Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines adds Harwich to turnaround port portfolio

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Category: Latest News

Published on Wednesday, 14 December 2011 09:27

Written by Kari Reinikainen

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, which operate four medium sized cruise liners on the British market, says it  will start using Harwich International Port in 2013, with 804-guest Black Watch making four turnaround visits to the Essex port in May and June 2013. The company already operates cruises from Southampton, Portsmouth, Dover, Newcastle, Rosyth and Greenock. It recently decided to pull out from Liverpool.

Matt Grimes, Director of Planning for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “Harwich International Port has long been on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ radar as a turnaround port following a series of successful transit calls in recent years. Its direct rail connections from London – whereby guests alight right next to the Cruise Terminal – make this an extremely easy port to access. The addition of this new regional departure port means that Fred. Olsen is able to operate a vessel within only 100 miles of over 90% of the UK population, which will enhance further our reputation as the UK’s local cruise line with a global choice of itineraries.” 

Black Watch will be offering three cruises from Harwich in May 2013 – to the Baltic, Norway and Lapland, through the Gulf of Bothnia – and a mini-cruise in June 2013. The cruises will range in length from 3 to 14 nights.

Paul Davey, Head of Corporate Affairs at Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners of Harwich International Port, said: “We are delighted that Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has decided to commence turnaround calls at Harwich International Port after such successful visits by Black Watch in 2010, and Balmoral in 2011.

“Harwich International Port has developed over a number of years into one of the UK’s leading cruise ports, and we look forward to working with Fred. Olsen to offer its guests the highest quality facilities and customer service, which we are sure will see the Port rapidly gain popularity with them.”

Black Watch is no stranger to Harwich, and welcomed a delegation of local VIPs on board when she made her inaugural call at the Port in August 2010, as part of an ‘Around UK’ cruise. Amongst the local dignitaries visiting Black Watch were the Mayor of Harwich and regional trade and tourism bodies, including the Haven Gateway Partnership. 

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