Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines showcases ‘The Best Fjords of Norway’ in 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new brochure, entitled ‘The Best Fjords of Norway’, which showcases 20 outstanding Norwegian sailings on offer in its 2016/17 cruise programme. From a ‘Five-Night Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 21^st May 2016, to an eight-night ‘Norwegian Fjords & the Orkney Isles’ sailing ex Greenock (Glasgow) on 15^th July 2016, there is no better way to take in one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena than a scenic Norwegian fjords cruise on Fred.’s smaller ships – from just £100 per person, per night

Nathan Philpot, Sales & Marketing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, we recognise that the reason that guests book a fjords cruise is to actually see the fjords, so the scenic cruising element is just as important – if not more important – than the port calls themselves. We don’t just take our guests from port to port, we devote much more time to showcasing the winding fjords, sheer mountainsides and thundering waterfalls, including intercoastal passageways that can only be cruised by smaller-sized ships. We deviate away from the direct route in order to reach the very best of the fjordland – much of which has its own story to tell – and your camera will be just as busy on sea days as it is ashore!”

Examples of the outstanding cruises available in Fred. Olsen’s new ‘The Best Fjords of Norway’ brochure include:

- Braemar’s nine-night M1607 ‘Norwegian Cities & Fjords’ cruise, ex Dover on 1^st April 2016. Prices start from £899 per person.

Experience beautiful cities and some of the best fjords in Norway on this unique sailing. Guests will cruise first to Stavanger, which is a former ‘Capital of Culture’, where they can explore the Old Town, Gamle Stavanger, or even take a helicopter ride over the city and the impressive Lysefjord.

After cruising Karmsund, Braemar will arrive in Flåm, where guests can take the magnificent funicular railway, a 20km-long spiralling sensation weaving through tunnels, over bridges and past waterfalls and towering mountains.

Next, Braemar will cruise along the imposing Nærøyfjord, which has been rated joint top in National Geographic’s list of natural heritage sites worldwide. At 17 kilometres long and just 250 metres wide at its narrowest point – meaning that it is only accessible to smaller ships – this passage through the fjord is one of the most dramatic in Europe.

Guests will then spend a day in Norway’s ‘Second City’, Bergen. Take a trip on the funicular railway to Mount Fløyen, for panoramic views of the landscape.

Braemar will then spend a full day scenic cruising. Guests can find a space on the wrap-around deck and enjoy the views as the ship passes Hidrasund and Strandsfjord, Flekkefjord and Stolsfjord, Fedafjord and Listafjord and Rosfjord.

Braemar will then continue towards Norway’s fascinating capital, Oslo. There are many highlights to discover, including the wonderful medieval Akershus Castle, the unusual Vigeland Sculpture Park, the fabulous Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery, home to Edvard Munch’s The Scream.

One of the recommended tours in Oslo is ‘Fred. Olsen History in Norway’, which tells the story of the Olsen family’s proud heritage. The Fred. Olsen Company originated in the small village of Hvitsten in 1848, when three Olsen brothers – Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas – bought their first ships and began an international shipping company. Now into the fifth generation of the family, guests will be able to visit the Olsen homestead and learn how the community has been influenced by their ancestors.

Braemar’s final call is to Arendal, the inspiration for the fictional ‘Arendelle’ kingdom in Disney’s hit animation film Frozen. With its reputation steadily growing, Arendal boasts many local pubs and restaurants, as well as numerous intriguing monuments, such as the Town Hall and the Ibsenhuset Museum, which contains treasured belongings of playwright Henrik Ibsen.

- Balmoral’s five-night L1610 ‘Norwegian Festival & Fjords’ cruise, ex Newcastle on 26^th May 2016. Prices start from £599 per person.

It is the location of the departure port that makes a cruise of this short duration possible, perfectly reflecting Fred. Olsen’s regional strategy. Sail straight to the heart of Norway in a fraction of the time it would take to sail there from a Southern UK departure port and find yourself amongst stunning landscapes, just a short while after departure.

First, guests will visit Lysefjord – one of the ‘Pearls of Norway’ – featuring ‘Preikestolen’ (‘Pulpit Rock’) and ‘Kjerag’ (‘The Mountain Bolt’). Both of these cruise highlights are only accessible by ships up to 50-metres in height, because of the bridge at the entrance.

Next, guests can explore the UNESCO-listed Bryggen Wharf, in the fine city of Bergen. Balmoral’s visit also coincides with the fantastic ‘International Festival’ – an annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, opera and the arts.

Guests will then arrive in stunning Eidfjord, apicturesque town surrounded by the mighty Hardangerfjord, which has been voted as a top 10 fjord experience by Norwegians. For those feeling adventurous, head out onto the glass-like waters on a kayak, and get up close to the mountainsides and waterfalls.

Next, Balmoral will cruise to Maurangerfjord, where guests will pass the stunning Fureberg Waterfall. After a day of cruising the Hidrasund and Strandsfjord – a narrow passage between the island of Hidra and the mainland – the ship cruises the Southern fjord of Stolsfjorden and the size-restricted Flekkefjorden, where guests will be surrounded by rolling green landscapes.

All prices listed are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. Guests can also choose to upgrade to Fred. Olsen’s ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night*.

In addition, guests who book by 31 ^st May 2015 inclusive can make the most of Fred. Olsen’s ‘Three cruises for the price of two’ campaign**, which includes all sailings of less than 35 nights’ duration departing from 6^th October 2015, as well as those featured in the new 2016/17 cruise programme. By booking by 31^st May 2015, guests can also benefit from all gratuities paid for by Fred. Olsen.***

Fred. Olsen is pleased to have been awarded the ‘Gold Trusted Merchant’ status by independent review site Feefo in 2015, for the second year in a row. This accreditation is based on genuine customer feedback and, to date, Fred. Olsen has received over 11,000 reviews, with 95% of these being in the ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ categories.

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

**Book by 31 ^st May 2015; cruises of 35 nights’ duration or more, plus the W1610 ‘Arctic Adventure & Exploration’ cruise, are excluded from this offer. See the website at www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.

***Offer applicable on new 2016/17 departures (on sale from 5 ^th March 2015) of less than 35 nights’ duration, excluding the W1610 ‘Arctic Adventure & Exploration’ cruise. See the website at www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm; Saturday, 9am – 5pm; Sunday, 10am – 4pm), or visit an ABTA travel agent.