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Welcome to my new timeline.
 
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils new South American & Antarctica Grand Voyage in 2023
Wednesday, 14th July 2021
A 78-night South American exploration, offering the chance to sail the mountainous Chilean fjords and wonder at the Antarctic Peninsula’s rugged, icy coastline has been unveiled by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines today.
Balmoral’s epic, hand-crafted adventure will set sail from Southampton on 5th January 2023 to circumnavigate South America and – for the first time in the company’s history – cruise to Antarctica.
Fred. Olsen’s dedicated team of Journey Planners have curated a wide range of shore excursions for each port of call. This includes the chance to learn to dance in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of the Tango, or spend time with a Gaucho cowboy on ranches in Argentina and Uruguay.
There will also be opportunities to delve into the history of the Incas at Machu Picchu and experience the unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands in extended overland tours from Peru and Ecuador respectively.
To add to the experience, guests can enjoy up to £400 per person to spend on board, so they can make the most of Balmoral’s many bars and lounges, specialty dining restaurants and spa, or to use towards immersive shore excursions.
Martin Lister, Head of Destination Experience and Itinerary Planning at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“At Fred. Olsen, we are proud to sail our own course, and we have really enjoyed curating this extra special cruise. In just one sailing, guests can witness Antarctica’s rugged, icy coastline, admire the many thundering waterfalls in UNESCO-listed Iguazu National Park and cruise amongst the towering mountainous landscape of the Patagonian fjords in Chile.
“This itinerary also offers some exceptional opportunities to spot native wildlife, with Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins to be found in the coves and on the beaches of the Falkland Islands and at Point Wild on Elephant Island. Guests will also have the chance to visit the Galapagos Islands and discover the vast range of wildlife found there, on an extended tour from Ecuador.
“Balmoral’s smaller size also allows us to call into some fantastic ports, from Havana in Cuba and Hamilton in Bermuda, meaning explorations can start right at the end of the gangway.”
Balmoral’s 78-night L2301 ‘Exploration of South America and the Antarctic’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 5th January 2023. Prices start from £8,999 per person.
Itinerary: Southampton, England – Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal – Horta, Azores, Portugal – Hamilton, Bermuda – Havana, Cuba – Colon, Panama – Panama Canal – Guayaquil, Ecuador – Callao, Peru (overnight stay) – Matarani, Peru – Arica, Chile – Valparaiso, Chile – Castro, Chile – Puerto Chacabuco, Chile – Cruising Chilean Fjords – Punta Arenas, Chile – Cruising Magdalena & Cockburn Channel – Cruising by Cape Horn – Ushuaia, Argentina – Cruising Drake Passage – Cruising Antarctica Peninsula (three days) – Port Stanley, Falkland Islands – Montevideo, Uruguay – Buenos Aires, Argentina (overnight stay) – Itajai, Brazil – Ilhabela, Brazil – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (overnight stay) – Salvador, Brazil – Recife, Brazil – Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Southampton, England
For further information, visit fredolsencruises.com/cruise/exploration-of-south-america-and-the-antarctic-l2301. Book online, call our Reservations team on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.
NOTES TO EDITORS
Balmoral’s L2301 ‘Exploration of South America and the Antarctic’ is currently on sale for an exclusive booking period for Ocean’s members.
The cruise will go on general sale at 9am on Friday, 16th July 2021.
‘Freedom Day’ marked with the symbolic naming ceremony of Saga’s brand-new cruise ship, ‘Spirit of Adventure’
As the UK reaches ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19 – the day lockdown restrictions are finally lifted in Britain – Saga’s brand-new cruise ship, ‘Spirit of Adventure’ will be named with a traditional bottle smashing ceremony at Portsmouth International Port. It will be the first time in history that a new cruise ship has been named at the port.
The ship was handed over by the shipbuilder in September 2020 and was due to take to the waters last year but, because of Covid, has remained anchored and waiting to take to the seas. That will be rectified on July 19, 2021 with the naming ceremony ahead of her inaugural cruise on July 26. In recognition of the countless hours of service given by medical professionals during the pandemic, she will be named by the recently retired Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service, Commodore Inga J. Kennedy.
Nick Stace, Saga’s CEO of Travel, said: “Today has been a long time coming for everyone, so it feels symbolic that the naming of our brand-new cruise ship, ‘Spirit of Adventure’ will be part of such an historic day for the UK.
“Those who love to travel have waited patiently for it to resume, and what better way to mark a return to the freedom that travel gives us than with the launch of a new cruise ship.”
