Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines – The NEN

Jenny Eclair joins Fred. Olsen Baltic cruise departing from Rosyth

Jenny Eclair will join a 13-night trip on a Baltic cruise
Eclair joins as part of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Moments Crew, commissioned to capture guests’ most memorable onboard moments
She will turn memorable guest experiences into short stories as writer-in-residence
The cruise departs from Rosyth on Friday 27^th June
Best-selling author and comedian Jenny Eclair is taking to the seas this week as part of the cruise industry’s first ‘Moments Crew’ – a new service promising to capture guests’ most memorable onboard moments.

Departing from Rosyth on Friday 27^th June, Eclair will be joining the ‘Fairytale Castle & Old Towns of The Baltic Scenic’ tour on Balmoral, the smallest of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ ship in the three-strong fleet. The 13-night trip runs until Thursday 10^th July. 

Three lucky ballot winners have won a session with Eclair in which she will turn their memorable moments into short stories. The guests will then be given the stories to take home, as a memento of the special moments, big and small, that happened on a Fred. Olsen cruise.   

All guests on board will also be treated to An Audience with Jenny Eclair on Wednesday 2^nd July. Open to everyone, Eclair will be interviewed by the ships cruise director, followed by a Q&A with the audience and book signings. Guests will be able to purchase her book, as well as pre-order, in the ships bookstore.  

During the Baltic trip, guests will have plenty of opportunity to make new memories at a range of awe-inspiring locations places and experiences. Guests will be embarking cities within fairytale-esque settings from the majestic castles of Schwerin, Malbork and Rosenborg to the enchanting old towns of Vecrīga and Vanalinn.  

Jenny Eclair is the second of three Moments Crew joining Fred. Olsen cruises throughout the summer.

Comedian-turned-artist Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves) joined the ‘Scenic Falls & Fjords of Norway’ tour on Borealis for the eight-night trip on Thursday 5^th June. 

Celebrity photographer Scarlet Page will then embark Bolette for its 13 night ‘Volcanic Vistas of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 25^th July.  

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines recruited the famous crew of documentarians following research that revealed 82 per cent of people say their life’s top memories are made while travelling.   

Sonia Holman, Marketing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, comments: “We know that some of life’s best memories are made on the high seas, so what better way to ensure they are caught than by assembling the first-ever crew dedicated to recording these unique moments in unique ways.

“We’re delighted to welcome Jim, Jenny and Scarlet onboard and look forward to seeing, reading and viewing the big and small guest moments they observe.” 

 Jenny Eclair, Fred. Olsen’s writer-on-board, comments: “There is a rich literary history of travel writing, but my intention is to get the everyday holiday maker interested in keeping their own journals, even if it is just a record of what you had for dinner.

“In years to come, photos will take you back to places you loved, but it is often words on a page that will remind you of how those places felt.” 

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines partners with Jet2.com for 2025 Mediterranean fly-cruise programme

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with airline Jet2.com for its new 2025 fly-cruise programme.

Between October and November 2025, Fred. Olsen’s smaller ship Balmoral will play host on a range of Mediterranean sailings, with Jet2.com to operate chartered flights from London Stansted and Manchester.

With cruises ranging from seven to 12-nights, guests will have opportunities to take in the charming cliff-top towns of Cinque Terre and the Amalfi, the beautiful Bay of Kotor and the enchanting Greek islands. Ashore, they can discover the origins of Flamenco dancing, sip Jerez sherry, wander the Dalmatian markets and witness Krka Waterfall.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Services at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are really excited about this new partnership with Jet2.com for Balmoral’s 2025 Mediterranean fly-cruise programme.

“They are renowned for their customer service, and as such will complement the high standard of service that our guests come to expect from us. This collaboration highlights our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for our guests, before they even step foot aboard one of our ships.

“A fly-cruise is perfect for guests who want to maximise their time ashore, by reducing the time in sailing from the UK. Plus, guests can tailor their holiday by booking onto consecutive fly-cruises for those looking to enjoy a longer autumnal break in the sunshine.”

Fred. Olsen’s fly-cruise fare includes economy flights and transfers to and from the ship, a luggage allowance of 22kg, plus 10kg of hand luggage.

Balmoral will be operating six fly-cruise sailings in the Mediterranean in 2025, as follows:

Balmoral’s 10-night L2524 ‘Spanish Colours and Cultures’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 17th September 2025. Prices start from £1,599 per person.

Experience Ibiza’s renowned sunset from the decks of Balmoral
Enjoy authentic Spanish cuisines, such as tapas and Jerez sherry
Visit the iconic landmark of the Sagrada Familia Cathedral
Itinerary: Southampton, UK – La Coruna, Spain – Cadiz, Spain – Ibiza, Spain – Cruising by Benirras Beach at sunset, Ibiza, Spain – Barcelona Spain – Valencia, Spain (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2524 ‘Spanish Colours and Cultures’

Balmoral’s 10-night L2525 ‘Colourful Cliffside Towns of the Amalfi Coast’ cruise, departing from Valencia, Spain, on 27th September 2025. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

