Welcome to The Bridge

Welcome to The Bridge, your round-up of the news and highlights from another exciting week in the world of Fred. Olsen.

Before we talk about cruising, this is the perfect opportunity to congratulate the wonderful Lionesses on their fantastic Euro 2022 win!

Welcome back on board Noemi

Those of you who’ve sailed on board Balmoral in recent weeks may have recognised a familiar face… or even voice. The Lovely Noemi, after many years at the Suffolk office as part of our Guest Services Team, has returned to the seas! This time it’s as your Future Cruise Manager. Noemi began her career on board the much-loved Black Prince 25 years ago as Junior Reception Officer, before taking some time out ashore to have her family. Now that her children are grown up, Noemi is following her wanderlust once more, and will be delighted to chat to you about any future cruises you may be considering.

We’ve even managed to find a sneaky pic from her early years too - we're sure she hasn't aged a bit!

A nomad by heart, it had always been my childhood dream to travel the world – after graduating from university I went on my first ever flight from the Philippines to England, to embark on my Fred Olsen career, 25 years ago, as a Junior Reception Officer aboard the Black Prince, one of Fred. Olsen’s most beloved ships.

A year later I met the most wonderful man - one of the managers in Fred. Olsen's head office. I always thought I’d get the opportunity to go back to work on the ship someday, but two children arrived quickly.

I was a working mum once the children went to school, continuing my career at the Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Head Office; being such a family-orientated company they accommodated my need to work on a flexi-time basis to enable me to work around my family. I have worked with other companies prior to settling at the FO headquarters but the camaraderie and friendliness on board continues within the office – so I was very happy to stay for many years, achieving the role of Team Leader within the Guest Services department, who deal with everything once the bookings are made through to the minute the ships sail.

I have enjoyed at least 30 cruises across the whole fleet, for both pleasure and with the staff educational programme for head office staff. My hunger to see even more of the world and revisit so many favourite ports hasn't yet been satisfied, hence when the opportunity arose for a Future Cruise Sales Manager position, I applied and delightedly was successful. I feel incredibly lucky that my whole family supports my desire to continue my life adventures! My youngest is about to start university, and as my husband still works for Fred. Olsen, he can visit me, as he loves our cruises too.

I am only just starting my second cruise back on board the beautiful Balmoral and I am absolutely loving my new role. It has given me fresh challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. I enjoy being back with the friendliest crew, being a part of making our guests’ cruises as enjoyable as they can possibly be.

Coming back to live and work aboard the Balmoral feels so natural to me, I feel so at home – she has always been my favourite ship. I would never tire going to Norway, it’s one of the most invigorating places on earth. However my most memorable trip was a fly-cruise throughout Asia on Boudicca, from Bali to Sri Lanka; my heart strongly beats for that part of the world too.

In my spare time, I love to read, dine out with friends and love to go dancing. I love my me-time too, which usually means I put my head phones on and dance like no-one’s watching!

Iceland’s Display for our Guests

Expertly crafted by our Journey Planners to take full advantage of the warmer months, Borealis’ current cruise to Iceland and Greenland has encountered some incredible scenery. Guests on board – along with our nature-loving on board photographers – were on deck to capture the scenic sailing of Prins Cristiansund, and experience an example of Mother Nature's work at its finest. This spectacular waterway only opens up in the summer when huge icy blockades melt away. Borealis was able to get close enough to the glacier that it almost felt within touching distance - giving our guests the opportunity to really enjoy the joy of the journey on this spectacular Iceland and Greenland cruise.

Welcome back on board Noemi

We’ve even managed to find a sneaky pic from her early years too - we're sure she hasn't aged a bit!

In my spare time, I love to read, dine out with friends and love to go dancing. I love my me-time too, which usually means I put my head phones on and dance like no-one’s watching!

Iceland’s Display for our Guests

Chickpeas helping our sustainability

At Fred. Olsen, we’re always looking to do our bit for the world’s sustainability, so as part of a new series, our talented on-board Chefs will share a weekly meat-free recipe for us all to try at home. This week, we have a lovely dish – Indian chickpeas with poached eggs. Our team at the Suffolk office have already sampled it, and it’s delicious!

With many dishes on board being meat-free, there are plenty of mouth-watering options to choose from, including those for guests who require vegan or gluten free meals, and any allergies are also catered for.

Why not try it out yourself - we've included the recipe for you below?

Bolette's recent call to Sorrento

We love seeing pictures from our guests’ travels around the world on board our smaller sized cruise ships.

On Bolette’s recent sailing around the romantic Amalfi coast we caught a few lovely snap shots of Sorrento. After sharing these on our Facebook page, one guest commented: “We are on board at the moment and it is even better than the pictures”. We couldn't agree more, with its glorious blue waters and framed by soaring mountains, it's not to be missed; and of course guests will have been able to see Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples, too!

A cruise to the Amalfi Coast is definitely a must-do, so why not join us in May next year?

Chickpeas helping our sustainability

Why not try it out yourself - we've included the recipe for you below?

Bolette's recent call to Sorrento

We love seeing pictures from our guests’ travels around the world on board our smaller sized cruise ships. On Bolette’s recent sailing around the romantic Amalfi coast we caught a few lovely snap shots of Sorrento. After sharing these on our Facebook page, one guest commented: “We are on board at the moment and it is even better than the pictures”. We couldn't agree more, with its glorious blue waters and framed by soaring mountains, it's not to be missed; and of course guests will have been able to see Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples, too!

A cruise to the Amalfi Coast is definitely a must-do, so why not join us in May next year?

Explore Greece & the Adriatic

Why Greece is so much than just Athens and the Acropolis. Why remarkable fjords aren’t only found in Norway. And why Croatia’s second capital tells so much about the country’s coastal history. Exploring Greece and the Adriatic this September, aboard Balmoral, guests will be able to really delve into fascinating historical and cultural cities, while also appreciating the peacefulness of the stunning Bay of Kotor. This UNESCO-listed natural fjord boasts glassy waters and spectacular mountains - perfect for photography opportunities.

Our fantastic team have written an article on this pretty, and diverse, part of the world - take a look and join us on this superb Fred. Olsen Cruise next month.

A journey of a lifetime

Our fantastic team have written an article on this pretty, and diverse, part of the world - take a look and join us on this superb Fred. Olsen Cruise next month.

Explore the world with our hand-crafted itineraries

While we’re in the midst of the summer holiday period and a getaway might be on your mind, we have plenty of hand-crafted No-Fly cruises this year and next that may tempt you. Whether you’re looking to go in search of natural wonders and wildlife in Iceland, soak up warmer climes in the Canary Islands, seek out the Northern Lights or embark on a European city adventure, you’re sure to find the ideal Fred. Olsen cruise for you. Right now, you can enjoy special savings, with prices starting from as little as £399 per person.

Explore the world with our hand-crafted itineraries

This week's cruise news

This week, we welcome Noemi back on board Balmoral, so be sure to pop along and see our newest Future Cruise Manager, take a look at stunning photos of our current cruise to Iceland on Borealis, cook our delicious meat-free meal with us, reminisce on Bolette's recent call to Sorrento in Italy, and explore Greece and the Adriatic with us this September.

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