Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes back award-winning ‘Talon’ in 2014

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is pleased to welcome ‘Talon’ back on board in 2014. The band – described as ‘Awesome!’ by The Sun – will perform a series of songs from their new album, ‘The Acoustic Collection’, on three separate evenings during Balmoral’s seven-night L1409 ‘Discover France, Spain & Guernsey’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 20^th July 2014.

‘Talon’ proved very popular when they performed their award-winning ‘Best of Eagles' show on board Black Watch’s ‘Antwerp & Amsterdam’ mini-cruise in 2012, and guests got the chance to help the band celebrate their 15th anniversary.

‘Talon’ formed in September 1997, and played their first gig on 28^thJanuary 1998, and they have been going from strength to strength ever since. The band’s unusual name comes from the word for an eagle’s claw, and was suggested by Paul Outen, a drummer and colleague of founder members Chris Lloyd and Peter Anderson, from their cruising days. When choosing the name, they felt that it was important to give the band its own identity, and did not want to play on the word ‘Eagles’ or use an ‘Eagles’ song title.

Sat on bar stools and armed with no more than their trademark four-part vocal harmony, acoustic instruments and ‘laid-back banter’, ‘Talon’ band members Jonny Miller, Chris Lloyd, Peter Anderson and Keith Buck will perform an eclectic mix of contemporary acoustic classics on board Balmoral, from James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Everly Brothers, Michael Jackson and, of course, The Eagles. Having achieved success with their award-winning ‘Best of Eagles' show, the band is hoping that ‘The Acoustic Collection’ will be met with the same warm reception on board.

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to be welcoming back the hugely-talented ‘Talon’ on board in 2014, who have been praised by hit Eagles’ songwriter Jack Tempchin as ‘performing the great songs of ‘The Eagles’ with reverence and super talent’.

“Fred. Olsen’s France, Spain and Guernsey cruise is a great opportunity for music lovers, and ‘Talon’ will no doubt leave our guests spellbound, with lots of fond memories to look back on.”

First call on this musical cruise is La Pallice (France), where guests can enjoy tours of La Rochelle’s arcaded streets, ancient wooden houses and stately mansions. This well-preserved city also has a bustling fishing harbour, and excellent shops and restaurants.

Balmoral then visits Getxo (Spain),where guests are encouraged to visit Bilbao. No visit to this beautiful destination would be complete without a stop at the Guggenheim Museum; but before venturing inside, take a walk around the perimeter to take in just how spectacular the building is. For those who wish to travel a little further, tours to the surrounding Alamedas or the Basque coastline offer stunning views.

After a visit to Gijonin Spain, Balmoral then continues on to St. Peter Port in Guernsey, giving guests the opportunity to discover its unique history. A quaint and charming town, there is a mix of tiered gardens, stylish shops and chic cafés. Castle Cornet has stood guard over the town for 800 years. Guests are also encouraged to visit The Old Quarter, with its eclectic mix of antique shops and locally made crafts. The cruise then returns to Southampton.

Prices for this cruise start from £699 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside twin-bedded cabin, and include all meals, accommodation and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

Fred. Olsen was recently voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ and runner-up ‘Best Cruise Line’ in the prestigious ‘Cruise International Awards 2013’.