Countdown starts to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ historic ‘Captains in Cádiz’ fleet get-together

With just under three months to go, excitement is mounting as Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines puts the final preparations in place for its long-awaited 'Captains in Cádiz' fleet get-together, being hosted in one of Europe’s most historic cities, Cádiz in Spain, on Monday 10^th September 2018.

This is only the second time that all four of Fred. Olsen's ocean cruise ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will have come together at the same time, anywhere in the world!

This year – which is the 170^th anniversary of Fred. Olsen’s establishment as a shipping company – the event has been named ‘Captains in Cádiz’, as a number of the ships' Captains will be taking part throughout the day.

Working closely with the Cádiz Port Authority and the various Cádiz and Andalusian tourism partners involved, such as the Town Hall and the Provincial Tourist Board, Fred. Olsen will be laying on 'all the fun of the fiesta' for guests, with lively festivities and activities taking place from 8am to 5pm on board the ships, along the quayside and throughout the city.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

"We are very grateful to the Port and the city of Cádiz for making us so welcome in this stunning region of Andalusia, and for their generous support of our special ‘Captains in Cádiz’ celebrations.

"In July 2015, we brought our four ships together for the very first time in Bergen, Norway, and it was one of the most celebrated events in Fred. Olsen’s history! To mark our milestone 170^th anniversary this year, we are now looking to build upon the tremendous success of this ‘Four Ships in Bergen’ event with ‘Captains in Cádiz’.

“We will be treating the 4,000 guests across the Fred. Olsen fleet to an action-packed programme of festivities and events during the day – from a Treasure Hunt taking in the spectacular sights of the city, to live bands and Flamenco shows along the route, to the chance to try delicious local produce and cheer on the crew in a hotly-contested tug of war competition between the ships…there's plenty of fun for everyone!"

Guests will also get the opportunity to visit the Fred. Olsen ships during the day, which was such a highlight of the previous event in Bergen, so that they can arrange to meet up with each other – or their favourite crew members – and get to experience the rest of the fleet for themselves.

José Luis Blanco, President of the Port Authority of Cádiz Bay, said:

“We want to thank Fred. Olsen for choosing Cádiz amongst many international destinations for this event. It is an important opportunity for the Port and Cádiz to show our competitive and attractive global position.

“We will ensure we give an excellent impression of our Port, city and province of Cádiz.”

Fred. Olsen's fleet will be operating on four different themed itineraries and arriving in Cádiz from all over the world for the event:

- Braemar’s 14-night M1822 ‘The Flavour of Spain’ cruise, ex Southampton on 31^st August 2018 – arriving from Seville, Spain

- Black Watch’s 14-night W1819 ‘Portuguese Explorer’ cruise, ex Liverpool on 1^st September 2018 – arriving from Funchal, Madeira

- Balmoral’s 14-night L1829 ‘Cities of Spain & Portugal’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 2^nd September 2018 – arriving from Casablanca, Morocco

- Boudicca’s 15-night D1819 ‘Island-Hopping to Suez’ fly-cruise, ex Dover on 5^th September 2018 (ends in Aqaba, Jordan) – arriving from Leixoes (for Oporto), Portugal

From Cádiz, all four ships will be leaving the harbour in a dramatic formation sequence, which will only be unveiled on the day! Braemar will then be returning to Southampton, UK; both Black Watch and Balmoral will be meeting up again in Lisbon, Portugal; and Boudicca will be continuing to Ibiza, Spain.

Fred. Olsen is committed to the city of Cádiz, and has been calling there since 1997. For many Fred. Olsen guests, Cádiz is a highlight of their cruise holiday, and the city is renowned for its historical architecture and generous hospitality.

The Port’s excellent facilities within the city will allow all four Fred. Olsen ships to berth in close proximity to each other, meaning that Cádiz is the ideal location for this important moment in Fred. Olsen’s history.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com