Star of the BBC’s 'The Great British Bake Off' to join Fred. Olsen’s ‘The Great British Cruise’ in Summer 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that Nancy Birtwhistle, champion of the 2014 round of the BBC’s popular The Great British Bake Off series, will be joining part of Braemar’s 11-night M1620 ‘The Great British Cruise’, which departs from Southampton on 8^th August 2016.

During her stay on Braemar, from Cardiff to Rosyth, Nancy will be taking part in a question and answer session, where the Cruise Director and audience will be able to ask her questions about her time on Bake Off and share baking tips. Nancy will also be hosting a live baking demonstration on board, and will be spending time meeting Fred. Olsen’s guests around the ship.

Nancy Birtwhistle is a self-taught baker who only decided to seriously pursue her passion for sweet and savoury delights when she retired from her full-time job as a practice manager for a GP’s surgery seven years ago. Born and brought up in Hull and the surrounding areas, Nancy’s first memories of baking are Christmases with her Grandmother, who was an inspiration to Nancy with her true ‘home-baker’ style.

Through devouring recipe books, taking tips and inspiration from people she meets and spending lots of time practising, Nancy has acquired an incredible depth of knowledge about baking. Since winning The Great British Bake Off in Autumn 2014 Nancy has gone on to take part in radio and television interviews, create a successful website and blog and continues to enjoy baking for her children and grandchildren.

Nancy Birtwhistle, The Great British Bake Off 2014 champion said:

"I am absolutely thrilled to be joining ‘The Great British Cruise’ this year. We will enjoy the best that the British Isles has to offer and I look forward to sharing some of my Bake Off stories, along with some very special cooking and baking secrets.”

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

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is very pleased to be welcoming Nancy Birtwhistle on board our ‘The Great British Cruise’, as her champion status on The Great British Bake Off and love for one of the UK’s favourite pastimes fits perfectly with this cruise celebration of ‘all things British’!”

Braemar’s ‘The Great British Cruise’ cruise calls first into Falmouth. From here, guests can take a tour to the iconic Tintagel Castle, believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur; the spectacular Eden project – a gateway into the fascinating world of plants, overlooking St Austell Bay – and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where mystical walled gardens, ancient pastures, woodland and wetland await exploration.

Next comes a call into Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Guests can enjoy the vibrancy of Cardiff Bay Waterfront or take a shore tour for the Doctor Who Experience.

Braemar then continues to thehistoric Cumbrian town of Barrow-in-Furness, where guests will be surrounded by beautiful beaches and the fantastic sandstone ruins of Furness Abbey. A highly-recommended tour is to the stunning Lake District nearby, which includes picturesque Lake Windermere, England’s largest natural lake.

Guests will then arrive in the city of Liverpool. This exciting destination boasts an abundance of attractions, including the UK’s largest collection of museums and galleries outside London, including Tate Liverpool and The Beatles Story. Guests will be welcomed to the city – a former European ‘Capital of Culture’ – with impressive architecture, docking next to the iconic Liver Building.

Braemar then makes a call to Lerwick, capital of the remote Shetland Islands. Guests can visit the archaeological site at Jarlshof; Clickimin Broch, which dates back to the Iron Age; the ancient castle at Scalloway; and the pretty Loch of Tingwall, with its Norse heritage and Shetland ponies. Plus, The Shetlands are also home to the number one fish and chip shop in the UK, as voted for in the ‘National Fish & Chip Awards’!

The final call on this British odyssey is Rosyth, for an overnight stay. Guests can take a short journey into the stunning city of Edinburghand explore the many sites and sights, including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Botanical Gardens. There is also the opportunity to discover the numerous theories, myths and legends of Rosslyn Chapel and learn of its supposed connections to the Knights Templar, Freemasonry and the Holy Grail.

Prices for this ‘all things British’ cruise start from £1,299 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes.

This cruise is also included in Fred. Olsen’s great-value ‘Turn of Year’ campaign, where guests can choose between two tempting offers – ‘Three Cruises for the Price of Two’ or ‘Free Tips & Tipples’, where Fred. Olsen will include complimentary drinks and gratuities on board (book before 2^nd March 2016).

Fred. Olsen was named ‘Best for Itineraries’ in the 2015 Cruise Critic ‘UK Editors’ Picks Awards’, in recognition of its commitment to ‘bringing the world closer to you’.

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.