Fred. Olsen has become the first cruise line to partner with wellbeing experts Made for Life Organics, to offer inclusive spa experiences including for those living with long-term health conditions.
New ships Bolette and Borealis will be the first in the fleet to offer the new rituals, which will include meditative back, body and scalp treatments and facials, suitable for those with sensitive skin and living with cancer.
Made for Life Organics was launched in Cornwall in 2003 and developed advanced Cancer Touch Therapy training, enabling people going through cancer to receive the therapeutic benefits of touch. Treatments and training are approved and accredited by the Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care, the Complementary Medical Association and CIBTAC (The Confederation of International Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology).
The Made for Life Treatments will also be introduced into the spas aboard Balmoral and Braemar.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is making a return to its homeland of Norway today as new ship Borealis sets sail in search of the Northern Lights, the natural phenomenon after which she is named.
Since the line resumed sailing in the summer, Fred. Olsen’s first cruise to Norway marks the start of a hand-crafted programme of cruising to the region, with 22 sailings across all four seasons in 2022.
Fred. Olsen’s Journey Planners have crafted the Norwegian sailings to maximise the benefits of their smaller ships, which allow them to sail size restricted waters such as Lysefjord, Åkrafjord and Fjaerlandsfjord, leading to secluded waterfalls and scenic fjord sailing.
Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“At Fred. Olsen, we are proud to sail our own course, and our homeland of Norway is somewhere this really shines through.
“This is especially true in the fjords, where we frequently travel away from the well-sailed route. Here we can offer exceptional experiences for our guests, such as sailing Maurangerfjord to show our guests the sprawling Fureberg Waterfall.
“The smaller size of our ships opens up so many possibilities for us. We can sail the size-restricted Lysefjord so guests can look up at the famous Pulpit Rock or cruise Åkrafjord to the tall and tumbling Langfoss Waterfall, often regarded as the best waterfall in Norway, offering views of spectacular scenery direct from the ship.
“This first cruise back to Norway will be extra special, as not only will we be visiting Alta, renowned for being one of the best places on earth to see the Northern Lights, but it will also see Borealis going in search of the phenomena from which she takes her name. We can’t wait to share this experience with our guests.”
Some highlights of Fred. Olsen’s sailings to Norway in 2022 include:
Bolette’s 14-night T2202A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights cruise, departing from Southampton on 30th January 2022. Prices start from £1,399 per person. Itinerary: Southampton, England – Trondheim, Norway – Alta, Norway (overnight stay) – Tromsø, Norway (overnight stay) – Bodø, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Southampton, England For more details: Visit T2202A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights
Borealis’ eight-night S2208 ‘Classic Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 6th April 2022. Prices start from £999 per person. Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising Lysefjord, Norway – Cruising Hardangerfjord, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – Cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergfossen, Norway – Flåm, Norway – Cruising Nærøyfjord, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Liverpool, England For more details: Visit S2208′ Classic Norwegian Fjords.’
Balmoral’s 15-night L2217′ Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 22nd June 2022. Prices start from £2,599 per person. Itinerary: Newcastle, England – Olden, Norway (overnight stay) – Cruising Nordfjord, Norway – Maloy, Norway – Cruising Nærøyfjord, Norway – Cruising Torghatten, Norway – Cruising Seven Sisters Mountain Range, Norway – Crossing the Arctic Circle, Norway – Cruising Trollfjord, Norway – Cruising by Djevelen Tanngard, Norway – Honningsvåg, Norway – Cruising North Cape, Norway – Pyramiden, Norway – Cruising by Nordenskiöldbreen, Norway – Cruising by Templefjorden, Norway – Longyearbyen, Norway – Tromsø, Norway – Cruising by Black Glacier, Norway – Cruising Nordfjorden, Meloy, Norway – Åndalsnes, Norway – Cruising Romsdalfjorden and Isfjorden, Norway – Newcastle, England For more details: Visit L2217′ Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen’
Braemar’s five-night M2222′ Summertime Fjords in Five Nights’ cruise, departing from Edinburgh (Rosyth) on 29th July 2022. Prices start from £799 per person. Itinerary: Edinburgh (Rosyth), Scotland – Olden, Norway – Cruising Nordfjord, Norway – Cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Ålesund, Norway – Cruising Hjørundfjord, Norway – Edinburgh (Rosyth), Scotland For more details: Visit M2222′ Summertime Fjords in Five Nights’
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled 16 brand new sailings aboard new ships Bolette and Borealis departing in early 2022.
The new cruises include a 34-night sailing to the Caribbean and a 15-night Mediterranean discovery, as well as sailings closer to home with a five-night scenic Ireland sailing and a two-night ‘no port’ short break. Also included are scenic sailings to the Norwegian fjords, opportunities to witness the Northern Lights and voyages to the Canary Islands or Iceland, to name a few.
Durations range from two to 38 nights, with departures available from Southampton and Liverpool.
In addition, guests can choose between a free all inclusive drinks package or up to £250 per person to spend on board.
Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“Now, more than ever, people are dreaming of their holidays and yearning to get their travels booked in for 2022, and we have been working closely with our destination partners and the UK government when it comes to our future itineraries.
“Our journey planners have worked exceptionally hard in curating these new sailings, placing as much focus on the joy of the journey as the destinations themselves.
“Whether you want to explore the streets within the historic city walls of Dubrovnik, seek out the Northern Lights in Norway or gain an insight into many ancient civilisations on a longer voyage to the Caribbean and the Americas, there is sure to be a cruise to suit you.
“These sailings will also be a great opportunity for us to showcase our new ships, which is why we are pleased to offer an all inclusive drinks package or on board spending credit, to help our guests make the most of the many newly-refurbished bars, lounges and facilities on board.
“We can’t wait to welcome guests, both new and returning, on board for these new sailings in 2022.”
Bolette artist’s impression – image courtesy of Fred. Olsen Cruises
Highlights of the new 2022 programme include:
Borealis‘ 34-night S2202A ‘Cultural Caribbean and the Americas’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 6th January 2022. Prices start from £3,999 per person. Enjoy £250 per person to spend on board.
Departure of a 38-night sailing is also available from (and returning to) Liverpool on 4th January 2022. Prices start from £4,399 per person. Enjoy up to £250 per person to spend on board.
Itinerary: Southampton, England – Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores, Portugal – St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis – Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands – Santa Marta, Colombia – Colon, Panama – Puerto Limón, Costa Rica (overnight stay) – Belize City, Belize – Cozumel, Mexico – Kings Wharf, Bermuda (overnight stay) – Southampton, England
Bolette‘s 14-night T2202A ‘In Search of the Northern Lights’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 30th January 2022. Prices start from £1,799 per person. Enjoy an all inclusive drinks upgrade or £200 per person to spend on board.
Bolette‘s 19-night T2203A ‘Ancient Adriatic with Venice’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 13th February 2022. Prices start from £2,199 per person. Enjoy an all inclusive drinks upgrade or £250 per person to spend on board.
Itinerary: Southampton, England – Cartagena, Spain – Valletta, Malta – Split, Croatia – Venice, Italy – Zadar, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Cruising Strait of Messina, Italy – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy – Lisbon, Portugal – Southampton, England
Borealis‘ five-night S2209 ‘Touring Scenic Ireland in Five Nights’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 14th April 2022. Prices start from £649 per person. Enjoy an all inclusive drinks upgrade or £100 per person to spend on board.
Itinerary: Liverpool, England – Cruising by Spike Island, Ireland – Cobh, Country Cork, Ireland – Galway, Ireland – Cruising by Cliffs of Moher, Ireland – Cruising by Dún Aonghasa, Aran Islands – Cruising by Clare Island, Clew Bay – Cruising by Croaghaun, Achill Island – Cruising by Inishkea Islands – Cruising Wild Atlantic Bay, Mayo – Cruising by Downpatrick Head, Mayo – Cruising by Malin Head & Sliabh Liag, Ireland – Cruising by Arranmore, Ireland – Cruising by Tory Island, Northern Ireland – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Liverpool, England
Viking® has announced that it will restart operations in the Mediterranean with new ocean voyages for vaccinated guests beginning this summer. Offered as part of Viking’s Welcome Back collection, Viking Venus® and Viking Sea® will homeport in the Maltese capital city of Valletta—a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site—and sail two different 11-day roundtrip itineraries in the Mediterranean. As a result of strong demand, Viking also announced today it is adding more sailing dates this summer for its Welcome Backvoyages around Iceland, including sailings available to UK guests, and Bermuda.
Guests on the new Malta & Adriatic Jewels itinerary will overnight in Valletta and then sail to Montenegro and Croatia, calling in Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Šibenik, before returning to the Maltese archipelago, with a stop in Gozo and finally back to Valletta. Guests on the new Malta & Greek Isles Discovery itinerary will also overnight in Valletta and then sail to Greece, calling in Kalamata, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes and Souda Bay, before returning to Valletta. Viking Venus and Viking Seawill sail the itineraries between July and early October 2021. Delivered in April 2021, Viking Venus is Viking’s newest ocean ship and will be named in England on 17 May 2021 by ceremonial godmother and iconic British broadcaster Anne Diamond.
“We thank the government of Malta for its support and enthusiasm as we continue restarting operations,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Malta is a fantastic destination, with ancient history, rich culture and a central location in the Mediterranean. We began calling in Malta in 2016 and look forward to welcoming guests back to some of the most historically significant and naturally beautiful areas of the Med—in both the Maltese archipelago, as well as along the Croatian coast, and around Greek islands this summer.”
The news follows Viking’s recent announcements of Welcome Back ocean voyages in England, Iceland and Bermuda, beginning in May 2021. The company is actively working on developing additional Welcome Back itineraries in a variety of other destinations, with the goal of announcing further 2021 sailings as soon as government approvals are given.
Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety programme. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Programme was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilising a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew will receive daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitisation and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Programme can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety
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