During the ceremony, which will start at 1pm on July 19 and be televised via Saga’s Facebook pages and on YouTube, Commodore Kennedy will undertake the traditional smashing of a bottle – in this case a jeroboam of English sparkling wine from Balfour Hush Heath Estate - against the hull of the ship to offer a blessing of safe sailing and good fortune.
Stace continued: “We felt it was important to recognise the outstanding work the medical profession has undertaken during the pandemic and wanted to pay our respects the best way we knew how. Commodore Kennedy has served in the Navy for 20 years and within healthcare for 40 years, so we felt she was the perfect choice for the role and we’re honoured that she accepted.”
The new ship will be the first to be named at Portsmouth, known as the Great Waterfront City, thanks to the city’s investment in the extension of the port’s main cruise berth, which enables them to manage larger ships.
The ship will depart on her inaugural cruise on July 26 from Tilbury. Once underway she will sail on a round Britain cruise taking in Newcastle, Belfast, the Isle of Man, Liverpool, Holyhead, Bristol, Lundy Island, the north Cornwall coast, the Isles of Scilly and Falmouth before returning to Tilbury on Tuesday 10th August* (see detailed schedule in notes to editors).
Nick Stace concluded: “We are delighted to be officially naming ‘Spirit of Adventure’ at Portsmouth International Port – a first ever for the port - ahead of welcoming our very first guests on her inaugural cruise on July 26.
“She’s a boutique ship, with just 554 cabins and a maximum capacity of 999 people so she feels spacious and comfortable and every aspect has been designed with our guests in mind, from the bold colours and the wrap-around promenade through to the numerous restaurants and entertainment facilities. Every cabin has its own private balcony with uninterrupted sea views and everything from the chauffeur service to meals and Wi-Fi are included in the price.
“We’ll continue to follow Government advice when it comes to managing the risk of Covid, and we believe prevention is key so we’re asking all customers to have had both vaccines ahead of joining us. We’ve also been working hard to ensure our hygiene standards are above and beyond what is required, which has led to Lloyd’s Register awarding us their Shield+ accreditation - the highest category of health assurance they have.
“Now, it’s time to get Spirit of Adventure on the water with her sister, Spirit of Discovery and return to doing what we do best – giving our guests an amazing cruise experience.”
Both Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery are small by today’s ship standards, but clever design and a limit to the number of guests give a real feeling of space and comfort.
Spirit of Discovery has 10 passenger decks offering 554 all-balcony cabins including 109 single balcony cabins. It features five restaurants including The Main Dining Room, The Grill, The Supper Club, Khukuri (Nepalese speciality) and Amalfi (Italian speciality), all of which are complementary to dine in. The North Cape Bar is the ship’s main bar, and the Living Room offers coffee and snacks as well as a full drinks service. Outdoor facilities include an observation deck, full wraparound promenade and terrace, pool, sports court and deck games.
Entertainment and wellbeing facilities include The Playhouse (a 444-seat theatre with complete unobstructed views seating, home to Saga Cruise’s resident performance company), the signature Britannia Lounge with a dance floor and live entertainment, The Library with refreshments, craft and card rooms, The Spa with hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam and treatment rooms, The Salon, a gym, shop and medical centre. The ship also features specially commissioned artwork that draw inspiration from the geography, landscapes, and palette of the British Isles.
The all-inclusive price includes a choice of complementary UK travel to and from the port including a door-to-door chauffeur service up to 250 miles each way, car parking near the port, domestic flights or standard class rail or coach travel.
There are no hidden costs on-board either. Saga Cruises come with all dining and house drinks including a selection of wines with lunch and dinner, Wi-Fi, on-board gratuities, fitness facilities, 24-hour room service, sightseeing tours in selected ports, entertainment (from lectures to recitals), porterage of luggage, shuttle buses to nearest town centres and travel insurance with up to £5m coronavirus cover included.
And all of this backed up by the Saga Cruise Promise - in the event that a cruise price is reduced guests will be the given the value of the difference back.
Other Spirit of Adventure cruises include:
- Taste of the Continent from October 5 for five-nights from £1,228 per person. See saga.co.uk/cruises for more details.
- Alternatively, there’s a Continental Escape from £999 per person departing on November 15 and taking in Amsterdam, Bruges and Cherbourg. For more information visit saga.co.uk/cruises.
- For further details on other Spirit of Adventure cruises, please see saga.co.uk/cruises.
Photography of Spirit of Adventure can be found on Saga's Newsroom.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on Saga’s Holidays and Group Facebook pages at 1pm on July 19.
