Relax on a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘River Cruise’ in 2015

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering guests six new relaxing ‘River Cruises’ in its 2015 cruise season, after huge booking success on Braemar’s seven-night M1424 ‘French River Cruise’, which offers the chance to sail along two of France’s most beautiful rivers from Dover on 24th August 2014. Fred. Olsen is one of the few cruise lines that can offer this type of cruise experience due to its fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships. Fred. Olsen will be making the most of Braemar’s shorter and shallower dimensions with an array of exciting European ‘River Cruises’ in 2015, to destinations including Seville (Spain), Bordeaux (France) and Hamburg (Germany).

In addition, guests who book on to one of Fred. Olsen’s new 2015 ‘River Cruises’ before 7th May 2014 will be able to benefit from the cruise line’s ‘The more you buy, the more you save’ campaign, whereby guests who book two cruises will save 20%, and if they book three cruises or more, this rises to a 30% saving*.

Fred. Olsen’s selection of ‘River Cruises’ for 2015 include:

- Braemar’s 14-night ‘Spanish Cities with Seville’ cruise, M1511, ex Harwich on 18th April 2015. Prices start from £1,499 per person.

First port of call on this Spanish exploration cruise is Huelva (Spain) – a maiden call for Fred. Olsen. Located at the mouth of the rivers Tinto and Odiel, which originate in the Aracena mountain range, this destination is a beautiful golden beachside town, fringed by shady palm trees that look out over azure waters. Guests can enjoy the peacefulness of this town at one of the many local cafés and restaurants that sit alongside the coastline.

Next stop is Malaga (Spain). Steeped in history, this vibrant city is a haven for photographers, with breathtaking views from Alhambra Palace, which lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Braemar will then cruise to Alicante (Spain), which boasts a stunning harbour, lined with shops, bars and restaurants.

After cruising the Guadalquivir River, guests will arrive in the very heart of Seville (Spain), for an overnight stay. This enchanting, traditional destination is full of Spanish culture and charm; with ornate architecture, cobbled streets, an abundance of art galleries and the ‘Catedral de Sevilla’ – the tomb of Christopher Columbus.

The final port of call is Vigo (Spain), with pretty market squares and friendly locals to meet, before Braemar cruises towards Harwich.

- Braemar’s 10-night ‘German Waterways’ cruise, M1516, ex Dover on 2nd June 2015.
Prices start from £1,099 per person.

First stop on this German river cruise is Flensburg (Germany). Braemar will cruise past Germany’s only fjord, before docking close to the heart of bustling and vibrant this city, where guests can wander through the tree-lined boulevards or visit St. Nikolai Church in the main market square.

Braemar will then move onwards to Travemünde (Germany), for trips into Lübeck. This enchanting town is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, where guests will feel as though they have been transported back to the 14th Century.

After cruising through the Kiel Canal, guests will arrive in Hamburg (Germany), for an overnight stay. This fantastic Hanseatic city is bursting with museums and architecture, and is ripe for exploring.

Guests will then have the chance to relax out on Braemar’s cascading, wrap-around deck, as she cruises along the River Elbe, before arriving in Bremen (Germany). Famous for its beer, breweries and traditional pubs, guests can soak up the local culture or take a look around St. Peters Cathedral. Braemar then cruises back to Dover.

- Braemar’s eight-night ‘French River’ cruise, M1522, ex Dover on 1st August 2015. Prices start from £899 per person.

After a scenic cruise along the Loire River, passing ‘fairytale’ architecture, Braemar will arrive in Nantes (France), for an overnight stay. Guests can enjoy a range of local delicacies at one of the many patisseries or, for enquiring minds, take a visit to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany to discover some local history.

Braemar will then cruise along the Garonne River, before arriving in Bordeaux (France). Known as one of the finest wine regions, guests can visit a local vineyard to taste some of the delicious local produce, or indulge in a shopping spree along one of the longest pedestrian streets in France, ‘Rue Sainte-Catherine’.

La Pallice is the next port of call for guests, for trips into La Rochelle (France). This peaceful town is a delightful mix of beaches, greenery and fortifications, offering guests a diverse experience of relaxation and exploration. Braemar will then return to Dover.

Prices for these three cruises are based on two adults sharing a twin, ‘Inside’ cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues.

Fred. Olsen is proud to be the only UK travel company to receive a coveted ‘Gold Award’ from leading consumer review website Feefo, having achieved a 95% service rating of 'Excellent' or 'Good' in over 5,600 genuine, independent guest reviews in 2013.

Fred. Olsen was also 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’s Braemar was also recently announced as the top winner in Cruise Critic’s ‘Cruisers' Choice 2014 Awards’ ‘Best Small Ship for Embarkation’ category.