Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines returns to Newcastle for new season of cruising

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is the first cruise operator to depart from Newcastle this year, offering a variety of spring and summer sailings.

Smaller ship Balmoral will today set sail on her first cruise of the season from the Port of Tyne, taking guests on a nine-night ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise.

Other destinations throughout the season include Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Iceland and islands of the Mediterranean.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are delighted to have returned to Newcastle for another busy cruising schedule for 2024, and in particular, to be the first cruise line to sail from the Port of Tyne this year.

“Guests joining us can look forward to a host of specially-timed cruises on board our smaller-sized ship Balmoral where they can embrace the local way of life, seek out native wildlife and witness spectacular natural phenomena.

“Opportunities in our hand-crafted itineraries include the chance to see the Midnight Sun, visit the Norwegian Fjords when the waterfalls are at their strongest in the Norwegian fjords and seek out the Perseid Meteor Shower.

“Whether guests are sailing for the first, fifth or fifteenth time, there truly is a wonderful variety of cruises to suit everyone.”

Jak Johnston, International Passenger Terminal Manager at the Port of Tyne, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines back to Newcastle for another exciting season of cruising from the Port of Tyne.

“Our friendly team is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to provide exceptional service and ensure unforgettable experiences for all passengers.

“With our warm and renowned North East hospitality, guests can expect nothing short of a welcoming and memorable journey as they embark on their adventures with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines from Newcastle.”

A selection of upcoming cruises from Newcastle include:

Balmoral’s nine-night L2410 ‘Natural Wonders of Iceland’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 17^th April 2024. Prices start from £1,299 per person.

• Witness Iceland’s geology and geothermal activity
• Learn about Icelandic folklore on scenic cruising around the Westfjords
• Look for marine life with ORCA en route to Iceland

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Reykjavik, Iceland – Ísafjörður, Iceland – Cruising by Hornbjarg, Iceland – Cruising Drangaskord, Iceland – Akureyri, Iceland – Cruising Eyjafjörður, Iceland – Cruising by Hrísey, Iceland – Cruising Grímsey, Iceland – Cruising Borgarfjörður Eystri, Iceland – Seydisfjordur, Iceland – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2410 ‘Natural Wonders of Iceland’

Balmoral’s five-night L2412 ‘Springtime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 3^rdMay 2024. Prices start from £749 per person.

• This five-night escape provides a taste of fjordland exploration
• Explore Ålesund and climb Mount Aksla for panoramic views
• Experience scenic cruising of Nordfjord, and a sunset sail by Hornelen

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Olden, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord and Innvikfjord, Norway – Cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2412 ‘Springtime Norwegian Fjords in Five Nights'

Balmoral’s 14-night L2417 ‘Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen with the Midnight Sund’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 12^thJune 2024. Prices start from £2,099 per person.

• Witness the surreal phenomenon of the Midnight Sun
• See what life was like as a miner in remote Longyearbyen
• Search for marine life from Balmoral’s decks with OWE

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Ålesund, Norway – Longyearbyen, Norway (overnight stay) – Hammerfest, Norway – Alta, Norway – Tromsø, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Kristiansund, Norway – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2417 ‘Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen with the Midnight Sun'

Balmoral’s 19-night L2429 ‘Exploring the Islands of the Mediterranean’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 14^thSeptember 2024. Prices start from £2,699 per person.

• Visit Valletta and Mahon, known for their impressive fortifications
• Look for birds migrating south from Gibraltar, and meet the macaques
• Delve into thousands of years of history in Cartagena

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise by Rock of Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise Cartagena Bay, Spain – Cartagena, Spain – Ibiza, Spain – Cruising Grand Harbour, Malta – Valletta, Spain – Propriano, Corsica, France – Mahon, Menorca, Spain – Cadiz, Spain – La Coruña, Spain – Cruise by Tower of Hercules Lighthouse, Spain – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2429 ‘Exploring the Islands of the Mediterranean’

Balmoral’s 10-night L2431 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 10^th October 2024. Prices start from £1,399 per person.

• Search for the Northern Lights from the decks of Balmoralin Alta
• Enjoy a scenic discovery of the Seven Sisters Mountain range
• Spend time with a Sami community to learn about local traditions

Itinerary: Newcastle, UK – Molde, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway – Cruise Tjeldsundet Strait, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Newcastle, UK

For more details: Visit L2431 ‘In Search of the Northern Lights'

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ sailings from Newcastle, visit www.fredolsencruises.com/cruises-from-newcastle
Book online or call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.