Marvel at beautiful Cinque Terre, Bonifacio and the Amalfi Coast
Experience ‘la dolce vita’, Italy’s culture of enjoying life’s pleasures
Savour limoncello, scialatielli pasta and Italian pizza
Itinerary: Valencia, Spain (overnight port) – Cruising by Benirras Beach at sunset, Ibiza, Spain – Mahon, Menorca, Spain – Propriano, Corsica, France – La Spezia, Italy – Salerno, Italy – Cruising Amalfi Coast and Capri, Italy – Naples, Italy – Sorrento Italy, Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2525 ‘Colourful Cliffside Towns of the Amalfi Coast’

Balmoral’s 10-night L2526 ‘Bays, Mountains and Islands of the Dalmatian Coast’ cruise, departing from Civitavecchia, Italy, on 7th October 2025. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

Experience the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast from Balmoral
Visit Lake Bled, Lokrum Island and Krka Waterfalls
Immerse yourself in authentic Croatian culture
Itinerary: Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy (overnight port) – Cruising by Stromboli, Italy – Cruising the Strait of Messina, Italy – Cruising Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Kotor Montenegro – Koper, Slovenia – Cruising St Anthony Channel, Croatia – Sibenik, Croatia – Split, Croatia – Cruising by Mount Biokovo, Makarska Riviera, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2526 ‘Bays, Mountains and Islands of the Dalmatian Coast’

Balmoral’s eight-night L2527 ‘Greek Island Odyssey’ cruise, departing from Dubrovnik, Croatia, on 17th October 2025. Prices start from £1,599 per person.

Explore the idyllic island of Santorini and Zakynthos’ coastline
Indulge in authentic Greek cuisine and watch traditional dancing
Visit the renowned ruins of the Acropolis in Athens
Itinerary: Dubrovnik, Croatia (overnight port) – Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece – Cruising Zakynthos coastline, Greece – Kalamata, Greece – Piraeus (for Athens), Greece – Thira, Santorini, Greece – Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece – Rhodes, Greece (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2527 ‘Greek Island Odyssey’

Balmoral’s 12-night L2528 ‘Discovering Turkish Treasures’ cruise, departing from Rhodes, Greece, on 25th October 2025. Prices start from £1,999 per person.

Explore a multitude of renowned European landmarks
Embrace local Turkish traditions, and enjoy the fragrant local tea
Delve into the winding streets of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul
Itinerary: Rhodes, Greece (overnight port) – Bodrum, Turkey – Kusadasi, Turkey – Istanbul, Turkey – Valletta, Malta – Malaga, Spain (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2528 ‘Discovering Turkish Treasures’

Balmoral’s seven-night L2529 ‘Mountain Landscapes of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’ cruise, departing from Malaga, Spain, on 6th November 2025. Prices start from £1,099 per person.

Explore the mountainous landscapes of Iberia
Experience flamenco dance and soulful fado music
Embrace cuisines such as gazpacho, sardines and pasteis de nata
Itinerary: Malaga, Spain (overnight port) – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruising by the Monument of the Discoveries, Portugal – Cruising by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal (overnight stay) – Southampton, UK

For more details: Visit L2529 ‘Mountain Landscapes of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fly cruises, visit the website www.fredolsencruises.com/fly-cruises

Book online, call Reservations on 0800 0355 215 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 4pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.

Edinburgh District Sea Cadets welcomed aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral in Rosyth

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines have welcomed 24 Sea Cadets from the Edinburgh District Sea Cadets, in a chance to learn more about life at sea and step aboard a cruise ship.

Last Thursday (27th June), during Balmoral’s inaugural call of 2024 to the Port of Rosyth, the Sea Cadets were welcomed by members of Balmoral’s Bridge Team, including Captain Steffan Ravneng, Safety Officer Euan Ross and two deck cadets.

Following breakfast with Captain Ravneng and a talk about life at sea, the cadets were taken to the lower decks including the engine control room and toured the public areas of the ship followed by a lunch in the Ballindalloch restaurant.

Edinburgh Trinity Unit, Leith Unit, Musselburgh Unit and Dunbar Unit

Ewan Galloway, District Officer for Edinburgh Sea Cadets, said: “Bringing together cadets from all across Edinburgh for a cruise ship experience was a remarkable opportunity to showcase and embrace the skills cultivated in the Sea Cadets.

“This visit not only highlighted the relevance of these skills in the maritime sector but also left every cadet feeling privileged and inspired.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful opportunity provided by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Seeing the cadets’ faces light up upon arriving at the beautiful ship, Balmoral, was truly delightful.”

Stuart Ferguson, Head of Quality and Resource at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:
“It’s always a real pleasure for us to welcome young people on board our ships to learn more about life at sea. As a business that places a huge amount of importance on supporting local communities, we are proud to have welcomed the Edinburgh District Sea Cadets aboard Balmoral.

“There are so many opportunities to grow, develop and lead fulfilling careers across the maritime sector and we hope to have inspired some of these bright young minds about what can be available in their own futures.”

Sea Cadets are a national youth charity founded in 1856, offering a variety of opportunities and adventures to young people aged from 10 – 18 years old following a rank structure similar to that of the Royal Navy.

For more information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ sailings from Rosyth, please visit: https://www.fredolsencruises.com/cruises-from-edinburgh-rosyth