Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just announced the launch of its first ever river cruise programme.
The line’s first river cruise vessel will be named Brabant, in homage to a 1920’s Fred. Olsen passenger ship of the same name, and will offer 30 different sailings of which will sail on the Rhine, Moselle and Danube.
Fred Olsen will charter the 156-passenger river ship, currently sailing as Amadeus Princess, from April to November 2018 and for the same period in 2019, to 12 different itineraries, from five to 25 nights.
Sales & marketing director, Justin Stanton, stated: ‘At Fred Olsen we specialise in creating a home-from-home atmosphere on our ocean cruises, and we are proud to be bringing our many decades of expertise and rich sailing heritage to the river cruise market for the very first time.
“Guests can rest assured that the new Fred Olsen river cruises will be underpinned by the usual high standards, award-winning customer service and understated elegance that they have come to expect of our ocean-going offer.”
The ocean line has revealed that the ship, originally built for Amadeus in 2006, will not undergo a refurbishment before it sails as Brabant. Although, it will receive Fred Olsen River Cruise Line branding and new livery with the ship’s name.
Stanton added: ““We might include a second ship but we don’t know when, but the amount of effort we have put into this- it’s for the long term. It seemed like a natural fit for us.”
Flights, transfers, all meals and Wi-Fi will be included within the price of a river cruise fare with Fred’s, however guests must note that drinks and shore excursions are excluded.
The line has revealed, however, it is “looking to put a drinks package together,” similar to the one currently available on Fred cruise ships.
Meals onboard will be a combination of traditional British dishes, as well as regional specialities from the areas the ship passes through, whilst currency will be in pounds sterling.
The river ship features four cabin types, including two suites, some with Juliette balconies. There is also a restaurant, bar, fitness and salon area, the River Terrace, shop, a bicycle rack and a pool onboard.
Though crew will carry over from Amadeus, the line plans to ensure Fred Olsen service standards are met by employing a dedicated Fred Olsen crew member onboard, such as a hotel manager or cruise director.
Measuring 110-metres long, the ship is smaller than many existing river cruise vessels, allowing the vessel to dock closer to the centre of a river port and to the real heart of the destination.
Itineraries will range from a taster five-night Springtime Dutch Discovery voyage, sailing from Amsterdam to Dusseldorf, departing April 5th 2018, to the 25-night German Jewels and Cities of the East voyage- departing May 15th 2018- taking in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany.
Fred. Olsen River Cruises will release itineraries to loyalty club members on May 24th 2017, before going on general sale on May 26th. Click here for all the dates, prices, itineraries, facts and figures you’ll want to know…
But, what are your thoughts on the news that Fred Olsen is about to become a river cruise line? Are you excited for Fred’s standards to be available through a European river cruise? Where would you most like to sail on Brabant? Have you sailed with Fred Olsen before? Leave us your comments and discover more on Fred’s below…
Fred Olsen Introduce The Simplest Way To Experience Their Sailings Yet (No Passport Required) Fred Olsen have just announced a selection of short UK ‘Taster Cruises’ for their guests throughout the line’s 2017/2018 cruise season…
Fred’s Oldest Ship To Undergo Multi-Million Refurb Black Watch will undergo various engineering, general maintenance and refurbishment during a drydock at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg in…
// END - About the Author ?>