Fred Olsen Sailing from Belfast

2012-02-01

Fred Olsen Cruises, the popular British cruise line, have announced that they will offer two cruises departing from Belfast in 2013. It will be the first time that Fred Olsen will sail from Northern Ireland's capital since 2007.

Both cruises on offer will depart in October 2013, with the choice of a two night mini-cruise to Liverpool and a 12 night cruise to the Canaries. Both cruises will be onboard Boudicca, a 28,000 tonne ship that carries up to 900 passengers.

Thanks to bringing Belfast back as a departure port, and also to a series of sailings from Harwich, Fred Olsen claims they can offer a cruise departing within 100 miles of 90% of the UK's population. So wherever you live Fred Olsen can get you onto a ship with relative ease. With local airports becoming an important part of holidays, are local departure ports for cruise lines going to catch on in the same way?

Written by Troy McGuire
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Nigel Lingard To Retire From Fred. Olsen

2011-03-09

Nigel Lingard, the Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, has announced he will retire on 30th November 2011, after 23 years working for the cruise line.

"After much deliberation, I have decided to stand down as marketing director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to spend more time travelling with my family at my own leisure," he said. "I have thoroughly enjoyed all the challenges and opportunities that I have faced in my time with the company and I am leaving it in an extremely strong position for future growth and continued success."

Lingard joined Fred. Olsen, the Norwegian owned and British-style cruise line, back in 1988 having previously worked for Swedish ferry operator Tor Line in Felixstowe, Salen Lindblad Cruising and Scandinavia Seaways. Lingard, a Director and former Chairman of the Passenger Shipping Association, also serves on the ABTA's Membership Committee.

The cruise line’s managing director Mike Rodwell said: "We wish Nigel every success with his future plans, and thank him for the tremendous contribution he has made to Fred. Olsen... During his 23-year career with the company, he has seen us grow from a single-ship operation to being one of the most well-established cruise lines in the world, and he leaves behind an important legacy upon which we can grow in the coming years."

Written by Charlie Hamilton-Beaufort
© Iglucruise

Fred Olsen Braemar goes the extra mile for passengers

2010-01-28

Cruise fans looking for a ship that is luxurious but goes the extra mile to provide a more personal touch have been pointed in the direction of the Fred Olsen Braemar.

Chris Hudson spent seven days on board the vessel and writing for the Shropshire Star revealed the experience "exceeded his wildest hopes".

He reserved specific praise for the "consistently outstanding" quality of food that was available 24 hours of the day, while the variety and creativity of the chefs impressed the novice traveller.

Mr Hudson added that the possibility of boredom was never a factor when faced with any lengthy amount of time on board the ship, as a host of entertaining activities had been arranged.

Travellers could opt for games of bingo or to improve their steps through ballroom dancing lessons, while a wide host of cabaret acts and singers could be chosen from in the evenings.

He concluded: "I cannot speak highly enough of the care and attention shown by every member of staff I met aboard the Braemar. Thank you Fred Olsen – I will return."

Braemar travels to a range of destinations worldwide, giving travellers the chance to visit destinations including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and South America.

Written by Chris Smith

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines raising money for Haiti

2010-01-25

Cruise passengers and crew aboard Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have expressed a desire to come to the aid of Haiti's earthquake victims, adding another cruise operator to the list of supporters.

The company has started a collection on board each of its four vessels, allowing guests to either donate through their cabin accounts or by giving cash at reception.

Running through February, the initiative, which is open to non-cruise passengers alike, will culminate in the funds being handed over to the Disasters Emergency Committee.

"This is a dreadful disaster to hit one of the poorest nations on earth, and from which the country will take many years to recover," said the company's commercial director Peter Deer.

"Our passengers and crews have expressed their desire to assist through Fred Olsen and we are happy to handle this on their behalf."

Royal Caribbean Cruises and Celebrity Cruise Lines and the Carnival Corporation group of cruise operators have also contributed to the relief efforts.

Written by Chris Smith.

Fred Olsen amends world cruise itinerary

2009-05-01

Fred Olsen Cruise has announced that it has changed the itinerary for its 106-night Balmoral world cruise next year.

The move will see the vessel avoid sailing through the Gulf of Arden as a result of security issues in the region.

Previously, the ship was due to stop off at ports in the Indian Ocean, but will cross it from Fremantle in Australia instead.

Matt Grimes, director of planning for the cruise line, said the safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff members was a prime concern, adding that the cruise will return to Dover as scheduled on April 21st.

"Although our passengers will no longer visit places such as Dubai and Salalah, their cruise experience will include the breathtaking beauty of Mauritius and South Africa," he commented.

