Industry observers cannot fail to be intrigued by the growth of industry minnow Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, as it takes on the might of P&O and Royal Caribbean in the ex UK cruise battle. The recent addition of Balmoral to the flight will add a further fly-cruise programme for 2008.

Bullish stuff for the small player, but you can see where this quirky line is coming from. Something of a maverick in today’s industry, Fred. Olsen operates a disparate fleet of second hand ships, but with key factors uniting them: they are small to medium-sized cosy vessels with a home from home atmosphere and unpretentious British style, offering great value for money. Their itineraries are interesting and unusual, and they truly offer an interesting alternative to the mainstream cruise operators.

The latest addition to the fleet, Balmoral, will be launched early in 2008. The vessel will be stretched prior to being introduced to the fleet, and will operate fly-cruise itineraries in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Flight departures will be from a variety of UK airports, which is consistent with the Fred. Olsen style of providing local departures wherever possible. Likewise its summer ex UK programme features departure ports other than Southampton and Dover.

With its Norwegian heritage, Fred. Olsen is the obvious choice for cruises to Norway and the Baltic, with a range of unusual and different itineraries which are bound to catch your eye.

Recognising a need to be ahead of the game where they can, Fred. Olsen bypassed the hype around the launch of P&O’s Ventura and announced two world cruises in 2009 before the summer 2008 brochure was produced! To be operated by Boudicca and Black Watch these are two interesting ex UK cruises which offer an attractive escape from the miseries of the British winter.

Boudicca will sail from Southampton on January 6th on a 97-day westbound voyage through the Caribbean and the South Pacific to Australia, South Africa and up the West Coast of Africa back to Southampton. Three-day calls are planned in Sydney and Cape Town.

Black Watch will depart Dover on February 15th on a 104-day eastbound route through the Mediterranean, to the Middle East, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Russia, the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, Vancouver, the Western U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and the Azores Islands before returning to Dover. The cruise features transits of both the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal.