Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is to operate from Florida for the first time when fifth ship Balmoral enters service in 2008.
The ship – currently operating as Norwegian Crown for Norwegian Cruise Line – is due to arrive in Dover on January 23, 2008 following refurbishment.
The inaugural sailing will be on January 30 on a 14-night Canary Islands itinerary. Balmoral will then cross the Atlantic to begin a series of 10 and 11-night Caribbean fly-cruises from Florida between February and April.
The ship then returns to Europe and will be based at Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, during May and June 2008 for a series of Mediterranean and Adriatic cruises.
The vessel returns to Dover with an 11-night itinerary from Venice on June 11, 2008.
General sales manager Lol Nichols said: “The opportunities offered by a fifth ship joining the fleet are tremendous.
“This will be the first time we have operated a season of Caribbean cruises based in Florida, a very popular option, and the cruises from Rome also offer a new and interesting departure.
“The extra capacity created by Balmoral – a slightly larger ship than those in the existing fleet – opens up many opportunities for exciting new itineraries, new home ports and allows us to extend further our offerings from regional ports around the UK.“
Report by Phil Davies