The company recently launched a mini-brochure featuring a number of northerly destinations for summer and autumn 2009, including the Baltic states, Lapland and the Norwegian fjords.

Written by Mike Cotgreave

Fred Olsen announces new Boudicca departures

2009-02-19

Fred Olsen Cruises has announced plans to introduce a number of new regional departures for its Boudicca vessel.

From March 2010, Boudicca will reposition from Southampton to Liverpool, from where she will operate cruises to the Canary Islands, the Baltic and the Mediterranean.

The ship will then move to Greenock in June, where she will operate summer cruises to the Canaries, Italy and Spitsbergen.

Lol Nichols, Fred Olsen's general sales manager, said the cruise line has always been committed to operating from regional ports.

"By utilising Boudicca from these ports – as well as Leith and Newcastle, where she has already operated successfully – we can maintain these important and very popular departures," he added.

Fred Olsen announced last week that the Boudicca will replace the Black Prince when it retires in October.

Other ships in the Fred Olsen fleet include the Balmoral, Black Watch and Braemar.

Written by Fiona Mayers

Black Prince to be replaced by Boudicca

2009-02-12

Fred Olsen Cruises' Black Prince ship will be replaced by Boudicca when she retires later this year, it has been revealed.

Black Prince is due to leave the fleet in October and the 839-passenger Boudicca will offer sailings from Southampton, in addition to Newcastle, Leith, Portsmouth, Greenock and Liverpool.

A spokesperson for the cruise line said: "We have worked hard during the last few years to establish ex-UK cruises from a variety of ports in England and Scotland and the larger capacity of the Boudicca will help us to do this considerably."

Meanwhile, Fred Olsen also announced plans earlier this week to introduce a number of new ports of call on its Black Sea Cruise, including Szczecin in Poland and Canakkale in Turkey.

Other vessels currently operated by the cruise line include the Black Watch, Balmoral and the 987-pssenger Braemar.

Written by Fiona Mayers

Fred. Olsen looks new home for Boudicca

2008-12-04

Fred. Olsen could be looking for a new home for its Boudicca ship in future, it has emerged.

The ship currently sets sail from Langton Docks in Bootle, but its owner is looking for a more attractive point of departure than the docklands backdrop afforded there.

Nigel Lingard, managing director of the British operator, told Liverpool's Daily Post that he would like to stay in Merseyside - particularly if availability arose at the Pier Head cruise berth.

At present, that doesn't exist - which is causing Fred. Olsen to consider other options.

"We are […] reluctant to commit her to Liverpool if our only option is to base her in the Langton Dock," Mr Langdon said.

Boudicca will be cruising out of Leith in 2009, offering summer voyages to Norway, Iceland, the Baltic and the North Cape.

Written by Catherine Lewis

"Exciting time" for Fred Olsen

2008-03-12

Now is an "exciting time" for Fred Olsen Cruises, the company's sales and marketing director has observed.

Nigel Lingard made the comment as Balmoral, completed her maiden voyage to Florida.

The latest addition to the Fred Olsen Cruises'
fleet, Balmoral was named in honour of the Scottish Royal estate and is the largest of the Fred Olsen Cruises' flotilla.

"This is a very exciting time for Fred Olsen as we see our fifth ship cruising successfully. Balmoral is very different from the giants that are being introduced into the UK market this year; she is a traditional cruise ship," Mr Lingard noted.

He added that expansion in the UK cruise market is "essential".

Described as having an intimate and homely atmosphere, the fifth of the cruise line's vessels boasts 744 "elegant comfortable" cabins and its onboard activities are targeted to appeal particularly to the British cruise market.

Expert cruises with Fred Olsen

2008-02-22

Holidaymakers travelling with Fred Olsen Cruises this summer can look forward to a packed itinerary after the cruise line unveiled its new Civilisations programme of sailings.

The Civilisations cruises are described as an "add-on package" for selected cruises, offering a more "in-depth experience".

Fred Olsen Cruises has revealed that subjects covered in the programme will include Maritime History, Greek Mythology, Polar Exploration, Clash of Empires, Ancient Polynesian Culture, Renaissance and Colonial History.

"It allows travellers to learn more about the history and culture of destinations, escorted by expert guides and lecturers and appeals to those who want a more mentally challenging holiday," Fred Olsen Cruises notes.

Experts named to take part in the cruises so far include Professor Sir Arnold Wolfenden, former President of the Royal Astrological Society, Dr Helen Doe, Maritime Historian, Professor David Owen, Polar Exploration expert and Catherine Pollock, Russian History expert.

Fred Olsen Cruises recently announced that it would be running a series of fly cruise holidays this summer.

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