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Two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' stalwarts receive coveted 'John Honeywell Award' at prestigious Wave Awards 2019

Press release -

Two Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' stalwarts receive coveted 'John Honeywell Award' at prestigious Wave Awards 2019

Two retiring Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines' stalwarts, Managing Director Mike Rodwell and Head of Sales Mike Evans, received the coveted 'John Honeywell Award', in recognition of their dedication to the industry, at the Wave Awards 2019.

The pair, who are both retiring this year after almost 60 years between them at Suffolk-based Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, received the award at a glittering ceremony at London’s De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms.

On receiving the award, Head of Sales Mike Evans, who will retire in April this year, said:

“I am truly honoured to receive the 'John Honeywell Award'. When you work in an industry for such a long time, and know the workings like the back of your hand, real surprises don’t come easily – but when my name was called, I was speechless.

“John was a great man, who was passionate about cruise and travel, and had a real affinity for Fred. Olsen, so to receive this award in his memory fills me with great pride. I can’t think of a better way to mark my final weeks with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.

“Thank you to all at Real Response Media for bestowing such an honour upon me.”

Managing Director Mike Rodwell, who will retire in August this year, addressed the crowd with an acceptance video, having been unable to attend due to recent knee surgery. He said:

“I am both honoured and humbled to accept the 'John Honeywell Award'. I have had a long and enjoyable career with Fred. Olsen, having joined when the company had only one ship – the Black Prince.

“Retirement was not a decision I took lightly, but my 60th birthday seemed like an appropriate milestone. I would like to thank all of those, many of whom will be in this room tonight, who have made my career with Fred. Olsen such an enjoyable one.

“Thank you very much to all at Real Response Media, on behalf of Mike Evans and I, for bestowing such a prestigious award upon us. What a fantastic honour for us both to start our retirements with.”

Chris Pitchford, Managing Director of Real Response Media, said:

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have been lucky to work with both of these talented travel professionals over the past 30 years. They are much admired and respected in our industry and thoroughly deserve this award.”

The John Honeywell Award was launched in 2018 in tribute to the late journalist, also known as ‘Captain Greybeard’, and is awarded to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the cruise industry.

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, visit the website at www.fredolsencruises.com

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Line operates in the UK with four intimately sized ships for a more personal cruising experience.

Contacts

Ellis Orchard

Ellis Orchard

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07557672265
Georgina May

Georgina May

Press contact Public Relations Executive Public Relations
Lauren Gardner

Lauren Gardner

Press contact Public Relations Manager Public Relations 07546807099

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