flight to Barbados where guests spends a night in a hotel and exploring the island before boarding Fred. Olsen’s Braemar, which then sets sail for Castries, St Lucia. From there, it is on to the Spice Island of Grenada, famed for its production of nutmeg, mace, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and ginger. Next port of call is Bonaire, the most easterly of the Netherlands Antilles (and just 50 miles off the coast of Venezuela), followed by Aruba.

Then it is full steam ahead for the mainland of Latin America calling at Colon close to the Panama Canal, which offers the chance to visit the San Lorenzo National Park, famed for its forests, mangroves and pastureland. Next up are Cartagena and Santa Maria in Colombia and, on the way back to Barbados for the flight home, the ship visits another of the Dutch Antilles islands, Curacao.

Prices are from £2,850 per person, departing on January 25  2015.

Islands in the Caribbean
This 16-night Cruise & Walk option begins in Barbados after a night on this exotic island on board Braemar. Then the ship sets sail for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and thence to Havana, Cuba, for two tantalising days. Next is Grand Turk, in the Turks and Caicos Islands followed by St Kitts, St Maarten and Antigua (for two days), before returning to Barbados for the homeward flight.

Prices are from £2,590 per person, departing February 8, 2015.

All of the above prices include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, guided walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes, on-board entertainment and restaurant tips plus the services of a dedicated tour leader.

More Info: call 01707 386767 or visit www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk.

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Fred Olsen & The Amazon

Wildlife enthusiasts (and we know we have quite a few here at Time Spent At Sea!) will be intrigued by a rare opportunity from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ to take an extended voyage along the Amazon River this March, which promises to deliver an in-depth experience into this amazing region, sailing round-trip from the UK.

The 35-night ‘Amazon River & Beaches of the Caribbean’ cruise departs from Southampton on Boudicca on March 22 and will take guests deep into the heart of the rainforest, teeming with exotic flora and fauna. It will also visit some of the world’s finest islands in the Caribbean, including Barbados, St. Lucia and Dominica, offering beautiful beaches and the chance for some welcome relaxation in the sun.

Very few cruise lines are able to offer this sort of in-depth Amazon voyaging but, as Boudicca is a smaller-sized ship, she can take guests further up the River, where the people, culture and colourful wildlife never fail to inspire.

More info: 800 0355 242 www.fredolsencruises.com.
 

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Fred Olsen's 'All-Inclusive' Appeal

All-inclusive holidays have been a major part of the holiday landscape for more than 30 years, and is a concept most people can relate to easily and effectively.

 

Cruising has also long been an 'all-inclusive' holiday in many ways, in that it includes all your transport, meals, accommodation and entertainment, all under one roof, so to speak.

 

But it hasn't always been apparent to those who have never cruised before (even though the inherent extra value of a trip at sea is obvious once you're tried it), hence Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have launched a new brochure aimed at trying to simplify things and underline the greater 'inclusivity' involved.

 

Called 'All-Inclusive Holidays', the new brochure is targeted specifically at the 'yet to cruise' market. It has simple, all-inclusive pricing, based on one cabin type, and tackles some of the perceived challenges of booking a cruise head on, using more familiar mainstream vocabulary, such as 'Ocean View Room' rather than 'Outside Cabin'.

Itineraries in the new great-value ‘All-Inclusive Holidays’ brochure include:

• Braemar’s 10-night ‘Canary Islands & Madeira’ cruise, from London Gatwick and Manchester on April 23. Prices start from £685 per person (cruise only), based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.
• Black Watch’s 11-night ‘Highlands & Islands’ cruise, from Rosyth on August 23. Prices start from £1,190 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.
• Balmoral’s 10-night ‘Waterways & Cities of Europe’ cruise, from Southampton on October 24. Prices start from £820 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.  

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

 

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Portsmouth Prepares For Record Year

We have been consistently tracking the amazing growth of ex-UK cruises in recent years and this looks like being a continued trend in 2014. And, to confirm it, the latest news from the port of Portsmouth suggests they are already looking at a bumper year before the cruise season has really got under way.

According to their latest figures, the number of ships coming to Portsmouth for “port of call” stops will rise by 28% in the coming year compared to 2013. Last year, 14 cruise ships arrived for day visits while this year's number will be 18. The rise is in addition to a large number of companies that will start and finish their itineraries in Portsmouth.

The growth in the number of visiting ships comes as the Waterfront City establishes itself as a major UK tourist destination. The recently opened Mary Rose Museum has been a great hit with visitors, alongside the ever popular HMS Victory and HMS Warrior in the Historic Dockyard. Seventy years ago, the docks were the focus of preparations for the D-Day landings, and this year many ships are visiting with this anniversary in mind. 

During the first week of June, there will be eight cruise ships coming and going from Portsmouth, the majority making the crossing to the Normandy Beaches. Among them will be Fred. Olsen’s Braemar, a new visitor to the port, and Cruise & Maritime’s Marco Polo. Customers will visit the D-Day Museum and see other key sights relating to the invasion that started on June 6, 1944. Swan Hellenic will also be starting and ending its special D-Day cruise in Portsmouth. 

