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Captain Rommel Pineda with Dr Stephen Payne OBE. Credit: Sail Away
Captain Rommel Pineda with Dr Stephen Payne OBE. Credit: Sail Away

Press release -

Ornate tea bricks gifted to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines by Borealis’ naval architect

The naval architect behind Borealis has presented Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines with two decorative tea bricks.

Dr Stephen Payne OBE, who was the project manager for the building of the ship, formerly known as Rotterdam VI for Holland America, presented the ornate tea bricks to Captain Rommel Pineda on a recent cruise to Iceland.

The bricks, made of compressed tea, were previously owned by his late father, Michael Payne, who was a tea-taster and blender of distinction in the tea trade and was instrumental in the introduction of flavoured teas into the UK.

Captain Rommel Pineda with Dr Stephen Payne OBE
Captain Rommel Pineda with Dr Stephen Payne OBE. Credit: Sail Away

Dr Payne said:

“When we found the tea bricks, we didn’t really know what to do with them, but we were reluctant to throw them away as my father obviously cherished their historical importance.

“Knowing I was due to join Borealis’ Volcanic Landscapes of Iceland cruise and learning that she has an Oriental Tea Room, it seemed appropriate that the tea bricks should be presented as a lasting tribute from me to my late father and on the ship that I helped bring to commission.”

While on board, Dr Payne also delivered three talks to guests about his role in creating Borealis, another on the Battle of the Denmark Strait in 1941 and a third on HMY Britannia.

Speaking about stepping aboard Borealis for the first time in 27 years, Dr Payne added:

“Those of us who work with ships or know them well, recognise that some ships are blessed. They have an undefinable enigmatic quality which we euphemistically call a soul.

“Returning to this ship, I certainly feel that she has a soul and is well loved by her crew and guests.

“It was a delight to be back on board and see just how well she is looked after by Fred. Olsen.”

Captain Rommel Pineda, of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Dr Stephen Payne OBE on board Borealis for the first time since he built the ship.

“The gifting of the tea bricks was incredibly generous and they are a wonderful addition to our Oriental Tea Room.”

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit www.fredolsencruises.com
Book online or call Reservations on 0800 0355 215 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07557672265
Georgina May

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

At Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines we are very proud of our smaller ships – Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral - and the imaginative and unusual itineraries they allow us to offer. Every cruise is hand-crafted from scratch by our team of in-house Journey Planners to make sure you are not only visiting the best destinations, but at the best time to experience them.

For us, it’s not just about where we go but how we take you there. We put as much time into planning scenic cruising as we do in choosing the destinations themselves. On board, our Signature Experiences showcase the history, culture, nature and flavours of the destinations you’ll visit – from Treats of the Region, where you can enjoy local delicacies, to our Sky at Sea star-gazing sessions where you can relax with a hot toddy out on deck while our astronomer talks you through the night sky.

Plus, with each ship carrying 1,300 guests or less, our ships are small enough for us to offer a warm, friendly and personal service where nothing is ever too much trouble, as we visit a host of exciting ports in every corner of the globe.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen House, White House Road
IP1 5LL Ipswich, Suffolk
United Kingdom