Cruise the world with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ inspirational ‘Grand Voyages’ in 2016 – visit 70 destinations in 42 countries!

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is launching two new exhilarating ‘Grand Voyages’ in 2016: Boudicca's 76-night ‘Around Africa and into the Indian Ocean’ cruise, D1601, departing from Southampton on 5th January 2016 - the cruise line’s first ever sailing of this kind on board Boudicca – and Black Watch's 115-night 'Around the World with the South Pacific' cruise, W1601, departing from Southampton on 8th January 2016. Together, these two epic cruises will take in 70 ports in 42 countries around the globe.

The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘Launch Brochure’ for the new 2015/16 itineraries will be unveiled to existing guests on 18th March 2014 and the cruises will go on general sale from 24th March 2014.

There will be an impressive four maiden calls across the two ‘Grand Voyages'. Boudicca will make her first ever stop in the picturesque destination of Zanzibar, as well as Luanda in Angola and Maputo in Mozambique, whilst Black Watch will call into Tuticorin in India for the first time.

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

“We are thrilled to be unveiling our ‘Grand Voyages’ for 2016 and in particular our stunning ‘Around Africa and into the Indian Ocean’ cruise aboard Boudicca – the first time that this ship will set sail on a ‘Grand Voyage’. This cruise gives guests the chance to explore Africa in all its exotic splendour, with the addition of some exciting and different shore excursions, including Safaris in Mombasa, Kenya and Cape Town, South Africa.

“With these very special 2016 ‘Grand Voyages’, there is something for every kind of Fred. Olsen cruiser. We are pleased to be able to offer our guests the most cost-effective way to take in some of these very expensive destinations in the Indian and Pacific Oceans and around the world, and to give them experiences that will last a lifetime, on board our smaller, friendlier ships.”

- Boudicca's 76-night ‘Around Africa and into the Indian Ocean’ cruise, D1601, ex Southampton on 5th January 2016

Boudicca will depart from Southampton and make her first stop in Leixoes, for tours to Oporto, in Portugal – voted as the ‘Best European Destination 2014’ by European Consumers Choice. Here, guests can soak up the winter sunshine, before cruising onto Funchal (Madeira), Santa Cruz (Tenerife) and Mindelo (Cape Verde), before arriving in mighty Africa.

First port on this exciting cruise is Banjul in The Gambia, where guests can visit the bustling markets and busy harbour area, before Boudicca makes her maiden call into Luanda, the colourful capital of Angola.

After stopping in Walvis Bay and Luderitz, both Namibia, Boudicca will spend three days and two nights in Cape Town (South Africa) – one of Fred. Olsen guests’ favourite ports in the world.

Moving further around the South African coast, Boudicca will stop in Port Elizabeth, Durban and Richards Bay, before making her first ever port of call to Maputo in Mozambique. Guests can visit the vast National Parks, gain an insight into local culture or relax on one of the sensational beaches.

Next stop is Port Reunion (Reunion Island), before a full day relaxing in Port Louis, on the stunning island of Mauritius. Guests will then have the chance to explore Nosy-be (Madagascar), Zanzibar (Tanzania) – the first time that Fred. Olsen has visited this very special destination – and Mombasa (Kenya), offering a wildlife haven and plenty of opportunities to go on a breathtaking Safari.

With an overnight stay and two ports of call in the Seychelles – stopping first at Victoria on Mahé Island and then Praslin Island – guests can make the most of the clear blue seas and soft white sands. Boudicca will then cruise between the ‘Sisters’, a stunning group of islands, before visiting Salalah (Oman), Aqaba (Jordan) – for an overnight stay – and Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), for another overnight stay, before cruising through the spectacular Suez Canal.

With a final stop in Egypt at Port Said, Boudicca will then cruise to Iraklion, on the island of Crete (Greece), Valletta (Malta), Algiers (Algeria) and Cadiz (Spain), before a leisurely cruise back to Southampton, arriving back on 21st March 2016.

