One step ahead of the rest
Cruise service puts world at your feet, says NICK DALTON
THE world is at your doorstep, literally. Just step outside and you can see South Africa and its safari magic. And glimpse Australia, on the other side of the planet but a mere soothing voyage away. The Mediterranean, too, as well as Canada and Russia are all out there – and you don’t have a care in the world.
It’s all down to the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offer of free travel between home and port on a wealth of departures in 2018.
Depending on the itinerary you’ll get a transfer of up to 90 miles or up to 250 miles, perfect for so many adventures as the offer covers 36 cruises of between 13 and 107 nights from five ports around the UK. It also features some fly-cruises, in which case your driver will take you to the airport.
The booking window for the deal closes on August 15 but some of the cruises are only a matter of months away, so it’s time to concentrate on your global perspective.
One of the first is 14-night Stunning South Africa, departing from Cape Town on January 11, with the chance for safaris, a 4x4 adventure through Addo Elephant Park, seeing rare white rhinos at Hluhluwe Game Reserve and visiting DumaZulu for a fascinating insight into the Zulu way of life, plus three nights in gorgeous Cape Town. From £1,699, cruise only.
Perhaps the most spectacular voyage is the 107-night Around The World With Sydney At New Year Grand Voyage from Southampton on November 12. You’ll get to see Sydney’s New Year fireworks, relax on the paradise islands of the South Pacific and find a handful of lost cities – Petra in Jordan, Ephesus in Turkey and Italy’s Pompeii. From £9,999, cruise only (less than £95 a night). Fred. Olsen will be sailing from Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Rosyth (Edinburgh) and Newcastle in 2018, so plenty of regional departures that make doorstep cruising even easier.
Sail from the Mersey in the heart of Liverpool across the Atlantic for Canada In The Fall, a 26-night odyssey to the East Coast – Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and other delights before sailing up the mighty Saint Lawrence River to historic, Unesco-listed Quebec City, all swathed in spectacular autumn colours. Departs September 22, from £3,999.
There are destinations that are nearer your front door too. Rome, Amalfi, Tuscany And The Italian Riviera is a 22-night Mediterranean masterpiece from Dover that also features Spain and Portugal.
The discreet size of Fred. Olsen’s four ships make it possible to call at the quaint coast hub of Amalfi, sprawling across the hillside in myriad colours, Portofino on the Italian Riviera, the charming Roman town and beach resort of Sanremo, just over the border from Nice, and the ancient Menorcan capital, Mahón. Departs May 30, from £2,799.
BUT The World At Your Doorstep really is the opportunity to explore farther afield, whether it is the 16-night Arctic Russia And Northern Norway (departing Southampton June 12, from £1,999), taking in the fjordland coast and heading round to Murmansk. Or the 14-night You Choose You Cruise (departing Southampton May 18, from £1,799), with a people’s vote on two ports per country (Amsterdam or Rotterdam, Helsinki or the Finnish island city of Kotka) all the way to St Petersburg and back.
Prices include all meals and nightly entertainment. Drinks are at reasonable prices (£3.30 for a lager, £4.05 for a glass of wine) but make things even simpler with an all-inclusive drinks package from £15pp per night.
A Fred. Olsen cruise is a relaxed affair in traditional surroundings, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the big, contemporary resort ships. And it’s even more relaxing when you’re picked up from your home (with no worries about luggage restrictions if you’re sailing from the UK) and dropped back there when all the fun is over.