Which? ‘Recommended Provider’ Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils its ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure to 243 destinations in 80 countries

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – named one of Which?’s Top 3 cruise lines in the UK and a ‘Recommended Provider’ in its 2014 cruise survey* – has launched its new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure,  featuring its most ambitious and unique cruise programme ever. In 2015/16, Fred. Olsen is offering guests the chance to visit a total of 243 destinations in 80 countries around the globe. 

In keeping with Fred. Olsen’s aim of ‘Bringing the world closer to you’, taking guests right to the heart of the destination, the front cover of the new-look ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure showcases a variety of the exciting and exotic destinations that the cruise line visits, such as Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Venice (Italy), in a colourful, eye-catching ’mosaic’ design.
Fred. Olsen will be offering a number of new destinations in 2015/16, with maiden calls into the ports of Argostoli (Greece), Bremen (Germany), Brevik (Norway), Charleston (USA), Devil’s Island (Île Royale,  French Guiana), Flensburg (Germany), Jacksonville (USA), Luanda (Angola), Maputo (Mozambique), Red Bay (Canada), Salem (USA), São Filipe (Cape Verde), Savannah (USA), Tuticorin (India) and Zanzibar (Tanzania).

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

“The very special ‘Fred. Olsen difference’ is brought to life in our new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure, with an array of outstanding and innovative cruise experiences and destinations. With Fred. Olsen, every itinerary is distinct and, in an increasingly cluttered market, where the consumer finds it difficult to distinguish between one brand and another, we are very proud of all the factors that make us unique.

“In August 2014, we were recognised by Which? magazine as one of the three highest-placed cruise lines in the UK; this clearly demonstrates the success of developing the product to ensure that it fits with guests’ requirements for exciting itineraries, taking in destinations that other vessels cannot access, and offering exceptional customer service, quality and value for money.”

Fred. Olsen’s new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure features 21 new itineraries not previously published in its ‘Launch Brochure 2015/16’, which was unveiled in March this year. These include:
Black Watch’s 14-night W1526 ‘Norway & Arctic’ cruise, ex Avonmouth (Bristol) on 15th September 2015 (prices start from £1,399 per person**). Visit the Hanseatic city of Bergen; admire breathtaking scenery along Norway’s coastline; discover the fascinating Sami culture in Alta; reach for the top of the world, with a visit to the North Cape; call into the Arctic city of Tromsø; marvel at the Art-Nouveau beauty of Ålesund; and soak up the charming ambience of Stavanger. 

Balmoral’s three-night L1523 ‘’60s Party Night’ and L1522 ‘’70s Party Night’ cruises, ex Southampton on 15th and 12th December 2015 respectively (prices start from £299 per person**). Celebrate either the ‘60s or the ‘70s on one of Balmoral’s two themed three-night party cruises to Belgium (Bruges, from Zeebrugge, and Antwerp respectively) in December 2015 and party the night away.

Boudicca’s 14-night D1528 ‘Canaries & Portuguese Christmas & New Year’ cruise, ex Tilbury on 21st December 2015 (prices start from £1,499 per person**). Guests can enjoy a very special festive season, with a chance to discover the delights of Oporto (from Leixoes, Portugal), followed by a relaxing Christmas day at sea. They can bathe in December warmth on the beaches of Santa Cruz (Tenerife) and Las Palmas (Gran Canaria), before ending their holiday with a visit to the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, for the famous New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Braemar’s 14-night M1603 ‘Amazon River Adventure’ fly-cruise, ex London Gatwick/Manchester on 4th February 2016, via Bridgetown (Barbados) (prices start from £1,299 per person, cruise only / from £2,099 per person, including return flights and transfers**). This adventure cruise will visit four ports in Brazil – Santarem, Boca do Valeria, Manaus – for an overnight stay – and Parintins, plus a maiden call for Fred. Olsen to Devil’s Island (Île Royale) in French Guiana. Here, guests can uncover the notorious history of this intriguing island, immortalised in the classic novel and film ‘Papillon’, or discover some of the local wildlife, including macaws, monkeys and sea turtles.

Fred. Olsen’s 2015/16 cruise programme will see its fleet of four smaller, more traditional ships,  Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch, sailing from 10 convenient, regional UK departure ports –  Southampton, Dover, Harwich, Tilbury, Avonmouth (Bristol), Liverpool, Newcastle, Greenock (Glasgow), Rosyth (Edinburgh), and Belfast – further enhancing Fred. Olsen’s reputation as the ‘local, global cruise line’.

