Cruising is a more accessible holiday option that ever before, with more and more vessels departing from an ever-increasing number of ports around the UK. Fred. Olsen is currently leading the way in terms of offering cruises from smaller ports around the UK. From tomorrow, the line will commence a series of 13 sailings out of Newcastle’s Port of Tyne on board the charming 1,778-passenger Balmoral.
This marks only the second season of Fred. Olsen cruises out of the north-east port, with an additional two itineraries on last year’s total of 11. Running from tomorrow until September 2017, passengers will be able to visit a number of stunning regions of Europe including the Baltic nations, Norwegian fjords, Spanish islands and Iceland.
Port of Tyne Business Development Director, Nolan Gray, said: “It is great to see Fred Olsen Cruise Lines return with Balmoral and we hope that the continued success of our cruise operations continues to positively impact the economy.”
Director of Product and Customer Services for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Clare Ward, said: “We are very excited to be basing Balmoral on the Tyne for her second cruise season. It means we are able to offer our loyal guests in the North East an even greater number of cruise departures.”
“Fred Olsen has over 100 years of heritage in running passenger services from the Port of Tyne and has been operating regular cruise calls from Newcastle since 2006. The Port of Tyne is ideally placed for our ever-popular Norway, Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries, and we can save up to three days’ cruising time sailing from Newcastle to Norway than from Southern ports.”
Balmoral is the largest of the Fred. Olsen vessels, although she is still able to access islands and sail along waterways which are generally considered to be inaccessible to larger vessels. She offers the perfect base on which to relax when traveling between destinations. A number of elegantly-decorated lounges with sea views offer the perfect place to watch the sail-away, while passengers can enjoy fabulous cuisine throughout the day in the on board restaurant.
In addition to offering cruises out of Newcastle in 2017, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will also be offering sailings out of Rosyth (Edinburgh), Greenock (Glasgow), Harwich, Liverpool, Newcastle and Southampton. Unlike many larger lines, Fred. Olsen is committed to offering a quintessentially British experience on board and this is emphasised by the number of UK ports the line serves.
Cruising is such a vast product and, with so many options available, you are almost certain to be able to find a ship and an itinerary for every holiday-maker. If you love cruising and possess strong business acumen, you may be interested in the franchise opportunity available with GoCruise.
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