Fly straight to the sun to the Canary Islands, Cape Verdes and West Africa with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines this winter

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new ‘Fly-Cruises 2014’ brochure, offering a selection of tempting Canary Islands, Cape Verdes and West Africa cruises departing from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, where 929-guest ship Braemar will be based between November 2013 and May 2014. These fly-cruises are ideal getaways for the winter and offer some excellent savings, with prices starting from just £49 per person per night (cruise only), with the opportunity for guests to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package from just £10 per person, per night.

During its 2014 fly-cruise season, Braemar will be visiting the diverse destinations of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Palma, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Portugal, Morocco, Madeira, Azores, The Gambia, Senegal and Cape Verdes. 

Braemar is ideally suited to island cruising in temperate waters, having spent many years operating cruises around the Caribbean. Fred. Olsen’s elegant and stylish ship has plenty of outdoor space for strolling or relaxing, with an attractive ‘cascade’ of decks at the stern and a light-filled atrium that creates a sensation of space.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“With a Fred. Olsen fly-cruise, our guests are able to reach their destination faster and spend more time ashore; they can choose to escape the British winter for the sun-drenched islands and tropical beaches of the Cape Verdes; explore the volcanic peaks and botanical gardens of the Canary Islands; or soak up the atmosphere of traditional West African villages in Senegal and The Gambia.”

“Plus, with Fred. Olsen’s great-value ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package, guests won’t need to even think about the bar bill or having that extra drink; they can just relax, enjoy and explore.”

Examples of the stunning itineraries and excellent offers available in the new ‘Fly-Cruises 2014’ brochure include:

- Braemar’s10-night‘Undiscovered Islands of the Canaries’ cruise, M1401, departing on 7^th January 2014. Prices start from £490 per person (cruise only)*. Return flights and transfers are £250 per person.

The first port of call on this cruise, after departing from Santa Cruz in Tenerife, is La Estaca, on the island of El Hierro. It may be the smallest of the Canary Islands, but it is one of the most beautiful, with its mixture of lava fields, dense woodlands, fertile fields, vineyards and volcanic peaks.

The next stop is the greenest of the Canary Islands, La Palma. The historic capital, Santa Cruz, is compact enough to explore on foot.

La Gomera is the next port of call and its capital, San Sebastian, is well worth exploring, with  its dramatic mountains and deep ravines.

After calling at Funchal (Madeira), Braemar then makes her way to Agadir (Morocco), a beautiful beach resort that offers guests plenty of relaxation.

The final call is to Arrecife in Lanzarote, before Braemar returns to Tenerife.

- Braemar’s seven-night ‘Canaries & Madeira Winter Warmth’ cruise, M1403, departing on 31^st January 2014. Prices start from £343 per person (cruise only)*. Return flights and transfers are £250 per person.

Before departing from Santa Cruz(Tenerife), cruise guests will have the opportunity to explore this exciting town, taking in the brightly-coloured buildings, shops, restaurants and bars.

Braemar then makes her way to Arrecife, Lanzarote, with a stark beauty all of its own. Here, cruise guests can make the most of stunning beaches or head to the many markets.

Next is Funchal, on the ‘Garden Isle’ of Madeira. Set in its own natural amphitheatre, it is a city that offers tropical greenery, a cosmopolitan feel and top-class restaurants.

Braemar then visits La Gomera, where guests can take tours to San Sebastian, before a final call at Santa Cruz(La Palma), and a return sailing to Tenerife.

- Braemar’s 11-night ‘Cities & Beaches of West Africa’ cruise, M1408, departing on 22^nd March 2014. Prices start from £799 per person (cruise only). Return flights and transfers are £250 per person.

First call on this exotic cruise, after departing from Santa Cruz in Tenerife, is Porto Novo in the Cape Verde Islands. Known as the ‘Switzerland of Cape Verde’, the island of Santo Antão is the most picturesque.

An overnight stay in Mindelo (Cape Verde Islands) offers cruise guests plenty of time to explore this almost completely flat island, except for the two extinct volcanoes, which rise up on the East Coast.

The final port of call in the Cape Verde Islands is Praia. Here, guests can visit the colourful, local fruit and vegetable market, plus sample some of the fresh fish down by the harbour.

Braemar then continues on to Banjul (The Gambia), beforeheading to Dakarin Senegal. Guests can explore one of Africa’s oldest art museums, IFAN – ‘The Museum of African Arts’ – which holds a multitude of masks, musical instruments and carvings from all over Africa. The ship then returns to Tenerife.

Prices for all these cruises are based on two adults sharing an inside twin cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. Return flights from London Gatwick or Manchester can be covered within the price and also include airport taxes and transfers to / from the ship.