Highlights of Fred. Olsen’s ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure include:

- Fred. Olsen’s inaugural African ‘Grand Voyage’ on board Boudicca in 2016; at 76 nights’ duration, this is the first time that the ship has ever been deployed on such a long cruise, and will be calling at the new ports of Luanda (Angola), Maputo (Mozambique) and Zanzibar (Tanzania).

- Black Watch’s 115-night ‘Around the World’ ‘Grand Voyage’ in 2016, taking in a grand total of 27 countries, visiting the maiden port of Tuticorin, in India, as well as the popular destinations of Yangon, capital of Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Komodo Island, home to the famous Dragons, which is only accessible by sea.

- Following their tremendous popularity in 2014, Fred. Olsen will be offering even more river cruising itineraries on Braemar – which is ideal with its shallow draft – taking in the French rivers, the German waterways and a Spanish itinerary, cruising up the Guadalquivir to the centre of Seville.

- Fred. Olsen’s fleet will be undertaking even more ‘scenic cruising’ in 2015/16, visiting 51 picturesque locations, including Lysefjord – one of the ‘pearls of Norway’, featuring ‘Preikestolen’ (‘Pulpit Rock’) and ‘Kjerag’ (‘The Mountain Bolt’) – the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, and the Turku and Stockholm archipelagos. 

- Balmoral’s 35-night ‘Voyage to the American Deep South’ in September 2015, calling at the new US ports of Savannah and Charleston – both renowned for their Southern charm and hospitality – Salem and Jacksonville, as well as taking in undiscovered Canada and the sun-drenched beaches of the Bahamas and Bermuda. 

- Boudicca’s 16-night ‘Poison, Murder & Mystery’ themed cruise from Rosyth to the Canaries in July 2015, linking the ‘Poison Garden’ of Alnwick Castle – created as part of a £40-million investment by the Duchess of Northumberland – and the ‘Poison Garden of Guimar’ in Tenerife. Take part in what is planned to be the biggest participative murder mystery ever undertaken…a first for any cruise line!
- ‘Film Stars & Fast Cars’ is back by popular demand! A 15-night cruise from Dover in May 2015, visiting Cannes, for the famous Film Festival, and Nice, to have the opportunity to go the Grand Prix at Monaco.
- An ‘Elvis Cruise’, visiting Randers, near Århus, known as the ‘Graceland of Denmark’, on Braemar to commemorate the 80th birthday of ‘The King’ in April 2015.

- A brand-new concept for Fred. Olsen, and possibly within the cruise industry as a whole, is the ‘You Choose Your Cruise’ on Braemar in October 2015, where guests vote for the next port of call in Portugal, Spain and Gibraltar as the cruise progresses, from two choices each time.

Fred. Olsen will also be offering its unique ‘Enjoyment Promise’***– the biggest initiative of its kind ever to take place in the UK to encourage people to try cruising – on all sailings featured in the new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure, when booked at least 14 weeks in advance, on sailings of seven nights’ duration or more (and less than 36 nights). Guests can also take advantage of Fred. Olsen’s great-value ‘All-Inclusive’ drinks package from just £10.00 per person per night*** on selected beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

*To see the full results of the 2014 Which? Travel cruise survey, go to http://www.which.co.uk/news/2014/08/which-reveals-the-top-cruise-companies-377205/?utm_campaign=whichuk&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=cruisesurveyresultaug27-31&utm_term=twinfographic

**All prices are based on two adults sharing a twin-bedded, Inside cabin, and include accommodation, all meals and entertainment on board, plus airport / port dues and transfers.

***See the website www.fredolsencruises.com for full Terms and Conditions.
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 see an ABTA travel agent.

Photo captions:

Fred. Olsen ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015+16’ brochure launch 1:

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ staff celebrate the launch of the new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure, featuring voyages to 243 destinations in 80 countries, at the company’s Head Office, Fred. Olsen House, in Ipswich, Suffolk

Fred. Olsen ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015+16’ brochure launch 2:

Pictured, left to right: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Nathan Philpot – Sales and Marketing Director, Mike Rodwell – Managing Director, and Lol Nichols – General Sales Manager, celebrate the launch of the new ‘Worldwide Cruises 2015/16’ brochure, featuring voyages to 243 destinations in 80 countries, at the company’s Head Office, Fred. Olsen House, in Ipswich, Suffolk