Venture further, for longer with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ‘Extraordinary Explorations’

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new brochure – 'Extraordinary Explorations' – showcasing the amazing breadth of destinations and experiences to be enjoyed on a longer cruise in 2015. Featuring a selection of voyages, with durations from 25 to 46 nights, the new brochure includes holidays to the Adriatic, Greenland, Norway, New York, Canada, the Caribbean and Brazil.

If guests book one of these exciting cruises by 2^nd March 2015, they can make the most of Fred. Olsen’s ‘Cruise Sale’, which offers a 10% discount off the price of the cruise, plus if guests book more than one cruise at the same time, they can save even more – up to 30% off*. As an alternative, a guest could choose the convenience of ‘Free Door-to-Door Transport’, if they live within 250 mainland miles of the departure port* (only available on selected cruises).

Included in Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Extraordinary Explorations' brochure are the following cruises:

- Balmoral’s 35-night L1517 ‘Voyage to the American Deep South’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 14^th September 2015. Prices start from £3,239 per person.

Balmoral makes her first call into Sydney, Nova Scotia in Canada. Home to Gaelic-speaking descendants of Scottish settlers, Sydney is the base from which to explore the Cape Breton Highlands, the Bras d’Or Lakes and the Fortress Louisbourg National Park.

Next stop is Boston. This city, one of the largest on the USA eastern seaboard, is one of the most interesting American cities historically, and is compact enough to investigate on foot; the famous Freedom Trail is the best way to see the city and discover its historic significance. There is also a wealth of excellent restaurants, superb shopping and, of course, the most famous bar in the world – ‘Cheers’, ‘Where everybody knows your name!’

Balmoral then cruises to Salam in Massachusetts (USA), a maiden call for Fred. Olsen. The city’s culture revolves around its eerie and intriguing history as the location for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. It was also the backdrop for the famous ‘Hocus Pocus’ film starring Bette Midler.

Guests will then be able to enjoy a visit to Oak Bluffs in Martha’s Vineyard (USA), before arriving in New York (USA) for an overnight stay – the best way to enter this iconic city is undoubtedly by cruise ship. This dazzling metropolis, with its statement skyscrapers, set around glorious Central Park, is known as the ‘city that never sleeps’ and it also never disappoints! Visitors can lose themselves in the sheer vibrancy of the street life, culture, food and shopping, which are second to none anywhere in the world.

Balmoral then makes two further maiden calls: first is Charleston, South Carolina (USA), famous for its unique culture, which blends traditional Southern U.S., English, French, and West African elements. The downtown peninsula is well known for its art, music, local cuisine, and fashion and, with an overnight stay here, guests can spend the day and evening getting to know this eclectic city. Second is Savannah in Georgia (USA), where guests can enjoy the city's architecture and historic buildings, and experience the Southern charm and hospitality for which the people of the city are internationally renowned.

Guests will then stop in Jacksonville in Florida (USA), a fourth maiden call on this cruise, where guests can either relax on the stretch of 828 square miles of golden beach, or take in the mix of modern and traditional American culture at one of the local restaurants or theatres. Guests will then stop in Port Canaveral in Florida (USA), where a leisurely walk along the fishing piers or a visit to the Kennedy Space Centre is a fantastic way to spend the day.

The lively city of Miami, in Florida (USA), is next. Guests have another overnight stay, allowing plenty of time to take a stroll around the Art Deco buildings on South Beach – its golden era of architecture – or visit Lincoln Road Mall, known as the 'Fifth Avenue of the South'.

Balmoral will then make a relaxing stop in Nassau in the Bahamas; the skyline is dominated by Atlantis, the luxury hotel resort. Take a visit to Pompey Museum, with a large collection of Bahamian artefacts, or simply relax on one of the many paradise-like beaches, occasionally interspersed with some lazy snorkelling or swimming.

Next is a stop in St. George in Bermuda. Guests can visit King's Square, the undisputed centre of St. George, where locals frequently congregate for celebrations, or take a trip to the St. George's Historical Society Museum, a typical Bermudian building revealing what life was like in the early 1700s

Balmoral will cruise to Ponta Delgada in the Azores before setting sail for Southampton.

- Black Watch’s 25-night W1504 ‘Centre of Venice & the Adriatic’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 13^th April 2015. Prices start from £2,609 per person.

Black Watch’s first port of call is Gibraltar, where guests can visit ‘The Rock’, home of the famous Barbary apes or indulge in some duty-free shopping before arriving in Cartagena in Spain. Here, guests can discover the Roman amphitheatre or the medievalCastillo de la Concepción.

Next stop is Catania in Sicily. This historic centre lies on the Ionian Sea, under the shadow of Mount Etna, or ‘A Muntagna’, as the locals refer to it. The old town centre is relatively small, but the main square, Piazza Duomo, is a wonderful place to visit.

Black Watch will then cruise to Kerkira, on the island of Corfu in Greece, where guests can visit the Palaio Frourio, an old Venetian castle in Byzantine style, which is situated close to the main square, Spianada. There are also many intimate beaches, should guests just want to spend a day relaxing.

Kotor in Montenegro is the next stop and is one of the most exquisitely preserved medieval centres in the Mediterranean. The sheer mountains surrounding the town are an impressive backdrop to narrow passageways that open out into lively piazzas and ornate churches and palaces.

Black Watch will then sail to Hvar in Croatia – considered to be one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world – before docking in Italy’s breathtaking Venice, for an overnight stay. This stunning floating city has been described as one of the most extraordinary places built by man, and one of the most romantic! With plenty of time here, guests can take a relaxing gondola ride on the Grand Canal, soak up the city’s culture and architecture, visit one of the many art galleries or sample some delicious Italian cuisine.

Two further stops in Croatia follow. First, Black Watch will visit mesmerising Split, the second largest city in Croatia, where guests can visit The Riva, one of Europe's finest seafront promenades, which runs the entire length of the Old Town. Next is Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, where guests can walk the medieval city walls, explore the Old Town or take a cable car to Mount Srdj to soak up the panoramic views.

Guests will then arrive in Valletta – the fascinating, multicultural capital of Malta – before Black Watch cruises to Algiers in Algeria. Guests will have a full day to explore the traditional shops and markets or seek out the ancient mosques and palaces.

Next stop is Cadiz in Spain. Whilst here, guests can take a tour into Seville and visit The Cathedral of Saint Mary, often known as the Cathedral of Seville, before Black Watch sets sail for Liverpool.

Prices listed for these cruises are per person, based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded inside or outside cabin,subject to availability,and includeaccommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, and port dues.

Fred. Olsen was delighted to be named one of the Top 3 UK cruise lines and awarded a prestigious ‘Recommended Provider’ accolade, in Which?’s first-ever dedicated cruise survey in 2014. Experts at influential consumer website Cruise Critic have also voted Fred. Olsen ‘Best Value for Money’ in its ‘Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards 2014’,for the third consecutive year.

*See the website www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.