Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Braemar commences inaugural cruise season from Harwich

Ipswich-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is due to commence its first-ever cruise season on its 929-guest ship, Braemar, from Harwich International Port, Essex on 13th May 2014, with a seven-night ‘Norwegian Celebration’ cruise (M1413) to the Norwegian fjords. Notably, this cruise will be calling at Norway’s second city, Bergen, on the country’s important ‘National Day’, or ‘Constitution Day’, on 17th May 2014.

Fred. Olsen will also be offering two other cruises from Harwich in 2014 – a 12-night ‘France, Spain & Portugal’ cruise (M1414) on 20th May 2014, and a very special seven-night ‘D-Day Anniversary Cruise’ (M1415) on 1st June 2014, which will commemorate the courage and valour of the British, American and Canadian Allied Forces who fought in the ‘D-Day’ Normandy Landings during World War II.

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

“The forthcoming turnaround cruise season from Harwich on Braemar builds upon Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ already-close relationship with this convenient, regional port, as Black Watch enjoyed a successful cruise programme from here for the first time last year.

“As the ‘local, global cruise line’, we are committed to offering cruise guests in the East of England and Midlands the chance to set sail from right on their doorsteps.”

Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of Harwich International Port, said:

“We are delighted that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is to include Harwich International Port in the itinerary for the Braemar for the first time in 2014. Harwich is one of the UK’s leading passenger ports and is ideally located for cruises to the Baltic, the Norwegian Fjords and around North Europe.”

Fred. Olsen has also announced its commitment to cruising from Harwich with five departures in Spring 2015. These Braemar sailings offer a wide range of exciting destinations, to suit all tastes and interests: a seven-night ‘Easter City Getaway’ (M1508) on 4th April 2015; a two-night ‘Amsterdam Mini-Cruise’ (M1509) on 11th April 2015; a five-night ‘Elvis at 80’ cruise (M1510) on 13th April 2015, which commemorates what would have been ‘The King’s’ 80th year; a 14-night ‘Spanish Cities with Seville’ cruise (M1511) on 18th April 2015; and a seven-night ‘Mountains & Majestic Fjords’ cruise to Norway on 2nd May 2015 (M1512).

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 for Money’ in the Cruise Critic ‘Editors’ Picks UK Awards 2013’. Fred. Olsen’s Braemar was also named ‘Best Small Ship for Embarkation’ in Cruise Critic’s prestigious ‘UK Cruisers’ Choice Awards 2014’, chosen entirely by cruise guests.

Fred. Olsen is proud to be the only UK travel company to receive a coveted ‘Gold Award’ from leading consumer review website Feefo, having achieved a 95% service rating of 'Excellent' or 'Good' in over 5,600 genuine, independent guest reviews in 2013.