Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

It's here! The Cruise Holidays & Tour America Red Cow Annual Holiday Sale Day.

Tour America & Cruise Holidays, Ireland's leading tour operator to the USA and Cruise Holidays, are this week launching our Annual Sale Day at The Red Cow Moran Hotel to take place on Sunday 7th October.

 

This is the 12th year Tour America & Cruise Holidays have run this holiday show, and we have organised for suppliers from all over the USA to join us on the day. From cruise companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line with a host of special offers and top tips for our cruise clients. Some of the key tourist boards from the USA will also be there including Florida Beaches, Las Vegas, Massachusetts, California, Deep South and much more.

There will be at least 30 exhibitors, with lots of gifts for you and your family; there will be a children's area, and all the Tour America experts there to bring you all the exclusive offers of the day. In addition, we will have key guest speakers to keep you up to date with all that is travel, and to provide you with additional information on all the destinations available to book in the USA wih tips, advice and special offers on the day.

And if you're a technology savvy person, you'll be able to connect with us on the day through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Foresquare. We'll be taking pictures and videos so you can tag yourself, we'll be tweeting event information (Q times, deals on the day etc.) and much more. And we'll have a competition on the day to give one lucky person a €100 One4All gift voucher just for checking in on their mobile phone either through Facebook or Foresquare. If you have been before, you will know how busy it is, so arrive early. If you have not been before, now is your chance to take advantage of the best holiday prices for the USA and cruising. Doors open at 10am (admission is free) and the fun continues till 6pm.

Fred Olsen Launch Retirement Package

Pensioners travelling on cruise holidays with Fred Olsen could soon be taking advantage of a new package, designed specifically for those nearing retirement.

The new package has been dubbed the "Retirement Celebration" by the firm and is set to be made available with any sailing departing from January 2013.

According to Fred Olsen, the new deal has been designed to help passengers celebrate retirement as a "time to relax and take it easy" by the firm.

The package includes a special champagne and canapés service delivered to the passenger's cabin along with a greetings card and special celebration cake.

Priced at £45 sterling per person, the retirement package must be booked at least 28 days before the departure.

Further details of the new package will be published in Fred Olsen Cruise Lines' Worldwide Cruises 2013-14 brochure, which is being released in June 2012.

Would you go on a retirement cruise?

Amazon Adventures with Fred Olsen Cruises

Fred Olsen Cruises is offering cruise holiday makers the chance to embark on a special trip up the Amazon River.

The line's latest Amazon Adventure cruise is scheduled to take place in 2013 and will see passengers travel aboard the Boudicca cruise liner.

Scheduled to depart from Portsmouth on January 5th, the new trip will see travellers take in 900 miles of the famous river as part of a 35-night cruise.

The outward voyage of this cruise will travel via the island of Madeira, stopping in the capital of Funchal before travelling to Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands.

From there, the Boudicca will then sail to Macapa in Brazil where it will begin its trip along the Amazon river, all the way up to Manaus.

Along the way, holidaymakers will be able to embark on shore excursions including a guided walk along forest trails in the Santa Lucia Woods.

The return voyage will take in trips to the Caribbean islands of Tobago, Barbados, St Vincent, Antigua and St Lucia.

This cruise is being offered as part of a special 'Amazonia' experience with talks and lectures planned as part of the onboard entertainment offering.

Fred. Olsen's new Vistas Programme

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Fred. Olsen has introduced 'Vistas' - a new and enhanced programme of special interests to replace The Artsclub.

One of their new themes includes 'Chocoholics' which promises to teach you everything there is to know about chocolate – the science behind it, the history and of course tastings.

'Vistas' was launched in style this week at a glittering reception held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London.

The event was attended by a number of VIP guest speakers who have appeared as guest speakers and lecturers, both past and present, including: Lars Tharp, antiques expert and broadcaster; Sir Bernard Ingham, journalist and former press secretary to Margaret Thatcher; Hedli Niklaus, ‘Kathy Perks’ in the BBC’s longest-running series, The Archers; and Matthew Briggs, Royal Horticultural Society judge and regular panellist on Radio Four’s Gardeners’ Question Time.

Vistas carries the strapline of ‘Rewarding Curiosity’, and gives passengers the opportunity to delve deeper into more subjects than ever before, to the point where new found interests can be enjoyed ashore as well as on board. For example, painting or photography enthusiasts may get the chance to visit an artist’s house, or a particularly scenic site.

Nigel Lingard, Fred. Olsen's MD said: “We are delighted to be launching our new onboard enhancement programme, Vistas, which will allow our guests to be inspired, and in turn to aspire to new levels of knowledge. The programme opens up a whole new world of insights and understanding of fascinating subjects, which are brought to life by our team of world-renowned experts.”

Some of the notable speakers in 2011 will be:

Martin Saunders – BBC wildlife cameraman. Credits include: the 1976 ground-breaking BBC series Life on Earth, during which he filmed the memorable sequence of David Attenborough with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda; Wickers World; and the recent Attenborough series The Life of Birds and Polar Bears, for which he was awarded a BAFTA.

Mike Cowan – former England Cricketer and fast bowler. For nine years, played with Yorkshire County Cricket Club, sharing the opening bowling with ‘Fiery’ Freddie Truman.

