Press release - 14 December 2011 13:58

Cruise from Harwich in 2013

Cruise from UK departure ports for your convenience to Worldwide destinations. Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will commence calls from Harwich International Port in 2013, with 804-guest Black Watchmaking four turnaround visits to the Essex port in May and June 2013.

Matt Grimes, Director of Planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Harwich International Port has long been on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ radar as a turnaround port following a series of successful transit calls in recent years. Its direct rail connections from London – whereby guests alight right next to the Cruise Terminal – make this an extremely easy port to access.

“The addition of this new regional departure port means that Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within only 100 miles of over 90% of the UK population, which will enhance further our reputation as the UK’s local cruise line with a global choice of itineraries.”

Black Watch will be offering three cruises from Harwich in May 2013 – to the Baltic, Norway and Lapland, through the Gulf of Bothnia – and a mini-cruise in June 2013. The cruises will range in length from 3 to 14 nights.

Paul Davey, Head of Corporate Affairs at Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of Harwich International Port, said:

“We are delighted that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has decided to commence turnaround calls at Harwich International Port after such successful visits by Black Watch in 2010, and Balmoral in 2011.

“Harwich International Port has developed over a number of years into one of the UK’s leading cruise ports, and we look forward to working with Fred. Olsen to offer its guests the highest quality facilities and customer service, which we are sure will see the Port rapidly gain popularity with them.”

Black Watch is no stranger to Harwich, and welcomed a delegation of local VIPs on board when she made her inaugural call at the Port in August 2010, as part of an ‘Around UK’ cruise. Amongst the local dignitaries visiting Black Watch were the Mayor of Harwich and regional trade and tourism bodies, including the Haven Gateway Partnership.

Topics

Regions

England

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations ellis.orchard@fredolsen.co.uk 07557672265

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations georgina.may@fredolsen.co.uk

Lauren Gardner

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations lauren.gardner@fredolsen.co.uk 07546807099

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines we are very proud of our smaller ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral - and the imaginative and unusual itineraries they allow us to offer. Every cruise is hand-crafted from scratch by our team of in-house Journey Planners to make sure you are not only visiting the best destinations, but at the best time to experience them.

For us, it’s not just about where we go but how we take you there. We put as much time into planning scenic cruising as we do in choosing the destinations themselves. On board, our Signature Experiences showcase the history, culture, nature and flavours of the destinations you’ll visit – from Treats of the Region, where you can enjoy local delicacies, to our Sky at Sea star-gazing sessions where you can relax with a hot toddy out on deck while our astronomer talks you through the night sky.

Plus, with each ship carrying 1,300 guests or less, our ships are small enough for us to offer a warm, friendly and personal service where nothing is ever too much trouble, as we visit a host of exciting ports in every corner of the globe.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines