Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ‘brings the world closer to you’ in 2014/15 with even more destinations from your doorstep

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is pleased to announce the launch of its new 2014/15 cruise itineraries, to hundreds of amazing and exotic destinations worldwide, from an even greater  choice of regional UK ports than ever before.

Fred. Olsen will be visiting no fewer than 246 destinations in 2014/15 – even more than in the previous cruise season – in 85 countries around the globe. The 2014/15 cruise programme will see the addition of two new convenient, regional departure ports – Avonmouth and Tilbury – further enhancing Fred. Olsen’s reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

Fred. Olsen will also be embarking on its most ambitious ‘Grand Voyage’ ever, with an 119-night ‘Exploring the Far East’ sailing on Balmoral, which is seven days longer than its 2013 ‘World Cruise’, but visits 19 more ports.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“I am so excited about our new 2014/15 programme, which is based on extensive research with existing guests and, equally important, the wider market and those who are yet to cruise.

“We have listened to our guests’ needs, and much of the new programme is based on what customers want. For example, we have launched three new products types in 2014: ‘Inspirational Experiences’, such as ‘Film Stars & Fast Cars’ and ‘Northern Lights’; the new ‘Triple-City Cruise Break’, which allows our guests to truly discover destinations, with overnight stays in each city, and is a far more cost-effective option than flying and taking a hotel to each one; and new ‘Introductory Cruises’, with our first series of two-night cruises.

“I guess my heart has always been in the Far East since I joined Kuoni over ten years ago, so our 2015 ‘Asia Grand Voyage’ is very special, and I am personally delighted to have helped create a cruise that balances land and sea content, with some really wonderful and iconic places, such as Burma, Vietnam, China and the Maldives.”

The 2014/15 cruise programme will see the Fred. Olsen fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – sailing from Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Avonmouth, Liverpool, Newcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast, making even more overnight stops in spectacular cities worldwide, in response to guests’ desire to spend more time ashore in the ports that they visit. Fred. Olsen will also be working with destination ports to create an even greater link between its cruises and local events, such as the 'Baltic Festivals' of ‘Kieler Woche’ in Kiel, Germany and the world-renowned ‘Jazz Festival’ in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Fred. Olsen will be offering many new destinations in 2014/15, which promise guests a wealth of unforgettable holiday experiences. For instance, there will be an impressive 13 maiden calls on Balmoral’s ‘Asia Grand Voyage’ in 2015: Galle (Sri Lanka), Ujang Pandang (‘Makassar’, Indonesia), Naha (Okinawa, Japan), Tokyo (Japan), Nagasaki (Japan), Jeju City (Jeju Island, South Korea), Dalian (China), Nha Trang (Vietnam), Nathon (Koh Samui, Thailand), Malacca (Malaysia), Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Utheemu (North Thiladhunmathee Atoll, Maldives) and Uligamu (Ihavandhippolhu Atoll, Maldives).

Other new destinations for Fred. Olsen in 2014/15 include:

•   Vila do Porto, Santa Maria, Azores – this main town is famed for its superb beaches and wonderful weather
•   Peniscola, Spain – often referred to as the ‘Gibraltar of Valencia’, and locally as ‘The City in the Sea’, this peaceful, scenic town has a castle and fortress, and famously was the setting for the 1961 film, ‘El Cid’
•   Eskifjordur, Iceland – a secluded fishing town in eastern Iceland, perfect for walking and exploring, with the impressive sight of Mount Holmatindur dominating the landscape
•   Runavik, Faroe Islands – this quaint port boasts stunning landscapes and charming, picturesque villages
•   Shelburne, Canada – an undiscovered gem, perfect for canoeing, bird-watching and sailing, with an historic waterfront and fine seafood restaurants
•   Hvar, Croatia – known as the ‘St. Tropez of the Adriatic’, this idyllic island – just off the Dalmatian coast – offers fragrant pine forests, olive groves, fruit orchards and fields of lavender, thanks to its exceptionally warm and sunny climate

Highlights of Fred. Olsen’s new 2014/15 cruise programme include:

•   Two incredible 'Voyages of a Lifetime' on Balmoral and Black Watch in 2015, visiting a combined total of 82 ports in 40 countries worldwide
•   Completely new for Fred. Olsen…its first-ever ‘Mystery Cruise’! Departing from Tilbury in November 2014 for 14 nights…who knows where Black Watch will take you?
•   ‘Fast Cars & Film Stars’; this exhilarating Black Watch cruise combines the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix
•   Three new ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruises in winter 2014, by popular demand
•   Black Sea odysseys on Balmoral and Boudicca, taking in ‘The Pearl of the Black Sea’, Odessa, Sevastopol in the Ukraine and unmistakable Istanbul  
•   Balmoral’s 32-night voyage to Canada and the eastern seaboard of the United States  visits bustling New York and gives guests a glimpse of the sensational ‘Fall’ colours
•   Braemar’s ‘Canary Islands’ summer cruise, with a chance to see the Perseid Meteor Shower, a truly celestial experience!
•   Balmoral’s 34-night ‘Caribbean & Cuba’ cruise, departing in November 2014, which boasts more than just sand, sea and surf! Heralding a welcome return to Bermuda, this cruise offers an overnight stay in the iconic, beguiling Cuban capital, Havana
•   Braemar’s special commemorative ‘D-Day’ cruise to Dunkirk in June 2014
In 2012, Fred. Olsen was awarded ‘Best Value for Money’ and ‘Best for Itineraries’ in the Cruise Critic Editors’ Awards, and was also named ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ and ‘Best for Learning’ by readers of Cruise International magazine, along with being ‘highly commended’ in the ‘Best Cruise Line’ and ‘Best Shore Excursion’ categories.

The Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘Launch Brochure’ for the new 2014/15 itineraries will be unveiled in the week commencing 22nd April 2013, and these specially-selected cruise offers  will be on sale from Wednesday 24th April 2014.