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Fred. Olsen increases its commitment to Newcastle

Fred. Olsen increases its commitment to Newcastle
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has made the strategic decision to base its 1,350-guest Balmoral, in Newcastle for the first time, from May to August 2016.

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. Since then, Fred. Olsen has seen bookings departing from the Port of Tyne soar, with its Norwegian Fjords cruises selling out in record time.

Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: ‘we are very excited to be basing Balmoral in Newcastle from May to August next year, as it means that we are almost doubling our capacity and offering our loyal guests in the North East a choice of 11 in total.’

The Port of Tyne is ideally placed for Norway, Scandinavian and Baltic itineraries, and’we can save up to three days’ cruising time sailing from Newcastle to Norway than from Southern UK ports,’ he added.

Balmoral’s cruise season from Newcastle will commence on May 21, 2016, with a five-night Norway cruise. Other departures include a ten-night ‘UK Castles’ sailing, which offers guests the chance to visit Balmoral and Braemar Castles - both of which lend their names to Fred. Olsen ships - and an 11-night ‘Spain, Portugal & Guernsey’ getaway.

Andrew Moffat, ceo, Port of Tyne, said: Fred Olsen ships are visiting Tyne 27 times this year and 2016 promises to be a record year for cruise calls.’

Fred. Olsen's 880-guest Boudicca kick started Tyne’s 2015 season on Thursday on a transit calls as part of an 11-night floral-themed UK sailing, which departed from Dover and will visit some of the  best gardens and attractions in the UK, including Alnwick Castle in Northumberland - where 'Harry Potter' was filmed - and its intriguing 'Poison Garden'.

Boudicca will return to the Port of Tyne to begin her cruise season on July 26, 2015, setting sail on eight cruises, including a 16-night cruise to the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores plus Norway and Baltic sailings.