#fred. olsen

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Fred. Olsen 'Moments Crew'

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines ventures into new 'European River Cruising' on 'Brabant' in 2018

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines [Wednesday 17th May 2017] announced the launch of its new dedicated cruise programme by river boat, unveiled in its new ‘European River Cruising by Fred. Olsen' brochure. Fred. Olsen River Cruises is now offering European river cruise holidays, between 5th April and 3rd November 2018, on board 156-guest river boat, Brabant, to go on general sale from 26th May 2017.

Fred. Olsen will be operating its new river cruise programme – taking in some of Europe’s most beautiful rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle – on a total of 30 departures in 2018, on durations ranging from five to 25 nights, complemented by a selection of high-quality chargeable shore excursions, designed to enhance guests’ experience of the destination.

Fred. Olsen will be bringing its unique style of ‘destination exploration’ to the river cruise market, with exciting itineraries visiting some of Europe’s most stunning rivers, canals and valleys. Guests can choose to sail the breath-taking Danube, taking in the major cities and wildlife-rich Danube Delta; savour the highlights of the heart of Europe, along the twists and turns of the Moselle, Rhine and Main valleys; or enjoy a ‘taster’ cruise to Amsterdam, when the tulips are in full bloom.

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Importantly, Fred. Olsen has also incorporated a large amount of scenic cruising in daylight hours into its new river cruise itineraries, so that guests can make the most of the spectacular scenery on offer at the best time of the day.

Justin Stanton, Sales and Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“At Fred. Olsen, we specialise in creating a ‘home-from-home’ atmosphere on our ocean cruises, and we are proud to be bringing our many decades of expertise and rich sailing heritage to the river cruise market for the very first time. In fact, the name Brabant harks back to Fred. Olsen’s historic passenger ship of the same name from the 1920s.

“Guests can rest assured that the new Fred. Olsen river cruises will be underpinned by the usual high standards, award-winning customer service and understated elegance that they have come to expect of our ocean-going offer. We firmly believe that we have crafted the perfect formula to ensure that our new river cruise guests are able to get the most out of their holiday with Fred. Olsen.”

Fred. Olsen’s new river cruise itineraries on board Brabant for 2018 include: Düsseldorf, Germany to Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Düsseldorf to Nuremberg, Germany; Nuremberg to Budapest, Hungary; Budapest to Hirsova (Bucharest), Romania; Düsseldorf to Basel, Switzerland;and Hirsova (Bucharest) to Düsseldorf.

Built in 2006, 110-metre-long Brabant is a stylish and comfortable river cruise boat, and has everything that guests will need to make their holiday a memorable one: from bright and spacious public areas, to well-equipped bedrooms and ample deck space, from which to enjoy the superb views. With just four decks – Haydn Deck 1, Strauss Deck 2, Mozart Deck 3 and Sun Deck 4 – and fewer than 80 rooms and suites, staffed by 40 crew members, Brabanthas the intimate and friendly feel that Fred. Olsen’s guests know and love.

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Brabant’s classic design is smaller than many river boats, so guests will enjoy the usual hallmarks of Fred. Olsen’s 'closer’ approach to cruising. In keeping with Fred. Olsen’s ocean-going fleet, this smaller-scaled vessel has the style, atmosphere and elegance of a country house hotel. Cherry wood interiors and contemporary colours combine to make guests feel relaxed from the moment that they step on board. Juliette balconies with panoramic windows are a feature of many of the rooms, so that guests can enjoy expansive views of Europe’s most impressive waterways.

Fred. Olsen guests – who are predominantly British – will also feel at home on board Brabant, with English spoken throughout and all transactions conducted in Pounds Sterling. The British taste will also be reflected in the cuisine, customer service and shore tours on offer.

All holidays featured in the new ‘River Cruising by Fred. Olsen’ brochure are based on fly-cruises, and include return flights from / to a London airport and transfers to / from the boat. Cruise-only options are also available.

An example itinerary from the new ‘European River Cruising by Fred. Olsen’ brochure is as follows:

Springtime Dutch Discovery - 5-night fly-cruise via London, from Amsterdam to Dűsseldorf, prices from £999 per person (fly-cruise package) / £749 (cruise-only, excluding flights / transfers), based on two adults sharing a Standard Room.

