By
Rebecca Gibson |
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 880-passenger vessel Boudicca is scheduled to sail three European itineraries from Belfast Harbour in Northern Ireland in autumn 2013.
Returning for the first time since 2007, the line will enable the region's passengers to embark on a Fred. Olsen cruise without having to endure an expensive flight or long ferry crossing to reach its ships.
“We are delighted to once again have the opportunity to work with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and offer the Northern Ireland public the opportunity to begin a cruise from their local port,” said Joe O’Neill, commercial director of Belfast Harbour. “Belfast Harbour previously worked alongside Fred. Olsen in 2007, when 500 local people embarked on the Black Prince to begin their cruise.”
Boudicca will offer a ten-night Scandinavian Cities Cruise, which departs on 23 September and calls at Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. The ship will then sail a 12-night Portugal, Madeira and the Canaries trip from 3 October, visiting Leixoes, Funchal, Tenerife, Arrecife in Lanzarote and Lisbon, before heading back to Belfast. A two-night cruise will head to Liverpool on 15 October.
“Fred. Oslen is planning to increase its sailings from Belfast in 2014 to five departures, highlighting its commitment to Belfast Harbour and local guests, and further enhancing its reputation as the UK’s local global cruise line,” said Nathan Philpot, the line’s sales and marketing director.