Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' cruise enhancement programmes - Vistas and Flagship Golf

As well as offering a wide range of cruises, to a host of worldwide destinations, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines likes to offer its guests something extra, to make sure their time on board is as enjoyable as possible. For some people, that means taking part in a favourite sporting activity, and for others, it might mean taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill, or listening to a fascinating speaker.  To meet those needs, the cruise line offers two exclusive programmes of activity – Flagship Golf and Vistas.

Flagship Golf is a well-established programme, offered on selected cruises in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Baltic, Around the UK, and in the Caribbean.  Aimed at serious golfers, who must produce a valid handicap certificate to take part, it allows them the chance to indulge in their favourite sport with like-minded players, under the guidance of a resident PGA professional. While any non-playing partners can take part in all the other many activities available during the cruise; they can then meet up for joint social activity, such as quizzes, cocktail parties and an end-of-cruise prize giving.

The package, charged at £375 per player (£425 in the Caribbean), comprises four rounds of golf at carefully selected courses ashore, including green fees and transfers; one-to-one tuition from the onboard PGA professional, practice sessions in the ship’s golf nets, and social gatherings. 
Vistas (formerly The ArtsClub) covers a much broader spectrum of activities. This programme, offered on selected cruises, allows participants to dip in and out of activity as they please, with no pre-booking required, it is also free of charge (however there may be a small charge for materials in the case of watercolour and hobby classes, and wine tasting). The range of topics covered is truly eclectic:- ‘The History of Weather’, ‘Photography’, ‘Dance’, ‘Antiques’,  ‘Classical Music’, ‘The Archers’, ‘Nordic Legends’, ‘Gardens and Gardening’, ‘Wine’, ‘History of the Royal Family’ and ‘Comedy’ are just some of the choices on offer.

Some of the expert hosts involved in the Vistas programme include:-

Martin Saunders – BBC wildlife cameraman, best known for the 1976 ground-breaking BBC series Life on Earth.

Mike Cowan – former England Cricketer and fast bowler.

David V. Thomas, MVO – the Crown Jeweller from 1991 until 2007, responsible for the care of the Crown Jewels, and the Queens personal collection.

Dr. Mike Maloney, OBE – for 30 years, Group Chief Photographer of Mirror Group Newspapers and recipient of 106 major photographic awards.

Other expert speakers include: Mike Purcell, watercolourist and broadcaster; Rosalind Cooper, wine educator and writer; Ken Lennox, photographer and Fleet Street picture editor; Professor Henry Hutchinson, scientist, physicist and expert on climate change; and David Mercer, sports journalist and broadcaster.

In addition to these enhancement programmes, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers high quality live entertainment, through its ‘Music and Laughter’ season which brings on board some leading names from the worlds of music and comedy, to perform for the guests in an intimate setting. Past stars include ‘The Drifters’ and Lulu, while the coming season stars ‘The Operababes’, 60’s legends ‘The Tornados’ (whose 1962 U.K No. 1 hit Telstar made them the first British group to top the U.S charts), and ‘The Sounds of Boney M, featuring Sheyla Bonnick’, as well as comedians including Don Reid and Jim Bowen.

Nigel Lingard, Marketing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We know our guests have an enormous range of interests, and many find a cruise the perfect opportunity to re-kindle old hobbles, or take up new ones. They love to learn and they also love to be entertained, and through our enhancement programmes, we can offer something to make everyone’s cruise unforgettable.”