Selection of dates available: 5th April 2018 (R1801) to 15th April 2018 (R1803)

Ports of call: Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Cruising across IJsselmeer – Hoorn, The Netherlands – Kampen, The Netherlands – Cruising IJssel River – Deventer, The Netherlands – Cruising past Zutphen – Arnhem, The Netherlands – Cruising the Pannerden Canal & Fortress – Nijmegen, The Netherlands – Dűsseldorf, Germany

With so much variety in one short sailing, this is the perfect way to sample the river cruising experience. Starting in Amsterdam, you will be able to visit legendary Keukenhof Gardens and view the vibrant tulips in bloom.

Then, from gliding through Dutch countryside, to transiting the Pannerden Canal, there is a wealth of scenic delights to be discovered, from the elegant comfort of ‘Brabant’. Dotted along the route are towns and cities steeped in seafaring history and authentic culture.

As with its ocean cruises, peace of mind and relaxation start from the moment that guests choose a Fred. Olsen holiday! Fred. Olsen’s new river cruise programme will be reinforced by its industry-leading Enjoyment Promise: if guests book at least 12 weeks in advance, on cruises of five nights or more, and find that the cruise is not for them within 24 hours of sailing, they just need to let Reception know on board and Fred. Olsen promises to arrange and pay for their flight back to the UK from the next port and repay the cost of their cruise.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrates another bumper start to the New Year

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is enjoying another bumper start to the New Year, reporting impressive sales volumes and generating more than £1 million of cruise revenue in a single day, on Monday 9th January 2017, for the second January in a row! Fred. Olsen has revealed that almost half of all its 2017 cruise places have been sold, which is up by over 5%, compared to the same period in 2016.

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

“We are delighted to be celebrating another £1-million-sales day, for the second year in a row, as part of our ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign. The first time that we achieved this – aside from on our new cruise season launch – was last year, on Tuesday 19th January 2016, so this phenomenal figure has been reached even earlier this year.

“Whilst we already have a very high guest repeat rate – with over 60% of Fred. Olsen cruisers returning time and time again – we are also attracting a significant number of customers who are ‘new-to-cruise’, or ‘new-to-Fred. Olsen’, who are keen to enjoy a holiday experience on a smaller, more intimate ship, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch to undergo multi-million Pound refurbishment at Hamburg’s Blohm + Voss in November 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 804-guest Black Watch will be entering dry dock at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in November 2016, in preparation for the forthcoming 2017/18 cruise season. The ship will undergo various engineering works, general maintenance and refurbishment during the dry dock, as well as the creation of several new public areas and guest facilities, as part of a multi-million Pound investment.

Black Watch will depart from Tilbury, UK for Hamburg on 18th November 2016, following a seven-night ‘European Cities & Waterways’ cruise. Work on the dry dock is expected to start at Blohm + Voss on 20th November 2016.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Black Watch is one of Fred. Olsen’s most popular cruise ships, and it is important that she always looks her best. During her 26-day dry dock in Hamburg, as well as the usual maritime inspections and maintenance work, we will also be undertaking major upgrades to the cabins and public areas throughout the ship, to ensure that we continue to provide the best facilities possible to meet our guests’ expectations.

“Our significant investment in refurbishing and upgrading Black Watch will ensure that our guests will be able to enjoy her classic looks and unique, intimate ambience for many years to come.”

A key focus of Black Watch’s refurbishment will be the 423 cabins across the ship, on Marquee Deck 9, Bridge Deck 8, Lido Deck 7, Main Deck 5, Atlantic Deck 4, and Marina Deck 3. A new interactive in-cabin TV system will be installed across the ship, equipped with all the latest features and connectivity. Bathrooms will be refurbished, and all cabins will feature safes and mini-bars, as standard.

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During the dry dock, Black Watch’s Braemar Garden Café, on Lounge Deck 6, will be converted into a new restaurant, to be called ‘Brigadoon’, in keeping with Fred. Olsen’s close Scottish connections. The new restaurant will feature modern new décor and will offer a stylish, intimate dining experience, for up to 54 guests – continuing to serve the wide range of British and international cuisine for which Fred. Olsen is renowned.

The Braemar Courtyard, on Lounge Deck 6, will be converted into a separate speciality dining area, called ‘The Club’, offering an à la carte dining experience, including expertly-prepared steaks cooked to order, with seating for up to 46 guests. A new dedicated Galley will be created to service this new dining facility. The existing Grill restaurant, situated on Lounge Deck 6 aft, by the main pool area, will be rebranded and redesigned, to offer a new Mediterranean-themed dining experience.

