‘Discover the Fjords’ with Fred. Olsen in 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new brochure, entitled ‘Discover the Fjords with Fred.’, which showcases 18 outstanding Norwegian sailings on offer in its 2016/17 cruise programme. From a ‘Five-Night Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 21^st May 2016, to an eight-night ‘Norwegian Fjords & the Orkney Isles’ sailing ex Greenock (Glasgow) on 15^th July 2016, there is no better way to take in one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena than a scenic fjords cruise on Fred.’s smaller ships – from just £100 per person, per night.

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

“Our expertise in sailing Norwegian waters, coupled with our smaller ships, means that we can take you closer to the natural beauty of this spectacular fjords. We sail deeper into narrow passages, under low bridges, bringing the landscape so close that you can almost touch it!

“At Fred. Olsen, the scenic cruising element of our fjords experience is just as important – if not more important – than the port calls themselves. We don’t just take our guests from port to port, we devote much more time to showcasing the winding fjords, sheer mountainsides and thundering waterfalls, including intercoastal passageways that can only be cruised by smaller-sized ships.”

Examples of the outstanding cruises available in Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Discover the Fjords with Fred.’ brochure include:

- Braemar’s nine-night M1607 ‘Norwegian Cities & Fjords’ cruise, ex Dover on 1^st April 2016. Prices start from £899 per person.

Experience beautiful cities and some of the best fjords in Norway on this unique sailing. Guests will cruise first to Stavanger, which is a former ‘Capital of Culture’, where they can explore the Old Town, Gamle Stavanger, or even take a helicopter ride over the city and the impressive Lysefjord.

After cruising Karmsund, Braemar will arrive in Flåm, where guests can take the magnificent funicular railway, a 20km-long spiralling sensation weaving through tunnels, over bridges and past waterfalls and towering mountains.

Next, Braemar will cruise along the imposing Nærøyfjord, which has been rated joint top in National Geographic’s list of natural heritage sites worldwide. At 17 kilometres long and just 250 metres wide at its narrowest point – meaning that it is only accessible to smaller ships – this passage through the fjord is one of the most dramatic in Europe.

Guests will then spend a day in Norway’s ‘Second City’, Bergen. Take a trip on the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen, for panoramic views of the landscape.

Braemar will then spend a full day scenic cruising. Guests can find a space on the wrap-around deck and enjoy the views as the ship passes Hidrasund and Strandsfjord, Flekkefjord and Stolsfjord, Fedafjord and Listafjord and Rosfjord.

Braemar will then continue towards Norway’s fascinating capital, Oslo. There are many highlights to discover, including the wonderful medieval Akershus Castle, the unusual Vigeland Sculpture Park, the fabulous Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery, home to Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

One of the recommended tours in Oslo is ‘Fred. Olsen History in Norway’, which tells the story of the Olsen family’s proud heritage. The Fred. Olsen Company originated in the small village of Hvitsten in 1848, when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. Now into the fifth generation of the family, guests will be able to visit the Olsen homestead and learn how the community has been influenced by their ancestors.

Braemar’s final call is to Arendal, the inspiration for the fictional ‘Arendelle’ kingdom in Disney’s hit animation film Frozen. With its reputation steadily growing, Arendal boasts many local pubs and restaurants, as well as numerous intriguing monuments, such as the Town Hall and the Ibsenhuset Museum, which contains treasured belongings of playwright Henrik Ibsen.

- Balmoral’s five-night L1610 ‘Norwegian Festival & Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 26^th May 2016. Prices start from £599 per person.

It is the location of the departure port that makes a cruise of this short duration possible, perfectly reflecting Fred. Olsen’s regional strategy. Sail straight to the heart of Norway in a fraction of the time it would take to sail there from a Southern UK departure port and find yourself amongst stunning landscapes, just a short while after departure.

First, guests will visit Lysefjord– one of the ‘Pearls of Norway’ – featuring ‘Preikestolen’ (‘Pulpit Rock’) and ‘Kjerag’ (‘The Mountain Bolt’). Both of these cruise highlights are only accessible by ships up to 50-metres in height, because of the bridge at the entrance.

Next, guests can explore the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, in the fine city of Bergen. Balmoral’s visit also coincides with the fantastic ‘International Festival’ – an annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, opera and the arts.

Guests will then arrive in stunning Eidfjord, apicturesque town surrounded by the mighty Hardangerfjord, which has been voted as a top 10 fjord experience by Norwegians. For those feeling adventurous, head out onto the glass-like waters on a kayak, and get up close to the mountainsides and waterfalls.

Next, Balmoral will cruise to Maurangerfjord, where guests will pass the stunning Fureberg Waterfall. After a day of cruising the Hidrasundand Strandsfjord – a narrow passage between the island of Hidra and the mainland – the ship cruises the Southern fjord of Stolsfjorden and the size-restrictedFlekkefjorden, where guests will be surrounded by rolling green landscapes.

All prices listed are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night.

As an added bonus, guests who book by 2^nd March 2016 can take advantage of two tempting benefits on these Norwegian fjords sailings: ‘Three Cruises for the Price of Two’ or ‘Free Tips & Tipples’, where Fred. Olsen covers guests’ tips and gives them the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks upgrade FREE.

Fred. Olsen is also offering new guests its industry-leading ‘Enjoyment Promise’. Launched in December 2013, this unique guarantee gives new guests the reassurance that, should they find that a cruise is not for them, Fred. Olsen will arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK, plus refund the cost of their cruise.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com or call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm; Saturday, 9am – 5pm; Sunday, 10am – 4pm).