Artisans in Oaxaca Mexico: Vacation Travel

The Latest Fred. Olsen Cruise Launches

London, UK (PRWEB) April 25, 2008 -- Following the success of the first Civilisations cruise programme (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise), Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just launched a brochure for a second season of these very special cruises.

Civilisations is an add-on package on selected cruises, that offers a more in-depth experience. It allows travellers to learn more about the history and culture of destinations, escorted by expert guides and lecturers and appeals to those who want a more mentally challenging holiday. Previously exclusive to Black Watch the programme has now been extended and is offered by both Black Watch and her sister ship Boudicca.

The subjects covered in this programme include Maritime History, Greek Mythology, Polar Exploration, Clash of Empires, Ancient Polynesian Culture, Renaissance and Colonial History. Each cruise is escorted by a dedicated, on-board host, who will help participants achieve greater fulfilment from their vacation and open their eyes to the culture and history of the destinations visited.

The price of the Civilisations cruise package (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/about-cruising/cruise-types-and-themes/civilisations) includes all on-board and tours gratuities, meals, specialist lecturers, privately escorted tours, port and passenger taxes and a beautiful leather-bound journal to record the highlights of the cruise.

There are some highly respected experts in their various fields among the lecturers. They include:

?    Professor Sir Arnold Wolfenden, the 14th Astronomer Royal. Professor Wolfenden was President of the Royal Astrological Society from 1981-83, the Institute of Physics from 1994-96 and 14th Astronomer Royal from 1991-95. He is now President of the European Physical Society and was knighted in 1995

?    Dr Helen Doe, Maritime Historian. Dr Doe specialises in sailing vessels and her lectures will reveal the human element behind the ships, from builders of warships to smugglers. She has published many articles and two books as well as appearing on several television documentaries.

?    Professor David Owen - Polar Exploration. Dr Owen was formerly Expedition Logistics Director for the explorer David Hempleman Adams and is also a qualified balloon pilot with 25 years' experience. His unique set of skills will make him a fascinating lecturer on the challenges facing polar explorers from the 19th to the 21st centuries.

?    Catherine Pollock - Russian History. Catherine Pollock is Russian expert and visiting lecturer at the Universities of Moscow, St Petersburg, Savator and Ekaterinburg She has delivered papers in Russian to conference and writes books of Russian-English dialogue for university entrance examinations. She is also involved in a research project at Oriel College, Oxford.

BW852 - Maritime History & Napoleonic Wars, departs Dover on 21st April 2008 for 11 nights. The Civilisations cruise is to Iberia and shore excursions include Aix Island, Panoramic Bilbao, Cape Trafalgar, La Coruna City Tour and Guernsey Maritime History. Cruise prices start from £911 per person and the Civilisations package is priced at £399 per person.

BW854 - Greek Mythology and History, departs Dover 6th May 2008 for 22 nights. This Eastern Mediterranean cruise (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/BW854) has special excursions including Ancient Cartagena, National Museum of Archaeology and Inquisitors Palace in Malta, Delphi, Discover Delos and Legends of Old Greek Cities. Cruise prices start from £2,220 per person and the Civilisations package is an extra £599 per person.

BW857 - Polar Exploration (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/BW857) departs Dover 24th June 2008 for 15 nights. Excursions including Giske Island and Arctic Museum, Polar Museum and Polaria, and Norway Old and New in Bergen. Cruise prices start from £1,797 per person and the Civilisations add-on is £379 per person.

BW95123 - Ancient Polynesian Culture. This holiday of 19 nights is part of Black Watch's World Cruise (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/BW95123), and departs by air from London on 4th February 2009. This fly/cruise holiday comprises the sector from Tahiti to Sydney, Australia. Special excursions include Tahiti and her History, Trails of the Ancients, Suva - the Jewel of Fiji, Myths of the Kanak Culture, and O'Reilly's Rainforest in Brisbane. Prices for the cruise start from £2,330 per person and the Civilisations package is priced at £549 per person.

Boudicca's Civilisations cruises (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/news/fred-olsen-launches-a-new-programme-of-civilisations-cruises) include the Italian Renaissance - BD068 - a 16-night cruise departing Southampton on 15th September 2008. The theme is Renaissance Culture and excursions include Cultures of Jerez, Middle Ages in Mahon, Florence and its Renaissance, Renaissance Rome, Pompeii, and Tangiers Museums. Prices for the cruise start from £1,785 per person and the Civilisations package is an extra £469 per person.

BD073 is Boudicca's Colonial History Caribbean fly/cruise (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/BD073), departing 20th November 2008 with flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Newcastle to Bridgetown, Barbados. The Civilisations theme is Colonial History and excursions include Colonial History of Barbados, St Joseph in Port of Spain, Gouyave Town and Hudson's Forest in Grenada, Natural Wonders, Historical Tortola, Historical Antigua, and Plantation Tour in St Kitts. This cruise is priced from £1,334 per person and the Civilisations package is priced at a further £429 per person.

Fred. Olsen starts Fly/Cruise programme from Rome

Fred. Olsen's latest ship Balmoral (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/our-ships/balmoral) begins a short season of Mediterranean fly/cruises from Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) on 1st May. The 1,340 passenger ship will operate five cruises in the Mediterranean and Adriatic before returning to her UK home port of Dover for the remainder of the year. Flights from the UK to connect with these cruises will operate from Bristol, Gatwick, Manchester and Stansted.

The programme begins with an eleven night eastern Mediterranean cruise (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/bl008) from Civitavecchia visiting Valletta, Crete, Kusadasi, Marmaris, Rhodes and Piraeus before returning to Civitavecchia for the return flight to the UK from Rome. Prices for this holiday start at £673 per person.

The second cruise in this series is a 10 night holiday (http://www.fredolsencruises.com/plan-cruise/cruise-details/bl009) starting on 12th May visiting ports in the western Med and calls as Livorno, Villefranche, Barcelona, Majorca, Tunis, Valletta and Naples before ending in Civitavecchia. Prices for this fly/cruise start from £670 per person.

The last cruise in the programme sees Balmoral returning to the UK and will depart from Venice on 11th June. Over the next eleven nights she will call at Dubrovnik, Sicily, Sardinia, Gibraltar, Lisbon and ends in Dover.

Lol Nichols, general sales manager for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:"Although she has only been in service for a short time, Balmoral has already built up a loyal following with many passengers booking future cruises on this lovely ship for either later this year, or next." He continued: "Her open decks and excellent indoor observation areas make her the ideal ship for cruising such beautiful coastlines - the passengers will have a superb cruise."

For further information visit www.fredolsencruises.co.uk Agents can book online through F.OCAL or via Amadeus cruise, or call Reservations on 01473 742424.

Media enquiries:

Jill Channing/Amy Clarke        Wendy Hooper-Greenhill

Bugsgang & Associates         Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Tel: 01795 518 200         Tel: 01473 292200

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