Suffolk-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to make a maiden call in Southwold in Summer 2017

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ‎will be making its first-ever call at the pretty Suffolk town of Southwold, not far from the company’s Ipswich Head Office, on 26^th July 2017, as part of Boudicca’s eight-night D1716 ‘Wildlife of England & Scotland’ adventure – for adults only – which departs from Liverpool on 21^st July 2017.

Boudicca is one of Fred. Olsen’s most popular and classic ships, carrying 880 guests in style and comfort to destinations all over the world. It is hoped that she will receive a very warm welcome when she calls at Southwold in the height of the Suffolk Summer next year!

Neil Herbert, Head of Sales for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

"We are very excited to be calling at the coastal Suffolk town of Southwold in Summer 2017, especially as we are the only ‎cruise line based in the county and across East Anglia.

"This 'first for Fred. Olsen' will enable us to showcase all the wonderful highlights that Suffolk has to offer: ‎we would encourage guests to pay a visit to the pastel-coloured beach huts in Southwold and the world-famous Pier; or take a shore tour to the Minsmere RSPB Reserve, which has been featured extensively as a backdrop for the BBC’s bird-watching series, Springwatch‎. On the culinary front, the award-winning fish and chips in nearby Aldeburgh are a 'must', maybe washed down with a refreshing pint of IPA from the local Adnams brewery!"

To make cruising with Fred. Olsen even easier, guests booking this ‘Around the UK’ cruise will not have to hold a passport in order to be able to travel. Fred. Olsen has amended its policy and will accept the following forms of photographic identification at Check-in: Passport / EU national ID card / Driving licence / Council-issued bus pass + travel card / Firearms licence / VALIDATE UK card

Details of this nature-lovers’ cruise are as follows:

Boudicca’s eight-night D1716 ‘Wildlife of England & Scotland’ cruise, ex Liverpool on 21^st July 2017 (adult-only). Prices start from £1,099 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded ‘Interior Room’, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus port taxes.

This stunning Summer sailing is a dream cruise for those with a passion for wildlife. Embark on a magical boat ride from Tobermory, to explore the Sound of Mull, where Minke Whales, Porpoises, Seals, Dolphins and birds of prey, including Sparrow Hawks and Golden Eagles, are often seen; and be on the lookout for Orcas, as the ship cruised along the Pentland Firth, en route to Kirkwall.

Here, guests can venture out into the rugged landscapes of the Orkneys, in search of Hen Harriers and Kestrels, insects, such as the endangered Great Yellow Bumblebee, and the Orkney Vole, before continuing onwards to Lerwick, to see Shetland Ponies and witness some of the UK’s most impressive coastal scenery.

Guests should have their binoculars at the ready, as the ship glides slowly by the Farne Islands – Sir David Attenborough’s favourite place in the UK to see Nature’s finest spectacles – to spot Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills and large Seal colonies dotted along the shores.

Boudicca then calls into the quintessentially English seaside town of Southwold, where guests can visit the unique and quirky ‘Under the Pier Show’, on ‘Britain’s only 21st Century Pier’, which describes itself as ’a mad arcade of home-made machines and simulator rides’, created by inventor Tim Hunkin; or take a trip to nearby Aldeburgh, the home of composer Benjamin Britten, and a cultural hub for the arts. Also within easy reach are Dunwich Heath, Walberswick and RSPB Minsmere; all three sites, along with Southwold, are listed as Suffolk Coast and Heaths’ ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

Portsmouth – the final port of call – is perfectly-placed for trips to the beautiful New Forest and South Downs National Parks, and Chichester Harbour, an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’.

This is Great Britain at its very best!

Ports of call: Liverpool, UK – Tobermory, Isle of Mull – Cruising Pentland Firth – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Lerwick, Shetland Islands – Cruising by Farne Islands – Southwold, UK – Portsmouth, UK – Liverpool, UK

For further information, visit: www%2efredolsencruises%2ecom%2fplaces-we-visit%2fcruise-holiday%2fwildlife-of-england-and-scotland-d1716%3freferrer%3d7%26isback%3d1

In 2017/18, Fred. Olsen’s fleet of four smaller, more intimate ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will be visiting no fewer than 220 destinations in 70 countries around the globe. They will be sailing from a total of ten convenient, regional UK departure ports: Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Falmouth, Liverpool, N‎ewcastle, Rosyth (for Edinburgh), Greenock (for Glasgow) and Belfast.

Fred. Olsen will also be making the most of its smaller-sized ships in 2017/18 by offering even more river, fjords and scenic cruising, taking guests along narrow sea passages and waterways, and past awe-inspiring scenery. Fred. Olsen will be visiting 118 picturesque scenic sea passages and waterways in 2017/18, totalling almost 1,000 hours of scenic cruising.

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