Fred. Olsen unveils packed programme of ‘closer’ cruises on Braemar in 2019

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is bringing the world ‘closer’ to more guests than ever before, as it launches a packed programme of ‘closer’ cruising for 2019 aboard Braemar from Southampton.

Not only does almost every itinerary in Braemar’s ex-Southampton cruise schedule in 2019 promise to take guests ‘closer’ to the destination that they are visiting, but holidaymakers will also be able to enjoy the enhanced and upgraded facilities on board following an extensive multi-million-Pound, refurbishment programme across the Fred. Olsen fleet.

Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“’Closer’ cruising is something that we feel passionate about at Fred. Olsen, and it is right at the heart of what we do. The smaller, more intimate size of Braemar, along with the rest of Fred. Olsen’s four-ship ocean fleet, means that it can reach destinations that larger cruise lines cannot – be it by docking just a 10-minute walk away from Marseille’s beautiful marina, cruising beneath the Karmsund Bridge in Norway or sailing slowly along the Kiel Canal.

“There is nothing better than stepping off the ship and being right where you need to be – and that will be the case on almost every itinerary aboard Braemar for 2019.”

In addition, guests will also be able to immerse themselves even further into the destinations that they are visiting aboard one of Braemar’s new Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), which are expected to be installed on board the ship by the end of 2018. Each RIB carries 12 people, and – at an extra cost – will take guests ‘off the beaten tourist track’ to see extraordinary sights, from isolated stretches of coastline to well-known wildlife hotspots.

Highlights of Braemar’s ‘closer’ cruise programme from Southampton in 2019 include:

- 13-night M1913 ‘Cruising to the Heart of the Baltic’ cruise, departing on 26^th May 2019. Prices start from £1,699 per person.

Ports of call: Southampton, UK – Copenhagen, Denmark – Helsinki, Finland – St Petersburg, Russia (overnight stay) – Rønne, Denmark – Travemünde, Germany – Kiel Canal Transit – Southampton, UK

While larger ships are unable to dock in the heart of historic Travemünde, instead having to berth 7km away, guests on board ‘Braemar’ will be just a five-minute walk away from the town’s promenade and beach.

The trip will conclude with a scenic cruise along the Kiel Canal, which can only be navigated by smaller cruise ships, such as ‘Braemar’.

For further information: See ‘Cruising to the Heart of the Baltic’ M1913

- Eight-night M1920 ‘Cruising the Fjords of Norway’ cruise, departing on 14^th August 2019. Prices start from £1,199 per person.

Ports of call: Southampton, UK – Stavanger, Norway – Cruising Hardangerfjord – Eidfjord, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord – Olden, Norway – Cruising by Hornelen – Bergen, Norway – Cruising Lysefjord – Southampton, UK

Braemar’s shorter and shallower dimensions come into their own in Norway, where she can sail right along the steep-sided Lyesfjord, restricted to others by the 50-metre tall bridge at its entrance.

For further information: See 'Cruising the Fjords of Norway’ M1920

- 13-night M1924 ‘Cruising to the Heart of Seville & Bordeaux’ sailing, departing on 14^th September 2019. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

Ports of call: Southampton, UK – Bordeaux, France – Cruising Gironde & Garonne Rivers – Cruising Guadalquivir River – Seville, Spain (overnight stay) – Cádiz, Spain – Vigo, Spain – Avilés, Spain – Southampton, UK

Braemar can sail the tidally-restricted rivers to dock right alongside the promenade in Bordeaux’s beautiful city centre, meaning that the distance from the ship to the city is only the length of the gangway.

On this trip, Braemar will also sail 49 miles up Spain’s Guadalquivir River into Seville, passing by Donana National Park – a feat that only smaller ships can achieve.

For further information: See 'Cruising to the Heart of Seville & Bordeaux' M1924

All prices shown are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded Interior Room, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes.

In 2019/20, Fred. Olsen’s fleet of four smaller, more intimately-sized ocean ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will be visiting no fewer than 219 destinations in 75 countries around the globe, covering 79 areas of scenic cruising.

Fred. Olsen is renowned for its itineraries, and is proud to have been crowned ‘Best for Itineraries’ in the prestigious ‘UK Editors’ Picks Awards 2017’ for three years in a row.

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