- Black Watch's 115-night 'Around the World with the South Pacific' cruise, W1601, ex Southampton on 8th January 2016

Black Watch will make her first call on this exciting cruise in Funchal, Madeira – the ‘Garden Island’ – before three stops in the sunny Caribbean. First, guests will visit Bridgetown (Barbados), then Kingstown (St. Vincent and Grenadines), and finally Castries (St. Lucia). With plenty of time to enjoy the ‘chilled out’ vibe of the Caribbean, guests will be ready for adventure when Black Watch cruises past the mountainous Pitons and reaches Oranjestad, in Aruba.

Black Watch then embarks on a discovery of South America, with stops at Santa Marta and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) and Colon (Panama). One of the ‘must-see’ highlights of this trip follows, with a scenic cruise along the awe-inspiring Panama Canal. Listed in CNN’s rundown of ‘11 places to go in 2014’, Panama is a tiny, but diverse, country of volcanoes, rainforests, coffee plantations and beautiful beaches, on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, which is also home to one of the most important trade waterways on the globe. The ‘Big Ditch’, as the Panama Canal is known, lifts Black Watch with a fascinating system of mechanics, along the three great locks – ‘Gatun’, ‘Pedro Miguel’ and ‘Miraflores’.

Next come the ports of Manta (Ecuador) and Callao – for an overnight stay – and General San Martin (Peru), before Black Watch arrives in the mesmerising islands of French Polynesia. Stopping first at Hiva Oa, the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, this majestic and historic island is known for its wild, untamed landscape, giant stone Tiki and endless and unearthly vistas.

After a day exploring the island of Rangiroa, which is surrounded by two legendary bodies of water – ‘Moana-tea’, meaning ‘Peaceful Ocean’ and ‘Moana-uri’, meaning ‘Wild Ocean’ – guests will arrive in Papeete (Tahiti), for an overnight stay. Tahiti is French Polynesia's largest island and offers the chance to explore lagoons, black and white sand beaches, volcanoes, and has a lively night time scene.

After further calls in sun-soaked Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Black Watch arrives in Rarotonga (Cook Islands). Guests will then ‘Cross the International Date Line’, before cruising to Nuku Alofa (Tonga), Suva (Fiji), Mystery Island (Vanuatu) and Noumea (New Caledonia).

Sydney (Australia) is next, for an overnight stay – visit the famous Opera House or take a stroll along the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Guests will then be able to soak up even more fantastic sunshine in Brisbane – known as ‘Surfer’s Paradise’.

A cruise through the Great Barrier Reef is next, before guests reach Hamilton Island (Australia). Black Watch will then make one more stop on the mainland in Cairns, before cruising onto Komodo Island (Indonesia), to visit the truly terrifying Komodo Dragons…not an experience for the faint-hearted!

Black Watch continues onto the spiritual land of Benoa in Bali. With its tranquil, golden beaches, there is plenty for guests to explore with an overnight stay. Next comes the electric city of Singapore, where another stopover will allow guests to take in the world-famous Zoo and indulge in a ‘Singapore Sling’ at Raffles, the grand old dame of this former colonial city from 1887.

Black Watch will then make calls into Phuket (Thailand) and Yangon (formerly Rangoon), the intriguing capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma), before arriving in Hambantota and Colombo (Sri Lanka), for an overnight stay.

Fred. Olsen’s maiden call of Tuticorin in India follows. Black Watch then continues onto Goa and Mumbai (formerly Bombay), where guests can take in all the non-stop sights and sounds with an overnight stay.

The ship then calls at Salalah (Oman), Aqaba (Jordan) – for an overnight stay – Safaga (Egypt) – for another stopover – and Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt), before cruising through the amazing Suez Canal.

With a final stop in Egypt at Port Said, Black Watch will then cruise to Valletta (Malta) and Gibraltar, before a leisurely return voyage to Southampton, arriving back on 3rd May 2016.

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