from 10 ports around the uk to over 200 destinations worldwide

268 Pages·2016·29.8 MB·English

2017/2018
FROM 10 PORTS AROUND THE UK TO OVER 200 DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE
Contents
The Fred. Olsen difference 4-5
Fred.’s Enjoyment Promise 6-7
The story so far 8-9
From around the corner to around the globe 10-11
A shore thing: Fred.’s Shore Tours 12-13
Your local, global cruise line 14-15
Great value cruising 16-17
Upgrade to All Inclusive 18-19
Food, glorious food 20-23
Your home from home at sea 24-25
Suite Dreams 26-27
Getting the most from your time on board 28-29
Staying ship shape 30-31
Group Travel: see the world together 32-33
Making your special day extra special 34-35
For your information 36-37
•
Mystery Cruise 38-39
•
Grand Voyages 40-51
•
Exotic Holidays 52-59
•
Caribbean, Canada & the Amazon 60-85
•
Canary Islands, Madeira & the Azores 86-97
•
The Mediterranean 98-117
•
UK & Ireland 118-141
•
Europe 142-171
•
Norwegian Fjords 172-199
•
Arctic, Iceland, Greenland & Norway 200-223
•
Scandinavia & the Baltic 224-237
•
Short Breaks 238-245
Getting you there 246-249
Our ships: Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca & Black Watch 250-257
Cruise Gazetteer 258-261
Terms & Conditions 262-265
Travel Insurance 266
How to Book 267
Cruise Calendar 268
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Chairman’s Welcome
It is my pleasure to introduce you to our Worldwide 2017/18 brochure.
Combining the expert knowledge and painstaking planning of our staff with the feedback from our loyal
guests, I am incredibly proud of our new programme of itineraries which feature the most enriching and
exhilarating destinations and experiences on earth, all to be enjoyed on our four smaller, more intimate
ships. I am confident that our itineraries grow in strength every year, and this has been reflected by us
winning Best for Itineraries in the 2015 Cruise Critic UK Editors’ Picks Awards.
Making full use of our size advantage, we will be offering more cruises in 2017 bringing the world closer to
you. We will sail enchanting waterways that larger ships simply can’t navigate, including charming Scottish
lochs and picturesque rivers in France and Spain. You’ll be able to be a part of the all-new transit of the Ghent-
Terneuzen Canal into the beautiful Belgian city of Ghent too.
Another area in which cruising with Fred. Olsen is different is the diverse range of inspirational experiences
guests can tick off their ‘must-do’ lists. Our new Authentic cruises reach some of the most magical
destinations the world has to offer, from the French Riviera and Italy’s idyllic Amalfi Coast, to the wonders of
New Zealand and Australia and the breathtaking islands of the Caribbean. That’s not forgetting Croatia,
Iceland or a spectacular wildlife-themed sailing around England and Scotland. And of course, Black Watch will
be on hand to present the Wonders of the World in January 2018, a truly unforgettable adventure.
We haven’t forgotten old favourites. There is a selection of classic cruises which are every bit as rewarding,
should you wish to escape to the spellbinding scenery of my homeland Norway, or the year-round warmth of
the Canary Islands. And finally, we continue to create lasting memories through cruises specially tweaked and
timed to coincide with special worldwide events. As well as the previously popular Monaco Grand Prix, there
are exciting, unique opportunities for our guests to enjoy: the Braemar Highland Games, the Seville Fair, the
Rio Carnival, and even the America’s Cup sailing to Bermuda in June 2017. You’ll find all these, and much
more, within the following pages.
It is immensely rewarding that in over 14,000 independent Feefo reviews, 95% of guests have rated us
excellent or good. This makes me very confident in our ships, crews and the experience that we give you, our
valued guests. If you haven’t tried us before, then do remember to ask about my Enjoyment Promise. I’m so
convinced that you’ll enjoy the whole Fred. experience that I’ll give you your money back if, within a couple of
days, you find it’s not for you – please simply let us know (conditions apply). What’s more, book your next
holiday with Fred. during your first cruise and benefit from a deposit of only £1 per person.
I would like to thank all our existing guests for their ongoing support, and to those who are yet to try us,
welcome to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. To all of you, may I wish you the holiday of a lifetime.
Fred. Olsen Jnr.
Chairman
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ABOUT US
T he Fred. Olsen difference
With more than 200 ports of call to choose from, and 10 departure ports conveniently located across
the UK, you can travel the whole world with Fred., from the impossibly beautiful Norwegian Fjords to
the inspirational monuments of South America – and almost everywhere in between. But the
advantages of cruising with us don’t stop there. Our smaller ships mean we can navigate waterways
out of reach to the leviathan ‘resorts at sea’, and take you closer to enchanting cities, including Gothic
Bremen, resplendent Bordeaux and seductive Seville, where you’ll glide along the Guadalquivir River
right into the heart of the action. After all, we know your holiday is all about discovering the best of
each destination, ticking wonderful experiences off your ‘must-do’ list.
We’re not interested in gimmicks like zip wires,
climbing walls or celebrity chefs. We don’t have
boastful megaships. We take immense pride in our
fleet of smaller-scaled vessels that retain the style,
ambience and understated quality of a country
house hotel. They might not be as new as some
ships, but we don’t believe that younger is
automatically better; there’s a lot to be said for
having the benefit of experience. With the fifth
generation Fred. Olsen as our Chairman, we believe
we’ve found the perfect formula for you to get the
best out of your holiday with us.
Whichever part of the world you wish to discover,
you can do it whilst enjoying the ample space and
comfort of your ‘home-from-home’ at sea. By
sharing your journey with hundreds of others – not
thousands – you’re in for a much more personal,
rewarding experience. There’s no doubt your fellow
guests are key to making your holiday such a
pleasure, so it’s fortunate that Fred. Olsen tends to
attract people who share a similar attitude to life.
That’s not forgetting our friendly, attentive crews of
course. All the Fred. team have been carefully
selected for their warm and welcoming personalities
and our extensive training and development ensures
they are there to give you a great holiday: we receive
more positive feedback about our staff than
anything else. They will look after you to ensure your
cruise experience is one you’ll treasure forever, from
the moment you step on board.
We don’t like to make a fuss, we don’t like to shout.
We concentrate on quietly getting things right. We
know it’s the little things that make your holiday
extra special, like cooking your eggs to your liking
at breakfast, knowing your favourite tipple in the
evening, and simply giving a genuine smile as you
pass by in the corridor. All of us at Fred. Olsen are
committed to making your holiday as enjoyable as
it is memorable, no matter how many times you’ve
cruised before.
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ABOUT US
AWARD-WINNING CRUISES
We’ll always do our best to give you the holiday of a lifetime – but our guests and travel
industry experts are the best judges of how we’re doing. That’s why it’s so pleasing that
the dedication and hard work of our staff has been recognised in many awards over the
course of 2015, including: Best for Itineraries; Britain’s Best Cruise Line for Food 2015;
silver for both Best Small Ships Cruise Line and Best Cruise Line for Customer Service; and
five categories in the influential 2015 Cruise Critic UK Cruisers’ Choice Awards. Although
we’re a small company, we were joint-second in the most recent Which? Cruise Survey,
receiving a rating of 85%: an achievement all our staff and crews are immensely proud of.
Finally, and most importantly, in over 14,000 reviews from past guests, 95% rated us
Excellent or Good, with Feefo awarding us a Gold Trusted Merchant Accreditation – in
recognition of our excellence in customer service – for the second year in a row. Perhaps
that’s why most people who try us once choose to cruise with us again. There’s never
been a better time to get on board with Fred. Olsen.
TELLYAWARD
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines won viewers choice
“Britain’s Best Cruise Line for Food”
Holiday & Cruise Telly Awards
WINNER 2015
GOLD
Trusted Merchant 2015
«««««
FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is a proud member of ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents),
and our membership number is W0637. It is our duty to maintain a high standard of
service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. ABTA can provide assistance and advice
regarding all aspects of your travel arrangements. Further information is obtainable at
www.abta.com. Flights in this brochure are ATOL-protected by the UK’s Civil Aviation
Authority. Fred. Olsen’s ATOL number is 5016, and more information on this can be found
in our booking conditions. Please ask us to confirm what protection applies at the time of
your booking.
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ENJOYMENT PROMISE
F red.’s Enjoyment Promise
For new guests only – with the benefits of our Enjoyment Promise*,
it’s the perfect time to try cruising with Fred.
A Fred. Olsen holiday really is different. More country house hotel
than gigantic Las Vegas-style resort, with Fred. you’ll feel at home
from the moment you step on board. If you like the idea of helpful,
smiling staff, a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and fellow guests
with whom you can share a drink, a joke and a story, you’re sure to
enjoy cruising with Fred. You don’t have to take our word for it
though. We’re so confident that a holiday with us will be a great
experience that, if you haven’t cruised with Fred. Olsen before,
we’ll offer you our Enjoyment Promise.
Simply book at least 12 weeks in advance on cruises of five nights
or more and, if you find that it’s not for you within a day or two of
stepping on board, just let us know and we promise to arrange and
pay for your flight back to the UK from the next port and repay the
cost of your cruise (you must read the full terms and conditions
before booking). And, should you choose to book your next holiday
with Fred. during your first cruise – as many guests do – you’ll pay
only £1 per person deposit.
