From Balmoral to ‘New Scotland’ on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ voyage to Canada and US in 2014

For guests with the time and curiosity to explore a bit further afield, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’
32-night ‘Canadian Fall with New York & Boston’ cruise (L1413) in autumn 2014 is an absolute ‘must’! Setting sail on Balmoral from Southampton on 1st September 2014, this longer cruise is perfectly timed to coincide with the best of the glorious ‘Fall’ colours on the other side of the Atlantic, and gives guests the chance to enter the iconic city of New York by cruise ship…one of the most exhilarating experiences there can be!

With its strong Norwegian heritage, the Fred. Olsen family and company has long-standing, historical links with Scotland; it is therefore fitting that this cruise will be on board Fred. Olsen’s flagship, Balmoral – named after the Scottish home and estate of Her Majesty The Queen when she is in the Highlands – and will be taking in the relatively-undiscovered territory of ‘New Scotland’, or ‘Nova Scotia’, in Canada.

The first port of call after leaving Southampton is St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. This is North America’s oldest city, and is sometimes compared with San Francisco, because of its hilly geography. The views from Cabot Tower on Signal Hill – the city’s most notable landmark – are breathtaking. It was here that, in 1901, Marconi received the first transatlantic wireless message, sent from Cornwall. The Newfoundland Museum and Cathedral of St. John the Baptist are well worth a visit.

Next, Balmoral visits Gaspé, in Quebec, a great place to explore on foot, or take a tour to the impressive Follion National Park.

After a call into Baie-Comeau, built around the aluminium and paper industries, the cruise reaches Quebec City, with an overnight stay, allowing more time to explore ashore. Quebec has been voted Number 8 in Fred. Olsen guests’ ‘Top 10’ of worldwide ports to visit, and it is the only walled city on the continent North of Mexico, with a special blend of French and North American cultures. The Old Town is compact and ideal for walking, with a wealth of museums and historical buildings; perhaps most interesting of these is the ‘Museum of Civilisation’ on the waterfront.

The next stop, Saguenay, is situated at the head of the great fjord of Saguenay; this forested region is a major centre for outdoor activities, such as hiking and kayaking.

A visit to Halifax in Nova Scotia follows; a port which played such an important part in the tragic story of the R.M.S. Titanic, and where many who lost their lives aboard this ill-fated vessel were laid to rest. Interestingly, the Fred. Olsen Group owns the shipyard of Harland & Wolff, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the infamous R.M.S. Titanic was built.

Balmoral then visits a maiden port: Shelburne. This is an undiscovered gem, with plenty of outdoor activity on offer – canoeing and bird-watching are popular local pursuits, or guests can enjoy the historic waterfront and sample the cuisine in the excellent seafood restaurants. Fishing remains the primary industry here today, and it is renowned as the ‘Lobster Capital of Canada’ – take a stroll along the historic waterfront and admire the spectacular scenery, where the re-makes of ‘Moby Dick’ and ‘The Scarlet Letter’ were filmed. 

Balmoral goes on to visit three North American ports; after a call into Bar Harbor, with its pretty clapboard houses, she has overnight stays in two of the greatest cities on the eastern seaboard, and in the whole country – Boston and New York. Boston is one of the most interesting American cities historically, and compact enough to explore on foot; the famous Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city and discover its historic significance. There is also a host of excellent restaurants, superb shopping and, of course, the most famous bar in the world – ‘Cheers’, ‘Where everybody knows your name!’

New York needs no introduction – this dazzling metropolis, with its unique skyscrapers, set around glorious Central Park, is known as the ‘City that never sleeps’; it also never disappoints, and visitors can lose themselves in the sheer vibrancy of the street life, culture, food and shopping that are second to none anywhere in the world.

The final port on this cruise is the surprisingly named Sydney, in Nova Scotia, before Balmoral sets sail for her return crossing of the Atlantic.

Prices for this cruise start from £3,149 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues. Guests can also choose to upgrade to the ‘all-inclusive’ drinks package for just £10 per person, per night*.

If guests book this fascinating cruise by 28th February 2014, they will also benefit from ‘Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise’ – the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising – whereby people who have never cruised with Fred. Olsen before will be able to try a Fred. Olsen cruise, and if they do not enjoy it, Fred. Olsen will fly them home and refund their cruise fare*.

Free door-to-door transport is also available on this cruise, for guests who live within 250 miles of the Port of Southampton, if they book by the end of February 2014*. This enhanced service for Fred. Olsen guests is operated by Door to Door Cars for Southampton departures.

Fred. Olsen was delighted to be voted ‘Best Affordable Cruise Line’ and runner-up ‘Best Cruise Line’ in the ‘Cruise International Awards 2013’, and ‘Best Value for Money’ in the Cruise Critic ‘Editors’ Picks UK Awards 2013’.

Fred. Olsen was also voted the second-highest cruise line in the UK in Which?’s 2013 Holiday Survey, with a score of 86%. Fred. Olsen has also received over 5,600 genuine, independent guest reviews via leading consumer website Feefo, of which 95% have rated the cruise line 'Excellent' or 'Good'.

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