Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled a new program of cruises around the British Isles for summer 2021. This was announced in a press release.
The 11-cruise program includes departures from Dover and Liverpool, with “scenic sailings taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland and Orkney Islands and the Isles of Scilly,” the cruise line said.
“We are so excited to be unveiling these new summer cruises today. So often overlooked, our British Isles are home to some of the most wonderful wildlife, and so much spectacular scenery that is best enjoyed from the water … With this selection of shorter sailings, guests can dip their toes back into cruising and enjoy all that they love about being on board with us before we all begin to venture further afield again,” said Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Peter Deer.
“This is an incredibly important milestone for our business, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests onboard our new-look fleet this summer,” he added.
According to the press release, the Borealis will be the first of the fleet to set sail, with a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Liverpool on July 5, with the Bolette to depart on a three-night ‘Maiden Voyage’ from Dover on August 16.
P&O Cruises is now offering a series of short breaks on the flagship Britannia in summer 2021 and week-long cruises on the new ship Iona. This was announced in a press release.
The cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines brightest,” the cruise line said. The guests will have to be fully-vaccinated UK residents.
“Given recent announcements, we have every hope that our guests will be able to enjoy a holiday this summer. After the stresses and challenges of the past year, everyone certainly deserves a treat and this series of cruises will provide memorable and much-needed UK getaways,” said P&O Cruises President Paul Ludlow.
“Whilst there is still uncertainty about holidays abroad this summer, we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the ultimate escape here in the UK with the reassurance that we will take care of everything. Also, we really will look at the weather forecast for each cruise and aim to take our ships where it is warm and sunny,” he added.
According to Ludlow, at the start of Iona’s maiden seas, the Ultimate Escape series of holidays will include a seven-night maiden voyage sailing around the Scottish islands
“The Iona will anchor off Iona, the island after which she was named, with a celebratory extended stay until sunset for magical views of the historic shores,” Ludlow said.
P&O Britannia
The sailings will sail from Southampton. Guests will be offered gourmet dining and poolside bites, cocktails and coffees, shopping, spas, shows and endless sea views, P&O said. P&O Brittania.
The Britannia will offer three- and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday running from June 27, 2021, through to Sept. 19, 2021. Prices start from £449 per person.
The Iona offers seven-night itineraries running from Aug. 7, 2021, to Sept. 18, 2021. The Iona’s seven-night maiden voyage starts from £1,199 per person.
The cruise line said that given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination program and strongly expressed a preference on the part of its guests for this series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on the Britannia and the Iona will be for the UK resident COVID-19 vaccinated guests only. Travel insurance will also be mandatory for all guests.
All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises.
“As we have spent the majority of the last year at home, to be able to have a restorative and relaxing break, sit on the deck with a sea view in the summer sunshine and then enjoy an indulgent dinner and show – it’s certainly what we all need this year and we cannot wait to have our guests back on board,” Ludlow said.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has completed its fleet by welcoming Bolette to Rosyth, Scotland, just two weeks after taking delivery of another new ship, the Borealis.
The ships are the former Amsterdam and Rotterdam from Holland America Line.
The Bolette arrived at Babcock’s Rosyth Facilities on Thursday sailing under the Forth and Queensferry bridges.
Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said:
“It is wonderful to have sister ships Bolette and Borealis together in the same place, joining the rest of our fleet.
“They have already had such a warm welcome from our guests who have been following our Virtual Cruising programme on Facebook and on our website. Now, we can get to work getting both ships ready, in true Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines style, for when our guests step aboard for the first time.
“This is a hugely exciting time for us, and taking ownership of these ships is a clear indication of our plans to bounce back stronger than ever, once the time is right to start sailing again.”
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