Captain Rupert Taylor, Portsmouth International Port Harbour Master said: ”Just three years ago we had six tourist calls, now we have 18. This increase is great news for Portsmouth. Each liner loaded with tourists means a boost for the local economy, starting with jobs at the Port. As passengers make their way through our award-winning terminal, others feel the benefit too. Taxi and transport companies, tourist attractions, restaurants and shops can all take advantage of this rise in visitors. 

Among many new visitors this year will be MS Serenissima, a classic small luxury ship with a unique Swedish country house style interior. On a larger scale, the 900-berth Greek cruise ship Louis Aura is also booked to call. Le Boréal, the beautiful mega-yacht operated by Compagnie du Ponant, will glide into Portsmouth Harbour in early June, along with German ship Amadea.

More info: visit www.portsmouth-port.co.uk.

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Cruise & Walk Bonus For Singles

Knowing our readers, and their interests in active, thoughtful holidays, we feel sure this latest idea from Ramblers Worldwide Holidays will be of great appeal. And, when it includes a deal specifically for single travellers, we think that's a win-win scenario.

Ramblers Worldwide, in conjunction with Fred. Olsen Cruises, is offering no single cabin supplements on a number of selected Cruise & Walk holidays for bookings between now and February 28.

Available on select sailings only, single clients can book either a D grade (outside twin) or a B grade (superior outside twin) for sole use with no single supplement. Clients who have already booked single cabins for these dates have been offered a reduction in price.

The sailings include:

IBERIA & FRANCE: 12 nights on board Braemar, walking and sightseeing Europe’s Atlantic coast and countryside, embracing Oporto; La Coruna; Aviles; Santander; Getxo and Bordeaux. Prices from £1,250 per person, departing on May 20. 

IBERIA & FRANCE: 11 nights on Black Watch, again with walking and sightseeing along Europe’s Atlantic coast, visiting La Coruña; Vigo; Oporto; Lisbon; and Honfleur. Prices from £1,150 per person, departing on September 28.

FJORDS OF NORWAY: 10 nights on Black Watch amid some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, with highlights including Eidjfjord, Bergen, Flåm, Skjolden, Olden and Alesund. Prices from £1,269 per person, departing on July 31.

All of the above include all meals, an exclusive welcome party on one evening and a traditional afternoon tea with waiter service on a sea day, walking tours, shore visits, sightseeing programmes, on-board entertainment and restaurant tips, plus the services of a dedicated tour leader.

More info: call 01707 331 133 or visit www.cruiseandwalk.co.uk.

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Fred Olsen Commemorate D-Day With Help For Heroes

We are always keen to hear about charity initiatives here at World of Cruising, and this year is especially relevant as it marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
 

With that in mind, we think the latest news from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be of great interest to many as they will welcome Captain Tony Harris, Official Ambassador for the ‘Help for Heroes’ charity and motivational speaker, on its special seven-night ‘D-Day Anniversary Cruise’ aboard Braemar on June 1.

Sailing from Harwich, it calls first at Zeebrugge (for Bruges), where guests can visit the poignant Tyne Cot Cemetery – the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world – and Memorial, to remember those who lost their lives during the First World War. Located in the famous Cloth Hall, visitors will discover the In Flanders’ Fields Museum, which presents the story of the First World War in the West Flanders front region.

From Zeebrugge, Braemar returns briefly to the UK, to Portsmouth, to pay respects to those who gave their lives at the tranquil war memorials, before stepping back in time and visiting the D-Day Museum. Then it's on to Cherbourg, which was part of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War, before cruising on to Le Havre for an overnight stay, providing the opportunity to take a tour to the Allied landing areas on the Day of Remembrance.

Dunkirk is the last port of call on this epic cruise holiday, with time to visit the Dunkirk War Museum, which tells the story of the Allied evacuation from the town, before the ship returns to Harwich.

Prices for this commemorative cruise start from £629 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin cabin, Grade 'I', and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment, and port dues.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

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Door-to-Door With Fred Olsen

Here's something to add to the New Year 'Inbox' of great cruise incentives as part of the big 'Wave' season of sales - Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests on longer-duration 2014/15 cruises a complimentary ‘door-to-door’ transport service.

 

The initiative, which is available on bookings made up to February 28, will be applicable on a selection of 21 longer cruises with Fred. Olsen in 2014/15, for guests who live within 250 miles of the departure port.

