Fred Olsen planning historic meeting of four ship fleet in BergenFred Olsen planning historic meeting of four ship fleet in Bergen

This ‘4Bs in Bergen’ event – named after the initial letter of each of the four Fred. Olsen ships – will be the first time ever that the fleet has converged in one place, anywhere in the world. There will be nearly 4,000 Fred Olsen passengers visiting the city of Bergen that day.

All four ships are on Norwegian fjord cruises all departing from different UK ports.

The line’s managing director Mike Rodwell, said: ‘This is a very special occasion for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and we know that the city of Bergen is looking forward to welcoming our fleet on this unique day this summer.

‘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.’

It is expected that the festivities on the day will include Norwegian-themed marching bands, drummers and singers on the quayside, ship visits with complimentary drinks and canapés, an inter-ship treasure hunt, where teams will compete against each other to complete the course around Bergen in the fastest time and win a £200 gift voucher for a future Fred. Olsen cruise, an inter-crew ‘tug o’ war’ challenge on Festningskaien and ‘water cannon’ send–off, as all four ships leave the Port in formation. Flagship Balmoral will depart first, followed by Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – all in size order.

Shorex avalaible on the day include a new walking tour, which will visit the Bergenhus Fortress, historic Bryggen and Ole Bull statue, a boat trip across the harbour, to the island of Lygra, which will allow guests to see all four ships from the water, a helicopter tour to see all four ships from above and a Mount Fløyen funicular tour, with the emphasis on the view of the ships from the summit.

With its Norwegian heritage, Fred. Olsen will make 17 cruise calls in Bergen this year, comprising visits by nearly 17,000 guests. Balmoral, Boudicca and Black Watch will be making four calls each, and Braemar will be making five.   

From Bergen, Balmoral will be continuing to Flåm on July 28, 2015; both Braemar and Black Watch will be meeting up again in Eidfjord; and Boudicca will be continuing to Ålesund.