With our Enjoyment Promise, you really can’t lose out. Booking with
total confidence means there’s even more reason to try Fred. If
you’re one of our many returning guests, there’s never been a better
time to recommend a Fred. Olsen cruise to family and friends.
*The Enjoyment Promise is only applicable to guests who have not cruised on a Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (“FOCL”) ship before. It excludes Party Nights and cruises of 4 nights or less. The Promise
only applies to bookings made for departures more than 12 weeks ahead. The Enjoyment Promise only applies to passengers who have contracted with FOCL and excludes cruises on vessels
operated by FOCL but booked through 3rd Party operators. Should you wish to invoke the Enjoyment Promise, you will need to inform Guest Relations within 48 hours of sailing at the latest. FOCL
will arrange and pay for a fl ight and/or transport back to the UK. FOCL will refund the cruise cost only but will not refund other costs. The £1 per person deposit offer for the second cruise is only
applicable to guests on their fi rst FOCL cruise. The second booking must be made on board. You will be required to pay £1 per person deposit at the time of booking, with the remaining balance of
the cruise fare paid 90 days prior to departure. If the booking is cancelled 91 days or more prior to departure, the cancellation fee is £1 per person, replacing the standard 15% cancellation fee. E&OE.
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ENJOYMENT PROMISE

The whole experience made us feel like
royalty. Nothing was too much trouble for
any of the staff. We were made to feel special
for the whole duration of the cruise.
independent customer reviews
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HISTORY
The story so far
The roots of Fred. Olsen trace back to 1848 in Hvitsten, a village on
the Oslofjord (one of the current scenic cruising highlights of our
cruises). The first Olsen family ship-owner was a certain Fredrik
Christian Olsen, who operated a fleet of primitive sailing vessels.
Only a few years later Fredrik’s brothers, Petter and Andreas,
became involved in trading with small fleets of sailing vessels,
starting in 1852 and 1860 respectively.
It was Petter’s son, the second Fred. Olsen with 26 other vessels to decimate the
(actually ‘Thomas Fredrik’), who put the fleet once more. It was the Bretagne that
Olsen name on the map as one of the re-opened the Newcastle service in
most significant in Norwegian shipping. August 1945.
Having taken command of one of his
father’s vessels at the age of 23, others The modern story begins in 1951 with
were added to the fleet over the next few Blenheim, named in honour of Sir Winston
years, the biggest being the Canadian- Churchill, who was born at Blenheim
built ocean-going full rigger, Morning Palace, the Churchill family seat. A second
Light. But it was not until 1896 that ship, named Braemar in tribute to
Thomas Fredrik placed an order on behalf Scotland and the British Royal Family,
of a newly-established company, A/S followed two years later. These new ships
Bonheur, for the first steamship in the were relatively small but among the most
fleet, Bayard, named after one of the eye-catching liners of their day. In 1955,
vessels that started his ship-owning the third Fred. Olsen – and the current
career. From that point, it has become a Fred. Olsen Senior – suddenly found
family custom that most of the Fred. himself having to oversee the
Olsen ships should bear names beginning development of the family empire at the
with the letter ‘B’. age of just 26 after his father, Thomas
Olsen, became ill.
Having transferred his office to the
capital, Thomas Fredrik acquired the The Black Watch
Færder Steamship Company in 1901; the entered joint
first decisive venture into the passenger service for Fred.
business. The ships of this period only Olsen and Bergen
accommodated around 100 passengers, Line in 1966, and her
and links were established to Scotland first sailing was to
and then Newcastle in 1906. The Brabant, the Canary Islands
the first of a new generation of passenger from London. She
vessels, was delivered in 1926. A more was soon followed
modern-looking ship than her by her sister ship
predecessors, she had a newly- Black Prince on the
fashionable cruiser stern. same route the
following month, and
As in many other industries, shipping this would become
activities were heavily affected by the the route for many
events of both World Wars. Half of the Fred. Olsen maiden
fleet of 40 ships were lost during World voyages. A ‘reborn’
War I, however during 1938, Olsen Black Prince started
introduced the Black Prince and the Black out as a ‘sunshine
Watch, named in honour of England and cruiser’ in 1987, sailing to Cadiz,
Scotland. Sadly, neither was to fulfil its Casablanca, the Canary Islands, Madeira
potential; both were seized by the Nazis and Gibraltar from Southampton. The
and lost in the turmoil of the war, along officers and crew on board that first
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HISTORY
cruise were very friendly and well-liked by renamed Boudicca after the great British Bergen, Norway on 28th July – the first
their guests – a trait that continues today warrior queen of the Iceni tribe. She first time ever the fleet has been together in
as one of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ most cruised in 2006 and, fittingly, visited the the same place, on the same day.
endearing characteristics. Canary Islands. The current fleet of four was
completed just a year later, when a newly Today, Fred. Olsen Jnr. is Chairman of Fred.