Black Watch’s main 340-guest restaurant, The Glentanar, on Lounge Deck 6, will undergo extensive refurbishment, with a spacious new layout and ‘new look’, featuring new furniture, carpet and curtains.

Considerable attention will also be given to the various bar areas on board Black Watch during the dry dock. The Observatory Lounge, on Marquee Deck 9, will receive a refresh to the décor and fittings, and the Lido Lounge, on Lido Deck 7, will receive an extensive overhaul, with new furniture, fabrics and carpets being fitted throughout, as well as the installation of a full-width sliding door to the aft.

The Morning Light Pub – an iconic feature across the whole Fred. Olsen fleet – will be moved to the area currently occupied by the Braemar Lounge, on Lounge Deck 6, replacing the existing Pub next to the Neptune Show Lounge. New furniture and fabrics will be a key feature of the larger, more spacious Pub, along with a new bar. The area vacated by the existing Morning Light Pub will be renamed the ‘Neptune Bar’.

To enhance the onboard experience for guests, the Marina Cinema on Marina Deck 3 will be upgraded with the latest ‘3D’ technology, enabling the Black Watch team to show 3D films and other programmes.

Black Watch’s Guest Services area, on Main Deck 5 – the focal point and ‘hub’ of the ship – will also be renewed, making it more inviting and user-friendly for guests.

Similar refurbishments and upgrades are expected to the rest of the Fred. Olsen fleet – Balmoral, Braemar and Boudicca – in the coming years.

Following Black Watch’sdry dock, the ship will recommence her cruise season from Tilbury, UK, with a seven-night ‘German & Danish Christmas Markets’ cruise, departing on 15th December 2016.

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​Kirkwall celebrates 1,500th cruise call and 750,000th cruise guest with the arrival of Fred. Olsen’s 'Black Watch'

Kirkwall, historic capital of the Orkney Islands, celebrated a milestone 1,500th cruise call on 10th August 2016, with the arrival of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Black Watch. The ship arrived from Nanortalik, Greenland, as part of her 26-night W1610 ‘Arctic’ cruise, which set sail from the UK on 17th July 2016.

Black Watch’s visit to Kirkwall – voted ‘The UK’s Best Port of Call’ in cruise industry awards – also coincided with the welcoming of the city’s 750,000th cruise guest, Mr. Paul Revis of Middlesex, who was awarded this prestigious honour out of nearly 700 ‘Arctic adventurers’ on board the ship!

Mr. Revis, with his wife, Margaret, were treated to a VIP tour of Kirkwall’s many attractions – including Neolithic Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, as well as St Magnus Cathedraland the Italian Chapel – and were presented with commemorative gifts by Orkney’s Harbour Master, Mr. Brian Archibald.

A VIP Reception was hosted on board Black Watch by the Ship’s Master, Captain Åge Danielsen, who presented Councillor James Stockan, Chairman of the Orkney Islands Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, with a specially-commissioned watercolour painting of Black Watch sailing in Kirkwall Harbour by renowned artist Andrew Dibben, from East Anglia, where Fred. Olsen has its Head Office. An impressive Black Watch-designed cake took pride of place during the reception, which Fred. Olsen donated to a local charity after the event.

As part of the celebrations, the Port of Kirkwall hosted a ‘Taste of Orkney’ food-and-drink experience on the quayside, and cruise guests were also invited to take part in a Black Watch-themed treasure hunt around Kirkwall. For the ship’s departure, quayside entertainment was provided by the Kirkwall City Pipe Band and Just Dance troupe.

Clare Ward, Senior Commercial Planning Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“It is a great honour for Fred. Olsen to be chosen to celebrate Kirkwall’s significant cruise achievements this Summer. We enjoy a very successful partnership with the Port, and this is one of our guests’ favourite cruise calls in the UK.

“We know that our guests will thoroughly enjoy all the festivities that the city of Kirkwall has laid on, and we would like to thank everyone involved in making this such a very special day for us all.”

Michael Morrison, Business Development Manager, Marine Services, Orkney Islands Council, said:

“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines are a strong supporter of the Orkney Islands as a cruise destination and have been coming to Kirkwall for many years as part of their ‘Around Britain’ and ‘North Atlantic’ itineraries.

“We are all quite delighted that the port call of the Black Watch today has delivered this historic double milestone in Orkneys cruise story and we now look forward to the arrival of our one millionth cruise ship passenger in 2020.”

From Kirkwall, Black Watch continued to Tilbury, Essex, where she concludes this Arctic cruise on 12th August 2016.

Fred. Olsen will be making a total of 10 additional calls to Kirkwall between September 2016 and the end of 2017, withBlack Watch and her sister ship, 880-guest Boudicca.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Boudicca returns to Liverpool

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 880-guest ship Boudicca is returning to Liverpool’s iconic Pier Head Cruise Terminal on 14thAugust 2016 with a 15-night sailing to the ‘Fjords of Greenland’. Fred. Olsen’s stylish Boudicca has operated a split season from the city this year, with five sailings from Liverpool from 5th May to 1st July 2016, interspersed with two calls in Greenock and two calls in Belfast in July and early August. Fred. Olsen is offering a total of 16 sailings from Liverpool in its 2016 cruise season.

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

"With its stunning vistas and proud maritime heritage, there is something very special about cruising from Liverpool, and it is a tremendous benefit to be able to offer our guests the chance to set sail from the world-famous Pier Head.

“Fred. Olsen is a frequent visitor to the Merseyside region and in 2016 is offering one of the highest number of cruise calls, allowing guests from the North West a greater choice of destinations and holiday duration.”

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 'Black Watch' to commence cruise season from Rosyth in Summer 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 804-guest ship Black Watch is due to commence her cruise season from Rosyth, Scotland on 20thAugust 2016, with a five-night ‘Norwegian Fjords’ sailing. In total, Fred. Olsen will be offering seven cruises from Rosyth aboard Black Watch this year – an increase of one turnaround call since 2015.

Fred. Olsen will be offering guests a variety of itineraries from Rosyth in 2016, including a nine-night ‘A Taste of Iceland’cruise, a 13-night ‘Scandinavian Capitals & St. Petersburg’ sailing, and a 12-night ‘Spain, France & Portugal’ sunshine getaway.

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

“Black Watch’s forthcoming cruise season from Rosyth builds upon Fred. Olsen’s already-close relationship with this convenient, regional Scottish port.

“Significantly, 2016 marks Fred. Olsen’s tenth anniversary of sailing from the popular Port of Rosyth, and it is rewarding to see that cruising with Fred. Olsen is now well-established as the ‘holiday of choice’ in the minds of so many local people.”

In 2017, Fred. Olsen’s cruise season will see Black Watch return to Rosyth, offering eight sailings in total, between 14thAugust until 14th October 2017. Guests can choose from a range of itineraries, including a seven-night ‘Norwegian Fjords’cruise, a 13-night exploration of ‘Greenland, Norway & Iceland’ and a 16-night ‘Canary Islands, Madeira & Portugal’sunshine sailing.

In addition, Fred. Olsen will be setting sail on eight unique cruises from Rosyth in 2017, including two river cruises – ‘French Rivers’ and ‘German Waterways’ – both of which are itineraries that have not been offered from this Scottish port before.

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomes ‘Little Skippers’ on board

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new kids club on board its fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – called ‘Little Skippers’. Parents and grandparents can leave their children in the care of the qualified hosts and hostesses, who – during peak holiday seasons – will arrange a variety of family-orientated activities, including arts and crafts sessions, deck games, treasure hunts, quizzes, cookie and pizza making in the Galley, games evenings, swimming classes and much more.

'Little Skippers' is run by qualified children’s hosts, whose passion is to come up with creative and exciting ways for children to get the most out of their cruising experience. Depending on the age groups, there will be a ratio of one adult to every six or eight children, as per recommended guidelines.

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

“We welcome many multi-generational families on board our ships, and we appreciate that it can be difficult to find a holiday to suit all ages. We are therefore very happy to be unveiling our ‘Little Skippers’ club. Parents or grandparents can indulge in a spa treatment, relax by the pool, or sip on a cocktail in the lounge, safe in the knowledge that their children will be looked after by our team of creative and professional hosts.”

On board, an itinerary for the 'Little Skippers' club will be released each day in a dedicated children’s programme, and will include a schedule of activities, facts, jokes, port information and even a ‘Mock-tail of the Day’!

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