Broadcasters please note, a photocall notice has been issued for media wishing to attend the naming ceremony on July 19. PA will be supplying photos of the day.
Additional information can also be found on: Spirit Of Adventure Cruise Ship - Luxury Boutique Cruising (saga.co.uk)
For further information, please contact: [email protected].
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines achieves ‘zero to landfill’ for refurbishment of new ship Borealis with support from the Binn Group
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is proud to announce that it has achieved its aim of sending ‘zero to landfill’ in the refurbishment of Borealis.
Fred. Olsen purchased the now 1,360-guest ship Borealis last September, and has conducted a large refurbishment, including upgrades to public areas and guest cabins and the replacement of a number of bathrooms.
Working with the Binn Group, based in Perth, Scotland, Fred. Olsen has been able to recycle tiles into cement and materials for construction sites, carpet into wood blocks to create fuel and timber to create chipboard flooring.
In addition, items such as bath tubs and panels, wood and pillows will also now be used to help create energy.
Thomas Rennesland, Hotel Operations Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“Our crew have worked tirelessly on the refurbishment of Borealis, to ensure that when guests join us on board on 5th July they are stepping onto a ship with all the Fred. Olsen touches that we are so well known for.
“Borealis is a beautiful ship, and while we wanted to make her our own, we also wanted to ensure that we were not wasteful. It makes us very proud to have achieved ‘zero to landfill’ for this project, and I would like to thank the Binn Group who have worked with us to help us achieve our goal.”
Brian Harkins, Managing Director for the Binn Group, said:
"Working together we have not only provided the best solution for our customer but also the best solution for the planet.
“Carbon impact and sustainability is at the heart of what we do and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have been a pleasure to work with given that their values on sustainability and carbon align so well with our own.”
Borealis set sail on her three-night Maiden Voyage on Monday, 5th July, kick-starting Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ‘Welcome Back’ programme of UK sailing from Liverpool this summer.
For further information on Borealis, visit fredolsencruises.com/our-ships/borealis. Book online, call our Reservations team on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.
Princess Cruises to launch 2023 UK and Europe programme earlier than ever
MedallionClass Sky Princess to return as UK’s homeport ship for third consecutive year
Princess Cruises today revealed its UK and Europe season will go on sale earlier than ever before, with itineraries sailing from the Mediterranean and British Isles, to Scandinavia and Russia, Iceland and Norway. All 177 departures will go on sale July 16, 2021.
The programme includes 67 unique itineraries, ranging in length from seven to 33 nights. Five MedallionClass ships – Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Emerald Princess and Island Princess – will sail to 116 destinations in 32 countries.
The line confirmed one of its newest ships, Sky Princess, which launched late 2019, will return as the UK’s homeport ship for the third consecutive year. The 3,660-guest ship will sail roundtrip from Southampton on a variety of voyages from seven- to 14-nights to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The 24-night roundtrip adventure to Canada & New England will also return for 2023 following high demand for this itinerary in previous years.
The 2023 UK and Europe season runs from March to November. Other deployment highlights include:
· Enchanted Princess sails her first Mediterranean season on a series of seven-night voyages departing from either Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia) or Athens (Piraeus), which can be combined for the ultimate 21-day exploration.
· Regal Princess returns to the Baltic sailing 11-night Scandinavia & Russia cruises roundtrip from Copenhagen, featuring an overnight in St. Petersburg on every sailing.
· Emerald Princess departs on 12-night British Isles sailings with options including Liverpool, Portland (for Stonehenge) and the Orkney Islands, all departing from Southampton. Guests also have the unique opportunity to experience the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from Greenock on the July 31 and August 12, 2023 departures.
· Island Princess offers voyages throughout Europe, including above the Arctic Circle in search of the Northern Lights from Southampton, and to the Mediterranean and Israel on 14-night cruises sailing from Rome (Civitavecchia).
· Sky Princess and Island Princess spend the Summer Solstice at the top of the world when the sun never sets on 14- or 16-night Land of the Midnight Sun & Summer Solstice voyages.
· All five ships sail spring and autumn transatlantic voyages crossing between Ft. Lauderdale and Barcelona, Copenhagen, Southampton, New York or Rome (Civitavecchia).
· A total of 53 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are included, such as the White City of Tel-Aviv from Ashdod in Israel; the Acropolis in Athens, Greece; and the Ancient City of Ephesus from Kusadasi, Turkey.
