 |
| Lecturer on Cruise-Gardening Expert, John Negus |
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering two itineraries around the UK in 2012; one aboard Braemar and the other on Black Watch. First departure is Braemar'sM1212, a cruise of nine nights, departing from Dover on 22nd May 2012. The first port of call is vibrant Dublin (Ireland), the welcoming city with its famous ‘craic’ where guests can delight in the beautiful Book of Kells in Trinity College, indulge in a tour of the Guinness Brewery, or enjoy superb shopping, sightseeing, or sampling fine food and wine in the many excellent bars, restaurants and cafés. The ship stays here overnight, giving more time to explore and allowing guests the extra pleasure of an evening visit to Dublin, to take in some great Irish entertainment.
Braemar next visits Belfast, in Northern Ireland. This is a port with which the cruise line enjoys long associations; another part of the Fred. Olsen group, Fred. Olsen Energy, owns the famous Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, where the Titanic was built exactly 100 years ago. Guests here can visit the recently opened ‘Titanic Belfast‘ exhibition, which tells the whole story of the fateful ship in film, video and archive material. An alternative excursion is a visit to the extraordinary Giant’s Causeway, which never fails to delight visitors. Fred. Olsen is pleased to be offering cruises from Belfast starting in 2013.
On leaving Belfast, Braemar heads north, travelling right up to the Orkney Islands, where she visits beautiful Kirkwall. The town has a Scandinavian feel and, in fact, the name ‘Kirkwall’ comes from the Norse for ‘Church Bay’, referring to the 11th Century Church of St Olaf. The most northerly port on this cruise, Kirkwall is the largest settlement and administrative centre of the islands. It is an amazing, haunting place, with over 5,000 years of history and a wealth of wildlife, where you will feel you are in another world.
Braemar finally calls at Invergordon, in Scotland, a town long associated with the Navy, and home to a fine golf course. She then journeys south, returning to Dover. Prices for this cruise start from just £399 per person with a Latesaver deal; this is based on two adults sharing twin-bedded accommodation, and includes all meals and entertainment on board and port taxes. The cabin grade will be confirmed on embarkation.
An added attraction on this cruise is a theme of ‘Houses & Gardens’ through the onboard enrichment programme, Vistas. This is hosted by the expert gardening writer, John Negus. Starting his long career in horticulture as a student at the Merrist Wood Horticultural College, Guildford, John Negus passed out of that establishment with distinction and went on to RHS Wisley, gaining a Wisley Diploma in 1961.
Between 1964 and 1967 he was sub-editor for “Home Gardener“, before taking up an appointment as Horticultural Information Officer at Syon Park, Brentford. He left there to become Technical Editor of Popular Gardening in 1972 and then, from 1985 onwards chose a freelance career writing for magazines as diverse as “Woman’s Realm” and “Woman’s Weekly”, for whom he is Gardening Editor.
Black Watch has a very similar itinerary on her ‘Around the UK’ cruise,W1205, departing form Dover, on 11th June 2012, for 10 nights. She travels south for her first port of call; the picturesque capital of Guernsey, St. Peter Port. Stroll the quaint cobbled streets and relish the fine seafood on the island, or visit some of the stunning gardens. The rest of Black Watch’s itinerary mirrors that of Braemar, visiting Dublin for an overnight stay, then Belfast, Kirkwall and Invergordon, before returning to Dover. Prices for this attractive cruise start from £899 per person, based on two adults sharing an outside, twin-bedded cabin.
An added attraction on this cruise is, appropriately, ‘Whisky Tasting’ through the onboard enrichment programme, Vistas, hosted by whisky tasting expert, Richard Paterson. A Master Blender for Whyte and Mackay, Richard is the third generation in a family which has long been associated with the Scotch Whisky Industry, beginning with his grandfather, who established W R Paterson Ltd in Glasgow in 1933, and specialised in Blending, Bottling and Broking. Richard has an in-depth knowledge of wines and spirits, having studied with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
In 1970 he joined Whyte & Mackay Distillers and within 5 years he became their Master Blender; aged 26, he was reputed at that time to be Scotland’s youngest Master Blender. Winner of numerous awards in his industry, Richard Paterson will host a whisky tasting for guests on this cruise. There is no charge for participating in Vistas talks and lectures, although there may be a small charge for whisky used in tastings.
Bill Gibbons, a Director of Cruise Britain and the PSA, comments:-
“Last year 23,000 Brits holidayed at home, by taking a ‘Round Britain’ cruise. Britain is unique in Europe, in that you can cruise around it and visit the wonderful ports of call, both on the mainland and the great British Islands. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the delights of the British coastline and the variety of the ports of call. “The British are able to discover Britain”.
We commend Fred Olsen Cruise Lines for scheduling two ‘Round Britain’ cruises in 2012. We expect to see the number of these remarkable cruises increase every year”.
Why not try a cruise close to home this year, and explore some of the lovely British Isles, with a Fred. Olsen ‘Around the UK ‘Cruise?
Source: fredolsencruises.com
