Event marks the first time Balmoral, Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca have met in the same place
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will all meet in the same place for the first time in the line’s history on 28 July 2015.
All four ships will meet in Bergen at 8am, bringing a total of around 4,000 cruise guests to Norway’s second-biggest city, which has been a popular port of call for Fred. Olsen since 1997. Arriving from Newcastle in the UK and Flåm in Norway respectively, both Boudicca and Black Watch will berth at Skolten North Terminal. Meanwhile, Balmoral arrive from Stavanger in Norway to berth at Bontelabo Terminal and Braemar will sail from Akureyri in Iceland to dock at Festningskaien Terminal.
“This is a very special occasion for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and we know that the city of Bergen is looking forward to welcoming our fleet on this unique day this summer,” said Mike Rodwell, managing director of Fred. Olsen. “We are committed to the city of Bergen on our Norwegian cruise itineraries, and we have been calling at the Port every year since 1997. In fact, the number of days that Fred. Olsen ships have spent in Bergen from 2006-2015 is 176 in total, and we know that the city is a highlight to many of our guests on cruises to our historic homeland.”
To celebrate the historic ‘4Bs in Bergen’ event, Fred. Olsen has organised an inter-ship treasure hunt, where teams will compete against each other to complete a course around Bergen for the chance to win a £200 gift voucher for a future cruise. There will also be an inter-crew ‘tug o’ war’ challenge on Festningskaien.
Meanwhile, guests and spectators will be able to enjoy music from Norwegian-themed marching bands, drummers and singers on the quayside, and will also be able to visit all four ships and enjoy complimentary drinks and canapés.
Onboard entertainment will include an afternoon show, deck party and performances from live bands, which will differ across the four ships.
Guests will also be able to book several shore excursions including a new walking tour to Bergenhus Fortress, historic Bryggen and Ole Bull statue. They will also be able to participate in several shore excursions to get a better view of the four ships, including a boat trip to the island of Lygra, a helicopter tour and a Mount Fløyen funicular tour.
At 6pm, all four ships will depart Bergen during a water cannon send–off. Flagship Balmoral will depart first, followed by Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – all in size order.
Resuming her eight-night 25 July ‘Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, Balmoral will head to Flåm, while Boudicca will head to Ålesund as part of her seven-night Glaciers, Fjords & Waterfalls of Norway’ voyage. Braemar will continue her 14-night ‘Falls, Fjords & Faroe Islands’ cruise and meet up with Black Watch in Eidfjord as she continues her nine-night ‘Cruising the Fjordland’ cruise.
Fred. Olsen will make 17 cruise calls in Bergen this year, bringing a total of around 17,000 guests to the city. Balmoral, Boudicca and Black Watch will be making four calls each, and Braemar will be making five.