Fred. Olsen River Cruise - Pre-register now!

2017-05-18

We are excited to share the news that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced a dedicated cruise programme by river boat for 2018!

Fred. Olsen offer traditional British cruises with a comfortable and friendly onboard atmosphere, on a fleet of four fantastic ocean cruise ships. So we were pleased to hear that a similarly welcoming and relaxing ambience is expected onboard Brabant, the stylish river ship sailing for Fred. Olsen in 2018.

At 110 metres long and with 4 decks (Haydn, Strauss, Mozart and Sun), Brabant can accommodate up to 156 guests with a comfortable range of rooms and suites. Many rooms feature Juliette balconies with panoramic windows for optimal views.

Life onboard is intimate and relaxed, with an easy-on-the-eye interior design of warm cherry woods and contemporary colours.

Brabant will sail a total of 30 scenic and spellbinding river cruises departing in 2018 with durations ranging from 5-25 nights. Cruises have been specifically designed to soak up daylight hours and make the most of some truly spectacular scenery. The destination filled experience is further enhanced by Fred. Olsen’s hand-picked selection of Shore Tours, creating a memorable river cruising experience both onboard and onshore.

Cruises are on sale now and are expected to be popular. Take a look a Fred. Olsen's new river itineraries now!

Fred. Olsen’s Enjoyment Promise is applicable to the river cruise collection, ask for more information.

Fred. Olsen plan multi million pound refit for Black Watch

2016-10-25

Next month Black Watch is entering dry-dock at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Germany for a multi-million pound refurbishment, ready for the 2017/2018 cruise season.

The ship will receive extensive upgrades to public areas and cabins during the 26 day dry dock beginning on November 20th.

Cabin upgrades will roll out across 423 cabins spanning decks 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. Each cabin featuring a safe and mini-bar as standard and a refurbished bathroom. A new interactive TV system will also be fitted throughout the ship.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines MD, Mike Rodwell said of the news - “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”.

Extensive upgrades to venues and public spaces will see the Braemar Garden Café on Lounge Deck 6 transformed into the new Brigadoon restaurant, serving British and international cuisine for up to 54 guests. Other venues to receive enhancements include The Braemar Courtyard, Main Restaurant and Grill Restaurant also on Lounge Deck 6.

Guests can look forward to new carpets, fabrics, fittings and décor throughout the ship as well as revived menus and dining experiences. Onboard entertainment will also receive a revamp with the Marina Cinema screening 3D films and programmes post refurb.

Guest Services on Main Deck 5 will be renewed and become a welcoming hub for Black Watch guests.

Sail from December and enjoy the enhancements with our Black Watch cruises

Join Fred. Olsen's Captains in Cadiz

2016-09-26

Family run cruise line, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, are soon to be celebrating their 170th anniversary with a special event in Cadiz, Spain.

The incredible milestone will be marked on September 10th 2018 with a Captains in Cadiz meeting of all four ships from the Fred. Olsen fleet.

The event takes inspiration from Fred. Olsen’s previous gathering of Four Ships in Bergen last year and will feature special entertainment for the birthday celebrations.

Four unique anniversary cruises are now on sale for those wishing to be a part of the historic celebrations. Sail on Boudicca, Balmoral, Braemar or Black Watch in late summer 2018, with itinerary highlights including Cadiz, Lisbon, Azores, Casablanca, Ibiza and more.

Find our Captains in Cadiz anniversary sailings for 2018.

The Fred. Olsen family name has been active in the shipping industry since 1848 and today the cruise line operates a popular fleet of four passenger cruise ships sailing all over the world.

Poldark comes to life with Fred. Olsen

2016-09-06

Step into the scenes of popular BBC Series Poldark with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines UK Scenes from the Silver Screen cruise.

The hit series brings to life the historical romantic novels of Winston Graham and takes viewers back to 18th century life in Cornwall.

Fred. Olsen are giving Poldark fans the chance to walk in the steps of the famous author, see first-hand inspiration for the novels and visit actual locations from the recent television series.

Tour highlights include Portreath, St Agnes Beacon and Chapel Porth Beach. Fred. Olsen cruise guests choosing the Picturesque Poldark tour* will also be able to visit Perranporth, home to Winston Graham from the age of 17 and a source for many of his creative inspirations.

Perranporth town as seen from the beach

Speak to us about other Fred. Olsen tours which take you to the sets of Braveheart, Game of Thrones and Harry Potter!

*The Picturesque Poldark tour involves a moderate amount of walking and participants must be able to board the coach unaided. Charges apply.

Iglu Cruise Sponsor Silver Travel Awards

2016-06-23

Last night we were very proud to be in attendance amongst many cruise industry professionals to celebrate and take part in the annual Silver Travel Awards. As headline sponsors of the event we were delighted to witness the success of our partners and also have the opportunity to present some of the awards.

The awards took place at the vibrant and modern London Transport Museum in Covent Garden with beautiful music provided by a string quartet in association with Classic FM. Our hostess for the evening was actress Amanda Redman, MBE and Iglu Cruise MD Simone Clark was proud to share the stage and present several of the evening's awards.

The awards recognise and acknowledge companies that provide the best product or service to suit the mature traveller and we were happy to congratulate many of our partners upon their successes.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the following runners-up:

Saga Holidays, Viking River Cruises, Swan Hellenic, Riviera Travel and Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

Plus big winners on the night:

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – Best Ocean Cruise Line
Emerald Waterways – Best River Cruise Line

A huge thank you to our friends at Silver Travel Advisor for a wonderful and memorable evening.
Please enjoy some photos from the evening below

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Fleet Unites in Bergen

2015-06-17

For the first time in the history of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines the entire fleet will unite to be in the same place on the same day for an exciting and memorable event. All four ships (Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch) will visit Bergen in Norway on Tuesday 28th July 2015 to celebrate the event “4Bs in Bergen”.