Black Prince was a one-ship operation for purchased, yet-to-be-renamed ship arrived Olsen Cruise Lines and the Olsen family
nine years until 1996, when Black Watch at Hamburg’s Elbe 17 dry-dock on 16th are still very heavily involved in running
joined the fleet after extensive November. An ambitious refit and redesign the business. The company continues to
refurbishment. And by the start of the programme was undertaken, involving a invest in its fleet: recent improvements
new millennium, the success of the two new 30-metre extension being fitted to have included Terrace Balcony rooms on
ships prompted Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to give the ‘stretched’ ship extra rooms and Black Watch and Boudicca, as well as the
introduce a third vessel to the fleet. In improvements to guest facilities. In keeping implementation of The Grill restaurant,
early 2001, the second ship to carry the with the Olsen nomenclature, the The Bookmark Café and ‘chill out’ areas
name Braemar was sent to Blohm & Voss lengthened ship was renamed Balmoral on across all four ships. Fred. Olsen Cruise
shipyard in Hamburg to undergo a major entering service in early 2008. Lines has always been successful by
refurbishment, ready for her new role. ensuring that it meets and exceeds the
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines celebrated a needs of all its guests. The family – along
2005 was a year of great significance for milestone in 2015; it was the 200th with the whole team at the Ipswich Head
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: the Olsens anniversary of Fredrik Christian Olsen’s Office and across the fleet – are
purchased a very elegant ship which, birth. Part of the celebrations saw the committed to ensuring that this remains
following a complete refurbishment, was four current Fred. Olsen ships united in true for another 150 years and beyond.
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DESTINATIONS
From around the
CRUISING TO
DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE
Each year we create new, exciting itineraries
corner to around that inspire and enchant, to include alongside
those sailings most popular with past guests.
Within this brochure you’ll find everything from
explorations of our beautiful homeland to Black
Watch’s unprecedented ‘Wonders of the World’
the globe
sailing in January 2018: the undoubted highlight
of our new programme.
There are even more chances to get closer to
You’re sure to love our sensational new programme places that larger vessels simply can’t reach.
of itineraries for 2017/18. Many months of painstaking Encounter the most remote, untouched corners
of the Arctic; come face to face with fabulous
planning have gone into each and every cruise to give
fjordland in Norway, Sweden, Iceland,
you the best possible holiday experience. Of course we’ve Greenland and even the hard-to-reach Faroe
Islands; choose from an expanded selection of
stuck to the true Fred. Olsen formula: our smaller-scaled
cruises taking in the breathtaking Scottish
ships and friendly, welcoming crews will continue to bring lochs; get to the heart of captivating cities in
Scandinavia and the Baltic; and sail iconic
the most spectacular destinations on earth closer to you.
European waterways galore, including Seville’s
Wish to savour the natural wonders of the Arctic and
Guadalquivir River, Bremen’s River Weser, the
Norway; escape to the sunshine of the Canaries; island- Kiel Canal, the Gironde and Garonne rivers (into
Bordeaux), and more.
hop in the Caribbean; discover Europe’s most engrossing
destinations; treat yourself to an invigorating Short Break; While authentic experiences have always been
a hallmark of our itineraries, the new
or embark on the full Grand Voyage adventure? It’s time
programme takes this to another level.
to get on board with Fred. Quenching the thirst for pure, unabashed
exploration in depth are our ‘Authentic’ cruises
– a brand new feature for Fred. in 2017. From
embracing the glitz and glamour of the French
Riviera to uncovering ‘España Verde’ (Green
Spain), or up-and-coming Croatia, cruising from
one distinct destination to the next is the only
way to really focus and get under the skin of a
particular region. Meanwhile, new chances to
try popular cruises from previous years include
Boudicca’s voyage to ‘Rugged & Rural Canada’, a
choice of two Amazonian adventures on board
Braemar, and another ‘Mystery Cruise’ – only
this time the top-secret itinerary has been
chosen by the Captain!
Last but not least, we have an extensive wish
list of cruises either timed to capture a world
event or specially-themed for your ultimate
pleasure. Alongside the ever-popular Monaco
Grand Prix, guests will have opportunities to be
a part of the Tall Ships’ Races, the Seville Fair,
the Braemar Highland Games, Kiel Week and
even the awe-inspiring America’s Cup (in
Bermuda in June 2017). There are two
unmissable chances to go “behind the scenes”
of famous TV and movie locations around the
UK and Ireland too. And for something more
extensive, two 46-night adventures aboard
Balmoral feature the iconic Rio Carnival and the
energetic Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
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