David V. Thomas, MVO – the Crown Jeweller from 1991 until 2007, responsible for the care of the Crown Jewels, as well as the personal collection of H.M. the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

Dr. Mike Maloney, OBE – for 30 years, Group Chief Photographer on Mirror Group Newspapers. Recipient of 106 major photographic awards, he was recently awarded the OBE for services to photojournalism.

Other expert speakers include: Mike Purcell, watercolourist and broadcaster; Rosalind Cooper, wine educator and writer; Ken Lennox, photographer and Fleet Street picture editor; Professor Henry Hutchinson, scientist, physicist and expert on climate change; and David Mercer, sports journalist and broadcaster.

‘Vistas’ covers a wide range of themes including: The History of Weather, Photography, Ballroom Dancing, Antiques, Classical Music, The Archers, Agatha Christie, Sporting Personalities, Gardens and Gardening, Wine, History of the Royal Family, and Comedy.

New dining service on Fred.Olsen cruises

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Are you a feet up in front of the telly, dinner on your lap type of person? If so, fear not Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines have introduced a new dining in option on its longer cruise voyages.

The Evening In service allows passengers to enjoy a relaxed dinner and have their food delivered to their suite or cabin, rather than heading out for a meal at an onboard restaurant.

Fred.Olsen expects the offering to prove popular among travellers who have spent a long day ashore and want to have a quiet evening, as well as those who are planning to get up early the next morning for an excursion.

Guests will be able to enjoy a full four-course dinner and pick from menus offering a wider choice than room service.

Available without charge, the Evening In service was launched on Balmoral and Black Watch this month and, if it proves popular, will be rolled out to the rest of the fleet in the near future.

Nigel Lingard, Fred.Olsen's marketing director, said: "This is another example of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines breaking new ground and listening to our guests; it is a key part of our philosophy to offer a personal service and to be flexible regarding our guests' wishes.

"I am confident that this new service will be very popular and many people will enjoy the occasional relaxed night in, as a change from the superb dining room service we already offer."

Southampton in Six Ship Extravaganza

 

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

It’s a sign of good times for the cruise industry in this video, with a record 6 cruise liners in the port of Southampton on Wednesday - Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Arcadia, Balmoral, Black Watch and Saga Ruby.

Almost 50 years have passed since this number of cruise holiday ships have been handled by the docks in one day. This could be a sign of new times though, especially with the plans for an extra terminal in place for 2014.

The local economy reported a nice boost of approximately £9m!

Titanic Cruise Almost Sold Out

 

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

It is still 20 months before its departure date yet the Titanic memorial cruise is almost sold out.

The cruise marks the centenary of the ship’s fatal sinking and sails from Southampton on April 8th 2012, retracing the liner's original route. Special passengers will include relatives of those who lost their lives on the Titanic as well as authors and historians.

Miles Morgan, managing director of the Titanic Memorial Cruise, said: "The 100th anniversary is such a significant milestone in the history of the Titanic, it has really captured the imagination of people all over the world.

"We've heard stories from guests who are having dresses created by top designers especially for the event and requests from musicians who want to audition to be part of the famous string quartet."

The cruise will take place on the Balmoral, a vessel operated by Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines, whose parent company Harland and Wolff built the ill-fated ship nearly 100 years ago.

OperaBabes on Fred. Olsen

 

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

 

Singing duo the OperaBabes will perform on a Fred.Olsen cruise to the western Mediterranean this autumn.

Soprano singer Rebecca Knight and mezzo soprano Karen England were discovered by a talent scout in 2001 and got their big break when they performed at an FA Cup final, which exposed them to an audience of some 500 million people.

Their debut album reached the top of the classical charts in the UK.

Passengers will be able to see the duo onboard Black Watch, which will operate a Mediterranean cruise from Southampton on October 15th featuring calls in Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Ibiza and other destinations.

Mike Bird, Fred.Olsen's marketing manager, said: "This is an amazing opportunity to enjoy exclusive performances by one of the finest classical acts around, in the pleasant surroundings of Black Watch, while she cruises to some superb destinations.

"When you consider all the ports of call and the quality of entertainment on offer, it is fantastic value for money."

Fred Olsen's Cruise & Walk Holidays

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

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Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines and Ramblers Worldwide Holidays are now offering cruise-and-walk holiday itineraries around Britain.

One journey will set off from Newcastle on the Boudicca cruise liner on September 26th and take passengers to Portland in Dorset, where visitors can take scenic walks along the region's coast. It will then visit St Peter Port in Guernsey, Milford Haven in Wales and Dublin. Tobermory on the Isle of Mull and Invergordon in Scotland will also feature on the itinerary.

Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines recently released a new brochure that includes details of round-the-world cruises on the Balmoral and Black Watch vessels and South American itineraries departing from Southampton.

 

Fred Olsen Attractions

Fred.Olsen Cruises are now offering special attractions that passengers can enjoy during their cruise.

The Flagship Golf package, which is available on selected cruises in the Mediterranean, Canaries, Baltic, Caribbean and around the UK, offers golf fans the chance to play four rounds of golf on carefully chosen courses in different ports of call. The package includes transfers, green fees, tuition from a PGA professional and practice sessions.

Other areas of interest are covered in Fred.Olsen's ArtsClub programme, which is free of charge, and includes music, comedy, watercolour painting, wine tasting, wildlife and photography.

Three new themes will be introduced for people taking cruises with Fred.Olsen during the 2011/12 season: chocoholics, the history of weather and the British royal family.