Skip to content

Press release -

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new power boats take guests ‘closer’ to Oslofjord and the Olsen’s historic Hvitsten home

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was pleased to showcase its ‘closer’ credentials to its guests on board Balmoral and Braemar on 21st May 2019, when the two ships docked alongside each other in Fred. Olsen’s historic home city of Oslo, Norway.

As well as taking a range of shore excursions around Oslo, or making the most of the opportunity to explore this fascinating city independently, over 100 Fred. Olsen guests were also able to experience an exhilarating ride on the Rigid Inflatable Boats (‘RIBs’) aboard Balmoral and Braemar, and also to enjoy a first-ever visit to the Olsen family estate at Hvitsten, located on atmospheric Oslofjord.

Peter Deer, Commercial Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“When we realised that Balmoral and Braemar would both be in Oslo on 21st May 2019 and this happened to coincide with the launch of two brand new RIBs, which were being installed on board Braemar that day, we decided that it was a great opportunity to put all our power boats into full use across the two ships.

“A highlight for guests taking part in our special RIBs event in Oslo – which came only a few days after the capital’s annual ‘National Day’ celebrations on 17th May – was a visit to the picturesque gardens in Hvitsten, the Olsen family’s Summer home. Here, dozens of figureheads have been placed around the grounds, from the Olsen’s many cargo ships over the decades.

“Each figurehead has its own story to tell, allowing our guests to get behind the real heritage of this long-standing shipping business and to get a ‘closer’ insight into our family ethos and values.”

Guests were able to enjoy a guided tour around the Olsen’s Hvitsten estate, taking in the beach, the old warehouse, the old school and museum, and wooden clapboard church, and to witness the breath-taking ships’ figureheads – many created by famous artists and sculptors – in a variety of spectacular settings around the grounds.

Fred. Olsen’s new state-of-the-art RIBs – built in Norway – were first introduced for the 2019/20 cruise programme, with two installed on board Boudicca, and a further two each on Black Watch and Balmoral. Braemar has now received her complement of two new RIBs.

The impressive, high-speed RIBs have proved very popular since their introduction, as demand grows amongst Fred. Olsen guests for more adventurous experiences and activities – in fact, a recent onboard guest survey identified that 66% would consider taking a Fred. Olsen ‘closer’ RIB excursion in future.

The RIBS are used to enhance the ‘closer’ experiences in enticing scenic destinations around the world, such as the Norwegian fjords and the Canary Islands, and they were used to great effect in Cádiz in September 2018, for Fred. Olsen’s historic 170th anniversary ‘Captains in Cádiz’ celebrations.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com

Topics

Regions


Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07557672265
Georgina May

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations
Lauren Gardner

Lauren Gardner

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07546807099

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines we are very proud of our smaller ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral - and the imaginative and unusual itineraries they allow us to offer. Every cruise is hand-crafted from scratch by our team of in-house Journey Planners to make sure you are not only visiting the best destinations, but at the best time to experience them.

For us, it’s not just about where we go but how we take you there. We put as much time into planning scenic cruising as we do in choosing the destinations themselves. On board, our Signature Experiences showcase the history, culture, nature and flavours of the destinations you’ll visit – from Treats of the Region, where you can enjoy local delicacies, to our Sky at Sea star-gazing sessions where you can relax with a hot toddy out on deck while our astronomer talks you through the night sky.

Plus, with each ship carrying 1,300 guests or less, our ships are small enough for us to offer a warm, friendly and personal service where nothing is ever too much trouble, as we visit a host of exciting ports in every corner of the globe.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen House, White House Road
IP1 5LL Ipswich, Suffolk
United Kingdom