Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ launches ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure of great-value winter 2014/15 cruises

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure, offering a selection of tempting cruises, departing between October 2014 and March 2015. These cruises are ideal getaways for the winter and offer some excellent savings, with prices starting from just £59 per person per night, with the opportunity for cruise guests to upgrade to Fred. Olsen's ‘All-Inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person per night.*

The cruises contained within the new 'Warmer Cruising' brochure are on board the four friendly and intimate Fred. Olsen ships – Black Watch, Boudicca, Balmoral and Braemar – and depart from Southampton, London Tilbury, Liverpool and Newcastle, to destinations including the Caribbean, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Baltic. Fred. Olsen’s 119-night ‘Far East Explorer’ ‘Grand Voyage’, which is on board Balmoral and departs from Southampton on 4th January 2015, is also included in the new brochure, along with seven exotic fly-cruises.

Examples of the excellent cruises available in the new ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure include:

- Boudicca’s 16-night ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, D1420, departing from Liverpool on 8th November 2014. Prices start from £69 per person, per night.

The first port of call is Alesund in Norway, known for its Art Nouveau style architecture, the town is surrounded by fjords and the peaks of the Sunnmøre Alps. For guests looking for a challenge, climb the 418 steps to the top of Mount Aksla, where there are unforgettable panoramic views.

Two-nights and three days in Tromsø, Norway will follow, where guests will have the best chance of seeing the astounding Aurora Borealis. Whilst here guests can also see the iceberg-shaped Arctic Cathedral, and in contrast, Tromsø Cathedral, which is the only wooden cathedral in Norway.

Alta in Norway is the next port of call, and an overnight stay here will give guests the best chance of seeing the famous Northern Lights. After a stop at Leknes in the Lofoten Islands, Boudicca’s last port of call is Kristiansund in Norway. Here, guests are advised to take a trip along the Atlantic Road, as it zigzags across low bridges and juts out over the sea.

- Braemar’s eight-night ‘French & Flanders’ cruise, M1428, departing from Southampton on 19th October 2014. Prices start from £59 per person, per night.

This exciting city break, with three overnight stays in some of Europe’s finest destinations begins in Antwerp in Belgium. There will be plenty of opportunity to see, taste and buy handmade Belgian chocolates, as well as discover other cultural highlights of the area, including the Wellington Museum, in nearby town Waterloo, which was chosen by the Duke of Wellington as headquarters for army staff during the defeat of Napoleon.

Next stop is Amsterdam in the Netherlands, where guests can visit Anne Frank’s house to see the secret annex in which she and her family hid from the Germans during the Second World War, and appreciate just how small it was. Other highlights of this fascinating city include canal cruises, Van Gogh's Museum, or a journey into the Dutch countryside to see windmills and Edam cheese being made.

Final stop on this ultimate city break cruise is Rouen, in France, with a rich cultural heritage of museums and monuments. Here, guests can visit the statue marking the spot where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake, or, with an overnight stay, may choose to venture further afield to Paris and explore this world-famous capital's many sights, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomph and the Champs-Élysées.

- Balmoral’s two-night ‘Pre-Christmas Mini-Cruise to France’, L1418, departing from Southampton on 19th December 2014. Prices start from £69 per person, per night.

This pre-Christmas mini-break will give cruise guests the opportunity to spend a full day in the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Le Havre, in France. Here guests can visit the Malraux Museum, which claims to have the second largest collection of Impressionist paintings in France, with works by Monet, Reinor and Pissarro, or take a tour to Monet’s House and Gardens in the pretty village of Giverny.

- Black Watch’s 14-night ‘The Warmth of the Canaries’ cruise, W1418, departing from London, Tilbury on 29th November 2014. Prices start from £59 per person, per night.

First stop on this winter sun cruise is Casablanca, in Morocco, where guests can discover the charming architecture and colourful markets this exciting city has to offer. The magnificent Hassan II Mosque is also a wonderful and impressive place to visit.

Las Palmas in Gran Canaria is the ideal place for relaxation. Guests can spend the day unwinding under the palm trees at Maspalomas Beach or soak up some of the local culture, by visiting the 17th century Palacio Regental, the Bishop’s Palace or the Museo Canario, which houses the largest collection of pre-Hispanic objects from the Canary Islands.

Black Watch then stops in Santa Cruz in Tenerife. Guests can choose to spend a peaceful day at the elegant beach resort at Puerto de la Cruz or explore the stunning volcanic scenery and views of El Teide National Park.

After a stop at Santa Cruz in La Palma, it’s on to the beautiful island of Funchal, in Madeira. Guests can admire the abundance of year-round colourful and subtropical flowers that can be found in the city’s gardens or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at Reid’s Hotel.

Black Watch will then visit Oporto (from Leixoes) in Portugal, where guests can visit one of the many Port cellars or take a leisurely stroll along the famous River Douro.

Prices are based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin, including accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes.

Pricing in the ‘Warmer Cruising’ brochure is valid from 11th August to 31st October 2014, subject to availability and capacity limits.

*See the website www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.