Cruise itineraries included in the new ‘Free Door-to-Door Transport’ offer are:

• Braemar’s 22-night ‘Venice & the Beauty of the Adriatic’ cruise, from Southampton on  September 13. Guests on this cruise will stop first in Gibraltar, before moving onto Valletta, Bari, Split, Venice, Ravenna, Dubrovnik, Trapani, Cartagena and Lisbon, before returning to Southampton. Prices start from £1,799 per person.
• Boudicca’s 28-night ‘Empires of the Mediterranean & the Black Sea’ cruise, from Liverpool on  October 11. Leaving Liverpool behind, guests will arrive in Tangier, before cruising onto Valletta, Varna, Odessa, Sevastopol, Istanbul, Izmir, Piraeus, Thira, Catania, Almeria and finally Gibraltar. Prices start from £2,285 per person.

Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Free Door-to-Door Transport’ enhancement is also available on a number of exotic fly-cruises. 

More info:  call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

 

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Balmoral's New Horizons In 2015

We know ex-UK cruises are really popular with our readers at World of Cruising (and here at Time Spent At Sea), and we are always keen, therefore, to highlight new opportunities to enjoy a good quality, no-fly cruise experience.

 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are among the leading purveyors of cruises round-trip from British ports, and they have just unveiled a selection of new 2015 itineraries for their classic ship Balmoral, which should have signficant appeal and are on sale now.

 

The new cruises include top-rated ports, exciting new destinations and an even greater number of shore excursions than ever before. Guests who book the new itineraries can also upgrade to Fred. Olsen’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package from just £10 per person, per night, and relax in the knowledge almost everything is already paid for.

 

Here are two top examples:

 

Balmoral’s six-night ‘France and Spain’ cruise from Southampton on August 2, 2015: This sunshine cruise will take guests to Getxo, Hendaye and La Pallice, where they can explore quaint towns, relax on beautiful beaches or sample local wines at one of the traditional vineyards. Prices start from £539 per person.

Balmoral’s 13-night ‘Canaries Perseid Meteor Shower’ cruise from Southampton on August 8, 2015: This exciting 'experiential' cruise will give guests the opportunity to view the stunning, multi-coloured Perseid Meteor Shower at the optimum time, whilst visiting the beautiful Canary Islands, Portugal and Madeira. The ship will call at Lisbon, Santa Cruz for an overnight stay, Las Palmas, San Sebastian and Funchal. Prices start from £899 per person.

Prices for these cruises are based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Big 2014/15 Multi-Cruise Savings With Fred Olsen

As part of its new ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign, award-winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a ‘Cruise Sale’, running until February 28 and valid on all 2014/15 cruises of six nights’ duration or more, aimed at encouraging guests to make multiple purchases in the same transaction and benefit from significant savings.

 

The scheme will also offer an attractive discount to customers who only wish to make a single cruise purchase.

 

Here's how it works:

• Buy one cruise and save 10%
• Buy two cruises and save 20% off both cruises
• Buy three or more cruises and save 30% off all three

 

Fred. Olsen has also unveiled its innovative ‘Fred’s Enjoyment Promise’ – the biggest initiative of its kind in the UK to encourage people to try cruising – whereby people who have never cruised with Fred. Olsen before will be able to try a cruise and, if they do not enjoy it, Fred will fly them home and refund their cruise fare.

 

The new promise is valid for bookings made until February 28 only, for departures of more than 14 weeks ahead, and does not apply to cruises of six nights or less, or with a duration greater than 35 nights.

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. See this link!

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Balmoral Boost For Santo Domingo

The Dominican Republic port city of Santo Domingo has set out to make itself a major Caribbean cruise destination in the months and years to come, and it seems the cruising world is taking notice.

 

Only last month, we reported here on Time Spent At Sea about a major conference by the country's tourism leaders to boost their cruise profile and attract new traffic, highlighting the many attractions of the city and its tour options.

 

And, while they have a long way to go, with only a handful of cruise lines currently scheduled to call, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are the latest to arrive, with an inaugural visit from their classic ship Balmoral (above).

 

The call was marked with a traditional Plaque & Key event, with the exchange protocol being made by Victor Stoica (Balmoral's captain) and Sharon Mei, the Commercial Director of Santo Domingo's Sans Souci Ports organization, as well as other executives of the Port and the shipping agency Maritima Dominicana.

During the event, Ms Mei, gave a formal welcome to the boat authorities at the same time giving a big vote of confidence in Santo Domingo as a cruise destination, where MSC

Cruises' MSC Musica is already a regular visitor (right).

Balmoral made its first call at the Sansouci Terminal, bringing some 1,175 visitors from the UK and 515 crew members. This cruise is scheduled to visit Ponta Delgada, St. Maarten, Tortola, Grand Turk, St. Lucia, Saint Vincent, Granada, Barbados and Madeira as well as Santo Domingo.

More info: for Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com or call 0845 421 2661; for Santo Domingo, visit www.godominicanrepublic.com.

And don't miss our new-look January issue when we'll have more about Santo Domingo and it's many attractions.

Have you subscribed to World of Cruising magazine yet? We have a fabulous offer for all new subscribers this month ONLY - 50 per cent OFF the regular rate AND the chance to win a cruise in our free prize draw offer. 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.