In addition, with 24 “More Ashore” late night and overnight calls in port, guests can make the most of their time exploring and experiencing the local sites and cultures. Princess is also offering five distinct cruisetours:
· Sightsee in the cosmopolitan city of Madrid on a Spain cruisetour
· Discover the birthplace of the Renaissance on a Classic Italy cruisetour
· The Imperial Treasures cruisetour is available for those who want to take in the art and architecture of Prague, Vienna and Budapest
· Marvel at the sweeping landscapes on the Ring of Kerry cruisetour
· A new Best of Greece cruisetour that includes a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Mycenae, Meteora and Delphi
Fares start from £699pp or all-inclusive from £909pp for a seven-night Spain and France cruise on Sky Princess, departing May 13, 2023.
Guests can receive up to $500 onboard credit per stateroom when they book a 2023 UK or Europe Princess cruise before August 31, 2021.
Tony Roberts, vice president Princess Cruises UK & Europe, said: “As one of the newest ships to join our fleet, having Sky Princess as our homeport ship again in 2023 is testament to Princess Cruises’ devotion to the UK and Irish market. We are delighted that this magnificent MedallionClass ship will be based in Southampton for three years running.
“Furthermore, we are thrilled to be launching the 2023 UK and Europe programme two months earlier than we have before, following such high demand for our 2022 departures.”
Captain’s Circle Savings
Princess Past Guests are eligible for a special promotion when they book early, consisting of a Captain’s Circle Launch Discount, which may be combined with launch and group promotions when booked by October 31, 2021.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 0344 338 8663 or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.
Princess Cruises Continues Plans to Resume Cruising in United States with Sailings Departing from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Ft. Lauderdale in Autumn 2021
Following collaboration with government officials, and evolving guidance from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Princess Cruises announcing its intent to return to service in the United States sailing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Ft. Lauderdale this autumn.
Starting between September 25 and November 28, 2021, cruises onboard eight Princess MedallionClass ships will once again take guests to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast.
· Majestic Princess and Grand Princess: Los Angeles once again provides the springboard to a variety of destinations, including the California Coast and Mexico on seven-night cruises, and the Islands of Hawaii on 15-night cruises. Also available are three- to five-night Getaway cruises to the California Coast and Mexico.
· Ruby Princess: Sailing out of the iconic Port of San Francisco, Ruby Princess will start with seven-night California Coast cruises before adding 15-night cruises exploring four distinct island jewels in Hawaii and 10-night Mexico cruises to the line-up.
· Enchanted Princess: Begins with two brand new cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to start her existing inaugural season of 10-night cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.
· Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess: From Ft. Lauderdale, guests can island hop through the Caribbean with three-, five-, seven- and 14-night cruises available in the Eastern Caribbean that visit some of the best-known beaches in the world and the Western Caribbean that allows guests to explore Ancient Mayan Ruins and the beauty of unspoiled coral reefs and underwater caves.
· Crown Princess: Travels to the Panama Canal, from Ft. Lauderdale, on a series of 10-night cruises to this iconic cruise wonder of the world.
“As we continue our return to service, it is a thrill for us to be able to bring more cruise vacation options to our travel-starved guests,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We appreciate the support of government and port officials who we worked closely with to make these travel opportunities available, in a thoughtful and safe way, for our guests.”
Dining, entertainment, and shore excursion details are currently being finalised and will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Princess’ cruises sailing from North America through 2021 are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 nights prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.
We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the CDC as well as local, state and federal officials in the ports we sail from and those we visit and will adjust our on board protocols and vaccination requirements, as necessary. Should our vaccination approach change, we would notify guests prior to final payment.
CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE
As of now and subject to change as CDC guidance, medical, and public health guidance evolves, the line’s Cruise Health programme provides steps to enhance public health. Please check regularly, as there will be updates as new procedures are finalised and existing protocols may evolve.
Updates to the cruise line’s Cruise with Confidence programme are also being implemented, providing peace of mind for booked guests who may encounter an unexpected trip cancellation or interruption due to COVID-19. Guests can cancel for any reason up to 30 nights before departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any cancellation fees and a refund of additional funds received to the original payment method. As an enhanced benefit, guests may cancel and receive the same Future Cruise Credit and refund within 30 nights all the way to sailing night if they test positive for COVID-19. Full details can be found here.
These Autumn 2021 voyages are open for booking now and will be accessible for OceanReady pre-cruise preparations and for making dining reservations on July 30.
To accommodate this restart, select cruises will be cancelled as well as the remaining Europe and Transatlantic season for Island Princess. For guests booked on a cancelled cruise, Princess will offer to price protect on a replacement voyage. Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum £25 USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment. Requests must be received through this online form by July 17, 2021, or guests will automatically receive the FCC option. FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 0344 338 8663 or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.
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