Cruise ‘from right on your doorstep’ in 2014 with Fred. Olsen’s Boudicca from Bristol (Avonmouth)

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will be commencing its first-ever cruise season from Bristol (Avonmouth), at the Port of Bristol, in April 2014, offering guests a range of great-value holidays on board its elegant 880-guest cruise ship Boudicca, from a 14-night ‘Canary Islands & Portugal’ cruise, to a scenic 28-night sailing to ‘The Adriatic with Venice’.

Guests can even follow in the footsteps of international film star Ben Stiller, who shot many scenes in his latest hit movie, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, in Iceland – Fred. Olsen will be offering a fascinating 14-night cruise adventure to Iceland and Norway from Bristol (Avonmouth) in June 2014.

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

“We are pleased to be giving guests in the South West and Wales the chance to cruise with us from right on their doorstep, with a choice of four sailings for this inaugural turnaround season from Avonmouth. We know that our guests appreciate the ease and convenience of travelling on holiday from close to home, and we hope that as many local people as possible will take up this opportunity to explore the world from Avonmouth with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines!”

James Stangroom, Business Development Manager at The Bristol Port Company, said:

“As The Bristol Cruise Terminal enters its second season of operation in 2014, The Bristol Port Company is looking forward to welcoming Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines into the Port and this being the start of a long relationship between our two companies. The Bristol Cruise Terminal proved a great success with passengers in 2013 due to its easy access off the M5 motorway, giving passengers from the South West and Wales a convenient option for going on a cruise.”

Fred. Olsen’s four cruises from Bristol (Avonmouth) on board Boudicca in 2014 will be as follows:

- 14-night D1406 ‘Canaries Landscapes & Seascapes’ cruise, departing on 27th April 2014.      Prices start from £989 per person.

Leixoes (Portugal) is the first port of call, and Portugal’s second largest city, Oporto, is just a short drive away. This hilly city is full of narrow alleyways, green squares and wide boulevards.

Boudicca continues to Funchal, on the beautiful ‘Garden Isle’ of Madeira (Portugal). It is easy to see why it is so-named, with stunning gardens full of year-round blooms and numerous parks.

After stops at pretty Valle Gran Rey and San Sebastian on the island of La Gomera, the cruise moves on to Santa Cruz in Tenerife, where guests will have the opportunity to explore the mix of old and modern buildings, black sandy beaches or the mountainous landscape of El Teide National Park.

Las Palmas in Gran Canaria has a real mainland Spain feel to it. The Old Quarter of Vegueta is home to many bars and restaurants, but also has a beautiful beach nearby.

In Arrecife (Lanzarote), enjoy an unforgettable underwater safari, in an air-conditioned submarine.

The cruise makes a final visit to Lisbon, capital city of Portugal, which boasts an abundance of museums, or guests can opt to take in the spectacular Sintra Mountains.

- 6-night D1407 ‘Mansions & Museums’ cruise, departing on 11th May 2014.
Prices start from £449 per person.

This delightful cruise to France and Spain calls first at Getxo (Spain) – in Bilbao, marvel at the spectacular views from the Funicular going up Artxanda Hill, visit the world-famous Guggenheim Museum and explore the church of San Nicolas, before cruising on to La Pallice (France). From here, enjoy a tour of La Rochelle’s arcaded streets, stately mansions and ancient wooden houses.

L’orient (France) is the next port of call, which became a shipbuilding centre after merchants set up warehouses in the 17th Century. It was also a U-boat base in the Second World War.

- 28-night D1408 ‘Undiscovered Adriatic’ cruise, departing on 17th May 2014.
Prices start from £2,069 per person.

After a stop in Malaga (Spain), Boudicca cruises to Trapani in Sicily. Many of the city’s historic buildings are Baroque, including The Church of Sant’Agostino and the Cathedral.

Next, Montenegro beckons, where the Old City in Kotor has medieval architecture, ensuring its place as a UNESCO Historical Heritage Site, and the scenery is spectacular as you cruise through the Bay of Kotor. The ‘Jewel of the Adriatic’, Croatia’s Dubrovnik, is a beautiful city and best appreciated by walking round the walls of the old town.

A maiden call at Hvar in Croatia offers the opportunity to discover this hidden gem, considered one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world. Explore the 14th Century cathedral, ‘people watch’ down by the harbour, or go further afield and bathe in the crystal blue Mediterranean sea in one of the many lagoons dotted around the island.

After an overnight stay in Koper, Slovenia, Boudicca arrives in beautiful Venice (Italy). Take a gondola along one of the many canals, stand on the Bridge of Sighs or visit St. Mark’s Basilica, with another overnight stay there is plenty of time to explore this fine city.

Following a visit to Gythion (Greece), Boudicca makes another overnight stop, this time in bustling Athens (from Piraeus). Take the opportunity to visit the Acropolis in all its glory, explore where the first modern Olympic Games was held, or enjoy an evening at a local taverna.

On her return to the UK, Boudicca calls at Valletta, Malta’s historic capital, and Gibraltar, with its famous ‘Barbary Apes’, and Duty Free shopping.

- 14-night D1409 ‘Discover Iceland & Norway’ cruise, departing on 14th June 2014.
Prices start from £1,259 per person.

Iceland features prominently in actor Ben Stiller’s latest hit movie, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’, and Fred. Olsen guests are in for a treat on this Iceland and Norway adventure.

Reykjavik (Iceland) is the first port of call; as well as being able to explore this exciting city, guests can choose to venture slightly further afield to some of Iceland’s most beautiful places, including the nation’s holy place, Þingvellir, where the oldest parliament was established in 930AD.

Boudicca continues onto Isafjordur (Iceland), where guests can find out about the life and history of the settlement in the Maritime Museum, or experience a 19th Century fishing station at the Ósvör Museum. Akureyri is reached by travelling down the longest fjord in Iceland, and a visit to the Myvatn Natural Baths is highly recommended.

After stops at the pretty Norwegian ports of Olden and Flåm, Boudicca visits Gudvangen, one of the country’s first cruise destinations, which has changed very little, and remains a typical fjord village. Bergen, which follows, is framed by seven magnificent hills, the highest of which can be reached by funicular railway.

All cruise prices shown are based on two adults sharing a twin, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment, plus port dues. Guests can choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package from just £10 per person, per night*.

Fred. Olsen is also able to offer ‘new to cruise’ guests its unique ‘Enjoyment Promise’*, which means that, if they book before 28th February 2014 and at least 14 weeks in advance, on cruises of seven nights or more (and less than 35 nights), and find that a cruise is not for them within a day or two of stepping on board, they just let the Guest Relations Manager know and Fred. Olsen will arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK and repay the cost of their cruise. 

Fred. Olsen was delighted to be voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ and runner-up ‘Best Cruise Line’ in the ‘Cruise International Awards 2013’, and ‘Best Value Cruise Line’ in the ‘2013 Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards’.

*See the website www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.