Fred. Olsen are delighted to be celebrating their Norwegian heritage alongside the people of Bergen with a host of festivities especially planned for this historic event. Recognising Bergen as a favourite port amongst their guests made the destination for the fleet reunion an easy choice.

“We are committed to the city of Bergen on our Norwegian cruise itineraries, and we have been calling at the Port every year since 1997. In fact, the number of days that Fred. Olsen ships have spent in Bergen from 2006 to 2015 is 176 in total, and we know that the city is a highlight to many of our guests on cruises to our historic homeland.”- Mike Rodwell MD for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Expected entertainment for the event includes traditional marching bands, deck parties, live shows, city treasure hunt, helicopter tours, water cannon send offs and much more.

Find cruises with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines here

Fred Olsen To Refurbish Three Ships

2014-11-10

Fred Olsen have revealed plans to refurbish Black Watch, Braemar and Balmoral before the end of the year.

In preparation for the 2015/16 season, this is the first time so many Fred Olsen ships have undergone refurbishment within such short succession. All ships will enter Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany in November and December 2014.

Work has already began on Black Watch who entered the ship yard last week. On completion of her refurbishment she will sail to Tilbury for the first ever ‘Mystery Cruise’ that sold out in record time.

Braemar will begin her refurbishment on 12th November 2014 and Balmoral on 9th December 2014.

Some of the changes include; Black Watch gaining 27 new cabins on Lido Deck 7 with balcony terraces. Balmoral and Braemar will gain ‘Café Venus’ serving high-quility coffee and luxury chocolates.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said "We experience extremely high demand for balcony cabins across our fleet, and in particular on board the smaller-sized Black Watch, and our new Balcony Terrace cabins are an innovative response to this. We are also looking forward to being able to give guests the experience of fine coffee and chocolates on board Balmoral and Braemar, as they have already been enjoying on Boudicca and Black Watch."

By Sally Grimes

Celebrate with Elvis Onboard Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines

2014-10-01

Hop aboard the Braemar with Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines in April 2015 to celebrate what would have been Elvis Presley’s 80^th birthday.

The 5-day cruise will head to Aarhus, Denmark where guests will visit Graceland Randers – an impressive replica of the King of Rock and Roll’s Graceland home. Inside you’ll be able to explore the extensive collection of Elvis memorabilia, including pictures, vinyl, film posters and stage costumes. You’ll even have the chance to see the King’s high school graduation photo, one of his beloved guitars and the famous trousers that he wore during the I Want You, I Need You, I Love You recording session. Finish your day at Graceland Randers with a classic American meal at their very own 1950s style eatery, the Highway 51 Diner, all whilst enjoying classic tunes from the jukebox.

But the fun’s not over just there – you can also expect to experience Elvis themed disco nights, film showings and top class performances from two top Elvis tribute performers, Ben Portsmouth and Ben Thompson, all during your time spent at sea.

Fred. Olsen launch Poison, Murder & Mystery Cruise

2014-07-28

Fred. Olsen Cruises have announced the launch of a unique cruising experience under the theme of Poison, Murder & Mystery.

Taking place over 16 nights in July 2015, this cruising experience is set to host many industry firsts as a fully immersive Murder Mystery, passengers will travel back to the 1920s in full character. Fred. Olsen will take cruisers on a journey of the mind as well as body; and the lucky passenger who solves the mystery on board will win a world cruise for two – a once in a lifetime experience.

The cruise will depart from Rosyth in Newcastle and capture various ports around the Mediterranean and Canaries as well as some captivating days at sea. Passengers can take part in shore excursions such as a guided tour of Alnwick Castle in Newcastle, and the Pyramids of Guimar in Tenerife.

Each day will encompass a new theme within the mystery, from arsenic to witches’ brews, explored through lectures, films, parties and outstanding performances from the Fred. Olsen players. Passengers will also enjoy hands on poison making-demonstrations as well as canapés and five course meals in-keeping with the theme.

The Murdery Mystery experience is the brainchild of Fred. Olsen Senior, and Her Grace, the Duchess of Northumberland, who are also said to be in attendance during the cruise.

Taking place on board Fred. Olsen’s Boudicca on 10th July 2015, prices start from £2,474, further information can be found here, or, you can call one of our travel specialists to book today on 0208 544 6537.

Sir Bobby Robson Memorial Cruise

2012-05-28

Fred. Olsen Cruises has announced plans for a Sir Bobby Robson memorial cruise in 2013.

The Black Watch will visit three of Sir Bobby Robson's former footballing homes. Beginning with a trip to Ipswich, with the cruise departing from the nearby Harwich, on 15th June 2012, followed by an overnight in Amsterdam before finishing at the legend's hometown, Newcastle. Though, it's a shame they couldn't fit in the sunny climates and passing football of Porto and Barcelona too.

Fred. Olsen have organised the cruise in aid of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and have already made a donation to the cause. The cruise will also feature special fundraising activities onboard as well as offering guest speakers — who are yet to be announced.

The three night mini-cruise will no doubt pay homage to the former England legend in an understated, yet elegant way and trips to his old haunts will no doubt appeal to fans of the great man.

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